World News Briefs -- September 28, 2016

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) demanded that Russia halt the Syrian regime's assault on Aleppo (AFP Photo/Fabrice Coffrini)

DW: US gives Russia ultimatum to halt Aleppo attacks

Washington has vowed to end coordination with Moscow in Syria in response to an ongoing siege of Aleppo. More than 250 civilians have died since the Syrian army launched a brutal campaign to retake the city.

US State Secretary John Kerry on Wednesday threatened to end Washington's engagement with Russia in Syria following a brutal regime offensive against rebels in Aleppo.

"He informed the foreign minister that the United States is making preparations to suspend US-Russia bilateral engagement on Syria … unless Russia takes immediate steps to end the assault on Aleppo and restore the cessation of hostilities," said US State Department spokesman John Kirby.

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MIDDLE EAST

Warplanes knock out Aleppo hospitals as Russian-backed assault intensifies. Deadly air strikes hit two Aleppo hospitals. Two Aleppo hospitals bombed out of service in 'catastrophic' airstrikes.

Syrian National Coalition: Political solution 'no longer viable option' in Syria.

McCain and Graham mock Kerry for threatening to call off talks with Russia on Syria.

ISIS no longer controls any Iraqi oil.

Lebanese army faces jihadist threat on Syrian border.

Turkey: 32,000 jailed for links to group 'behind' coup.

Iran atomic chief sees no threat to nuclear deal if Trump becomes U.S. president.

King of Jordan lashes out: 'US thinks it knows Middle East better than us'.

Israel's elder statesman, Shimon Peres, dies at 93. Israel mourns as preparations begin for Peres' funeral.

ASIA

US air strike reportedly kills 13 Afghan civilians.

EU's secret ultimatum to Afghanistan: accept 80,000 deportees or lose aid.

Pyongyang has 88 pounds of weapons-grade Plutonium - Seoul.

U.S. says probing more China firms for North Korea sanctions breaches.

Philippines' Duterte vows to end joint US military drills.

Muted outrage over Philippine drug killings.

Pakistan humiliated by south Asian countries' boycott of summit.

Amnesty calls off launch of Thai torture report after police warning.

Japanese PM hopes for frank dialogue with Putin in December.

AFRICA

US military: Killed 4 Somali al-Shabab fighters in 'self-defense'. US launches ‘self-defense strike’ against Shabaab in southern Somalia.

Libyan general in east rejects UN-backed government.

Paris to host international meeting on Libya next week.

South Sudan says rebel leader's call to arms 'unacceptable'.

Militant faction vows again to fight S. Sudan government.

Hunger 'deadlier than violence' in Boko Haram-hit northeast Nigeria.

Nigeria trying to muzzle dissenting voices, Amnesty says.

US blacklists DR Congo general, Kabila advisor.

UN Human Rights Council discusses situations in DR Congo, Libya, Ukraine and Burundi.

Egypt arrests owner, crew of shipwrecked migrant boat.

In Egypt's Guantanamo 'abuse is systematic'.

Minister: Agriculture in Sierra Leone 'fully recovered' after Ebola ourbreak.

EUROPE

Investigators: Russian missile downed MH17. Malaysian flight MH17 downed by Russian-made missile: prosecutors.

EU hopes to move 30,000 refugees from Greece by end of 2017.

Almost all EU states 'could follow Britain’s lead and leave the EU' as it is 'moving in the wrong direction', French MP warns.

EU seeks money for joint defense programs.

Croatian president opens formal talks to form government.

Spanish socialist leader faces revolt over refusal to end political deadlock.

Deutsche Bank relief helps European markets regain footing.

Nemtsov murder trial to take place at Moscow court on October 3.

Snowden again fails to win no-extradition pledge from Norway.

AMERICAS

Senate overrides Obama 9/11 veto in overwhelming vote. Congress votes to override Obama veto on 9/11 victims bill.

White House lashes out at 'embarrassing' Senate veto override.

CIA's Brennan says it's 'hard to believe' senators defied Obama on Saudi 9/11 bill.

FBI director again defends integrity of Clinton email probe. FBI’s Comey rejects call to reopen Clinton email case, refuses to say she’s truthful.

Clinton campaign in ‘panic mode’ over Florida black voters.

Poll finds 7 percent of U.S. voters have ended friendships over the election.


Nearly 1 million Colombians in U.S. could tip peace deal vote.

California community outraged after officer kills unarmed black man.

California suspends ‘business relationships’ with Wells Fargo.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Two US strikes in Yemen hit al-Qaeda targets, kill four.

Where is ISIS now? Islamic State targets include US, Spain, Belgium, and dozens of other nations.

US Senators press FBI director on response to terrorism threat.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street rallies as OPEC reaches output deal.

Shareholders approve AB InBev-SABMiller merger.

World Bank chief reappointed amid criticism.

Forbes: Trump’s fortune down $800M.