Monday, January 26, 2015

World News Briefs -- January 26, 2015



Daily Mail: Emergencies are declared in five states as 'worst snowstorm in history' bears down: Shelves are cleared and 6,000 flights are cancelled by blizzard set to dump THREE FEET of snow on NYC

* New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island governors declared states of emergency
* Officials were urging people to head home as soon as possible for their own safety
* NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said: 'This will be one of the largest blizzards in the history of New York City. People must be prepared. This is not business as usual'
* The snow storm expected to kick in at noon on Monday in New York City and early afternoon in New England withA blizzard warning issued for seven states with 65mph winds and 2-3 feet of snow expected across the Northeast
* Zero visibility on the roads overnight on Monday with 2-4 inches of snow falling per hour
* More than 1,800 flights have been canceled on Monday and a further 1,600 flights on Tuesday across the northeast
* The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning which affects 60 million people
* Boston expected to get 18-24 inches of snow and Philadelphia could see up to a foot of snow
* Widespread power outages were expected and could last for days, according to power companies

MIDDLE EAST

Kurds push Islamic State out of Kobani after four-month battle. Kurds celebrate ousting Islamic State fighters from Kobani. Pentagon: Battle for Syrian town of Kobani not over.

Sunni officials in Iraq say Shi'ite militias executed 70 civilians.

Syrian opposition starts talks in Moscow, expectations low.

Yemen drone strike kills three; US embassy suspends service. U.S. Embassy in Yemen halts some services amid turmoil.

New Saudi king ascends the throne as terrorism threat grows.

Israeli intel unit drops soldiers who refused to spy on Palestinians.

Facebook complies with Turkey page block order.

ASIA

49 police, 5 rebels killed in Maguindanao firefight. Philippines says deadly clash a mistake, hopeful peace not derailed.

Japan seeks Jordan's help on gaining hostage's release.

Obama in India joins Modi at Delhi Republic Day parade.

U.S., India reach agreement on nuclear power.

China urges India to take steps to satisfy standards of nuclear group.

UN emergency aid drops for N. Korea.

AFRICA

Nigeria's Boko Haram unrest: African leaders urged to act.

Nigerian military battles Boko Haram to retake barracks.

South Sudan: 11 killed, four wounded in brutal attack.

Central African Republic rebels free eight kidnapped officials.

Civil society groups oppose Mugabe as next AU President.

Defense Minister Lungu wins Zambia's disputed Presidential race.

Grief and anger in Congo follow violent protests against Joseph Kabila. Congo protests expose weakness of Kabila's coalition.

Corruption protest in Kenya's Maasai Mara region turns deadly.

Sons of Egypt's Mubarak leave Cairo prison.

EUROPE

Ukraine rebels move to encircle government troops in new advance.

Putin: Ukraine army is NATO legion aimed at restraining Russia. Putin blames Kiev for new violence in east Ukraine.

S&P downgrades Russia's credit rating to junk. S&P downgrades Russia credit rating to 'junk' status.

Greece’s new anti-austerity government set on collision course with Brussel.

EU offers mixed reaction to Syriza victory.

Leftist Tsipras sworn in as new Greek prime minister.

Greece: Germany warns over debt commitments.

IMF ready to continue supporting Greece after election: Lagarde.

Inquiry into London killing of ex-KGB spy Litvinenko to begin.

AMERICAS

Argentinian government moves to dissolve domestic intelligence agency. Argentina to dissolve intelligence body after prosecutor death.

Argentina president rejects accusations against government.

Journalist who reported suspicious death of prosecutor found shot at point blank range and set to accuse Argentine president of bombing cover-up 'vanishes' after saying he feared for his safety. Argentina says journalists safe after one flees, fearing for life.

Cuba leaves talks on US ties insisting it won't make major changes to its system.

Thousands of Venezuelan opposition supporters protest in Caracas.

Canadian soldiers involved in 2 more firefights against Islamic State.

US Senator McCain: Obama has 'no strategy' on terror.

Honduran President hails drop in murder rate.

Mexico investigates local mayor after journalist murdered.

Colombians celebrate Miss Universe title.

Security alert at White House as 'quad copter' drone found on grounds. White House security scare as drone found on grounds Monday; President Obama was in India at time.

Snow emergency declared in US.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US drone strike kills 3 suspected AQAP members.

Obama: US counterterrorism pressure in Yemen continues.

Closing Gitmo will be 'very difficult,' Hagel says.

Five indicted in Kosovo on terrorism charges.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

WikiLeaks blasts Google for quietly handing emails to government.

Oil slides despite OPEC talk of a floor.

US expects oil prices to remain low for next several years.

Cyber attacks worry Davos elites.

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