Monday, March 27, 2017

World News Briefs -- March 27, 2017 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Iraqi forces make new push in Mosul Old City: federal police

Iraqi forces said they launched new assaults in Mosul's Old City on Monday after more than two weeks of only small advances and a high civilian death toll appeared to prompt a change in tactics.

A March 17 explosion that killed between 60 and 240 people, according to conflicting accounts, cast a shadow over the U.S.-backed offensive to drive Islamic State (IS) militants out of Iraq's second largest city, and the parliament speaker spoke of ceasing operations until civilian casualties could be avoided.

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MIDDLE EAST

US probes Mosul bombing amid worries of rising civilian deaths.

Iraq forces launch renewed attack on Mosul's Old City.

Major military gains expected in west Mosul as army closes in on old town, Iraqi general says. Iraqi command: western Mosul battle finished “on the military level”.

U.S.-coalition sees no 'imminent risk' to Syria's Tabqa dam.

Syrian militia captures Tabqa airbase from Islamic State. US-backed forces 'capture' Tabqa airbase from ISIL.

US-backed fighters to pause military action near Syria dam.

US-backed Syrian alliance eyes Raqqa after taking IS-held military airport.

Manbij crossfire: Liberated from IS, Kurdish-controlled city now fears Turkish invasion (EXCLUSIVE).

10 jihadists among 20 dead in Yemen attack.

More than 10,000 attacks on Yemeni women in 2016: UN.

Yemenis protest on war's second anniversary.

2.2mn Yemeni children close to famine, 70% rise in those killed over past year – UNICEF.

Iran strikes back at U.S. with 'reciprocal' sanctions.

Israel urges citizens to leave Egypt's Sinai, citing IS threat.

Low expectations as Arab League chiefs gather in Jordan.

ASIA

Myanmar army chief defends military campaign in Rakhine.

Pakistan building border fence with Afghanistan: officials.

Japan loans Manila military planes for South China Sea.

Pyongyang threatens ‘own style of pre-emptive attack’ after joint U.S.-South Korea ‘decapitation’ drills.

Ex-U.S. ambassador: 'No good military options' against North Korea.

South Korea seeks warrant for ex-President Park Geun-hye's arrest. Prosecutors in South Korea seek arrest warrant for ousted President Park.

Four militants killed as Bangladesh troops storm hideout.

Afghan security ministers survive impeachment vote.

Hong Kong protest leaders ominously told they face charges day after new leader chosen.

Japan avalanche: Eight people feared dead after school students, teachers hit near ski slope.

Australia braces for 'absolutely huge' Cyclone Debbie.

AFRICA

Mali peace conference hit by boycott.

42 police ambushed, beheaded by Congolese militia. Militia fighters decapitate 40 police officers in DR Congo.

31 Al Shabaab militants killed in Somalia, two bases destroyed: Kenya military. 31 militants killed in attack by Kenya's military in Somalia.

U.S. military ends operation against LRA.

The Pentagon wants to keep ground troops in Libya and go on offense in Somalia.

UN: Six aid workers killed in an ambush in South Sudan. South Sudan attack 'could hinder aid deliveries'.

In Sierra Leone diamond sale, echoes of corruption and conflict.

Egypt convicts 56 over migrant boat sinking that killed 200.

EUROPE

NATO confirms Rex Tillerson meeting Friday.

Russia jails protests leader Alexei Navalny for 15 days.

Belarusian opposition vows to fight on amid clampdown.

Merkel's conservative party wins German regional election. Merkel celebrates German election win, challenger deflated.

France's Marine Le Pen says 'the European Union will die'; tells rally globalists must be defeated.


Pre-Brexit deadlock as Northern Ireland talks stall.

Kiev's dual citizenship crackdown would hit Rada, cabinet & 3.5 Mln Ukrainians.

Voting starts in Europe for Turkish referendum.

One-million-dollar coin stolen from Berlin museum.

AMERICAS

US leads boycott of nuclear weapons ban talks.

White House looks past conservatives on tax reform - to Democrats.

Schumer seizes on Trump team's offer to work with Dems.

Nunes says he was on WH grounds day before revealing Trump surveillance info. GOP House intel chairman met source on White House grounds.

Venezuela seeks to stymie OAS meeting, vows 'severe' response.

Venezuela asks the UN to help boost supply of medicines.

What is left when Peru's flood waters recede.


Chile pensions protest draws tens of thousands.

Argentina ex-leader Cristina Fernandez to go on trial.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

London attacker interested in jihad but no evidence of IS link: police.

Al Qaeda in Syria links to Afghanistan and Gulf States.

Vehicle attacks easy success for ISIS, a challenge for Police.

Pentagon: Al-Qaida leader killed in airstrike in Afghanistan.

Islamic State group could establish caliphate in the Philippines, Julie Bishop says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street off as Trump agenda weighed; Dow down for eighth day.

Owners approve moving Raiders to Las Vegas.

Oil nations look at extending supply cut.

China opens Moscow clearing bank for handling transactions in Yuan.

British official calls for WhatsApp access after Westminster attack.

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