World News Briefs -- May 18, 2017 (Evening Edition)

BBC: Syria war: US-led coalition 'strikes pro-Assad convoy'

US-led coalition aircraft have bombed a convoy of pro-Syrian government forces in a remote area near the border with Jordan, US and rebel officials say.

Syrian and Iranian-backed militiamen were reportedly moving towards the Tanf base, which is used by rebel fighters and Western special forces personnel.

The US-backed Maghaweer al-Thawra rebel faction said the convoy was 27km (17 miles) away and contained four tanks.

There was no immediate comment from the government or its allies

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MIDDLE EAST

US airstrike hits pro-Syria government forces for first time. US-led warplanes hit Syria forces.

Airstrikes fuel Mosul gains as Iraq pushes for quick victory.

UN says struggling to cope with Mosul exodus.

Sunnis seek greater say in post-IS Iraq but face resistance.

Islamic State attacks Syrian state-held areas, 52 killed.

Battle for Raqqa: US-backed forces 'tighten noose' on Islamic State stronghold in Syria. US-backed SDF 'tightens noose' on Syria's Raqqa.

Syrian sides agree to new UN process on constitution.

Turkey's Cavusoglu demands removal of US envoy McGurk.

Iran decries new US sanctions on ballistic missile program.

Iran election: frantic campaigning as high-stakes vote goes down to wire. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Election rhetoric 'unworthy'.

Saudi Arabia working to dazzle Trump in busy overseas visit.

Israel declassifies Six-Day War archives.

ASIA

Cambodians remember victims of 'Killing Fields'.

Sri Lankan Tamils remember relatives killed in the civil war.

U.N.: 10 million North Koreans are starving.

China, ASEAN agree on draft framework for South China Sea code.

China drafts law on broad surveillance powers.

Philippines rejects European development money as China fills the funding gap.

Ferry between North Korea and Russia starts weekly service. Russia steps up North Korea support to constrain US.

Princess Mako to lose Japan royal status by marrying commoner.

AFRICA

UN worried by new heavy weapons in C. Africa.

2,300 migrants rescued off Libya: Italian coastguard.

Boko Haram traps starving people in Nigeria, UN warns.

Nigeria: Corruption in Nigerian defence sector benefitting Boko Haram.

Grenade attack kills three members of Burundi ruling party.

Libya asks Italy to arm migrant patrol boats.

South Sudan: Wife of exiled rebel leader warns 'genocide in progress', calls for Australian aid.

US court battle gives clues to Nigerian arms scandal.

'More than 3,000 escaped' Makala jail in DR Congo.

Somalia: Cholera outbreak death toll tops 700.

EUROPE

French President Macron in Mali's restive north for morale-boosting visit.

EU lawmakers criticize member states over refugee failure.

Kremlin mum on prospects of Russia-US ties should Trump be impeached.

Russian FM mocks US media over intelligence-sharing reports.

Secret plans to 'protect' France in the event of Le Pen victory emerge.

French president talks to Putin, faces media uproar. Putin and Macron discuss Ukraine in first phone call: Kremlin.

NATO chief says 'trusts all allies' on intelligence sharing.

Reports: British Prime Minister Theresa May plans migration curbs.

As Britain steps aside, EU states to negotiate joint defense fund.

Albanian politicians postpone parliamentary vote to June 25.

AMERICAS

Brazil’s Temer: ‘I won’t resign’ amid corruption allegations.

Brazil: explosive recordings implicate President Michel Temer in bribery.

Brazilian president denies endorsing corruption hush money.

Brazil's stock market plunges after corruption claims.

U.S. Congress may be forced to vote again on GOP's Obamacare repeal bill.

Trump: FBI inquiry into Russia links 'hurts US terribly'.

Trump decries Russia probe as 'greatest witch hunt' in US history.

GOP senator: Flynn 'not cooperating' in Russia probe.

Venezuela: Troops deployed in Tachira after looting. Growing fears over Venezuela’s deepening crisis. Venezuela deploying 2,600 troops to Táchira state amid protests.

Colombia court decision likely to slow approval of peace laws.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

NATO chief rules out combat role against Islamic State.

Some NATO allies favour joining anti-IS coalition: Stoltenberg.

NATO top brass recommend joining anti-ISIS coalition.

Jordanian spies provided ISIL bomb intel: officials.

US and EU reject expanding laptop ban to flights from Europe.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Trump administration announces plans to renegotiate NAFTA.

Facebook fined $122M for misleading European Commission. EU fines Facebook over 'misleading' WhatsApp data claim.

Report: $540bn-a-year loss threat for global agriculture.

Roger Ailes: Fox News founder dies at 77.