Friday, December 11, 2015

World News briefs -- December 11, 2015



Reuters: World powers step up pressure on Saudis over Yemen conflict

Frustrated at a worsening humanitarian crisis and rising civilian death toll in Yemen, Western nations are quietly increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia to seek a political deal to end the nearly nine-month conflict, U.N. diplomats said.

While much of that pressure has been applied through discreet diplomacy, they said, the United States will shine a global spotlight on the conflict when it chairs a public United Nations Security Council meeting on Yemen on Dec. 22.

MIDDLE EAST

Putin vows to 'immediately destroy' any target threatening Russia in Syria. Any targets threatening Russian forces in Syria must be immediately destroyed - Putin.

'Islamic State' in triple suicide attack on Syrian Kurds.

Triple terror: Up to 60 killed, 80 wounded, 3 car bombs explode in Syrian Christian town.

Syria's Assad rules out negotiations with 'terrorists'. Syria's Assad says he will not negotiate with armed groups.

Yemen crisis: Saudi-led coalition 'targeting' schools.

World powers step up pressure on Saudis over Yemen conflict.

Iraq to file UN complaint over Turkish 'incursion'. Turks keeping troops in Iraqi camp, Baghdad turns to U.N..

US urges Turkey to defuse tensions with Iraq over troops deployment.

Turkey fines Twitter over 'terrorist propaganda'.

Israelis kill three Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza.

ASIA

Taliban attack hits Spanish embassy in Kabul, one security officer killed. Taliban attack diplomatic area of Afghan capital Kabul.

North and South Korea hold high-level talks in Kaesong.

Bullet train, nuclear deal top Japan's Abe agenda in India.

Nepal's fuel crisis will push almost a million people into poverty.

Two killed in Kyrgyzstan 'anti-terror operation'.

Former Kazakh PM jailed for 10 years for embezzlement.

Billionaire head of China's Fosun group 'vanishes'. 'Missing Chinese Warren Buffett' found.

Obama, Xi commit to work to get climate deal: White House.

AFRICA

Burundi crisis: Military bases attacked in Bujumbura. Burundi gunmen attack military sites as violence intensifies.

Ethiopia's Grand Anwar Mosque hit by 'grenade attack'. Many injured in grenade attack on Ethiopian mosque.

Suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber kills 10 in Cameroon.

U.N. reports hundreds of rapes and murders in Central African Republic.

Lavrov says Russia does not consider air strikes on Islamic State in Libya.

Libya's rivals agree 'to sign UN-backed deal'. Rival Libyans agree to sign unity government deal.

European nations say concerned by Rwanda's human rights record.

Robert Mugabe warns Zimbabwe security services.

Morocco issues arrest warrant for Paris attack suspect.

EUROPE

US Secretary of State John Kerry to visit Moscow December 15 — Russian foreign ministry. John Kerry to meet with Putin, Lavrov to discuss Syria & Ukraine.

U.S. and Russia trade accusations at U.N. over Ukraine conflict.

Front National win could lead to civil war, warns French PM.

Unprecedented powers of EU's new border force.

Anger in Greek refugee camp after Idomeni eviction.

Paris attacks: Germany 'hunts suspect linked to Abaaoud'.

Swiss arrest two Syrians; traces of explosives in car: media reports.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky accused over 1998 murder of Siberian mayor. Putin critic and oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky charged with murder of town mayor.

Paint it yellow: 30 Greenpeace activists scale Arc de Triomphe in renewable energy protest.

AMERICAS

Probe intensifies in California shooting case as poll shows safety concerns.

Exclusive: Trump lead among Republicans undiminished in first poll after Muslim comments.

Trudeau greets Syrian refugees as Canada prepares for more arrivals. First government plane carrying refugees arrives in Canada.

Brazil police to question Lula in bribery probe involving son.

Socialist dissenters urge Venezuela reform after vote loss.

Homeland Security takes lead in search for Afghan trainees.

Trump Tower website has outage after Anonymous' anti-Trump rant.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State influence rising in Syria: Russian defense minister.

Islamic State oil trade 'worth more than $500m'.

US reveals ISIS has made $1.5 billion.

GOP senator: Obama to blame if Gitmo detainees join terror groups.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Alibaba to buy Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

Dow and DuPont confirm merger plan.

COP21: Final push for climate deal amid 'optimism'.

Billions in climate aid pledges have "wild west" accounting.

Oil hits new seven-year low on glut warning.

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