Friday, October 30, 2015

World News Briefs -- October 30, 2015



Reuters: Iran backs six-month Syria 'transition' at Vienna peace talks

Iran signaled on Friday it backed a six-month transition period in Syria followed by elections to decide Bashar al-Assad's fate, a proposal floated at peace talks as a concession but which the president's foes rejected as a trick to keep him in power.

Sources who described the Iranian proposal said it amounted to Assad's closest ally dropping its insistence on him remaining in office.

But Assad's enemies say a new election would keep him in power unless other steps were taken to remove him. His government held an election as recently as last year, which he easily won. His opponents have always rejected any proposal for a transition unless he is removed.

MIDDLE EAST

Syria opposition, rebel dismiss Iran idea for transition.

Syria conflict: Powers backing rivals meet in Vienna.

New round of Syria talks possible in Vienna next week: U.S. official.

Government strike 'kills dozens' in Syria's Douma.

U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group says assault on Islamic State imminent.

Iraq military halts anti-Islamic State operation in western city of Ramadi due to bad weather.

Islamic State great danger to Iraq's oil industry.

Yemen's Houthis say efforts to find political solution have failed.

Battle for Yemen's Taiz takes rising civilian toll.

Rockets strike Iranian opposition camp in Baghdad. Iraq violence: Iranian exiles hit by intense rocket fire.

Iran arrests first American since nuke deal.

Turkish media denounce 'biggest crackdown on press in republic’s history'.

ASIA

China calls on Japan to stop 'hampering' military flights.

China vice president to visit India in November as ties warm.

No Sino-India rivalry over influence in Africa: China.

Opposition rally attacked in Myanmar.

Taliban says it won't interfere with Afghanistan quake relief.

North Korea's Workers' Party to hold first congress for 35 years.

Maldives boat blast suspect deported from Malaysia.

China to leave implementation of two-child policy to provinces.

AFRICA

EU mulls Libya sanctions over stalled U.N. peace deal.

South Sudan rebels seize UN contractors.

Cannibalism, gang rapes -- the brutal toll of the South Sudan conflict.

Boko Haram has lost territory in Nigeria, US general says.

Central African Republic leader: Elections only way out. Central African president rejigs cabinet weeks before elections.

Ethiopia heading for worst drought in decades.

Africa’s middle class is dramatically smaller than we think.

EUROPE

Hungary: Refugees biggest crisis EU has faced.

Merkel slammed by her own Vice Chancellor as refugee crisis deepens.

Ukraine calls deadly depot blast a terrorist act.

Most Catalans reject ruling separatists' plan to split from Spain: poll.

Portugal PM, president urge talks to let minority government rule.

Edward Snowden praises EU parliament vote against US extradition.

Roman Polanski: Polish court rejects US extradition.

AMERICAS

Obama wins U.S. debt-limit, budget truce through end of presidency.

US Senators demand answers about IRS use of secret cellphone tracking systems.

White House to deploy Obama for 2016.

Brazil's embattled ex-president Lula vows to 'survive'.

Venezuela labels ex-prosecutor Nieves a 'thug'.

Coast Guards of Arctic nations seek deeper cooperation.

Toronto police issue warrants for Pan Am athletes from Brazilian soccer team in sex assault.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.S. strike kills former German rapper who joined Islamic State.

The ISIS fight: More than guns and bombs.

US Senate targets ISIS antiquities smuggling.

Back to school in Mosul: The ISIS curriculum.

Shaker Aamer released from Guantánamo Bay after 14-year detention. Shaker Aamer: Last UK Guantanamo Bay detainee arrives in UK.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World stocks on course for best month in four years.

London property most overvalued in world, warns UBS.

A gas discovery in Egypt threatens to upend Mideast energy diplomacy.

1 comment:

James said...

Already a US success, they have two flags and everyone else seem have only one.