Friday, February 19, 2016

World News Briefs -- February 19, 2016

A damaged building is pictured after an airstrike on the rebel held al-Fardous neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria February 18, 2016. REUTERS/ABDALRHMAN ISMAIL

BBC: Syria conflict: World powers to hold ceasefire talks

Military officials from 17 countries are to meet in Geneva to discuss how to secure a cessation of hostilities in Syria, as a deadline they set expires.

Representatives of the US and Russia, which back opposing sides in the conflict, held talks earlier in an effort to agree a joint position.

The continuing fighting on the ground in Syria has dimmed hopes for a truce.

Meanwhile, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura conceded hopes of resuming peace talks on 25 February were not realistic.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

U.S. and Russia hold talks on Syria ceasefire ahead of U.N. meeting.

UN envoy: Syrian peace talks will not resume next week.

MSF admits withholding Syria hospital coordinates from Damascus & Moscow.

Putin, Saudi Arabia king discuss Syria crisis — Kremlin.

UN Chief warns military 'escalation' threatens Syrian truce effort.

Turkey says US arms used by Syria Kurds, blamed for Ankara blast.

UN aid official decries lack of attention given to Yemen war.

ASIA

Defiant North Korea plans more rocket launches.

Vietnam protests China missile deployment, Australia, NZ urge restraint. Vietnam protests at "serious violation" of sovereignty by China.

Nepal PM seeks to strengthen India ties with visit.

India caste violence in Rohtak leads to tightened security.

Kidnapped Red Cross staff released in Afghanistan.

Japan's Shinzo Abe rebukes MPs after Obama 'slave' remark.

China's Xi urges state media to boost global influence.

AFRICA

Uganda opposition leader held again as votes counted. Uganda polls: Museveni's main rival, Besigye, arrested.

Islamic State camp in Libya attacked by US planes. Officials: US warplanes strike IS facility in Libya.

Al-Shabab denies Kenya has killed its spy chief.

Deaths as suicide bomber hits market in Cameroon.

Sudanese flee militiamen they say are razing villages in Darfur.

South Sudan unity government on hold as VP stays away.

UN: Fighting at South Sudan IDP camp could be war crime.

Zimbabwe police fire water cannon to break-up war veteran protest.

Egypt says it will not protect policemen who break the law as tensions mount.

EUROPE

Migrant crisis: Austria asylum cap begins despite EU anger.

Greece may block EU summit conclusions, complicating Brexit, migrant talks.

Polish president Duda says Russia fomenting new Cold War.

Chechen separatist leader: Kadyrov is here to stay.

Ukraine political fight threatens economy.

Opposition disrupts Kosovo Parliament with tear gas.

Swiss investigating alleged secret 1970 PLO deal.

AMERICAS

Presidential contests down to the wire in Nevada, South Carolina.

Donald Trump: "I don't like fighting with the pope".

AP-GfK Poll: Voters increasingly see Sanders as electable.

Cuba's dissident crackdown peaks ahead of Obama's historic visit.

Fewer poor in Latin America but indigenous people still lag others: World Bank.

U.S., Brazil researchers join forces to battle Zika virus.

Colombia's ex-rebel fighters struggle to find jobs, rebuild lives.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

IS increases use of child soldiers, says US report. How ISIS recruits children, then kills them.

With Islamic State under pressure, Iraqi forces hope to reclaim city of Hit.

Twitter crackdown is crippling ISIS.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

South Korea raids Volkswagen office.

Uber car-hire app losing $1bn in China every year, says CEO.

Apple apologises for iPhone 'error 53' and issues fix.

Facebook and Twitter throw weight behind Apple.

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