Thursday, October 15, 2015

World News Briefs -- October 15, 2015

FILE - A U.S. soldier from Dragon Troop of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment fires a Javelin missile system during a training exercise near operating base Gamberi in the Laghman province of Afghanistan, Jan. 1, 2015.

VOA: US Halts Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he will slow the planned withdrawal of American military forces from Afghanistan scheduled for next year.

The U.S. will maintain the current number of troops in the war-torn country at 9,800 through most of 2016, before trimming that number to 5,500, the president said.

Obama pledged last year to remove all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2016, with the exception of a small contingent of 1,000 troops based at the U.S. embassy in Kabul. He said it was time for the U.S. to "turn the page" on a war launched in 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States.

MIDDLE EAST

Lavrov, Kerry hold phone call on Syria.

Syrian army and Russian jets target rebel towns north of Homs. Syria conflict: Army launches offensive on Homs enclave.

Iraqi forces preparing for assault on IS-held Ramadi.

Iraqi forces and militia seize most of Baiji refinery: officials.

Iraq’s Kurds, key U.S. ally in Islamic State fight, embroiled in violent political crisis.

Turkey warns US, Russia against supporting Kurds in Syria.

U.N. hopes Yemen peace talks can start by month-end: Eliasson.

France says Iran missile test 'worrying' violation of U.N. resolution.

U.N. says Iran meets deadline for investigation of atomic past.

ASIA

US, China brace for stand-off over disputed islands sail-by as Aussies fence-sit.

Sailing in South China Sea not provocative, U.S. says.

Myanmar signs ceasefire with eight armed groups. Myanmar signs cease-fire with armed groups before vote.

Kazakh leader says he and Putin worried about Tajikistan.

Russia mulls re-establishing control of Tajik-Afghan border.

Malaysia's embattled PM facing stern test as parliament returns.

Hong Kong police, democracy activist charged over beating.

Japan restarts second nuclear reactor despite public opposition.

AFRICA

Nigeria's Boko Haram extremists urge Somalia's Shabab to join Islamic State, abandon al-Qaida.

South Sudan civil war worsening - aid agencies.

Sisi to tighten grip on Egypt despite new parliament.

Ugandan opposition presidential candidate arrested as state crackdown grows.

Lockerbie bombing: two Libyans identified as suspects.

Benin's long-ruling former president Kerekou dies at 82.

Oscar Pistorius' request for house arrest granted.

EUROPE

U.S. Defense Chief Carter: Russia has created 'new reality' in Europe.

EU sees progress on Turkey refugee talks. Turkey seeks EU visa deal for cooperation on migrants.

Big decisions unlikely at migration summit as EU leaders aim to avoid rows.

Hungary says fence finished on Croatian border.

Moldova’s ex-premier charged with corruption stripped of parliamentary immunity. Moldova detains former PM in parliament over $1 billion fraud.

Ukraine's $1 trillion demand from Russia shrinks to $46 billion.

Ukraine gives Russia 2 weeks to agree to debt restructuring.

NATO urges Montenegro to prove readiness for accession.

UK: Assange can get medical care, but he'll be arrested.

AMERICAS

Donald Trump says Russia isn't to blame for MH17, despite evidence.

Canadian election attracts headlines around the globe.

Narco planes, millions in payloads, fly past Peru military. Peru announces probe after AP reports on military turning blind eye to cocaine flights.

Brazil speaker denies agreement on impeachment requests.

Food inflation: It’s getting hard for Venezuela to feed itself.

Panama prosecutor to charge ex-President with political espionage.

Illinois Lottery delays payment of all winnings over $600.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Obama-led drone strikes kill innocents 90% of the time: report.

U.S. military might already have the data to identify Islamic State leaders.

Allen: Global coalition making progress in 5 lines of effort against ISIS.

Egyptian court acquits younger brother of al-Qaida's leader of terror charges.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Volkswagen can take $80 bln hit before crumpling.

Bloomberg issues dire forecasts for US shale oil industry by 2017.

Lew to U.S. Congress: Debt limit now exhausted Tuesday, November 3.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Speaking of training the U.S declined to use an area in the old Yugoslavia after 1991 because the did not want to be stuck with the clean up costs.

It has already been used as a training area for ordinance.