Here is your weekly news briefing on significant global events through 08 – 14 FEB 2017.

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ISIS

Islamic State claims responsibility for attacks on Afghan Supreme Court

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-afghanistan-blast-idUKKBN15N1JQ

Six Afghan Red Cross workers killed by IS in Jowzjan Province

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38908312

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EUROPE

 

NATO troops deploy to Lithuania, Russia claims “threat”

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lithuania-nato-germany-idUSKBN15M2BZ

 

 

Paris to put up 8-foot glass barrier to protect Eiffel Tower from terrorist attacks

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38923411

 

 

French police avert imminent bomb attack

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38930201

 

Belgians alarmed at increase of radical militant Wahabbi Islam in moques throughout country

https://www.yahoo.com/news/belgian-alarm-over-spread-saudi-backed-hardline-islam-180659398.html?ref=gs

 

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AFRICA

 

New Gambian government to rejoined the Commonwealth

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38968336

 

EU promises $80 million in aid to Gambia following former Pres. Jammah’s defeat

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN15O1PB

 

Al-Shabab fighters kill 4 guards in Somalia; new government vows crackdown

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN15N0IK

 

Colombian nun kidnapped from health care center in Karangasso, Mali
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKBN15N1I3
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CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA

 

All-out drug war between Sinaloa Cartel and New Generation Jalisco Cartel

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2017/02/the-sinaloa-counter-attack.html

 

American man and Mexican woman found strangled to death in Acapulco

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-violence-idUSKBN15Q03F

 

US imposes sanctions on Venezuelan VP, calling him “drug kingpin.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/world/americas/venezuela-vice-president-sanctions-trump.html?ref=americas&_r=0

 

Brazilian army deploys 9000 troops to the streets of Rio de Janeiro during labor protests.

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2431197&CategoryId=14090

 

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EAST ASIA/PACIFIC

 

Islamic separatists kill 8 in knife attacks in Xinjiang, China

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/eight-killed-in-knife-attack-in-china-s-xinjiang/3521078.html

 

President Trump changes approach to China, embraces “One China” policy

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-china-idUSKBN15P0ED

 

 

Kim-Jung Un’s half-brother assassinated in Malaysia; female suspect in custody

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/world/asia/kim-jong-un-brother-killed-malaysia.html?ref=asia&_r=1

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/malaysia-scrambles-to-put-together-puzzle-of-kim-jong-nams-death

 

North Korea successfully tests nuclear-capable missile system

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-nk-idUSKBN15R10O

 

Indonesian elections: Feb 15

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesians-to-vote-in-local-polls-on-feb-15-all-eyes-on-governor-election-in-jakarta

 

IS threat significant in Philippines

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-defence-idUSKBN15O1C9

 

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ISRAEL
Hamas militant elected to leadership in Gaza strip

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/02/13/hamas-names-top-militant-new-leader-gaza/97841908/

 

PM Netanyahu “uncommitted” to formation of a Palestinian state

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-idUSKBN15S188