Tuesday, February 2, 2016

World News Briefs -- February 2, 2016 (Evening Edition)



Reuters: Syrian army threatens to encircle Aleppo as talks falter

A Syrian military offensive backed by heavy Russian air strikes threatened to cut critical rebel supply lines into the northern city of Aleppo on Tuesday, while the warring sides said peace talks had not started despite a U.N. statement they had.

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura announced the formal start on Monday of the first attempt in two years to negotiate an end to a war that has killed 250,000 people, caused a refugee crisis in the region and Europe and empowered Islamic State militants.

But both opposition and government representatives have since said the talks had not in fact begun and fighting on the ground raged on without constraint.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.N. envoy calls for avoiding collapse of Syria talks. Syria peace talks in trouble after intense Russian strikes.

Iraqi Kurdish leader calls for non-binding independence referendum.

Syrian army presses Aleppo attack as U.N. envoy meets government.

Key US lawmaker sceptical on Syria peace effort.

Syria conflict: Jordanians 'at boiling point' over refugees.

Iraqis running out of food and medicine in besieged Falluja.

Iraq awards Italian firm Trevi contract to repair Mosul dam.

Iran: $100B in assets 'fully released' under nuclear deal.

Israeli military reopens main Palestinian city after closure. Israel lifts restrictions on entry to Ramallah.

Turkey to unveil security, economy plans for Kurdish southeast.

ASIA

Afghan official: U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS radio station, kill 29 militants. Air strikes hit Islamic State radio station in Afghanistan.

Afghan Taliban open new front in war with attacks on media.

General says poor leadership is biggest problem for Afghans.

North Korea tells U.N. agencies it plans satellite launch. Agency: North Korea plans satellite launch this month. North Korea notifies U.N. agency of planned satellite launch.

North Korea getting better at hiding nuke, rocket tests.

China's nuclear envoy in North Korea amid sanctions push: KCNA.

Chinese aircraft intrude S. Korea's air defense identification zone.

Karachi protest: Pakistan clashes at airport 'kill two'.

Malaysia accuses Switzerland of 'misinformation' over stolen 1MDB billions.

Australia reports two cases of Zika virus, detects mosquitoes at Sydney airport.

China snow strands 'nearly 100,000' at Guangzhou station.

AFRICA

10,000 turn out in Niger to back jailed presidential hopeful.

Plane makes emergency landing in Somalia with hole in side. Passenger may have fallen from commercial jet after fire.

Libyan lawmakers sacked for signing UN-backed unity deal.

US, Italy warn of rising IS threat in Libya but strikes off agenda.

Britain rules out sending combat troops to Libya.

UN aid appeal for war-torn Libya only 1 per cent funded.

African Union says crisis in South Sudan is worsening.

At least one killed in more violence in Burundi.

Bomb attacks cause massive oil spill in Nigeria.

Uganda's General Sejusa charged with insubordination.

EUROPE

Spanish king nominates Socialist chief as PM candidate.

Proposal unveiled to keep Britain in EU, skeptics unmoved.

UK referendum on EU could take place in few months: Cameron.

Stranded migrants block main Greece-Macedonia artery demanding passage.

More than 62,000 migrant arrivals in Greece last month: IOM.

Greece enters new round of bailout talks amid union unrest.

Merkel presses Putin to ensure Ukraine ceasefire holds.

Russia lines up state assets for privatisation. Russian oligarchs most likely buyers in Putin's new privatisation plan.

No government in sight as Spain's king wraps up second round of talks.

Instagram video removal angers Chechen leader Kadyrov.

AMERICAS

Canada's Syrian refugee plan draws U.S. Senate panel scrutiny.

Venezuelan party launches bill to oust president. Venezuela ex-ministers seek probe into $300 billion in lost oil revenue.

Razor-thin margin between Clinton, Sanders in Iowa.

Literally a toss-up: Coin tosses helped give Clinton edge in tight Iowa race.

Cruz, Rubio eye NH momentum as Dems gird for long fight.

As Zika spreads, Texas reports sexually transmitted case.

Zika virus: WHO declares global public health emergency, says causal link to brain defects ‘strongly suspected’.

Zika-linked condition: Rio Olympics 'to go ahead' despite virus.

Haiti PM resigns, interim government in the works: sources.

Cuba announces broadband home internet project.

US national debt hits $19 trillion.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS pushed back in Iraq, Syria, but a threat in Libya: Kerry.

Hezbollah crime suspects seized in multinational crackdown - US drug agency.

Senior al Qaeda ‘hidden commander’ thought killed by US in 2014.

GOP senators threaten to cut aid for Ghana if Gitmo detainees escape.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street sells off as Exxon Mobil, oil weigh.

Yahoo to explore strategic alternatives alongside spin-off.

More central bank rate cuts coming before any hike.

Google overtakes Apple as world's most valuable listed company.

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