Thursday, December 22, 2016

World News Briefs -- December 22, 2016



Reuters: Syrian army announces victory in Aleppo in boost for Assad

The Syrian army said it had retaken complete control of Aleppo on Thursday after the last rebel fighters were evacuated from the battered city, handing President Bashar al-Assad his biggest victory of the nearly six-year-old war.

The military said it had brought "the return of safety and security to the city of Aleppo", ending four years of rebel resistance in the northern Syrian city.

"This victory constitutes an important turning point," an army statement said.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Syrian government takes full control of Aleppo after 4 years.

Aleppo evacuations expected to wrap up soon.

Russia says its air strikes in Syria have killed 35,000 rebels.

Turkish defense minister says 35 soldiers killed in Syria incursion since August 24.

Islamic State claims suicide car bombs that killed at least 23 east of Mosul.

France to convene Middle East peace conference on Jan. 15.

Trump calls on Obama to veto U.N. resolution on Israeli settlements.

ASIA

Afghan Taliban reiterates demands for peace talks with U.S..

Afghanistan Taliban: Eight dead in attack on MP's house.

Taiwan's president to visit US despite objections from China .

Philippines' Duterte enlists Mums' army for new front in war on drugs.

Philippine leader calls UN official "idiot" for murder probe call.

Indonesia police launch massive Christmas, New Year terror operation.

At least 140 buildings on fire in wind-swept blaze in Japan.

Japan's Abe aims to send message of U.S. alliance strength at Pearl Harbor.

Thousands protest US military presence in Okinawa after land handover.

After South Korea, Japan, China discovers two more cases of human bird flu .

AFRICA

At least six killed, 150 wounded in southeast Congo ethnic violence. Ethnic militia clashes kill 18 in eastern Congo: army.

Congo protests death toll grows. Congo forces arrest dozens after deadly anti-Kabila protests.

Putin promotes Libyan strongman as new ally after Syria victory.

Somalia warns of famine.

S. Sudan atrocities continue despite President’s call for dialogue.

South Sudan arms embargo 'not productive,' Japan envoy says.

Kenya's Cord MPs storm out over 'fight'.

World's overlooked crisis: Lake Chad region.

EUROPE

Search for Berlin attack suspect intensifies as anger in Germany grows. Germany says Tunisian's fingerprints found in Christmas market crash truck.

Berlin attack: Christmas market reopens following lorry rampage.

Germany deportation headache with North African migrants.

France checks on security at Christmas markets after Berlin attack.

Violence surges in eastern Ukraine amid reports of Russian involvement.

Hopes for a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine.

Russians’ confidence in Putin above 61% — poll.

French MP says Paris will return to dialogue with Moscow if Fillon is elected president.

Russia Josef Stalin: Outspoken grandson is 'found dead'.

AMERICAS

Trump: US must 'greatly strengthen' nuclear capability.

Trump names his White House communications team.

Clinton wins popular vote by nearly 2.9 million.

Obama moves to eliminate Bush-era tracking program.

Peru's president says he took no bribes from Brazil's Odebrecht.

Canada MPs probe ways to curtail fake news.

Death toll in Mexico fireworks market blast rises to 35.

TERRORISM/THE LOG WAR

U.S. says it killed 28 al Qaeda militants in strikes in Yemen.

Terror from above: ISIS releases slick propaganda montage of their frightening suicide bomb attacks that they filmed by drone.

‘Lorries as weapons’: Terrorists changing their tactic.

Monitoring group says Islamic State video shows two Turkish soldiers burned alive.

Kid jihad: Is Europe threatened by child terrorists?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Nokia sues Apple for infringing patents, industry back on war footing.

China weighs response to new U.S. trade foe.

China's Alibaba back on US counterfeits blacklist.

Silicon Valley reckons with its political power.

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