Wednesday, January 20, 2016

World News Briefs -- January 20, 2016 (Evening Edition)

Soldiers holds their caps as a helicopter flies past during an operation, after a militant attack at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Pakistan, January 20, 2016. REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz

Reuters: Attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan underscore threat to region: White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday condemned attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, saying they underscore the ongoing threat that militants pose to the region.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the victims of the attacks and to their families, and we stand with the people of the region against all forms of extremism and terrorism," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

MIDDLE EAST

Russian bombs take toll in Syria as Islamic State under pressure.

Syria talks may not start on Jan. 25, 'pressure, momentum' needed: U.N. envoy.

Russian air strikes in Syria kill 3,000 people since September: monitor.

Turkey caught nearly 1,000 ISIS fighters in 2015.

Iraq conflict: Kurdish forces 'destroyed Arab homes'.

Iraq's oldest Christian monastery destroyed by Islamic State.

Kremlin: Tough disagreements between Russia, US on "white and black" lists in Syria.

White House: $1.7B Iran payment not 'ransom'.

‘I prefer ISIS’: Iran’s terror infrastructure is greater threat to Israel – defense minister.

Israel: Hezbollah recruits Palestinians to attack Israel.

Former Netanyahu aide lambasts US ambassador in heated spat.

Israel bans Palestinian settlement labourers from work.

U.N. body says Iran’s detention of Post reporter violated international law.

Iran's Khamenei suggests wants only conservative election candidates, hinting at rift with Rouhani.

ASIA

Deadly Pakistani school attack raises security questions.

Pakistan university attack: at least 30 dead as gunmen storm Bacha Khan campus.

Suicide bomb in Afghan capital targets journalists, kills seven people.

US wants more pressure on China to help on NKorea sanctions.

China moves to supplant U.S. as key foreign power in Middle East.

Japan FM says Russia key to resolving Syria, N. Korea issues.

President Rakhmon says scenario of Tajikistani coup was written abroad.

Uzbek Foreign Minister, U.S. officials hold talks in Washington.

Singapore deports 26 Bangladeshis as suspected militants.

Swedish activist Peter Dahlin 'confesses' on China TV.

AFRICA

Sudan MPs approve harsher penalties for rioting.

Half Central African Republic's people face hunger, WFP fed 400,000 in December.

Nigerians: Cameroon troops chase insurgents, kill 70.

Al Qaeda attack dents Burkina Faso's hopes of recovery.

UN council to push Burundi on AU force. UN Council visit to Burundi to push end to violence, talks.

Official: Liberia military ready to handle security after UN mandate ends.

UN: Thousands of newly displaced in Niger in need of shelter, water.

Tunisia clashes over jobs lead to curfew in western city.

Ebola: $5m vaccine deal announced.

Refugees in Malawi face food aid cuts amid funding drought.

EUROPE

Ukraine plans new diplomatic push to recover Crimea: Finance Minister.

Merkel says Austrian cap on refugees 'not helpful' for European solution.

Angela Merkel faces party rebellion over Germany's stance on refugees.

Limiting German refugee intake not unethical, president says.

Germany, Turkey arrest 35 in raids against traffickers.

Serbia to limit migrant passage to those heading for Austria or Germany.

German 'IS jihadist' in terror trial.

Russian diplomat reaffirms Russia’s stance against Montenegro’s NATO membership.

Russian currency lumps to record low.

Moldovan Parliament approves new government.

European shares post sharp falls in early trading.

Latvian president in stable condition after heart surgery.

AMERICAS

Brazil President called as witness in bribery investigation.

Ecuador says Assange will answer Sweden's questions in days.

‘Fast & Furious’ rifle capable of taking down helicopter found in 'El Chapo' cache.

Trump touts "a good day" after Palin endorsement.

Bomb and shooting threats target dozens of schools across U.S..

Colombia and Farc request UN mission to monitor any ceasefire.

Smuggling soars as Venezuela's economy sinks.

Marijuana Inc. eyes Mexico as drug liberalization looms.

Canada left out as major players fighting the Islamic State meet in Paris.

Concerns over Zika virus outbreak growing in U.S..

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Western military chiefs to intensify Islamic State fight.

Paris attacks: IS claims two attackers were Iraqi nationals.

Islamic State to halve fighters' salaries as cost of waging terror starts to bite.

ISIS magazine cheers San Bernardino, Paris.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil plumbs new lows below $27 as rout persists.

Global stock markets dive amid oil rout.

Wall St. swept up in oil rout.

IMF downgrades global forecast.

1 comment:

Don Bacon said...

The US spokesperson: We stand with the people of the region against all forms of extremism and terrorism and we reject the idea that it was the US which precipitated the entire situation by the bombing and invasion of Afghanistan, with the overthrow of its government, and the extension of the Afghan mess onto Pakistan under Obama. And now if you'll excuse me, we have to get the daily list of drone target assassinations over to the president for his approval. The only way to stop extremism and terrorism is by being more extreme and terroristic.