Friday, February 23, 2018

World News Briefs -- February 23, 2018



Reuters: U.N. Security Council delays vote on Syria ceasefire resolution

UNITED NATIONS/BEIRUT (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council on Friday delayed a vote on a demand for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria, where pro-government warplanes have been pounding the last rebel bastion near Damascus in one of the deadliest bombing campaigns of the seven-year civil war.

A draft resolution aimed at ending the carnage in the eastern Ghouta district and elsewhere in Syria will be put up for a vote in the 15-member council at noon (1700 GMT) on Saturday, Kuwait’s U.N. Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi said.

Al-Otaibi said negotiations were centered on the language of one paragraph that specifically demands a cessation of hostilities for 30 days, possibly starting 72 hours after adoption, to allow aid access and medical evacuations.

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MIDDLE EAST

Strikes pound Syria's Eastern Ghouta as world fumbles for response.

Syria war: UN Security Council truce vote delayed.

Sergey Lavrov: Russia to vote for Syria truce at UN.

Russia's peace plan in Syria is a 'farce,' says State Department.

Russia rejects UN condemnation of Iran over missiles to Yemen.

Iran warns of 'nuclear crisis' if JCPOA deal is scrapped.

Turkey slams Dutch 'Armenian genocide' vote.

Saudi Arabia minister tells Germany it will find weapons elsewhere.

US to open Jerusalem embassy 'in May 2018'.

ASIA

Trump announces new North Korea sanctions. Trump administration to target North Korea with new sanctions on Friday.

North Korea slams UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres for praising sanctions, siding with US.

Moon Jae-in, Ivanka Trump stress need for peace, differ on strategy.

Kim Yong-chol: North Korea's controversial Olympics delegate. South Korean MPs demand execution of North's Olympic delegate.

Myanmar accused of 'bulldozing' proof of crimes against Rohingya. Myanmar bulldozed scores of Rohingya villages, says human rights group.

Maldives warns India against interfering as ties fray.

Trump says China ties 'best ever' but trade a problem.

Trump, Turnbull put on show of 'mateship' at the White House.

Barnaby Joyce quits as Australia's deputy prime minister and Nationals leader.

Trudeau in India: The Canadian PM meets Modi after diplomatic dance. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Canada's Justin Trudeau amid talks of 'snub'.

Modi talks tough on separatists after meeting Trudeau.

AFRICA

Double bombing rocks Somalia's Mogadishu. 18 killed by car bombs in Somali capital.

Three dead, 7 hurt as armed groups clash in C.Africa flashpoint.

Egypt military's anti-terror campaign raises doubts.

South Sudan military officers may have committed war crimes: U.N.. UN identifies South Sudan military officers accused of war crimes.

Children 'forced to watch rape' in South Sudan.

'105 girls missing' in NE Nigeria after Boko Haram school attack.

Missing Nigerian girls declared ‘national disaster’ by president. Nigerian president apologises for Boko Haram schoolgirl kidnap.

Central African Republic: Half the population needs aid.

African countries ban secondhand clothes imports.

EUROPE

Brexit: EU leaders debate financial impact of UK's departure. EU leaders meet to discuss post-Brexit budget gap and new EC president election.

Support for independence drops to four-year low in Catalonia.

Winter Olympics: Second Russian tests positive for banned substance.

Navalny briefly detained, could be jailed ahead Of Russian election.

New French immigration bill provokes backlash.

Begging for bread: A Greek family under austerity.

One French woman in eight has been raped, study says.

AMERICAS

Donald Trump's former campaign aides Paul Manafort and Rick Gates face new charges in Mueller probe.

Florida school shooting: Armed deputy waited outside as gunman slaughtered children.

After shooting, Florida to station police officer at every school.

Trump directs Pentagon to schedule military parade for Veterans Day.

Venezuelan President asks banks to mine the national cryptocurrency. Unions are aghast.

Oxfam sex scandal: Haiti suspends charity's operations.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Fates vary of foreign jihadists held in Iraq and Syria.

EU doubles funds for G5 Sahel military anti-terror security force.

Money laundering watchdog places Pakistan back on terrorist financing list with potentially painful consequences.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow rallies 347 points as stocks close higher for the week.

Chinese billionaire Li Shufu buys biggest single stake in Daimler.

US Fed report tamps down concerns over wage gains.

China seizes control of insurance giant Anbang.

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