World News Briefs -- May 25, 2016 (Evening Edition)

VOA: Raqqa Civilians Flee Airstrikes as Kurds, Jihadists Clash

GAZIANTEP, TURKEY—U.S.-led coalition warplanes carried out intense airstrikes Tuesday on Raqqa, the de facto Syrian capital of the Islamic State group, a monitoring group said, continuing days of air-raids that appear to be aimed at demoralizing jihadist fighters before an offensive by Kurdish-led forces on villages to the north of the city.

The airstrikes appear targeted mostly on IS defensive positions on the outskirts of the city. This may be to try to avoid civilian casualties, although civilian deaths have been reported.

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MIDDLE EAST

Assaults in Syria, Iraq signal ‘beginning of the end of caliphate’.

Russia says holding off air strikes on Nusra Front in Syria.

U.S.-backed group launches offensive north of ISIS capital in Syria.

Concerns grow about abuses, war crimes in Syria.

Top Shi'ite cleric urges restraint in assault on Iraq's Falluja.

U.S. leads 17 strikes against Islamic State: statement.

Yemeni officials: Airstrike kills 11 from same family.

UN's Ban wants to ramp up Yemen peace effort.

In Iran, dividends of nuclear deal are slow to appear.

Netanyahu clinches deal to bring far-right Lieberman into Israeli governing coalition. Avigdor Lieberman named as Israel's defence minister.

Saudi says talks with Iran on hajj 'positive'.

ASIA

South Korea's president arrives in Ethiopia.

Japan PM protests Okinawa crime to Obama, who promises cooperation.

Afghan Taliban announce successor to Mullah Mansour.

Pakistan Army tells US it is concerned over drone strike.

Pakistan: DNA tests to confirm Taliban leaders death.

Taliban bomber hits court minibus in Kabul, killing 11.

New Vietnam PM says won't pursue military buildup in South China Sea.

Chinese harassment of Philippine fishermen in disputed South China Sea eases.

Criticism of Taiwan's 'single' President Tsai Ing-wen sparks anger in China.

Japan PM protests against Okinawa incident at summit with Obama.

AFRICA

UN ends sanctions on Liberia.

DR Congo opposition group vows to defy protest bans.

EU states sell arms to Egypt despite embargo: Amnesty.

Kenya military: 21 al-Shabab militants killed in ambush.

Kenya refugee camps: Somalia president warns against closure. Kenya tells UK to resettle Somali refugees living in Dadaab.

EU naval force can train Libyan coastguard in 14 weeks: admiral.

Activists hope Mauritania court rulings signal 'beginning of the end' for slavery.

Retired Burundian officer killed amid tension over presidency.

Zimbabwe: Youth march in support of Mugabe. Zimbabwe's 'million-man march' for Mugabe fizzles.

More than half of Malawi's population need food relief - minister.

EUROPE

Central European NATO members to send troops to Baltics.

Cyprus: UN shares blame in kerfuffle that paused peace talks.

77% of Germans don’t want their leader bowing to Erdogan’s demands – poll.

European migrant crisis: Capsized boat horror caught on camera.

Greece continues eviction of refugees from Idomeni.

Greece bailout: IMF queries eurozone debt relief deal.

Eurozone ministers reach agreement on bailout for Greece. Greece bailout: Eurozone deal unlocks €10.3bn.

Ukraine's army suffers bloodiest day of casualties in a year.

Ukraine's Poroshenko vows to win back Crimea, separatist east.

Moscow frees Ukraine pilot in swap for Russians held in conflict. Nadiya Savchenko: Russia frees Ukraine servicewoman.

Moscow to respond to NATO buildup near Russian border – Foreign Minister.

Merkel presents new refugee integration law as 'milestone'.

French riot police use water cannon to break up fuel depot blockade. France uses strategic oil reserves to counter refinery blockade.

18,000 turned away from French borders for security reasons.

Brussels police chief Vandersmissen attacked by rioter.

Swedish court denies detention hearing request by Assange.

AMERICAS

US State Dept. inspector general report sharply criticizes Clinton’s email practices. State Department report slams Clinton email use. State Dept. watchdog: Clinton violated email rules.

Police warn 'swift' action against anti-Trump protesters.

Protesters throw rocks, bottles at police outside Trump rally in New Mexico.

Trump, Clinton win Washington state's presidential primaries.

Secret recording in Brazil puts Senate leader on defensive.

Brazil's acting president wins deficit plan victory.

Brazil top court accepts plea deal by ex-senator linked to top politicians: paper.

Venezuela fights crisis in biggest sovereign gold sale since ’07.

Canada PM Trudeau's popularity soars.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pressure builds on IS with twin assaults in Syria, Iraq.

Mullah Mansour Drone Attack: Behind-the-scenes story of how the Taliban chief was hunted down.

Lawmakers slam Saudi record on fight against terrorism.

G7 host Japan on high alert over terrorism threat, deploying up to 70,000 police across the country.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US probes e-commerce giant Alibaba's accounting practices.

CEO pay climbs again, even as their stock prices don't.

Iran-Saudi row threatens any OPEC deal, puts role in question.

Foxconn replaces '60,000 factory workers with robots'.

Netflix and Amazon face quota on EU-made content.