Tuesday, December 29, 2015

World News Briefs -- December 29, 2015



Reuters: Iraq's Abadi visits Ramadi to celebrate Islamic State defeat


Iraq's prime minister visited Ramadi on Tuesday, a day after the army took back the western city from Islamic State in the first major success for the U.S.-trained force that fled in the face of the militants' advance 18 months ago.

Security sources said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who arrived by helicopter with a top military officer at the Anbar University complex in the city's southern outskirts, would meet commanders from Iraq's army and counter-terrorism forces, which had spearheaded the offensive.

Abadi later announced the visit himself on Twitter.

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqi PM Abadi visits Ramadi after capture from IS.

Syrian army, backed by air strikes, advances toward southern town.

Hundreds of fighters and civilians escape besieged Syrian areas under U.N. deal.

Syrian army goes ahead with successful offensive on all fronts — Russian General Staff.

Strike that killed Syrian rebel chief complicates peace talks push: U.S..

White House praises ‘progress’ against Islamic State in battle for Ramadi.

Iran ships uranium to Russia under nuclear deal. Nuclear deal: Iran's uranium ship reaches Russia.

Iran nuclear deal: Tehran on track, says John Kerry.

Saudi riyal in danger as oil war escalates.

Palestinian anger after man shot dead at Egypt border.

ASIA

At least 68 IS members killed in bombings in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: UN helps humanitarian aid reach war-affected families in Kunduz.

Russia may be 'flexible' on easing of U.N. sanctions against Taliban: TASS.

Blast at government office in Pakistan kills 23: official.

Pakistan in negotiations with US to buy F-16 fighter jets: Air chief.

Taiwan asks Japan for its own resolution to ‘comfort women’ issue.

North Korea publishes report on South Korean human rights.

First golf course opens in North Korea.

AFRICA

Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria leave 52 dead.

IS relying on untrained recruits in Libya, but poised for expansion.

C. African Republic hampered by decades of strife, mismanagement.

Around 20 soldiers arrested in Burkina over jail break plot.

Egypt to receive more submarines and satellites – two of each.

Ebola outbreak ends in Guinea, says WHO.

Somalia reverses its decision to ban Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

EUROPE

Two arrested in Belgium over suspected New Year's Eve attack plot.

UK unprepared for terror attacks outside London, police sources warn.

Lavrov, Kerry discuss threat to Minsk agreements, fight against Islamic State.

Kremlin accused of terror threat cover-up after ordering closure of Red Square for New Year's Eve.

Political feuding imperils Ukraine's future, Obama's record.

Poland's president signs disputed amendment to top court powers.

Italy smog: Milan and Rome ban cars as pollution rises.

Forest fires spread in northern Spain.


AMERICAS

Winter storm brings snow, sleet to Midwest, Northeast after slamming Texas.

C.America states agree breakthrough on stranded Cuban migrants: official.

Relatives of drowned Syrian boy land in Canada.

Venezuelan military helicopter crashes in Colombia.

NGO: Venezuela's homicide rate climbs in 2015.

US Democrat Senator calls for temporary tax to pay for ISIS war.

Clinton and Obama top U.S. poll on most admired people.

Obamas to welcome Trudeaus for State Dinner in March 2016.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Here’s how ISIS uses amphetamines to create brainwashed, psychotic killing-machines.

Bosnian court keeps 8 terrorism suspects in custody.

Al-Qaeda in Yemen launches a 'hearts and minds' campaign.

They 'can go viral in a matter of seconds': An inside look at how ISIS sympathies spread in the US.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

U.S. companies led the world in debt defaults in 2015, S&P says.

Masters of the universe strike back as dealmaking tops record $5 trillion.

Wall Street knocked by oil price slide.

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