Monday, March 9, 2015

World News Briefs -- March 9, 2015

Foreign ministers of the Arab League take part in an emergency meeting at the League's headquarters in Cairo March 9, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Reuters: Arab League calls for multinational force to fight militants

(Reuters) - The Arab League called for the creation of a regional force to combat militants as countries face a growing threat from Islamic State and other groups.

The ultra-radical group has taken over swathes of Iraq and Syria and splinter groups in other countries like Egypt and Libya have pledged allegiance to it. Yemen's al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is also very active.

MIDDLE EAST

U.S., allies conduct 14 air strikes in Syria, Iraq: statement.

Islamic State conflict: Deadly strike on Syria refinery.

Have ISIS destroyed ANOTHER ancient city? Iraq investigating reports jihadists have looted and blown up former 700BC Assyrian capital near Mosul.

Activists reflect on Syria's spiral from protests to horror.

Yemen’s tribesmen, Houthis fight it out in Maarib. Al Qaeda attacks Yemen army base, four dead: residents.

Analysis: More Mideast allies fear U.S. soft on Iran.

Saudi Arabia accused of blocking criticism of human rights record.

ASIA

Philippine military says 73 Muslim rebels dead in offensive.

Japan, China lock horns over disputed islands.

China defends island-building in South China Sea.

China calls on Japan to make 'right choice' in facing war aggression. ‘Do mention the war,’ Merkel urges Japanese.

Chinese military threat real: Taiwan minister.

Myanmar is sliding toward conflict, U.N. investigator says.

Hamid Karzai: Afghanistan in danger of sliding 'under thumb' of Pakistan. Afghan lawmaker says wary of Pakistan role in Taliban peace moves.

U.N. expert wants North Korea held to account for abductions.

MH370 report offers no answers but Malaysia vows to continue search.

Abbott: Australia 'sick of being lectured' on migration.

AFRICA

Chad and Niger troops move to attack Boko Haram. Chad soldiers killed as Boko Haram lose Nigerian towns.

Libya says Isis killed 8 guards and kidnapped 9 foreigners from oilfield. Foreigners seized by Islamic State in Libya: Austria.

Mali restaurant shooting an 'attack on the peace process'.

Bomb kills three soldiers in Egypt's Sinai.

South Sudan unhappy with US support for sanctions.

U.N. chief disappointed by failure of South Sudan peace talks.

International court: Sudan has failed to cooperate in al-Bashir case.

Political stability in Morocco cannot silence the murmurs of discontent.

EUROPE

Colleagues say Islamist motive for killing Nemtsov is nonsense.

Putin honors Chechen leader who praised Nemtsov suspect.

Russia’s anti-American fever goes beyond the Soviet era’s.

Almost 650 German radicals fight alongside Islamic State militants — Interior Minister.

French PM predicts 10,000 Europeans to join ISIS before 2015 ends.

Fresh drone flight over sensitive French military site.

Put CCTV in EVERY home: Householders should help us trap burglars, says Scotland Yard chief.

AMERICAS

Obama declares Venezuela a threat to U.S. national security.

Peru to withdraw ambassador from Chile because of alleged military espionage.

Venezuela installs finger scanners in supermarkets.

Argentina demands HSBC repay $3.5bn in offshore funds.

Colombia landmines: Farc to help army clear minefields.

Money seized from Brazil magnate vanishes from court safe.

IG Audit: 6.5 million people with active U.S. social security numbers are 112 or older.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

News Guide: Latest developments on Islamic State group.

Islamic State makes up to $1 billion on drug trafficking — Russian drug control service.

Supreme Court rejects cases on Guantanamo detainee treatment.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Air travel 'safer' in 2014 despite Malaysian disasters: IATA.

Sharp fall in McDonald’s sales blamed on competition and changing tastes.

Are ISIS hackers really targeting small businesses?

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