Thursday, April 13, 2017

World News Briefs -- April 13, 2017 (Evening Edition)

The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb is pictured in this undated handout photo. Elgin Air Force Base/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: U.S. unleashes 'mother of all bombs' for first time in Afghanistan

The United States dropped "the mother of all bombs," the largest non-nuclear device it has ever unleashed in combat, on a network of caves and tunnels used by Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday, the military said.

President Donald Trump touted the bombing as evidence of a more muscular U.S. foreign policy since he took office in January after eight years of President Barack Obama.

The 21,600 pound (9,797 kg) GBU-43 bomb, which has 11 tons of explosives, was dropped from a MC-130 aircraft in the Achin district of Nangarhar province, close to the border with Pakistan, Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump said.

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MIDDLE EAST

Erdogan and Putin back investigation into Syria chemical attack. US says chemical weapons attack in Syria was 'war crime'.

Syrian army claims a US-led airstrike has hit an ISIS poison gas depot 'killing hundreds’.

Hundreds poisoned in US-led coalition’s strike on IS depot in Deir ez-Zor.

Russia sends drones to Deir ez-Zor where 'coalition strike' caused chemical leak.

Syria chemical attack was 'fabricated' - Assad. Syria's Assad says chemical attack '100 percent fabrication'.

Syria war: Anger after Russia vetoes resolution at UN.

U.S. military says misdirected airstrike in northern Syria killed 18 allied fighters.

U.S.-backed forces launch new attacks on Islamic State in Syria: statement.

Iraqi Kurds restrict movement of US-backed Anti-IS forces in Syria.

Turkish referendum polls show 'Yes' vote above 51 percent.

Abbas seeks 'unprecedented' steps to end Palestinian split.

ASIA

Trump says North Korea problem 'will be taken care of'.

North Korea could conduct nuclear test on day of celebration. North Korea preparing for nuclear test, satellite images suggest.

N. Korea could have sarin-tipped missiles, Japanese PM says ahead of Pyongyang's ‘big event’. North Korea may be capable of sarin-tipped missiles: Japan PM.

China says military force in Korean Peninsula unacceptable as U.S. warships near. China warns against force as North Korea prepares celebration.

North Korea-US saber rattling ramps up tension in Asia.

Rohingya fleeing Myanmar describe military tactic of systematic rape.

Suicide bomb attack in heart of Kabul kills five.

Duterte cancels visit to disputed South China Sea island after warning from Beijing.

Women accused of killing North Korean leader's half-brother appear in Malaysian court.

AFRICA

Nigeria negotiating with 'foreign' help for Chibok schoolgirls.

Nearly 100 migrants feared missing after boat sinks off Libya - coastguard.

South Sudan violence amounts to 'genocide': UK minister.

Zambia denies detained opposition leader barred access to lawyers.

US sanctions for CAR warlords.

Central African Republic violence worst in years - MSF.

Diarrhoea kills more than 500 in Somalia since January: UN.

South African minister promises new chief, revamped image for elite police unit.

Nigeria seizes $43 million cash stash in Lagos house.

EUROPE

US will keep 'open mind' on any IMF aid to Greece: Treasury official.

Trump says 'things will work out fine' between U.S. and Russia.

NATO deploys troops to Poland while concerns about country's army rise.

Lavrov doubtful talks with Tillerson will show any results soon. Kremlin: No positive shift yet on Russia-US ties.

Lavrov-Tillerson talks: 'Ukraine is what US is concerned least about.

European court rules Russia mishandled Beslan school siege. ECHR finds 'serious failings' in Russia's handling of the 2004 Beslan massacre.

Borussia Dortmund attack: Iraqi suspect 'linked to IS'.

U.N. envoy: Cyprus talks 'at crossroads', only few issues still to be resolved.

Hungary's Orban eyes 2018 election with 'anti-Soros' university law.

Marine Le Pen campaign HQ building hit by arson attempt.

AMERICAS

British spies were first to spot Trump team's links with Russia.

Trump says 'things will work out fine' with Russia.

Dems winning fight over building the wall.

George W. Bush makes case for foreign aid and immigration reform.

Venezuela protest deaths mount as Maduro taunted. 5 dead in Venezuela protests as movement gains steam.

FARC flouting terms of Colombian peace deal, U.S. officials fear.

Brazil’s political class is in crisis as over 100 are investigated for corruption.

President Trump to meet with Argentina's Macri at the White House.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Saudi banks, bin Laden companies face $4.2 billion U.S. lawsuit by 9/11 insurers.

U.S.-backed forces launch new attacks on Islamic State in Syria: statement.

Islamist arrested following soccer bus attack; was IS member in Iraq, says German prosecutor.

Rise of terrorism in Africa.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Microsoft says U.S. foreign intelligence surveillance requests more than doubled.

Trump and US Fed Chairperson Yellen may not be an odd couple after all.

Tesla's Musk tells disgruntled shareholders: Buy Ford.

Saudi raises $9 bn in first global Islamic bond issue.

Donald Trump: China 'not a currency manipulator'.

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