Friday, February 19, 2016

World News Briefs -- February 19, 2016 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: U.S. strikes Islamic State in Libya, killing 40 people

U.S. warplanes carried out air strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in western Libya on Friday, killing as many as 40 people in an operation targeting a suspect linked to two deadly attacks last year in neighboring Tunisia.

It was the second U.S. air strike in three months against Islamic State in Libya, where the hardline Islamist militants have exploited years of chaos following Muammar Gaddafi's 2011 overthrow to build up a presence on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Pentagon said it had targeted an Islamic State training camp and killed a Tunisian militant linked to major attacks on tourists in Tunisia.

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MIDDLE EAST

Obama calls Turkey's Erdogan as allies row over Syrian Kurds.

Kurdish splinter group claims responsibility for Ankara bombing.

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.

Israeli forces shoot dead three Palestinian assailants.

ASIA

New Zealand offers to take Australia's unwanted refugees.

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

Morocco, citing Arab disunity, says won't host summit.

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 reports nearly 26,000 flee after ethnic clashes in South Sudan camp.

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

Kyiv's crisis continues its spiral.

Lithuanian President says EU has reached deal with U.K..

Le Pen party taps Russian banks to fund 2017 election campaign.

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.

Italy sees fewest births ever in 2015, population drops.

AMERICAS

DOJ escalates battle with Apple over San Bernardino shooter's phone.

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.

On Cuba, as politics advances, business leaders wait for their breakthrough.

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.

Bolivia's Morales fighting for political survival.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State fighters bombed in Libya posed threat to U.S.: Pentagon.

European intelligence agencies to cooperate more closely in fight against terror.

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

Google accounts show 11 billion euros moved via low tax 'Dutch sandwich' in 2014.

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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