Monday, December 29, 2014

World News Briefs -- December 29, 2014



Indonesia Search Chief: AirAsia Jet Likely 'on the Bottom of the Sea' -- Voice of America

The head of Indonesia's search and rescue agency said the missing AirAsia jet is likely on the "bottom of the sea."

Bambang Sulistyo told reporters in Jakarta Monday the Airbus 320 with 162 people on board is presumed to have crashed Sunday off the Indonesia coast in the Java Sea.

"Based on the coordinates given to us and the evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is that the plane is at the bottom of the sea," Sulistyo said.

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MIDDLE EAST

U.S. coalition launches 18 air strikes against Islamic State: task force.

IS downs warplane in Iraq, captures pilot: Reports.

Jordan in secret talks to secure release of pilot captured by IS: Reports.

Shia pilgrims die in Iraq suicide bombing.

Yemeni intelligence officer killed, general escapes in ambushes.

Iran holds funeral for general killed in Iraq.

Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei accuses US police of 'oppressing' black community.

Obama doesn't rule out US embassy in Iran.

Israel corruption scandal widens as former PM aide arrested.

ASIA

Unclear whether oil, objects found in sea linked to lost jet.

Nato ends combat operations in Afghanistan.

Taliban declare 'defeat' of U.S., allies in Afghanistan.

Afghans fleeing war now face brutal winter.

South Korea offers high-level talks to North Korea. South Korea proposes talks with North over unification.

Mumbai attack leader wins appeal in Pakistani court, paving way for his release.

Chinese access to Gmail cut, regulators blamed.

AFRICA

Libya airstrikes hit Misrata militants for first time.

UN support mission to Libya warns of full-fledged war in country.

Boko Haram insurgency: Cameroon's military carries out first airstrike against Nigerian militant group. Cameroon says fights off Boko Haram attacks, kills 41 militants.

U.N. reopens Nile route to bring aid to hunger-hit South Sudan.

Sierra Leone intensifies Ebola fight.

Liberia reports dozens of new Ebola cases along border.

Malaria killing thousands more than Ebola in West Africa.

EUROPE

West wants to end confrontation with Russia over Ukraine – EU foreign policy chief.

Military operation in Donbas does not end until January 15 — Ukrainian President Poroshenko. Ukraine's President to meet Russian, French, German leaders, rules out offensive.

Ukraine's parliament approves 2015 budget.

Ukraine’s Security Council says cannot exclude introduction of martial law.

Russia shows first sign of recession as GDP contracts.

Italian premier: Evacuation of Greek ferry is complete. 7 dead, 414 rescued after fire cripples Greek ferry in Adriatic Sea.

Spanish government drops support for Princess Cristina over tax fraud charges.

Croatia presidency vote goes to runoff after tight contest.

Greece heads for early election, stoking financial concerns. Greece plunged into crisis as failure to elect president sets up snap election.

Italy ferry: Death toll rises to seven as evacuation ends.

AMERICAS

Obama: America 'less racially divided' since 2009.

Mexico calls for larger, more diverse U.N. Security Council.

Argentina's fury at plans for statue of Margaret Thatcher on Falkland Islands that it says 'celebrates war'.

Argentine leader Fernandez cancels trips after ankle injury.

Armed bandits rob 300 tourists on Venezuela beach.

In U.S.-Cuba prisoner swap, mystery surrounds the unnamed 53.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State ‘has executed 116 foreign fighters who were members of group in past six months after they tried to return home’. ISIS executed nearly 2,000 people in Syria, mostly civilians, in 6 months – monitor.

Jihadists continue to advertise training camps in Iraq and Syria.

Yemen: Al-Qaeda 'in a war of attrition'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Air industry's deadliest year in a decade: AirAsia crash brings global death toll to 1,212 in 2014 - but experts say chance of a crash is the LOWEST ever.

Oil rises to $60 per barrel, Libya fire supports.

Wolf of Wall Street 'is most pirated film of 2014'.

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