News in Brief
Syria launches new Aleppo offensive
Afp, Beirut
Syrian government troops began a new offensive around the northern city of Aleppo yesterday, attacking a string of villages in an attempt to encircle rebel fighters, a monitor said. The offensive comes the same day that UN peace envoy Staffan De Mistura is to address the Security Council on his efforts, including a plan to "freeze" fighting in Aleppo that has so far failed to gain traction.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 26 Afghan cops killed in anti-Taliban drive
Afp, Kandahar
At least 20 Afghan policemen were killed yesterday in a Taliban attack near Kabul, bringing to 26 the number of officers to die since the start of an army offensive aimed at weakening the insurgents. The assault saw Taliban gunmen and suicide attackers strike police headquarters in Puli Alam city, south of Kabul. The defence ministry said 76 insurgents were killed on Monday, the first day of the operation.
Cameroon kills 86 Boko Haram militants
Afp, Yaoundé
Cameroon's army says it has killed 86 Boko Haram militants and detained 1,000 people suspected of links to the Islamist group, as central African leaders held talks on how to combat its bloody insurgency. Five Cameroonian soldiers were also killed during the clashes in the Waza region near the border with Nigeria, defence ministry spokesman Didier Badjeck said Monday.
Haiti carnival electrocution kills 18
Ap, Haiti
At least 18 people on a packed Carnival float in the Haitian capital were killed yesterday when they were electrocuted by a power line. The accident occurred as thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince for the raucous annual celebration.
Muslim students' killer charged with murder
Independent.co.uk
A grand jury in North Carolina has formally charged a man on three counts of murder over last week's shooting of three young Muslim students. Craig Hicks, 46, was detained last week following the shooting deaths of student DeahShaddyBarakat, 23, his 21-year-old wife, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and her 19-year-old sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha.
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