Thursday, January 1, 2015

World News Briefs -- January 1, 2015



Top Story: World Welcomes 2015 With Cheers, Fireworks, Hopes

MIDDLE EAST

U.S., partners hit Islamic State in Syria, Iraq.

Civilian death toll in Iraq doubles to 17,000 in 2014 'due to rise of ISIS'.

Syria's war 'killed 76,021' in 2014. Over 76,000 killed in Syrian war in 2014: NGO.

Syrian president visits front line of civil war on New Year's Eve.

Syria opposition group: Assad must go for any peace plan to work.

Lebanon hit hard by Syrian war, growing ISIL support.

Death toll of Yemen anti-Huthi bomb blast rises to 49.

Suspected 'terrorist' arrested near President’s office in Istanbul. Man with automatic weapon detained near Istanbul palace: media.

ASIA

36 killed, 47 injured in Shanghai stampede. Shanghai new year crush kills 36.

North Korean leader open to summit with South. Kim Jong-un calls for ‘highest level’ talks with South Korea in New Year’s speech. North Korea leader Kim Jong Un says open to summit with South.

Dozens dead as Afghan wedding hit by rocket. Army mortar fire kills 28 at wedding party in Afghanistan.

Afghans take over country's security.

India, Pakistan trade deadly fire in Kashmir.

Military: Pakistan airstrikes kill 23 militants.

1st of 9 bodies from AirAsia crash identified. Weather stalls search for AirAsia black boxes; first victim buried.

The search for AirAsia Flight QZ8501: Where things stand.

Sri Lanka flash floods cause deadly havoc.

AFRICA

World Health Organization reports 7,905 Ebola deaths.

France: Libya rising as terrorist ‘sanctuary’. Libya unrest: Gaddafi’s ex-aide accuses West.

Gambia's President blames foreign-backed dissidents for attack on capital. Gambia failed coup participants flee to Guinea-Bissau.

Witness: Suicide bus bomb kills at least 6 in Nigeria's Yobe state.

Nigerian army steps up fight against terrorism.

DRC rebels face deadline to disarm.

Three Kenyan soldiers wounded in gun attack near Somali border.

Sudan celebrates 59 years of independence Thursday.

EUROPE

Russians optimistic for 2015 despite it all.

Kiev violates ceasefire 15 times on New Year’s eve: Donetsk. Ukraine says rebels keep up attacks into New Year.

Latvia to maintain tough line on Russia as it assumes EU Presidency.

With eyes on Russia, Lithuania joins Eurozone.

Greek 'political blackmail' of EU won't work anymore, says top Merkel party member.

Poll: One in 8 Germans would join anti-Muslim marches.

Sweden struck by 3rd mosque arson attack in a week.

Italy president says he will step down soon.

AMERICAS

Obama, Republican Congress likely to clash on global affairs.

Budget war looms for Obama, GOP.

U.S. Dollar has its best year since 2005.

United States 'deeply concerned' by Cuba dissident arrests. Cuba frees dissidents from crackdown condemned by US.

Witness confirms cover-up of Mexican army killings.

Brazil's leader sworn in for 2nd term.

U.S. Congress demands answers on feds’ cellphone tracking by simulator towers.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al-Qaeda’s glossy media and how they help expand ‘Media Jihad’.

Republican rips release of Gitmo detainees.

Boston Marathon bombing suspect's trial starts Monday.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

World oil prices plunged in 2014 most in six years.

Iran says Saudi Arabia should move to curb oil price fall.

New black gold? Coffee price soars in 2014, leaving oil & metals trailing.

Travel firms sue creator of cheap airfare site.

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