Monday, November 2, 2015

World News Briefs -- November 2, 2015



Daily Mail: Russian airline reveals holiday jet crash could only have been caused by a 'mechanical impact' and NOT a technical fault or pilot error... as evidence points towards a bomb

* Airbus A321 broke-up mid-air after takeoff from Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh killing all 224 people on board
* Terrorism and aviation experts believe a bomb was more likely cause for crash than a missile or mechanical failure
* They cite fact there was no distress call and fuselage skin peeled outwards from 'force acting outwards from within'
* Russian expert close to investigation likened disaster to 1988 Lockerbie tragedy when Boeing was blown out of sky
* Plane brings home the bodies of 144 victims St Petersburg - the intended destination of the doomed Metrojet flight

Fears were growing today that a bomb could have destroyed the Russian holiday jet that crashed in Egypt killing all 224 people on board.

The Airbus A321 broke up mid-air shortly after takeoff from the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, scattering wreckage over a wide area in Sinai.

Terrorism and aviation experts believe a bomb may have been responsible, pointing to the fact there was no distress call and that the fuselage skin had peeled outwards possibly due to a 'force acting outwards from within'.

MIDDLE EAST

US pledges nearly $100 million to support Syrian opposition.

ISIL captures town in western Syria.

IS says it killed Syrian activist in Turkey.

Kerry: U.S. troops in Syria will only fight Islamic State.

Islamic State battles Iraqi forces near Samarra.

Iraq parliament bars Abadi government from passing reforms unilaterally.

Israel is refusing to release bodies of Palestinians killed.

Turkey returns to single-party rule in boost for Erdogan.

Turkey election: Erdogan calls on world to respect result.

Turkey's elections campaign unfair, say international monitors.

ASIA

US, South Korea pledge to strengthen defenses. US, South Korea revise agreement on military control.

Kerry meets Uzbek President, Central Asian leaders.

Afghan forces fight to keep IS from expanding safe haven.

Afghanistan to accept its citizens deported from Germany.

Indian civilian dies after Nepalese police fire on protesters at border.

Japan and South Korea summit signals thaw in relations.

China, Japan, S. Korea agree to end diplomatic stand-off.

Chinese manufacturing sector shrinks for the 3rd straight month.

China gives currency largest boost in a decade.

Chinese newspaper editor sacked for criticising Beijing's 'war on terror'.

AFRICA

Russian plane crash in Egypt: Airline blames 'external influence'. Sinai plane crash not due to technical faults or pilot error, says Russian airline.

Somalia: Al-Shabab attack kills 15 in Mogadishu hotel. Somali hotel attack kills over a dozen, including government official.

Nigerian army poster of 100 wanted Boko Haram militants features shadowy leader claimed killed.

Violence hits Central African Republic ahead of pope's visit.

South Sudan rebels release UN contractors.

Zanzibar opposition to meet Tanzanian military over poll crisis.

Tanzania's President-elect promises government reforms.

EUROPE

Russian jet crash in Egypt: First bodies brought to St. Petersburg.

Migrant crisis: Monthly record of 218,000 reach EU by sea.

Merkel's allies push diverging refugee plans in growing dispute.

Ukrainian rebels grow restless amid cracks in alliance with Russia.

Azerbaijan election: Ruling party wins amid boycott. Azeri ruling party wins majority, election observers see shortcomings.

Six suspected members of Basque group ETA go on trial in France.

Vatican arrests 2 suspected of leaking documents.

Fog snarls flights in London, western Europe.

AMERICAS

$20 trillion man: National debt nearly doubles during Obama presidency.

Obama's move in Syria reignites war powers debate.

Obama, FBI director spar over the 'Ferguson Effect' on police.

Vatican confirms date of Pope Francis trip to Mexico.

'Kirchnerismo' cleaves Argentina ahead of fierce run-off vote.

Exiled prosecutor urges sanctions on Venezuela.

Missing ship: El Faro 'found by search team'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda chief urges 9/11-style attacks in new audio message.

Obama aims to lift veil on drone strikes.

F.B.I. tool to identify extremists is criticized.

Taliban dissidents choose Mullah Rasool as chief.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
For oil industry, next few weeks will be brutal.

China unveils passenger aircraft to challenge Boeing and Airbus.

Google services set for 'return' to China.

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