World News Briefs -- August 19, 2014

Israel Launches Fresh Air Strikes In Gaza In Response To Rocket Fire -- The Guardian

Temporary ceasefire in jeopardy after rockets are fired from Gaza, sparking swift response from Israel

The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was in jeopardy on Tuesday after rockets were fired from Gaza, triggering a swift military and political response from Israel.

The Israel Defence Forces said it was targeting "terror sites across the Gaza Strip" in retaliation, and the prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, ordered his negotiating team to pull out of talks to find a durable ceasefire agreement in Cairo.

Gaza has been relatively quiet for the past eight days as two successive ceasefires have been in place to allow negotiations to be conducted. A further 24-hour ceasefire – due to expire at midnight on Tuesday was agreed in Cairo late on Monday night.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israel says Gaza militants fired rockets, breached truce. Israeli military says three rockets fired from Gaza, despite truce. Israel launches Gaza strikes following rocket fire.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces recapture Mosul dam.

Iraqi military fails to retake Tikrit from rebels.

Iraq crisis: UN launches new aid effort in north Iraq. U.N. sends aid to half a million fleeing violence in Iraq.

Assad forced to hit advancing ISIS in Syria.

Declared Syrian chemical weapon stockpile now completely destroyed.

25 Turkish police officers arrested amid Erdoğan wiretapping scandal.

Saudi beheads four men for smuggling drugs.

ASIA

Hundreds of Taliban fighters battle Afghan forces near Kabul: officials.

Pakistan army strikes kill 48 suspected militants.

Pakistan prepares for showdown between protesters, police.

Sri Lanka won't allow UN war crimes panel to visit.

China targets corrupt officials with overseas assets.

India's Modi seeks ideas to replace Soviet-style planning.

The world’s friendliest cities: Melbourne and Auckland named the best places to put a smile on your face.

AFRICA

Warplanes hit Tripoli amid Libya fighting.

Boko Haram crisis: Nigerian soldiers 'mutiny over weapons'.

'Celebrating' South Sudan troops fire on UN base, wound child.

UN Security Council condemns killing of two peacekeepers in Mali suicide attack.

Africa leaders urge UN to help relocate Rwandan Hutu rebels.

Deadly polio outbreak in Congo linked to mutant virus.

Ebola death toll rises to 1,229, WHO says. Ebola kills another 84 in West Africa.

EUROPE

Ukrainian troops inch closer to rebel city Donetsk.

Ukraine says fighting halts recovery of refugees' bodies.

Putin to meet Ukraine’s Pres Poroshenko in late August.

Russia is working on more retaliatory measures: Kremlin.

Germany's Merkel to visit Kiev on Saturday.

Pope backs military force to protect Iraq minorities.

9,500 police drafted in for Nato summit in Wales.

AMERICAS

Ferguson unrest: New clashes as Obama urges calm. Dozens arrested in Ferguson after further night of violence.

White House won't reveal documents related to ObamaCare website security.

Venezuelan government steps down amid reshuffle.

Ex-Guatemalan drug kingpin pleads guilty to US charges.

Victims of Colombia's armed conflict testify.

Pope Francis grieving for relatives killed in Argentina crash.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Intelligence: Islamic State planning terror attack in US, Europe.

Islamic State recruits at record pace in Syria: monitor.

Yemeni victims of U.S. military drone strike get more than $1 million in compensation.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US bars all American airlines from flying over Syria.

As Ferguson protests continue, Taser shares soar.

Oil drops as investors put geopolitics on back burner.