Monday, December 21, 2015

World News Briefs -- December 21, 2015



Daily Mail: 'I have bodies lying around me, we've been surrounded for two days': Afghan police chief begs for help fighting the Taliban amid fears Helmand province could soon fall

* Commander and his men are trapped inside police HQ by Taliban fighters
* He said: 'If we don't get support in an hour, our fighters will be captured'
* Deputy governor took to Facebook to warn Helmand province could fall
* The official said 'unless the government acts now we will lose the province'

An Afghan police chief has made a desperate plea for help fighting the Taliban, saying he is trapped inside his headquarters and surrounded by dead bodies.

Commander Mohammad Dawood said he and his men were running out of ammunition and feared they would soon be overrun as fighting raged in Sangin in Helmand Province.

His warning came hours after the province's deputy governor, resorted to Facebook to warn the president the Taliban could soon take over the area where British troops died.

MIDDLE EAST

U.S., allies conduct 12 strikes in Iraq, three in Syria: U.S. military.

Top rights watchdog blasts Moscow, Damascus over Syrian cluster bombs.

Assad said to plan Iran visit.

Iraq’s military chief says Ramadi offensive about to begin. ISIS prevents civilians from leaving Ramadi ahead of imminent Iraqi offensive.

Poll: Syrians, Iraqis believe U.S. created ISIS, don’t support war.

Yemeni government forces push into province around capital: tribal sources.

Turkish military offensive kills 110 Kurdish militants in six days: security sources.

Turkey to create new border security unit.

Iran warns Obama over visa waiver restrictions.

Notorious Lebanese militant killed in Syria airstrike. Hezbollah vows to hold Israel accountable for Qantar's death.

Lebanon holds its nose as politicians fail to address rubbish crisis.

ASIA

Afghan official: Taliban overrun district in Helmand. US troops killed near Bagram, Taliban insurgency intensifies.

Explosions rock Afghan capital Kabul. Rockets fall on Kabul as Taliban intensifies onslaught across Afghanistan.

Islamic State radio show seeks new recruits in Afghanistan.

IS seeking foothold in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province.

Taliban controls or contests nearly all of southern Afghan province.

Indonesia: Plot foiled to kill officials, Shiite followers.

China landslide: Rescuers search for 85 people still missing.

Thousands of factories cut production as Beijing smog persists.

Tokyo Olympics might cost $15 bln, 6 times orginal estimate: report.

AFRICA

Burundi rejects African Union peacekeepers as 'invasion force'.

Kenyan Muslims shield Christians in Mandera bus attack.

Nigerian troops kill 12 Boko Haram fighters: military.

Niger arrests more military officers in alleged coup attempt.

Mali government declares 10-day state of emergency.

Burkina Faso: Intl arrest warrant out for ex-leader Compaore.

Congo President promises to neutralize rebels in East.

Nigeria bans credit card use abroad.

African lions are 'endangered,' must be protected: US.

EUROPE

Spain's left-wing parties reject new Rajoy government. Spain struggles to form post-election government. Spain edging towards Socialist-led coalition as negotiations begin.

EU prolongs economic sanctions on Russia until mid-2016.

Russia hits Ukraine with trade sanctions over EU deal.

Putin shares his view on Russia's role in emerging world order.

Putin says Russia will not 'abandon' Russians in southeast Ukraine.

Greece moves to recognise the state of Palestine.

Azerbaijani manat collapses after government abandons dollar peg.

Pro-Western businessman designated Moldova's new PM,

Brussels police release five detained in connection to Paris attacks.

AMERICAS

Obama makes 'no apologies' for fighting ISIS within 'American values'.

Iranian hackers 'targeted' New York dam.

Colombia's Farc: 'No peace deal by March deadline'.

Syrian refugees in Canada could hit 50,000 next year, says McCallum.

Election results ignite violent protests in Haiti.

Venezuela-Argentina spat over human rights comments. Argentina's Macri asks for Venezuela opposition leaders' freedom.

Venezuela frees Pepsi workers it arrested for not making enough Pepsi.

Brazil president's survival odds improve, but ally demands growth.

US power grid vulnerable to foreign hacks.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Minority killings by IS 'should be recognised as genocide'.

New map of Islamic State controlled territory in Syria and Iraq.

The Islamic State creates a new type of jihadist: Part terrorist, part gangster.

Obama hints at closing Gitmo unilaterally.

Al-Qaeda figure seen as key inspiration for San Bernardino attacker.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil price falls to 11-year low with global glut expected to deepen in 2016. Oil prices hit eleven-year low as global supply balloons.

Global dealmaking breaks 2007 record.

Frail but unapologetic, Blatter vows 'I'll be back'.

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