Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Jan. 19
Xinhua,January 19, 2018 Adjust font size:
MOGADISHU -- Four Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a U.S. airstrike in southern Somalia on Thursday, the latest in a series of strikes against the militant group in the Horn of African nation, officials said Friday.
The U.S. Africa Command, which oversees American troops on the continent, said the strike, conducted in coordination with the Somali government, occurred approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo. (Somalia-Al Shabaab)
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PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday pledged to raise defense budget to improve military forces' means to guarantee security at home and contribute to resolve conflicts aborad.
Addressing army officers at New Year greetings, Macron announced a "new and incomparable effort," to "have complete, strong and modern defense model...with credible effects in long-term." (France-Defense Budget)
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BERLIN -- At least five people were killed in "Friederike", the heaviest storm that ravaged Germany in 11 years, the German Press Agency (DPA) reported Thursday in an update.
Storm "Friederike", which swept across Germany from the west, is, according to the German Weather Service, the heaviest storm since the year 2007. (Germany-Storm)
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ISLAMABAD -- The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan announced Friday the country will grant on-arrival visas for group tourists of 24 different countries, allowing them multiple entries within 30 days.
The countries in the list include China, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, Britain, Finland and Denmark. (Pakistan-Tourism-Visa)
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ANKARA -- Turkey will carry out a military operation in Syria's northern border region of Afrin to "remove the terrorist presence" there, Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said Friday.
Speaking on local news channel A Haber, Canikli said "it will happen," referring to the upcoming military operation against the People's Protection Units (YPG), which is considered as the Syrian affiliates of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) by Ankara. (Turkey-PKK-Military Operation) Enditem