Thursday, January 2, 2014

World News Briefs -- January 2, 2014



South Sudan Forces Advance On Rebel-Held Town Before Peace Talks -- Reuters

ADDIS ABABA/JUBA (Reuters) - South Sudan's army (SPLA) advanced towards the rebel-controlled town of Bor on Thursday, its spokesman said, as both sides gathered in Ethiopia for peace talks to end three weeks of violence that has pushed the country towards civil war.

Both sides have agreed in principle to a ceasefire but neither has indicated when the fighting, which has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced nearly 200,000, will stop.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency late on Wednesday in Unity state and Jonglei, whose capital Bor fell on Tuesday into the hands of militia loyal to former vice president Riek Machar.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian warplanes bomb hills inside Lebanon.

Syrian Electronic Army says hacked into Skype's social media accounts.

Iraq suffers highest death toll in years.

Sunni militants storm Iraq police stations to free prisoners. Iraqi security forces fight militants in Anbar province.

Powerful explosion hits Lebanese capital.

Kerry arrives in Israel to push peace talks. Kerry to propose framework for Mideast peace deal.

Lebanon Army arrests seven al-Qaeda-linked suspects.

Ariel Sharon, former Prime Minister of Israel, is said to be near death.

Six new cases of MERS virus hit Saudi Arabia, UAE.

ASIA

Myanmar president supports changing army-drafted constitution.

Thai election commission seeks talks to end political crisis.

China slams US transfer of Uighurs from Guantanamo.

N.Korea calls back diplomats close to Jang Song-taek.

Japan minister follows Abe to war shrine, pouring salt on wound for China.

China-Japan tensions: Chef crashes balloon near disputed islands.

Opposition boycott casts doubt about credibility of Bangladesh elections.

Pakistan's Musharraf taken to hospital with chest pain, misses trial.

AFRICA

South Sudan Government, rebels gather for peace talks.

South Sudan president declares state of emergency ahead of talks.

South Sudan: UN calls for end to fighting as talks loom.

South Sudan conflict uproots 190,000 in 2 weeks: UNHCR.

Gun battles in Central African capital create fresh panic.

Al-Shabab claims responsibility for deadly Somalia bombings. Mogadishu hotel targeted by bombs, at least 11 killed.

Mali crisis: France announces big troop cuts.

Grenade attack wounds 10 in Kenya.

Opposition: ex-Rwandan intelligence chief killed.

EUROPE

Russia assumes G8 presidency, lays out key agenda.

Putin urges increased security across Russia after bombings.

15,000 nationalists march in Ukrainian capital.

Migrants spark German coalition rift amid welfare angst.

Euro zone factories end 2013 on a high, but France a worry: PMIs.

UK manufacturing growth remains strong.

Italian navy rescues 233 migrants south of Sicily.

AMERICAS

Winter storm set to bring foot of snow and disrupt travel in north-east US.

Rob Ford files nomination papers seeking re-election as Toronto mayor.

Cuba leader Raul Castro warns of 'subversive campaign'.

Opening development of oil sector catapults Mexico as leader of emerging markets.

Report: 'Fast and Furious' gun turns up at Mexico shootout scene.

Mexico's Zapatista rebel movement marks 20 years.

Neighbors: Brazil to help Uruguay avoid Argentina.

Arsonist strikes Chinese consulate in San Francisco.

Antarctic helicopter rescue mission a success.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pre-Olympics terror attacks, Boston bombings may be linked to ‘Russian bin Laden’.

Yemeni al Qaeda claims responsibility for Aden bombing.

Lebanese intelligence questioning Saudi militant, security source says.

Jihad Jane: Despite cooperation, U.S. seeks 'decades' in prison.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Fiat strikes $4.35 billion deal to buy rest of Chrysler.

Billionaires worth $3.7 trillion surge as Gates wins 2013.

Self-driving cars to be 9 percent of global auto sales in 2035: study.

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