Wednesday, November 12, 2014

World News Briefs -- November 12, 2014



Philae Touches Down On The Surface Of A Comet -- CNN

London (CNN) -- Touchdown! The Philae probe has landed on the surface of a comet, scientists from the European Space Agency (ESA) announced Wednesday.

It is the first time a soft landing has been achieved on a comet.

Shortly after news came, the probe tweeted: "Touchdown! My new address: 67P!"

"This is a big step for human civilization," ESA director Jean-Jacques Dordain told colleagues who had waited anxiously for confirmation of the landing. "The biggest problem with success is it looks easy."

And William Shatner,who played Captain Kirk in the science fiction series "Star Trek" tweeted: "touchdown confirmed for away team @Philae2014, captain!"

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Activists: US-led Syria strikes kill at least 860.

Kurds gain ground but not control in struggle for Syrian border town.

Explosions in Baghdad leave many dead. Bomb attacks kill 23 people in Iraq.

Shia militia fightback against Isis sees tit-for-tat sectarian massacres of Sunnis.

At least 33 dead in Yemeni clashes, U.S. drone kills seven.

Iran says centrifuge testing, but no violation of atom deal with powers.

Israelis stock up on self-defense weapons 'preparing for attack'.

Turkish protesters rough up US sailors in Istanbul.

ASIA

U.S., China reach new climate, military deals.

New US runway, large military presence focal point of Okinawa election.

Record opium poppy cultivation has 5% of Afghan pop. using heroin.

Man dies in Tokyo after setting himself on fire in protest against defence policy.

UN's Ban calls on Asia to step up Ebola fight.

After Bae release, Christian groups tread carefully in North Korea.

Russia offers to let Kazakhstan oil exports via Ukraine to Europe to hedge risks.

AFRICA

Blasts hit government-held towns in Libya.

Mali races to head off Ebola outbreak after second death.

Ebola crisis: Sierra Leone health workers go on strike.

Female suicide bomber kills at least one at Nigerian college.

Kenyan police arrest 10 suspected attackers from Somalia.

Sinai buffer zone no solution to militancy in Egypt: Amnesty.

South Sudan’s next generation in a hurry to fight.

EUROPE

Azerbaijan shoots down Armenian military helicopter.

Russian tanks have entered Ukraine, NATO chief says as Kiev fears rebel surge. NATO: Russian troops in Ukraine now.

Ukraine tells Army to prepare for battle as tensions rise.

Moscow denies NATO allegations of Russian military crossing into Ukraine. Russia denies NATO accusations over troops in Ukraine.

Ukraine crisis: Heavy artillery fire rocks Donetsk.

UN Security Council has urgent meeting on Ukraine.

Catalan president facing prosecution after independence vote. Spain urges Catalonia to seek constitution reform, not independence.

At least 12 injured in Rome following protests against illegal migrants.

France to vote for symbolic recognition of Palestine - report.

Russia appeals $50bn Yukos verdict.

AMERICAS

US National Guard on call if Ferguson grand jury decision triggers violence.

Mexico missing case: Attack on governing party offices.

Brazilian police kill six people a day, says report.

Argentina raids banks and financial houses.

U.S. states' pot legalization not in line with international law: U.N. agency.

Arctic blast hits Canada and US.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State named world’s wealthiest terror network.

After an errant drone strike in Yemen, a trail of secret meetings and U.S. cash.

Hezbollah might be recruiting Christians to fight against IS: Reports.

UN anti-torture panel grills US officials.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Space Net: Elon Musk confirms plans to provide global internet from 100’s of satellites.

Five banks fined £2bn by regulators over forex failings.

Regulators fine global banks $3.4 billion in forex probe.

Energy security threatened by rising tensions, says IEA report.

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