Thursday, August 21, 2014

World News Briefs -- August 21, 2014



New US Strikes In Iraq After IS Foley Video -- BBC

US aircraft have launched fresh strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, despite threats from the group to kill a second American captive.

US Navy fighters and drones provided air cover for Kurdish and Iraqi forces battling IS near the city of Mosul.

On Tuesday IS released a video showing the beheading of journalist James Foley. In it, the militants threatened to kill another American reporter.

The US attorney general says a criminal investigation will look into his death.

In the UK, police and security services are trying to identify the jihadist who appeared in footage of Mr Foley's killing.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the man - who has an English accent - is from London or south-east England.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iran advising Iraqi Kurds against Islamic State.

'Right now you are infidels. After this, you will become Muslims and you will have rights': The moment hundreds of Yazidis converted en masse to Islam to avoid ISIS execution.

Iraq 'certainly looks like war,' says U.S. Comgressman.

Gaza strife escalates after talks collapse.

3 senior Hamas military leaders killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza. Thousands turn out for burial of three Hamas commanders as IDF claims more than 300 rockets have been fired at Israel since ceasefire ended two days ago.

Tel Aviv airport ignores Hamas threat.

Israeli defense minister asks government to call up 10,000 reservists.

Exclusive: Militants, weapons transit Gaza tunnels despite Egyptian crackdown.

Some see Qatar’s hand in collapse of Gaza talks.

Senior Hamas official says group abducted Israeli teens.

ASIA

Pakistani protest leader says talks with government suspended.

Top general is named Thai Prime Minister, sealing military’s rule.

Indonesia president says Islamic State 'embarrassing' Muslims.

Seven slashed in knife attack in China's Guangzhou: state media.

Hong Kong democracy stalemate sets stage for possible financial district shutdown.

Afghanistan expels Times reporter.

North Korea ridicules John Kerry’s ‘hideous lantern jaw’.

AFRICA

Police open fire, use tear gas on crowds as Liberia struggles to contain deadly Ebola.

Darfur unrest: Sudanese groups in deadly clashes.

European peacekeepers in CAR gun battle.

Tunisia, Egypt halt Libya flights over security fears.

South Sudan recruited child soldiers in latest fighting.

Amnesty criticises detention of child soldiers in Mali.

EUROPE

As Ukraine forces gain in east, focus of German diplomacy shifts.

Moscow asks UN Security Council to adopt statement calling for ceasefire in Ukraine.

Dozens die in Ukraine in street battles, Donetsk shelling.

Ukraine expects positive results from talks in Minsk.

McDonald's: Russia watchdog widens probe into food chain.

Scottish nationalists seek to broaden independence debate beyond currency.

'Suicide tourism' to Switzerland has doubled since 2009.

Eurozone business growth slows in August, PMI data shows.

AMERICAS

Peace and quiet return to the streets of Ferguson.

'World is watching' troubled US suburb.

Foley's death isn't changing views in Congress.

Argentina unveils debt plan to avoid US court ruling. U.S. judge calls Argentina debt row hearing amid contempt calls.

Head of Guatemalan military dies in chopper crash.

American Ebola patient to be released after clean blood tests.

Robin Williams' death certificate reveals tragic comedy legend's ashes have been scattered at his beloved San Francisco Bay.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

British ISIS Jihadi vows to be first woman to behead UK or US prisoner.

The homegrown jihadists fighting for ISIS: How one in four foreigners who have signed up for Islamic State is British - and how half of them are ALREADY back in the UK.

Report: ISIS demanded $100M ransom for Foley.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Bank of America agrees to record $17bn settlement over mortgage fraud.

Fading volatility promises long period of gold stagnation.

The 10 most dominant Warren Buffett stocks.

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