Friday, January 13, 2017

World News Briefs -- January 13, 2017



Reuters: Syrian army says Israel fires rockets at airbase near Damascus

AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian army command said on Friday that Israeli artillery fired rockets at a major military airbase outside Damascus, and warned Israel of repercussions for what it called a "flagrant" attack.

Explosions were heard in the capital, and residents in the southwest suburbs saw a large plume of smoke rising from the area, while video footage downloaded on social media showed flames leaping from parts of Mezzah military airport's compound.

Syrian state television quoted the army as saying several rockets were fired from an area near the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel just after midnight which landed in the compound of the airbase, used by President Bashar al-Assad's elite Republican Guards.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian army says Israel fires rockets at airbase near Damascus. Syria accuses Israel of missile strikes on Damascus military airport.

Syria warns Israel after rockets hit air base.

Turkish airstrikes kill 41 ISIL militants in Syria - military.

Mosul battle: Iraqi forces clash with IS at university.

Battle for Mosul: Who controls what.

Yemen’s army takes control of strategic hills between Taiz, Hudaydah.

Paris meeting to push for Mideast peace with eye on Trump.

US embassy Jerusalem move 'assault' on Muslims: mufti.

Gaza electricity crisis: Hamas breaks up protest.

ASIA

China, Russia agree on more 'countermeasures' against U.S. anti-missile system: Xinhua.

Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong on U.S. blacklist for propaganda, censorship.

Japan defends economic ties with the United States.

All aboard to fix the globalization 'bullet train', China's Xinhua says.

China exports down sharply. China posts worst export fall since 2009 as fears of U.S. trade war loom.

China says protectionist Trump may limit growth of its exports.

South Korea prosecutor to decide on seeking arrest of Samsung head by Sunday.

Australian minister Sussan Ley resigns over expenses scandal.

AFRICA

Rival Libya government seizes ministries in Tripoli.

African Union to cease recognizing Jammeh as Gambia's leader. Regional leaders arrive in The Gambia to persuade Jammeh to quit.

One dead in Boko Haram blasts in Nigeria: state govt. Four suicide bombers kill 15 in northeast Nigeria, police say.

Anger brewing in Algeria's sullen south.

France sees 'new step' for Africa as summit opens.

Obama signs executive order easing sanctions against Sudan.

Merkel and Sisi discuss counter-terrorism, Merkel to visit Egypt.

EUROPE

UK PM May says Trump dossier author has not worked for Britain for years.

Germany invites Russian minister on EU sanctions list to G20 meeting.

Kremlin says Russia has no plans to get back to G8.

Cyprus peace talks end with optimism, but Turkey won't remove troops. Cyprus talks: Turkish troops will remain on island, vows Erdoğan.

Obama's EU envoy says Brexiteer Farage misleading Trump.

Unprecedented work at Auschwitz to preserve Holocaust site.

Icy storm lashes France and Germany causing hardship.

AMERICAS

Trump says cabinet picks free to express own ideas.

Trump scorns probe into FBI pre-election handling of Clinton emails.

Trump and spy chief differ on what was said in call on Russia dossier.

Biden: Intel officials told us Trump allegations might leak.

Watchdog probe to bring new scrutiny for FBI's Comey.

US visa-free residency for Cubans ends. Obama ends visa-free path for Cubans who make it to US soil. Havana hails end to special US immigration policy for Cubans.

Venezuelan opposition criticizes 'authoritarian' arrest of lawmaker.

Colombia and ELN meet to set up peace talks.

A rare murder-free day recorded in El Salvador. El Salvador: No murders reported for 24 hours.

In tearful farewell, Obama awards Biden the Medal of Freedom.

Justin Trudeau under fire again after using Aga Khan's helicopter.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.N. warns of humanitarian crisis 'legacy' after Islamic State's defeat.

Surge in targeted killings of Al-Qaida operatives in Syria.

Osama Bin Laden associate and al-Qaeda veteran Kattab al-Qahtani killed in Syria.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Takata to pay $1 billion to settle U.S. air bag probe: sources.

U.S. launches WTO complaint over Chinese aluminum subsidies.

Court revives civil suit against Apple's App Store.

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