Wednesday, December 2, 2015

World News Briefs -- December 2, 2015



VOA: Kerry: Iraq Briefed on US Plan to Strike at Heart of IS

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday the Iraqi government was briefed in advance of Defense Secretary Ash Carter's announcement that teams of U.S. special operators could be in Iraq in a matter of weeks.

The “specialized expeditionary targeting force" will consist of approximately 200 special forces personnel, according to officials familiar with the plans aimed at striking the brain trust and nervous system of the Islamic State terror group.

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq: We don't need foreign troops to fight ISIL.

Iraqi politicians, militias warn Abadi against U.S force deployment.

Syria conflict: Russia accuses Erdogan of trading oil with IS.

'Deal reached' on truce in district in Syria's Homs.

Syria conflict: Assad says Russia role 'slowing down IS'.

Al-Qaeda seizes key Yemeni towns from pro-Hadi forces.

UAE troops dig in for a long war in Yemen.

Exclusive: Turkey may cut Russian LPG imports by 25 percent in 2016 due to spat.

ASIA

Afghan Taliban leader Mansour 'wounded in gunfight'.

Pakistan executes four militants over massacre of 134 children.

Killing of Vietnamese fisherman in contested waters sparks outrage.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi holds transition talks.

Indian troops battle deadly flooding in Chennai.

Australian economy picks up pace on exports.

Kim Jong-un's aunt sues defectors in South Korea.

AFRICA

Cameroon frees hundreds of Boko Haram hostages. Cameroon kills 100 Boko Haram militants, frees 900 hostages.

U.N. helicopters launch strikes against Congo rebels after deadly raid.

Military commander for Libya's Benghazi killed by roadside bomb in area with IS presence.

UN experts: Up to 3,000 Islamic State fighters in Libya.

Islamic State targeting Africa: Top Africom commander tells VOA.

Police officer, six others killed in latest Burundi violence.

CAR 'not safe enough' for free and fair election.

Eritrea conscription still indefinite, says Amnesty.

EUROPE

Report: Arrivals by sea in Europe approach 1m mark.

Hungarian PM warns of "secret" EU plans to bring Syrian refugees from Turkey.

Migrant crisis: Greece under EU pressure on Schengen future.

Syria vote: Cameron and Corbyn clash over air strikes.

Russia unlikely to meet Ukraine peace deal deadline, NATO says.

Kremlin says NATO expansion to east will lead to retaliation from Russia.

Lithuania says Russian military activity stoking tension in Baltics.

Mass protests in Transdniestria against outcome of parliamentary polls.

Bundestag to debate military action in Syria.

Annotated Hitler's Mein Kampf to be published in Germany.

AMERICAS

U.S. total debt soars by $674 billion in November.

Cuba reinstates controls on doctors travelling abroad.

Argentina: Menem sentenced to jail for embezzlement.

Victims and killers: Venezuela youth at sharp end of crime.

Trump: ‘I always felt a little guilty’ about not serving in military.

America's biggest gas field finally succumbs to downturn.

Watch for U.S. recession, zero interest rates in China next year, Citi says.

US Black Friday breaks record with 185K gun background checks.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US prepares to strike at heart of Islamic State.

Guantanamo inmate mistakenly held for 13 years due to name mix-up.

Obama says he’ll fight Gitmo 'until my very last day as president'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Yahoo board 'weighing sale of core business and Marissa Mayer's future'.

Google 'stores children's data' - civil liberties group.

Islamic State oil trade seduces friends, foes alike.

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