Tuesday, October 17, 2017

World News Briefs -- October 17, 2017



Reuters: Islamic State defeated in its Syrian capital Raqqa

RAQQA, Syria (Reuters) - U.S.-backed militias in Syria declared victory over Islamic State in its capital Raqqa on Tuesday, raising flags over the last jihadist footholds after a four-month battle.

The fighting was over and the alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias was clearing the city’s stadium of mines and any remaining militants, said Rojda Felat, commander of the Raqqa campaign for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

A formal declaration of victory in Raqqa will soon be made, once the city has been cleared of mines and any possible Islamic State sleeper cells, said SDF spokesman Talal Selo.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Raqqa recaptured from Islamic State, US-backed forces announce.

All eyes are on Hezbollah in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor.

Baghdad: Iraqi forces in full control of Kirkuk. Kirkuk: Iraqi forces seize largest oilfields near city.

After Kirkuk, Kurdish forces pull out of more areas in Iraq.

Netanyahu says Israel won't tolerate Iran presence in Syria.

South Yemen separatists not in rush for vote.

12 Turkish police officers wounded in bombing.

ASIA

Taliban attacks kill at least 69 across Afghanistan.

Over 60 percent of Afghan girls not in school, says report.

North Korean official says diplomacy is off the table until it builds a missile that can hit the east coast of the US.

S, Japan agree to maximize diplomatic pressure on N. Korea.

US diplomat: We must be ‘prepared for the worst’ if diplomacy fails with North Korea.

U.S. Democrat Jack Reed: South Koreans 'confused, shaken' by Trump handling of North.

Philippine military pushes to defeat last Marawi fighters. Duterte: Marawi 'liberated' from ISIL-linked fighters.

China expected to work with Europe to preserve Iran nuclear deal after Trump threat.

Anger as Chinese media claim harassment is just a western problem.

AFRICA

Death toll tops 300 from Mogadishu blast.

Mogadishu bombing: al-Shabaab behind deadly blast, officials say.

Boko Haram raids military base in Nigeria’s northeast, seizes weapons, ammunition.

'Shocking' abuse of migrants in Libya smuggling hub - UN.

US military plane lands in Somalia with aid after bombing.

DR Congo controversially elected to UN Human Rights Council.

Cairo 'most dangerous' megacity for women - survey.

EUROPE

Spain High Court jails Catalan separatist leaders pending investigation. Spanish judge jails two Catalan independence leaders.

Protests erupt as Catalan separatist leaders jailed. Catalonia: Protests after Spain detains separatists.

Turkey spies betraying asylum seekers in German immigration offices.

US society ‘based on leaks,’ but proof of Russian election meddling never emerged – Lavrov.

Russia pressures Serbia on status of controversial base.

Malta journalist death: Caruana Galizia's son hits out.

Holocaust denier Ursula Haverbeck, 88, given six-month jail sentence.

AMERICAS

California wildfire death toll hits 41 as survivors face long road to recovery.

Trump says he'll declare the US opioid crisis a national emergency 'next week'.

Trump’s claim about predecessors, fallen troops disputed.

FBI uncovered Russian bribery plot before Obama administration approved controversial nuclear deal with Moscow.

Venezuela's opposition refuses to accept elections results.

US says Venezuela vote 'neither free nor fair'. Venezuela elections neither 'free nor fair', says US.

Sonic attack on US diplomats? Cubans don't believe it.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pentagon: Dozens of ISIS fighters killed in Yemen strikes.

Supreme Court won't take case of alleged USS Cole mastermind.

ISIL capitalises on Peshmerga retreat in northern Iraq.

Alleged IS female recruiter arrested in Spain with FBI help.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Iran aircraft deals hang by thread as Trump targets Tehran.

US tech giants may find their future shaped by Europe.

Airbus takes majority stake in Bombardier airliner program.

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