ammonnews.net

Ammon News - AMMONNEWS -

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Kerry says Russia proposes military talks on Syria

The Obama administration said Wednesday is was considering how to respond to a Russian proposal for military talks over Syria, where Moscow is expanding its forces even as U.S. warplanes conduct daily air strikes against Islamist militants. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he was talking to the White House and Pentagon about the Kremlin proposal, which was made during phone calls with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in recent days.

Hungarian riot police detain migrants, including 'terrorist'

Hungary on Wednesday detained 29 people including a "terrorist" as migrants demanding to be let through the country's newly shut EU frontier clashed with riot police firing water cannon and tear gas while refugees searched for new ways to enter the bloc. Hungary's decision this week to shut the EU's external border with Serbia was the most forceful attempt yet by a European country to reduce the flood of refugees and economic migrants overwhelming the bloc.

Powerful quake hits off coast of Chile, tsunami watch issued

A magnitude 8.3 earthquake hit off the coast of Chile on Wednesday, shaking buildings in the capital city of Santiago and generating a tsunami warning for Chile, Peru and Hawaii. The quake struck 104 miles (167 km) north of Valparaiso and was originally reported as magnitude 7.9, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Cuba seeks U.N. vote to end U.S. embargo; pope and Obama may help

Cuba on Wednesday launched its annual campaign for a United Nations resolution condemning the U.S. economic embargo while the White House and the Vatican added their own pressure on the U.S. Congress to end the 53-year-old sanctions. The Vatican has long opposed the Cold War-era embargo, saying ordinary Cubans suffer most from its effects, and Havana is counting on hearing that message when Pope Francis visits for three nights starting Saturday before continuing on to the United States.

Ukraine's Poroshenko says rebel elections threaten peace deal, extends sanctions

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on Wednesday to extend sanctions on over 400 individuals and 90 legal entities in response to a decision by separatist rebels to set a date for what Kiev sees as "illegal elections". Violence is at its lowest ebb since the Minsk ceasefire agreement was signed seven months ago, but the latest altercation highlights how far the two sides are from finding common ground and a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Russian helicopters spotted at Syria airfield: U.S. officials

The United States has identified a small number of Russian helicopters at a Syrian airfield, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, the latest addition to what Washington believes is a significant Russian military buildup in the country. One of the officials said four helicopters had been identified, including helicopter gunships, although it was not clear when the Russian helicopters had arrived there. The officials spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Obama upbeat on prospects for Pacific trade deal

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he was confident Pacific Rim nations could nail down an agreement on a free-trade pact this year although approval by the U.S. Congress was not guaranteed. Speaking to a group of corporate executives, Obama said trade ministers should soon have an opportunity to close a deal on the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Obama to take tough but tempered line with China's Xi

China's economic powerhouse is slowing, destabilizing global markets. Beijing's neighbors, unnerved over its pursuit of territorial claims, are increasingly cozying up to Washington. A threat of U.S. cyber sanctions looms over Chinese companies. It might seem an ideal time for U.S. President Barack Obama to take advantage of Beijing's troubles and get tough when he hosts Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a state visit on Sept. 25.

Pro-government Malaysian rally raises worry about ethnic tension

Tens of thousands of Malaysians, most from the majority Malay community, marched through the capital on Wednesday in a of support for the scandal-plagued government, stoking fear of ethnic tension in the diverse Southeast Asian country. Riot police used water cannons to disperse thousands of red-shirted protesters trying to break through barricades at Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown neighborhood, shouting slogans denouncing ethnic Chinese community and opposition party leaders.

Burkina Faso presidential guard seize president and PM

Soldiers fired warning shots to disperse hundreds of protesters outside Burkina Faso's presidential palace on Wednesday after the presidential guard burst into a cabinet meeting and arrested the interim president, stirring fears of a military coup. The presidential guard gave no explanation for its move, which came less than a month before an election due to complete a transition back to democracy after a popular uprising toppled Burkina's long-time ruler last year.