Thursday, December 11, 2014

World News Briefs -- December 11, 2014

Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk speaks to deputies as he presents a work plan of his government during a parliament session in Kiev, December 11, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko

Ukraine Truce Shudders as PM Warns of Possible ‘Default’ -- Bloomberg

Pro-Russian rebels killed three Ukrainian soldiers, jolting a two-day-old truce in the nation’s east as Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called for an international donor conference to avoid a possible “default.”

The casualties follow Ukraine’s Dec. 9 decision to halt hostilities in an attempt to start new talks with insurgents its it’s fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukraine needs to expand a $17 billion international bailout program that’s keeping its economy afloat after bonds fell to a record, Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius said yesterday, adding it’s too early to say how much more aid Ukraine requires.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria's southern rebels take step toward unity.

Iraq's Sadr readies militia to fight for Samarra.

Militant attacks in Iraq kill 5,042 in November.

Explosion rocks US-Yemeni military base.

Middle east on the brink: Palestinian minister dies after being tear gassed and hit in the chest with a rifle butt by an Israeli soldier at West Bank protest. Palestinian minister buried amid tensions over cause of death.

Mahmoud Abbas freezes security relations. Palestinians halt security cooperation with Israel after minister's death.

IAEA to get more money for Iran nuclear deal monitoring.

ASIA

Bomb hits French-run school in Kabul, six soldiers also killed on bus. Six Afghan soldiers killed in Kabul suicide bombing.

Afghan forces plagued by ‘ineptitude’, falling troop numbers.

SIGAR: Major investments in Afghan security at risk.

Modi to Putin: Russia to stay India's top defense partner.

Hong Kong police arrest protesters in main camp.

Dam projects risk re-igniting Myanmar's civil war.

U.S. tells North Korea rights abusers 'you cannot hide any more'.

Life in prison for China's former energy chief.

AFRICA

Warring faction chiefs in Central African Republic must be arrested: rights group.

French forces kill senior jihadi in northern Mali.

Algerian troops kill militant involved in Frenchman's beheading.

Ebola crisis: Sierra Leone bodies found piled up in Kono. Despite UN claims, Ebola relief efforts ‘dangerously’ uncoordinated, medical emergency group says.

Debt and hunger at birthplace of Ebola in Guinea.

Mauritius voters hand opposition victory, reject constitution change.

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe fires vice president, seven ministers.

Tension as Nigeria gears up for presidential elections.

EUROPE

Ukraine urges Russia to remove troops. Ukraine president pleads for troop withdrawal.

Three more Ukrainian soldiers killed as truce frays: Kiev military.

Ukrainian PM warns of default risk, calls for more Western help.

Russia to send two more humanitarian convoys to east Ukraine by year end.

Russia raises interest rates to 10.5%.

German prosecutor: little progress on Merkel phone.

Monaco’s royal couple welcomes birth of twins.

AMERICAS

42.9 million Americans have unpaid medical bills.

Nicaraguans protest against canal plans.

Brazil truth commission: Abuse 'rife' under military rule.

Latin America only region set to meet hunger reduction goals: U.N..

Heavy rain, strong winds slam San Francisco.

US co-opted Cuba's hip-hop scene to spark change.

Fidel Castro wins China’s alternative peace prize.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Gitmo inmate: My treatment shames American flag.

'Stronger than ever' jihadists kill 5,042 in a month.

ISIS posts a new forward command group to Egyptian Sinai - at Israel’s back door.

Syrian al-Qaeda using UN cars to conduct terror operations.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google to shut Spanish news service.

Oil resumes decline, falling toward $64, oversupply weighs.

$60 oil will be norm for next 5 years: Economist.

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