Thursday, December 8, 2016

World News Briefs -- December 8, 2016

Syrian government soldiers gather in Al-Haidariya neighbourhood after government forces took control of the area in Aleppo, Syria December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Reuters: Syrian army's Aleppo advance slows but victory in sight

The Syrian army's advance in Aleppo slowed on Thursday but a victory was still firmly in sight after President Bashar al-Assad vowed that retaking the nation's second city would change the course of the six-year civil war in his favor.

Lightning gains in recent days in which government forces and their allies recaptured Aleppo's historic Old City lost some momentum in the face of stiff rebel resistance but the Syrian leadership was confident.

Assad has long sought to seize divided Aleppo which would put him in control of Syria's major cities, the south, central spine and western flank bordering the Mediterranean, dealing a devastating blow to rebels who have fought to unseat him.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syrian Army suspends active military operation in Aleppo – Russian FM. Syria conflict: Army 'suspends Aleppo fighting'.

US and Russia 'close' to deal on Syria's Aleppo.

Aleppo displaced hide out in last rebel districts as army closes in.

Iraqi troops pull out from Mosul hospital after fierce battle.

US launches airstrike on Mosul hospital used by Isis, military says.

The world has forgotten the Yemen war, says senior UN humanitarian official.

Arab Knesset members vow to 'sue Netanyahu'.

ASIA

Risking Beijing's ire, Vietnam begins dredging on South China Sea reef.

Report: Northern Myanmar rebel clashes turn deadly.

One killed in Kashmir as anti-India clashes erupt.

Korean president Park Geun-hye faces impeachment vote. Impeachment vote due in South Korea. South Korea lawmakers introduce motion to impeach Park.

Sri Lanka president cancels colonial-era order amid falling popularity.

Tsunami warning: Solomons 7.7 quake prompts alert.

Japan's third-quarter growth rate revised down sharply.

Frustrated relatives of missing Flight MH370 passengers scour beach for clues.

Aid groups descend on Indonesia quake zone; deaths reach 102.

AFRICA

No respite for Libya after Islamic State driven from coastal city.

Mali's foot-dragging traps peace mission in unending conflict.

South Sudan expels journalist deemed 'too critical of the government' as conflict rages.

Egypt not picking sides in Syria war, says FM.

Ghana elections: Vote count begins in tight contest.

ICC to discuss South Africa's failure to arrest Sudan's Bashir.

Locals fearful as mega-projects drive rush for land on Kenya's coast.

EUROPE

Syria, Ukraine to dominate OSCE agenda in Hamburg.

UK Supreme Court president says it will give Article 50 case judgment 'as soon as possible'.

EU met only 5% of target for relocating refugees from Greece and Italy. EU wants states to return migrants to Greece.

Angela Merkel dismisses rape and murder of EU official's daughter as 'an isolated incident' and insists Germany's migrant influx has not led to a surge in violent crime.

Marine Le Pen: no free education for children of 'illegal immigrants'.

Greeks strike against 'repressive austerity'.

Greek court rules against extraditing two more Turkish soldiers.

AMERICAS

Trump's approval rating hits 50% as Americans give him 'a long leash' and most say he'll put the country ahead of his business interests.

Notorious defendants hope to capitalize on Obama’s record-setting leniency.

Obama gets defense bill prohibiting Guantanamo closure.

Cuban business owners urge Trump to continue thaw.

Pirates preying on Venezuelan fishermen as industry unravels.

Quake magnitude 6.5 reported off coast of Northern California: USGS.

US life expectancy declines for first time in 20 years.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Terrorism most immediate threat to UK, says MI6.

U.S. estimates 50,000 Islamic State fighters killed so far: U.S. official.

ISS Today: Does the Islamic State threaten al-Shabaab’s hegemony in Somalia?.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil rises above $50 on renewed hopes for output cuts.

McDonald's to move international tax base to UK amid EU scrutiny.

Michael Jordan wins trademark case in China's top court.

Glencore and Qatar buy $11.3bn stake in Russia's largest oil company.

1 comment:

James said...

Re: the header photo. The vehicles shown are a lot more used up than the ones in the photos you usually see.