Friday, September 19, 2014

World News Briefs -- September 19, 2014


Scotland Rejects Independence as U.K. Vows Extra Powers -- Bloomberg

Scotland voted to stay in the U.K. in a referendum on independence, stepping back from a breakup of the 307-year-old union while wringing promises of more financial power from Prime Minister David Cameron.

After a count through the night, 55.3 percent of Scottish voters supported the “no” campaign against 44.7 percent who backed independence. U.K. shares helped lead European equities to a 6 1/2-year high and the pound rose to the strongest level in two years against the euro after the Better Together campaign posted a wider margin of victory than opinion polls suggested. There was a record turnout of more than 90 percent in some of the 32 districts.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi army launches offensive on Islamic State in three cities.

Sistani says Iraq needs outside help to fight Islamic State.

French fighter jets strike Islamic State supply depot in northeastern Iraq. France launches first air strikes on IS in Iraq.

Islamic State creates police force in northwest Iraq.

Turkey opens border to Syrian Kurds fleeing IS. Syrian Kurds fleeing Islamic State cross border into Turkey. Half million besieged Kurds plead for int'l help.

Bomb kills two Lebanese soldiers at Syrian border.

Russia fails to remove Syria nuclear probe from IAEA agenda.

Armed Shi'ite rebels push into Yemen's capital. Houthi rebels shell Yemen state TV office.

Turkey seeks advanced security for pipelines, strategic locations.

Iranian Pharrell Williams fans behind Happy video sentenced.

ASIA

Australia boosts parliament security amid attack 'chatter'. Australia terror crackdown sees armed police in parliament.

Afghanistan asks Washington for $537 million bailout.

‘Historic high’: Afghan drug crime to further deteriorate after US withdrawal, says Russia.

Russia, China negotiate over 30 joint projects worth over $100 bln — official.

Is Kim Jong ill? North Korean dictator in poor health as his weight has ballooned thanks to an obsession with cheese.

Floods shut down Philippine capital, 3 killed.

Japan to restart whaling in 2015 despite IWC ruling.

AFRICA

Sierra Leone begins three-day shutdown to contain Ebola outbreak.

Deadly attack in Guinea on Ebola team. Throats slit: Ebola health team, journalists brutally killed in Guinea.

'Much to be done' for DR Congo to meet peace deal.

U.S. sanctions military officers on both sides of South Sudan conflict.

Libya halts biggest oilfield amid rebel attacks.

Liberian female rebel Martina Johnson held for war crimes.

Ugandan President fires PM.

EUROPE

UK remains united after Scotland referendum.

Catalans inspired by Scotland vote in independence push. Spanish leaders relieved as Scottish 'no' deals blow to Catalan separatists. Scotland chose best option, says Spain's PM as Catalan campaign continues.

Spain, Italy, Belgium: Battle lines drawn for independence after Scottish vote.

Ukrainian president makes emotional plea to Congress for greater military aid. Ukraine's Poroshenko says U.S. promises $1 billion in financial guarantees.

Third round of Ukraine-Donetsk prisoner exchange set for September 20.

Poland plans gas hub to kill reliance on Russian energy.

France says its jets launch first air strikes in Iraq.

Sarkozy set for return to politics in France.

Russia to be cut off from Global Web in case of emergency. Russia eyes measures to fend off Western Internet threat: Kremlin.

AMERICAS

Congress supports Obama on aid to Syrian rebels fighting Isil.

Exclusive: Angry with Washington, 1 in 4 Americans open to secession.

Brazil's Rousseff closes in on Silva ahead of October vote.

At least 15 police hurt as thousands rally in Ecuador.

A dangerous sign that Argentina's economy is going off the rails.

Three suspects arrested in Chile subway bombing.

Mystery illness plagues girls in Colombia.

Florida granddad Don Spirit who killed family had also fatally shot son years before.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. court finds North Korea, Iran guilty of terror attacks.

Australia beheadings plot raises questions about Islamic State's reach.

U.S. tracks threats against West by Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

New al Qaeda branch in South Asia launches first assault.

Modi: Al-Qaeda's South Asia plan 'delusional'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Home Depot: 56 million credit cards compromised.

Alibaba's IPO to end US dominance in technology sector: expert.

China hands drugmaker GSK record $489 million fine, sentences executives.

iFail: One of the world's first iPhone 6 owners DROPS it live on TV... as thousands brave queues and fights to get their hands on Apple's latest device (including a guy who flew out to Australia from California).

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