Monday, December 22, 2014

World News Briefs -- December 22, 2014 (Evening Edition)



North Korea's Internet Is Being Disrupted -- CNN

(CNN) -- North Korea's Internet is experiencing a major disruption and could be the target of an attack, according to a company that monitors Internet performance.

"After 24hrs of increasing instability, North Korean national Internet has been down hard for more than 2hrs," Dyn Research posted on Twitter on Monday.

The reported outage comes amid an escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea over a massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq says Jordan to begin training Iraqi troops soon.

Kurdish fighters move on ISIL's Mosul hub.

Kurdish fighters face stiff resistance from ISIS in Iraq.

Iraq TV show makes terrorists confront victim.

Exclusive: WHO says Syria approves medicine deliveries to Aleppo, other areas.

2015 could be watershed for Syria conflict.

Turkey remains leery about presence of Kurdish refugees from Kobani.

Israel and Hamas exchange fire, but Gaza residents say focus remains on reconstruction.

Iran’s budget woes unlikely to derail nuclear goals.

ASIA

South Korean nuclear operator hacked amid cyber-attack fears.

Russia, China vote against tackling human rights situation in North Korea.

U.S. says North Korea call for joint probe of Sony hack 'absurd'.

North Korea threatens to ‘blow up’ White House, Pentagon: Accuses U.S. government being behind making of ‘The Interview’.

Obama: North Korea’s attack ‘cybervandalism,’ not an ‘act of war’.

Sony hack: North Korea threatens US as row deepens. North Korea boycotts UN Security Council and threatens US.

Afghan commander orders attacks on insurgents in Pakistan.

Pakistan school attack: Several suspects arrested.

Pakistan set to execute 500 convicted terrorists in coming weeks.

Ling Jihua: China investigates top aide to former president.

AFRICA

Cameroon army says dismantles Boko Haram training camp.

Nigerian Islamic uprising poses regional threat.

Bomb blast in northeastern Nigeria kills 'at least 20'.

Five killed as Libyan forces and Islamist fighters clash in Benghazi.

Essebsi declared Tunisia presidential winner. Tunisia elects former Minister Essebsi President. Former minister wins Tunisian presidential election, as violence breaks out.

Report: Uprooted Muslims trapped in CAR.


Dozens of suspected Kenyan separatists charged with police camp raid.

Chinese troops ready to join Sudan Sudan UN force.

IMF policies blamed for Ebola spread in West Africa.

Ebola virus death toll reaches 7,518 — WHO.

EUROPE

Belarus is taking extreme measures to stop a currency panic.

Putin, Poroshenko, Hollande, Merkel discuss situation in Ukraine - Kremlin. Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine note east Ukraine ceasefire holding: Kremlin.

Leaders agree on Ukrainian peace talks this week.

Ukraine threatens to cut off power to rebel-held regions if usage not curbed.

Ruble continues cautious rise, China offers help.

Russia bails out bank following ruble slide.

Ex-minister Kudrin warns of 'full-fledged crisis' in Russia.

Russia watchdog blocks web pages calling for Navalny support protest - activists.

Record number at Germany's anti-immigrant rally.

French driver reportedly heard yelling 'Allahu Akbar' slams pedestrians, injures 13. Prosecutor: No terror link in France car rampage.

Catalonia leader Artur Mas probed over independence vote.

Spain: Princess Cristina to be tried for fraud.

Pope in blistering critique of Vatican bureaucrats.

AMERICAS

US police departments on alert after cop killings. Police on alert across America after murder of NYPD officers.

Protests as Nicaragua starts work on $50bn interoceanic canal.

Raúl Castro thanks U.S., but reaffirms communist rule in Cuba.

Tourism, farm groups see bigger business with Cuba.

Hopes, fears, doubts surround Cuba's oil future.

Colombia rebels begin indefinite, unilateral ceasefire.

Mexico's church calls for changes in government strategy.

Flu outbreak spreading rapidly in U.S..

Ticket to the White House set to cost at least $1bn.

Panama's Noriega in prison 25 years post-invasion.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Taliban publicize training camp in northern Afghanistan.

Human rights groups call for special prosecutor to investigate CIA torture.

Juergen Todenhoefer, author, walks with Islamic State: They have a ‘glow in their eyes’.

Four Gitmo prisoners released to Afghanistan.

CIA urged to build rapport with terrorists to extract intelligence.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Takeover volumes move to highest post-crisis levels.

Gulf OPEC members refuse to cut oil output.

Oil price fall not Opec's fault, Gulf ministers say.

Oil prices likely to rebound in second half of 2015: Reuters poll.

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