World News Briefs -- November 22, 2016

Japan Times/Kyodo/Reuters: Northeast Japan dodges bullet from M7.4 quake

A powerful earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Tuesday morning, briefly disrupting nuclear fuel cooling functions at the Fukushima No. 2 power plant and generating tsunami of over 1 meter in the region that was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster five years ago.

The 5:59 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 is believed to be an aftershock of the March 2011 mega-quake, the Meteorological Agency said.

It was the first quake with a magnitude of 7 or bigger to hit Japan since July 2014. The agency warned that there may be similar-scale quakes for around a week.

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MIDDLE EAST

US strike destroys bridge, restricts ISIS in Mosul: official.

UN: Mosul escapees number 68,000 since Iraqi forces started 'IS' offensive.

Syrian army pushes into rebel-held areas of Aleppo.

Aleppo siege is 'war of extermination', says injured doctor.

Russia's Lavrov, U.S.'s Kerry, in phone call, discuss Syria's Aleppo.

Turkey issues arrest warrant for Syrian Kurdish leader.

Half of US arms sent to Syrian Kurds go to Daesh militants - Erdogan.

Houthi missile arsenal holds a key to future Yemen peace.

Israel: Iran is smuggling weapons to Hezbollah on commercial flights.

Turkey withdraws bill after protests over child-sexual assault clause.

From soldiers to midwives, Turkey dismisses 15,000 more after coup bid.

ASIA

Fukushima: Japan lifts tsunami alert after 7.4 quake. Offshore quake causes tsunamis, nuclear worries in Japan.

Indian military: 3 soldiers killed in Kashmir. India blames Pakistan for deadly 'sneak attack' on soldiers in Kashmir.

Myanmar government faces new crisis as ethnic armies attack military.

Fighting in northeastern Myanmar puts China's army on alert.

North Korea pens nine-page letter to Donald Trump demanding ‘hostile nuclear threats’ must stop.

Vietnam abandons plan for first nuclear power plants.

Defectors: N. Korea would fall without capitalistic markets.

AFRICA

Boko Haram launches three assaults in Cameroon within 24 hours.

Up to one million people cut off from aid by Boko Haram in Lake Chad: U.N..

Some 1,400 migrants rescued, eight bodies recovered: Italy coastguard.

Egypt court overturns Mohamed Morsi's life sentence.

Currency drop hits Egypt's medicine supplies, angering public.

UN: HIV rate in young African women disturbingly high.

South African opposition says police promise to look into Zuma.

EUROPE

Russia has right to defend against ‘aggressive’ NATO – Kremlin on Baltic missile placement. Kremlin says Russia has right to secure its borders in view of NATO’s military build-up. Russia rejects U.S. criticism of Kaliningrad missile deployment.

Ukraine detains two Russian soldiers near Crimea border. Russia: Ukraine's detention of soldiers on Crimea border was 'provocation'.

European lawmakers call for end to Turkey EU membership talks.

Cyprus reunification: leaders leave Switzerland without deal.

Defense hawk Skvernelis to be new Lithuanian prime minister.

US issues travel advisory for Americans travelling in Europe.

UK dismisses Trump's calls for Farage ambassadorship.

AMERICAS

Donald Trump's first 100 days: A breakdown of his plan.

Trump assumes he will be running America for 8 years.

Trump team won't pursue charges against Hillary Clinton. Trump won't pursue Clinton probes on email, charity: aide indicates.

Democrats search for answers to stem a spreading Republican tide.

Colombia's FARC leaders arrive in Bogota ahead of peace signing.

Colombia's new peace deal with Farc rebels rejected by opposition. Colombia's FARC reject Uribe's offer to meet over peace accord.

Brazil corruption probe: Key suspect arrested in Spain.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

France officials say "terrorist act" thwarted with arrest of 7.

Be ready for terrorist attacks in Europe during holiday season – State Dept. to US citizens.

Four suspected Al Qaeda members charged with plotting to assassinate late Saudi king: media.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Trump to withdraw from Trans-Pacific Partnership on first day in office.

Stocks mostly higher after hitting all-time highs; telecoms rise 2%.

Daimler chief removed after 'racist rant' in China.