Monday, April 20, 2015

World News Briefs -- April 20, 2015



The Guardian: Two more migrant boats issue distress calls in Mediterranean

Italian and Maltese vessels respond to calls from inflatable liferaft off Libya’s coast with up to 150 people on board and another with 300 people on board as EU ministers hold meeting about recent tragedies

Italian and Maltese ships were responding to distress calls from two migrant boats in the Mediterranean as EU interior and foreign ministers met to discuss the latest tragedies.

MIDDLE EAST

Houthis vow resistance as Saudis claim 80% of priority targets in Yemen destroyed.

New Saudi-led airstrike kills at least 26 civilians in Yemen. Yemen: Dozens feared dead in air strike on arms depot.

U.S., allies stage 36 air strikes against Islamic State: military.

Shi'ite militia hands over suspected body of former top Saddam aide.

Displaced Iraqis stranded outside Baghdad. Ramadi exodus compounds Iraq humanitarian crisis.

Iran still respecting terms of interim nuclear deal: U.N. report.

Iran FM: time for US, Western allies to choose between cooperation and confrontation.

4 firms accused of illegally exporting military technology to Iran.

Post reporter jailed in Iran faces 4 charges including espionage.

Turkey's top cleric calls Pope 'immoral' for Armenia comments.

ASIA

Taliban kill three police, kidnap 19 de-miners in Afghanistan.

Indonesia military launches anti-IS operation on eastern island.

US 'reviewing options' on N. Korea over human rights violations.

More than 100,000 officials caught in China austerity push.

Vietnam asked Philippines to form pact to counter China, Aquino reveals.

China's Xi Jinping to unveil $46bn super highway to Pakistan.

Japan's Abe says ready to meet China's Xi at Jakarta summit.

U.S. pair accused in Bali suitcase murder may hear verdicts Tuesday.

Taiwan, Japan islands hit by 6.8 earthquake.

AFRICA

South Africa faces backlash over xenophobic attacks on migrant workers.

Zulu king calls for peace in S Africa after violence.

Boko Haram adopts ISIS' bloody religious cleansing strategy.

57 militants killed in army raids in Egypt.

Libya condemns killing of Ethiopian Christians by ISIL.

Deadly attack targets UN staff in Somalia's Puntland.

Billion dollar wildlife and gold trade fuelling DR Congo war: UN.

EUROPE

New Mediterranean migrant distress calls as EU meets. EU action sought after latest migrant deaths. EU ministers discuss migrant crisis as shipwrecked bodies brought ashore.

Truce tenuous as Ukraine leader tackles economy, oligarchs.

Russia's Lavrov says fighting in east Ukraine abating.

Kiev lists Russian military units allegedly in Ukraine.

North Caucasus terrorist leaders killed in special operation in Dagestan. Leader of al-Qaida-linked group in Russia's Caucasus killed.

Norway in Arctic dispute with Russia over Rogozin visit. Moscow dismisses Norway's protests over Arctic islands visit.

Opposition centrists win Finland election, face tough talks.

EU to charge Russia's Gazprom with market abuse.

Trial of far-right Golden Dawn leaders starts in Greece.

AMERICAS

High security planned for Boston Marathon.

Obama to press climate change agenda with trip to Everglades on Earth Day.

Argentina launches legal action to prevent Falklands oil and gas drilling.

Venezuela 'receives $5bn in finance from China'.

Arrest of Gulf Cartel chief sparks Mexico border gunfights.

Brazilian leading contractor admits paying 36m dollars in bribes to Petrobras officials.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Former Saddam Hussein spy masterminded the rise of Isis, says report.

US charges 6 for conspiring to provide material support to IS.

Australia arrests 5 for alleged terror plot inspired by Islamic State.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US-Europe trade talks resume Monday.

'Mobilegeddon': Google to rank mobile-friendly sites higher in search results.

Norway to become first country to switch off FM radio in 2017.

GE in talks to sell $74 billion portfolio to Wells Fargo.

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