Monday, February 8, 2016

World News Briefs -- February 8, 2016 (Evening Edition)



VOA: Citing Betrayal, Some Syrian Rebels Withdraw From Front

GAZIANTEP, TURKEY — Syrian rebels in northern Syria have come under an intense weeklong bombing campaign by Russian warplanes.

The insurgents, who also have been trying to hold on in the face of a coordinated ground offensive by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, have sheltered in tunnels or taken cover in blast craters. One young rebel fighter told VOA about his ordeal and why he and many other fighters are withdrawing from the front.

For almost a quarter of his young life, 20-year-old Ahmad has been a fighter, but the fight has gone out of him. After enduring 400 airstrikes in four days in the villages of the northern countryside of Aleppo, where a devastating Syrian government offensive has been pressed, he withdrew from the frontline along with a hundred of his comrades.

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MIDDLE EAST

'Worst-case scenario' in region would be new influx of 600,000 Syrian refugees: Turkey's Deputy PM Kurtulmuş.

UN: Syria 'exterminating' its imprisoned detainees.

Saudi offer to send troops to Syria comes with uncertainty.

Syria refugee camps set up as Turkey limits entries.

Russian firepower helps Syrian forces edge toward Turkey border.

U.S., allies conduct 17 strikes against Islamic State: U.S. military.

Iraq deploying thousands of troops to retake Mosul.

Saudi Arabia shoots down missile fired from Yemen.

Al-Qaida militants battle each other in southern Yemen.

Kerry hopes for talks in weeks on ending Yemen conflict.

Iran awards medals of honor to nuclear team.

Syria Assad: President's mother Anisa dies at 86.

ASIA

North Korea undeterred by international condemnation.

North Korean patrol boat crosses to South, retreats after warning shots. South Korean navy fires warning shots at North Korean patrol boat.

North Korean rocket puts object into space, angers neighbors, U.S.. UN condemns NKorea launch, pledges significant new sanctions.

Taiwan earthquake death toll likely to exceed 100.

Suicide bomber in Afghan city kills three, wounds 14.

Myanmar expected to announce new president within weeks. Myanmar presidential vote to start on March 17 as transition talks drag on.

China's currency reserves plunged in January.

No escape? China's crackdown on dissent goes global.

India growth slows to 7.3% in the fourth quarter.

AFRICA

At least 21 Hutus killed in 'alarming' east Congo violence: U.N..

African Union official defends Burundi force decision.

Burundi grenade attack kills four, including boy.

Somali jet suspect 'checked in on Turkish Airlines'.

Libya forces say conduct strikes on Islamic State in Derna, plane crashes.

Libya's political chaos slows response to Islamic State.

Nigeria army probes recent Boko Haram attacks.

Algeria adopts landmark constitutional reforms.

Tunisia completes barrier along Libya border.

South Africa's Desmond Tutu defends reconciliation process.

EUROPE

Germany, Turkey leaders meet on migrant crisis.

Turkey's Erdogan threatened to flood Europe with migrants - Greek website.

Migrant arrivals to Greece's Lesbos rise after days of bad weather.

Over 68,000 migrants entered Europe in January as Syria war intensifies.

'22 migrants' drown off Turkish coast.

Hollande, Merkel stress migrant crisis needs EU solution.

Netherlands launches probe into civilian deaths during Dutch airstrikes in Iraq.

Chechen leader posts threatening messages online.

Russia says arrests seven Islamic State militants over attack plot.

Top bankers urge closer ties to solve euro's problems.

AMERICAS

Canada to end bombing missions in Iraq and Syria.

Colombia says rebels must free hostages before any peace talks.

Obama asking Congress for emergency funding to combat Zika.

Frantic campaigning on eve of New Hampshire vote.

Manning's Super Bowl dream comes true! Quarterback, 39, finally wins another championship in fairy tale Broncos victory over Cam Newton's Panthers - but Peyton won't say if he is retiring.

North Korea's new satellite flew over Super Bowl site.

Exclusive: U.S. athletes should consider not attending Olympics if fear Zika - officials.

Haiti's mood grim as president leaves with no replacement, Carnival delayed. Haiti's president leaves office to make way for interim government.

Venezuela shopping centres halve opening times as crisis bites.

Argentina makes offer to foreign creditors.

Decrying graft, Pope to tour poor, violent corners of Mexico.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Intel agencies had hints of ISIS plot before Paris attacks, source says.

ISIS forced to cut fighters' pay 50 percent because of airstrikes, says Glaser.

Second member of ISIS execution cell identified as Briton: report.

Spain breaks up 'IS jihadist cell'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow drops over 400 points as oil drops below $30.

U.N. group agrees to world's first emission standards for planes.

European stocks plunge as Lunar New Year offers no cheer.

Google pushes further into virtual reality with new headset.

Crude oil slips as Saudi, Venezuela meeting yields little.

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