Wednesday, August 27, 2014

World News Briefs -- August 27, 2014



Israel, Gaza Quiet As Cease-fire Takes Hold -- Voice of America

Israel and the Gaza Strip were calm Wednesday on the first full day of a new "open-ended" cease-fire.

The Israeli military reported no rocket attacks from Gaza and no airstrikes by its forces on the Palestinian territory.

The truce took effect Tuesday evening, 50 days after tensions between the two sides erupted into a war that has killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians. Sixty-nine Israelis have died, all but five of them soldiers.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Gaza truce holding but Israel's Netanyahu under fire at home. Life returns to Gaza as truce holds.

Syria conflict: Islamic State 'committed war crimes'. Islamic State executes soldiers, takes hostages at Syria base: social media.

Islamic State recruits women to support its fight.

Syrian rebels seize border crossing with Israel.

Hagel: ‘Operations have already begun’ to accelerate arms shipments to Kurds.

Deadline passed, no sign of breakthrough in Iran nuclear probe.

President-elect Erdogan heralds 'new Turkey' in last party speech.

ASIA

Afghan forces battle for control of symbolic Kunduz province.

Afghan candidate pulls out of election audit. Afghan vote audit on hold over Abdullah claims of fraud.

U.S. commander: Taliban will test Afghans in 2015.

Regional tensions loom over China’s APEC preparations.

China says wants to mend ties with Vietnam: Xinhua.

China moves to limit Hong Kong election could stir protests.

Fukushima disaster bill more than $105bn, double earlier estimate – study.

Japan PM Shinzo Abe marks war criminal ceremony.

AFRICA

Arab strikes in Libya show impatience with US.

US, European allies discuss escalation of violence in Libya – reports. U.S., Europe weigh sanctions, armed force for Libya.

Boko Haram attacks Nigerian soldiers in Cameroon.

Cameroon says kills 27 Boko Haram militants in border clashes.

South Sudan crisis: Rebels deny shooting UN helicopter.

Shebab flee Somalia strategic town in latest advance of African troops.

Peace talks in Mali.

EUROPE

Talks optimism fades as Ukraine says Russia makes new incursion.

Ukraine-Russia talks in Minsk fruitless — Yatsenyuk.

Questions left unanswered at Putin-Poroshenko Minsk talks.

Lavrov: Russia interested in implementing agreements with EU and NATO more than others.

Most Russians see Ukrainian turmoil as civil war - poll.

Finland and Sweden to strengthen ties with Nato.

NATO chief eyes more bases in E. Europe to confront Russia.

U.K. terror police ask families to out home-grown Jihadis.

Europe to depend on Russian gas for at least a decade - Fitch.

AMERICAS

U.S. lawmakers demand vote on US military action against ISIS.

UNDP: Poverty down in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Brazil's Rousseff holding lead against Silva surge in election poll.

Colombia frees drugs lord's hired killer 'Popeye'.

Missouri protests resume over black teen's shooting death.

Winter blackouts could hit U.S. Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, regional grid operator warns.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US eyes Islamic State threat.

Senators: ISIS is ‘best funded’ terror group ever.

Intel believes 300 Americans fighting with Islamic State, posing threat to U.S..

Al-Qaeda publication suggests Georgia Military College as bombing target.

Pentagon unaware that Qatar funds terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Tim Hortons’ Canadian fans leery of American hookup.

Time Warner Cable: service 'largely restored' after widespread outages.

IMF chief Lagarde under investigation in France.

Lockheed Martin in space junk deal with Australian firm.

Snapchat valued at $10bn by Californian investment firm.

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