Thursday, December 17, 2015

World News Briefs -- December 17, 2015



Reuters: Yemen peace talks struggling in Switzerland amid disputes: sources

U.N.-sponsored Yemeni peace talks in Switzerland appeared to be struggling amid differences over government demands for the release of senior officials held by the Iran-allied Houthis, sources close to the talks said on Thursday.

The dispute comes amid fresh fighting between the Houthis and forces loyal to the Saudi-backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in which at least 15 people were killed from both sides, according to tribal and medical sources.

Peace talks began on Tuesday away from television cameras in Switzerland to try to end nearly nine months of fighting that has killed almost 6,000 people and displaced millions.

MIDDLE EAST

US supplies weapons to Syrian opposition group.

Up to 7,000 Syrians tortured or killed in detention.

U.S. says Turkey must pull unauthorized forces from Iraq.

IS attack kills Iraqi troops, wounds Turkish trainers.

Turkey intensifies military operation against Kurds. Turkey security forces kill 23 PKK militants in Cizre. Erdogan says Turkey to annihilate Kurdish militants, 25 killed.

Iran rejects UN restrictions on its missile tests.

Iran missile test sparks concern over nuclear deal implementation.

Yemen peace talks struggling in Switzerland amid disputes: sources.

Palestinian shot dead after trying to stab Israeli soldiers - military.

ASIA

North Korea warns US of 'unimaginable consequences'.

U.S. Special Forces sent to embattled Afghan province.

Vietnam builds military muscle to face China.

China outraged at US warship sales to Taiwan. China says no cooperation with U.S. firms selling Taiwan arms.

Australian military plane flies over disputed South China Sea. Australia says no plan to stop surveillance flights over South China Sea.

Japan, Indonesia boost security ties, eye defense equipment transfers.

Philippine troops clash with Islamist militants, 15 dead.

AFRICA

UN Human Rights chief warns Burundi on 'cusp of civil war'.

UN human rights body discuss Burundi violence, amid push for deployment of mission of experts.

Burundi crisis: African Union 'won't allow genocide'.

Rwandans head to polls in controversial referendum.

Ethiopia: Amnesty warns against 'brutal crackdown' on protesters. Opposition: More than 40 killed in Ethiopia protests.

Libyan leaders set to sign peace deal. Libyan factions sign U.N. deal to form unity government.

Saudi Arabia will support Egypt despite oil price slide - ambassador.

EUROPE

Migrant crisis dominates as EU holds final summit of 2015. Stark divisions apparent ahead of EU summit.

Thousands riot in small Dutch town over plan for asylum-seeker centre. Migrant crisis: Dutch town riots over asylum centre plan.

NATO, Ukraine officials sign defense cooperation agreement.

Kyiv eays Russia loots $357 million oil rigs in Black Sea.

Spain's prime minister Mariano Rajoy punched in face on campaign trail.

IMF head Lagarde to face French trial over Tapie affair: report.

Nearly half of Britons leaning toward voting to quit EU: poll.

AMERICAS

US and Cuba reach 'understanding' on flights. U.S., Cuba to resume scheduled commercial airline service: State Dept.

Pew: Nation loses faith in Obama's ability to fight terror, lowest point of presidency.

Protesters decry 'coup' against Brazil's Rousseff.

Brazil court orders WhatsApp messaging to be suspended.

Argentina lifts currency controls, floats peso in bid to boost economy. Argentina to relax foreign exchange controls.

Venezuela defends military official facing U.S. indictment.

Neighbor of San Bernardino shooter likely to be charged, sources say.

Exclusive: San Bernardino shooters buried in quiet funeral following Islamic rituals.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

UN resolution seeks to curb Islamic State funding. U.S., Russia to offer U.N. resolution seeking to cut off Islamic State funding.

ISIS fighter arrested in Germany says his fanatical commanders are urging European fighters to return home and carry out massacres similar to the Paris atrocity.

India 'al-Qaeda' chief arrested.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. Congress to pass IMF reforms raising status Of Russia, China.

Revealed: how Google enlisted members of US Congress it bankrolled to fight $6bn EU antitrust case.

Pharma boss Martin Shkreli arrested on fraud charges. Hated' drug company CEO arrested by FBI.

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