Tuesday, November 21, 2017

World News Briefs -- November 21, 2017



Guardian: Syria military operation 'wrapping up', Putin tells Assad in Russia talks

Russian president meets Syrian counterpart publicly for first time in two years and praises their ‘joint work in fighting terrorism’

Vladimir Putin has hosted Bashar al-Assad for talks during which the two presidents agreed the focus in the Syrian conflict was switching from military operations to the search for a political solution.
Critical week for Syria as parallel talks get under way
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The Russian president met his Syrian counterpart before a gathering, planned for this week in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi with the leaders of Turkey and Iran – two other powers heavily involved in the conflict in Syria.

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MIDDLE EAST

Vladimir Putin hosts Bashar Assad to talk terrorism. On surprise Russia trip, Assad and Putin talk post-war Syria.

Assad to Putin: Thank you for 'saving our country'.

13 mln Syrians need aid despite violence drop: UN.

Iran declares 'victory' over IS.

Deadly car bombing strikes Iraq's Tuz Khurmatu. Suicide car bombing at north Iraq market kills 23.

Hezbollah says ready to pull forces from Iraq after IS defeat.

Nasrallah rejects Arab League statement on Hezbollah.

Palestinians 'freeze' meetings with US over office row.

ASIA

Trump declares North Korea 'sponsor of terror'.

South Korea, Japan welcome US relisting North Korea as sponsor of terrorism.

Air China suspends flights between Beijing and North Korea.

China envoy goes home empty-handed from North Korea.

The Pentagon: The Taliban control at least a third of Afghanistan. Taliban promotes gains in remote Kandahar district.

US begins bombing Taliban opium plants in Afghanistan.

'Apartheid' in Myanmar, accuses Amnesty. Amnesty: Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya amounts to ‘apartheid’.

China protests over Indian president’s trip to contested border area.

AFRICA

Nigeria mosque suicide bombing kills dozens. Nigeria mosque attack: teenage suicide bomber kills at least 50.

Zimbabwe's ousted vice-president calls for Mugabe to quit.

Zimbabwe: Impeachment proceedings against Robert Mugabe start in Parliament.

Ruling party wins presidential vote in breakaway Somaliland.

UN chief: Libya slave auctions may be crimes against humanity.

Angola purge 'hailed by rapper Luaty Beirao'.

Egypt singer held for 'inciting debauchery' in music video.

EUROPE

Angela Merkel's governmental crisis: German president seeks solution. Germany faces uncertainty after coalition talks break down.

Germany's president to urge Green and FDP leaders to restart talks.

Brexit: UK 'ready to pay more to the EU'.

Bialowieza forest: EU threatens Poland with fine over logging.

Russian nuclear facility denies it is source of high radioactivity levels.

Defense lawyer: Mladic may not be fit to hear verdicts.

Google to 'derank' Russia Today and Sputnik.

AMERICAS

White House: Trump and Putin spoke by phone, Syria on agenda.

Congress barreling toward explosive immigration fight.

US ends Temporary Protected Status for 55,000 Haitians. Almost 60,000 Haitians allowed to stay in US only until 2019.

Power company halts Puerto Rico work.

US Judge permanently blocks Trump's sanctuary city order.

Argentina missing submarine: Concern grows after two false alarms.

Venezuela pumps below OPEC target.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

A look at the countries the U.S. accuses of sponsoring terrorism.

No signs ISIS fleeing to Libya.

Analysis: US terror list more symbolism than substance.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

AT&T's Time Warner takeover: justice department aims to block $85bn deal.

Tencent chief 'richer than Google founders'.

Apple removes several apps, including Skype, in China.

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