Thursday, January 17, 2019

World News Briefs -- January 17, 2019 (Evening Edition)


Reuters: U.S.-backed SDF vows to escalate operations against Islamic State in Syria

BEIRUT (Reuters) - The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces vowed on Thursday to ramp up attacks on Islamic State remnants and cells, a day after a bomb attack killed two U.S. soldiers in northern Syria.

“With the help of the (U.S.-led) coalition, we will escalate our military operations to eliminate Deash remnants and chase down their sleeper cells,” the SDF alliance, led by the Kurdish YPG militia, said in a statement.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon summit reveals Arab divisions over Syria, Iran.

Manbij attack 'calls for better US-Turkey cooperation' in Syria.

UN says Yemen monitors safe after Hodeida shooting.

Yemen's Hodeidah truce: UN observers to monitor ceasefire.

Yemen government, rebels meet to hammer out major prisoner swap.

Iran 'shooting itself in the foot' with spying, German diplomat warns.

Iran newspapers, minister criticize US arrest of newscaster. From New Orleans to Tehran: Life of detained Iran newscaster.

Saudi women runaways rebel against system of male control.

ASIA

US peace envoy in Pakistan seeking end to 17-year Afghan war.

Trump missile defense review calls North Korea 'extraordinary threat'.

Donald Trump sends letter to Kim Jong-un amid talks of a second summit: Report.

North Korea's Kim Yong-chol on way to Washington.

'Out of control': Taiwan says won't bow to China pressure.

China slams Huawei 'hysteria'. China accuses US of suppressing its high-tech companies.

China and South Korea vow to work together for peace on the peninsula.

China hits out at Australia over 'concern' for Canadian drug smuggler sentenced to death.

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He to hold trade talks in Washington on January 30-31.

Indonesia presidential candidates to face off in first TV debate.

AFRICA

Sudan's Bashir stands firm even as protests mount. Sudan protesters, police clash as anti-Bashir unrest widens.

Two days of clashes near Libya capital leave 10 dead.

Thousands flee north-east Nigeria after devastating Boko Haram attack.

Kenya attack: Nine arrests over bloody DusitD2 hotel siege. Kenyan police say 11 arrested after deadly hotel attack.

Kenya attack: All accounted for in al-Shabab hotel raid.

Kidnapped Canadian found dead, Burkina Faso officials say.

ICC halts release of Ivory Coast ex-President Laurent Gbagbo.

Tunisia's powerful UGTT workers union holds nationwide strike.

Zimbabwe doctors treat 68 for gunshot wounds after protests.

EUROPE

Norway PM Solberg to form majority government.

Russia detains model claiming Trump secrets.

May will stick to Brexit 'principles' in cross-party talks, says No 10.

UK PM May holds Brexit talks; opposition dubs them a ‘stunt’.

Brexit: France activates no-deal plan.

Russian lawmakers vote to keep up Council of Europe boycott.

Vladimir Putin to meet with troubled Serb counterpart. Putin arrives in Serbia to honour leader and reinforce relations.

Germany arrests suspect in 2005 killing of Sri Lankan FM.

Oxford University suspends donor ties with Chinese tech giant Huawei as national security fears mount.

AMERICAS

Brazil, US officials meet Venezuela opposition leaders.

Trump vows to boost America's missile defense.

Trump denies Pelosi aircraft for foreign trip, after call for State of the Union delay.

US Republicans reject suggestion that State of Union be postponed.

‘I never said there was no collusion,’ Trump lawyer says.

Ex Trump lawyer Cohen says paid man to rig online polls.

US senator links Trump troop withdrawal to deadly ISIL attack.

Bogotá blast: Deadly 'car bomb' rocks Colombia capital.

El Chapo bribed former Mexican president with $US100 million, the accused drug lord's trial hears.

Migrant caravan: New Honduran group crosses Guatemala.

Communist Cuba seeks improved governance.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State woman found guilty of terror crimes in Canada.

Pictured: Devastation caused by ISIS suicide bomber who killed two American soldiers, two contractors and wounded three more in Syria.

US man arrested over alleged plot to attack the White House with an anti-tank rocket.

Indian Forces kill top terror commander wanted in Jammu and Kashmir.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks climb on report US may pare back tariffs on China.

The world economy is heading for recession in 2019 as growth eases off in Britain, the US and Germany.

Facebook tackles Russians making fake news stories.

World's coffee under threat, say experts.

US legislators introduce bills targeting Chinese tech companies.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

ISIS has been defeated as a state by any definition of the term. Look at that map. The Third Reich had more territory under its control when it surrendered than ISIS does.

It has morphed into a guerrilla force and will conduct these sorts of attacks all over Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and now Africa. Paying the wages of Obama's dereliction of duty when he abandoned Iraq too soon then ignored what ISIS was doing in Syria until they nearly captured Baghdad.

Keeping 2000 or 1000 highly trained US troops in Syria won't affect that new guerrilla war. The US needs to be working more deeply in Africa more than Syria.