Tuesday, August 30, 2016

World News Briefs -- August 30, 2016



Reuters: Turkey signals no let up in Syria campaign, despite Western concerns

Turkey's army chief signaled no let up in a Syria offensive Washington has criticized for targeting U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters as well as jihadists, and said its successes showed last month's failed coup had not dented the military's power.

Turkish-backed forces began the offensive last week by capturing the Syrian frontier town of Jarablus from Islamic State; they then advanced on areas controlled by Kurdish-aligned militias which have U.S. support in battling jihadists.

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MIDDLE EAST

Turkey and Syrian Kurdish forces 'should stop fighting'.

UN aid contracts 'going to Assad-linked companies'.

Oil fires cast black cloud over Iraqi town retaken from Islamic State.

Yemen: Death toll in ISIL's Aden bombing rises to 70.

UN says 10,000 civilians killed, wounded in Yemen conflict.

Ex Mossad chief: Israel's biggest threat is potential civil war, not Iran.

Fire hits 28-floor Abu Dhabi tower under construction.

ASIA

Suicide attack targets Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan. One dead, 3 wounded in suicide blast at Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan. Chinese embassy blast: Car bomb attack in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Myanmar to hold historic peace talks with ethnic armies. Myanmar's Suu Kyi to hold major peace summit with ethnic rebels.

Philippine military ramps up Abu Sayyaf offensive.

Death toll in Philippines' drug war hits 2,000.

Duterte to raise sea feud ruling against Chinese wishes.

Amid conflicting reports, fate of ailing Uzbek President remains unclear.


North Korea reportedly executes two top officials with anti-aircraft guns.

U.S., India pledge deeper security and commercial ties.

India Ganges floods 'break previous records'.

AFRICA

Thousands of migrants rescued off Libya.

Somalia truck bomb targets Mogadishu's SYL Hotel. Somalia: Deaths as car bomb explodes in Mogadishu.

Libyans take heavy casualties in final push on IS bastion.

Ugandan special forces to halt operations against Lord's Resistance Army.

Hunger grips thousands of new South Sudan refugees in Uganda.

UN document says Morocco violated Western Sahara cease-fire.

'Racist school hair rules' suspended at SA's Pretoria Girls High.

EUROPE

Denmark, Sweden toughen up asylum rules despite falling numbers.

Tensions mount as record numbers crowd French migrant camp.

French mayor on burkini ban: They must accept our way of life.

Turkish EU bid ‘unrealistic’ while Erdogan in power – European commissioner.

Kremlin reveals Putin's plans for G20 summit in China.

Plot to blow up mosque with 50kg TNT car bomb thwarted in southern Russia.

Italy to hold mass funeral as search for bodies continues.

French Economy Minister's departure raises questions ahead of 2017 presidential election.

AMERICAS

Brazil's Dilma Rousseff defends record at impeachment trial. Brazil Real declines as Rousseff awaits impeachment verdict.

3 men in line for Brazilian presidency accused of corruption.

Obama to juggle security, climate, rights on final Asia trip.

FBI warns that foreign hackers are targeting US elections.

Mexico federal police chief Galindo fired over Michoacan ranch killings.

War-weary Colombians react to peace deal with FARC rebels.

Venezuela accuses US, opposition of planning coup.

U.S. traffic deaths rose 7.2 percent in 2015: Transportation Dept..

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State buried thousands in 72 mass graves, survey finds.

Afghanistan, Iraq wars major push factors for extremism, terrorism - report.

Vital that Pakistan joins fight against terrorism, Kerry says.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Apple faces $14.5B tax bill after EU investigation. State aid: Ireland gave illegal tax benefits to Apple worth up to €13 billion.

TTIP in further doubt as Hollande questions timing. France to call for an end to EU-US free trade talks.

Fed's Fischer says U.S. job market 'very close' to full strength.

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