Thursday, December 24, 2015

World News Briefs -- December 24, 2015



BBC: Beijing security: 'Possible threat to Westerners' governments warn

The UK and US governments have issued a warning about possible threats against Westerners in the Chinese capital Beijing on or around Christmas Day.

British and US officials say they have received information of possible threats in Sanlitun, which is a busy bar and shopping district.

The Australian and French governments have also urged their citizens to remain vigilant.

Beijing police have issued a yellow security alert in the city.

A yellow alert is the second lowest level in China's four-level security alert system.

MIDDLE EAST

Roadside bombs slow Iraqi forces' advance on Ramadi.

Coalition planes pound ISIS in Iraq's Ramadi to aid attack, TV says.

U.S., allies conduct 18 strikes in Iraq, six in Syria: U.S. military.

Turkish forces barely regrouped, far from announced partial withdrawal – Iraqi defense spokesman.

Syria conflict: IS militants 'to leave south Damascus'.

Syria conflict: Government 'ready to attend peace talks'.

Four Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.

Deadly fire rips through Saudi hospital.

Somber Christmas for Iraq's Christians under threat from Islamic State.

Christians in Bethlehem mark Christmas amid violence.

ASIA

Sangin: Taliban take strategic town in Helmand province as Afghan army forced to abandon HQ.

US launches air strikes in embattled Afghan district. US strikes Sangin from air as Afghan forces battle Taliban. Afghanistan: 'Dozens of Taliban killed' in battle for Sangin.

Japan: China sent armed Coast Guard vessel near disputed islands.

Japan signs off biggest ever defence budget as Senkaku tensions rise.

China: US Embassy issues security warning to travellers in Beijing.

Myanmar men sentenced to death for murder of British tourists in Thailand.

India PM Narendra Modi to focus on defence in talks with Putin.

Indonesia ferry accident: Death toll rises to 63.

AFRICA

Nigeria Boko Haram: Militants 'technically defeated' - Buhari.

Cameroon's army killed 70 civilians they mistook for Boko Haram.

Mali pro-govt armed group accuses France of killing 4 fighters.

Failed bus attack in Kenya 'linked to IS faction of al-Shabab'.

Somali Islamists publicly execute two officials.

U.N. council backs Libya peace deal, no Western air strikes sought.

United States calls on Djibouti to show restraint ahead of vote.

EUROPE

Implementation of Ukraine ceasefire deal to drag into 2016: RIA cites Russian official.

Corsica becomes latest European territory to turn nationalist.

Merkel, UK intelligence exchange information on Daesh, Putin and Ukraine.

Refugee girl who cried after Merkel comments can stay in Germany: report.

The Latest: Turkey says 19 migrants die after boat capsizes.

Ninth person is detained in Belgium over Paris attacks.

Russia issues international warrant for Putin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

AMERICAS

Ssouth American Left in retreat as economic crisis deepens.

'Christmas is dead' in Venezuela, and 2016 looks grim.

Rio de Janeiro declares health system emergency as Olympics loom.

U.S. jobless claims near 42-year low as labor market tightens.

U.S. plans deportation raids targeting hundreds of families.

Bankrupt San Bernardino spars with creditors over police spending.

US storms: At least seven dead in trail of destruction. Southern U.S. states clean up after storms kill at least 10.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Russia's security chief says identified groups behind plane explosion in Egypt: agencies.

Iran calls China to join the fight against the Islamic State.

As Islamic State threat mounts on its doorstep, Indonesia scours a jungle.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil edges higher, hovers near 11-year low.

Wall Street sees little cheer on Christmas eve.

Star Wars worth more than Harry Potter, James Bond, and some nations.

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