World News Briefs -- November 18, 2014

Attack Kills 4 at Jerusalem Synagogue Complex -- New York Times

JERUSALEM — Two Palestinians armed with a gun, knives and axes stormed a synagogue complex in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood of West Jerusalem on Tuesday morning, the Israeli police said, killing four rabbis in the middle of their morning prayers.

The police killed the assailants in a gun battle at the scene that left one officer critically wounded. It was the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians in more than three years, and the worst in Jerusalem since 2008. Witnesses and Israeli leaders said the site and the fact that the victims were slain while wearing prayer garments were reminiscent of long-ago pogroms.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Deaths as Jerusalem synagogue attacked. Terrorists screaming 'God is great' tried to stab me: Four dead in Jerusalem horror as two attackers with axes and knives storm synagogue as worshippers pray. Israel: 'We will respond with a heavy hand' after 4 killed in synagogue attack.

Abbas condemns deadly attack on Jerusalem synagogue.

Iraqi security forces enter Baiji refinery: state TV.

Iraqis show no sign of uniting in response to massacre of Sunni tribe.

Syria government bombing kills at least 13.

Martin Dempsey: Islamic State terrorists are ‘a bunch of midgets’.

Refugee wave from Syria and Iraq now a ‘mega crisis,’ U.N. official says.

Turkey fears influx of 2-3 million more Syrian refugees.

US and Iranian negotiators begin crunch talks on nuclear weapons. World powers seek new nuclear deal with Iran at Vienna talks. Doubts about a nuclear deal with Iran as talks near deadline.

Cleric: Iran will use 'suicide operations to send its message to the world'.

Saudi convicts 8 in attacks that killed foreigners.

ASIA

Japan PM Shinzo Abe calls snap election in December.

Germany says to keep up to 850 soldiers in Afghanistan.

Suicide truck bomb targets Afghan compound.

Pakistan Taliban splinter group vows allegiance to Islamic State.

Hong Kong authorities clear protest site.

South Korea launches agency to replace coast guard after ferry disaster.

Police clash with Indian guru supporters; 190 hurt.

North Korea faces key vote in UN on human rights.

Kim's former bodyguard tells of beatings, starvation in North Korean prison camp.

AFRICA

Nigeria set to extend state of emergency.

Mombasa youths kill four in rampage after mosque raids.

Beheadings and suicide bombings: The new rage in Libya.

Egypt rights group says constitution violated.

Burkina's interim leader set for swearing in.

Congo's police accountable for killing over 51 youths: Human Rights Watch.

Liberian couples marry, a sign of less Ebola fear.

EUROPE

Putin says west is provoking Russia into new cold war as ‘spies’ deported.

Russia sees no chance of breakthrough on Ukraine in German minister's visit.

NATO leader sees 'serious military buildup' in Ukraine, urges Russia to pull back troops.

Ukraine to make prepayment for Russian gas by December 1: Energy minister.

Ukrainian conflict leading to new Cold War: Belarusian foreign minister.

Russia to start deploying own space station in 2017: Reports.

Spanish navy rammed Greenpeace boat to prevent "piracy," Defense Ministry says.

AMERICAS

FBI: Violence could follow Ferguson indictment decision. As Missouri awaits decision on police shooting, National Guard called in.

Colombia Farc: Huge search for abducted general. Fate of peace talks in FARC hands: Colombian president.

Brazil's Rousseff responsible for Petrobras graft, opposition says.

Obama orders review of US hostage policy.

US group CAIR named terrorist organization by United Arab Emirates.

Venezuela's Maduro says oil price meeting planned. Falling oil prices put Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in a vice.

Sheer size of US-Canada border stokes terrorism fears.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda branch in North Africa releases video of French, Dutch hostages.

Find Jihadi John's execution squad: Massive manhunt for international ISIS assassins intensifies as family of French scooter salesman who converted from Catholicism speak of their horror. Islamic State Kassig murder: Western jihadists probed.

Global terror attack deaths rose sharply in 2013, says report.

Detention at Guantanamo grinds on: 13 years and counting, 148 captives remain.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

G20's new growth plans suspiciously long in the tooth.

Seven big U.S. companies paid CEOs more than Uncle Sam in 2013: study.

'Red warning lights' flashing for global economy.