Egyptian Army's helicopters are seen during a launch of a major assault against militants, Egypt, in this undated handout picture made available by the Ministry of Defence February 9, 2018. Ministry of Defence/Handout via REUTERS
Reuters: Egypt launches major assault on militants ahead of election
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt launched a major assault against militants on Friday focused on the Sinai peninsula, where Islamic State has staged deadly attacks, aiming to crush their insurgency by an end of February deadline set by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
The former general on Nov. 29 ordered the military to defeat militants in North Sinai within three months, after an attack on a mosque which killed more than 300 people, the deadliest such incident in the Arab world’s most populous country.
Residents said they saw warplanes flying above the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, which borders North Sinai to the west.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip northeast of the vast desert region said they could hear explosions coming from across the border, but there was no immediate word on any casualties.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Tillerson sees tough talks with Turkey, others on Mideast trip.
Air strikes batter Syria rebel enclave for fifth day.
U.S. dismisses fears of wider war after deadly Syria clashes.
US support for Kurds in Iraq and Syria unaffected by tensions with Turkey.
Turkey resumes Afrin operation in northern Syria.
Iraq fighting Kurdish 'White Flags' group in north.
85,000 displaced in 10 weeks of raging violence in Yemen: UN.
In wake of protests, Iranian officials call for large turnout to mark revolution.
Lebanon signs deal with 3 international oil companies. Lebanon to begin offshore energy search in block disputed by Israel.
Leader of militant Hamas leaves Gaza for talks in Egypt.
Palestinian authority faces blowback over allegations Of CIA-backed wiretapping.
ASIA
UN chief urges dialogue in talks with N. Korea ceremonial leader.
Winter Olympics in South Korea kicks off with colourful opening ceremony of fire and ice.
North and South Korea heads of state meet, shake hands.
US vice-president skips Olympics dinner in snub to North Korea officials. Winter Olympics 2018: Pence skips dinner with N Koreans.
Pence, Warmbier's father meet with North Korean defectors.
Cardinal: Rohingya faced elements of ethnic cleansing.
Nepal Communist alliance to form next government.
Philippines' Duterte claims he cannot be tried by war crimes court.
AFRICA
Mauritania-Senegal summit yields accord on giant gas field.
Egypt launches military operation in Sinai, Nile Delta. Egypt launches new operation against 'Islamic State'.
Egypt’s political parties choose to forgo challenging Sisi.
Deadly mosque blast hits Libya's Benghazi.
Cameroon's army denies alleged atrocities in restive anglophone regions.
Togo: Mediators expected amid calls for change.
Zuma drama overshadows South Africa’s Mandela commemorations.
Zimbabwe opposition quarrel as leader lies in hospital.
‘They exaggerated figures’: Ugandan aid officials suspended over alleged fraud.
EUROPE
France presses Russia over Syria as more die in besieged rebel area.
Putin opponent calls for Russian Women's March.
Germany's Martin Schulz drops bid for foreign minister job after SPD pressure.
Brexit transition period not set in stone if disagreements persist, EU's Barnier says.
Gazprom warns Europe of gas shortage without increased Russian imports.
Winter Olympics: Ban on 47 Russian athletes and coaches upheld.
Russian nuclear scientists arrested for 'Bitcoin mining plot'.
Mikheil Saakashvili blasts corruption in Ukraine.
E.U. considers repealing daylight savings time.
AMERICAS
Trump says White House to issue letter on Democratic Russia memo.
Mexico arrests Zetas drug cartel boss wanted in US. Mexico took down a US citizen who rose to the upper ranks of the vicious Zetas cartel.
Trump signs budget deal, ending government shutdown. US House passes spending bill, ending brief government shutdown. Shutdown averted as Trump signs budget bill.
Colombia's Farc suspends election campaigning over 'threats' to candidates.
Colombia tightens border amidst wave of Venezuela refugees.Colombia and Brazil clamp down on borders as Venezuela crisis spurs exodus
Brazil's Temer blasts Venezuela for refugee exodus.
Oxfam denies cover-up over 'Haiti prostitutes'.
Canada just lost the most jobs in nine years, with biggest drop on record in part-time work.
Bermuda becomes first jurisdiction in the world to repeal same-sex marriage.
US flu season still worsening; now as bad as 2009 swine flu.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US military helps thwart Trinidad carnival terror attack.
Islamic State’s captured ‘Beatles’ should be tried in West, former hostage Henin says.
Russia says IS turning Afghanistan into 'resting base' for regional terrorism.
London Bridge terror attackers took large amounts of steroids before launching van and knife assault which killed eight people, inquest hears.
New US sanctions hit Islamic State in Africa, Asia, Turkey.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
US stocks swing back to gains, Dow up 330 on turbulent day.
Anti-China bill being softened after U.S. companies complain.
FedEx and UPS hit as Amazon 'plots shipping expansion'.
Apple confirms iPhone source code leak.
Posts
