Wednesday, December 19, 2018

World News Briefs -- December 19, 2018


Al Jazeera: Yemen's warring sides accuse each other of violating ceasefire

Both sides lay blame on each other for clashes on first day of UN-brokered truce in strategic port city of Hodeidah

Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the Yemeni government have accused each other of violating a ceasefire in the western city of Hodeidah, less than 24 hours after the UN-brokered agreement came into effect.

Residents reported shelling for nearly one hour on the eastern and southern outskirts of the Houthi-held city on Tuesday, whose strategic docks are the point of entry for 70 percent of imports for millions of Yemenis.

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MIDDLE EAST

Hodeida truce 'dead duck' if rebel breaches persist: coalition.

Yemen govt allies urge swift UN deployment to save Hodeida truce.

Yemen's warring sides agree to swap thousands of prisoners.

Russia, Turkey, Iran fail in push for new Syrian constitution.

U.S. weighs complete withdrawal of troops from Syria: U.S. officials.

Iran rights lawyer Sotoudeh to face new trial.

Israel urges UN action over Hezbollah 'attack tunnels'.

Saudi outreach to Israel 'faces setbacks' after Khashoggi crisis.

ASIA

Third Canadian detained in China as feud escalates.

China warns US against 'weaponising' space after Trump ordered Pentagon to create a new command centre for controlling military space operations.

Death penalty may await Sun Bo, boss of Chinese aircraft carrier firm CSIC, for alleged spying role.

China reveals that high-level trade war dialogue with US goes on as negotiators schedule January meeting.

US pressures China to allow unmonitored access to Tibet.

Duterte's Philippines drug war death toll rises above 5,000.

North Korean oil smugglers elude U.S. military.

AFRICA

Nigeria's former defence chief killed amid growing insecurity.

Madagascar votes in electoral battle between ex-presidents.

DR Congo bans rallies in Kinshasa.

Zimbabwe post-election clashes: Inquiry condemns military action.

South Africa issues arrest warrant for Zimbabwe's Grace Mugabe over alleged assault.

Tanzania opposition vows fight against Magufuli 'dictatorship'.

Tanzania's Diamond Platnumz banned from performing.

Egypt to bail Amal Fathy, jailed for 'fake news' after harassment complaint.

EUROPE

Brexit: European Commission presents 'no-deal' contingency plans.

Jeremy Corbyn accused of calling Theresa May a 'stupid woman'.

Belgian Prime Minister Michel resigns. Belgian PM Charles Michel resigns after no-confidence motion.

US Senators introduce resolution opposing Russian pipeline in Europe

Russians accepted $27M in bribes between Jan. and Oct., prosecutor says.

Sweden Democrats: Far right takes over Swedish countryside.

'Thousands' of EU diplomatic cables hacked, says report. European Union diplomatic communications 'targeted by hackers'.

AMERICAS

US Senate passes sweeping criminal justice reform bill.

Nikki Haley in farewell talk: U.N. 'hopelessly biased' on Israel.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is copping criticism for taking a 'self-care' break.

Third Canadian detained in China, no link seen to earlier cases: Ottawa.

Maduro says Venezuela's civil militia grows to 1.6 million members.

Nicaragua pushes to silence critics amid US sanctions threat.

Cuba drops same-sex marriage language from new constitution.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamist threat lingers in Philippines despite Marawi victory.

Islamic State kill 700 in terror horror - 5000 jihadists holed up in Syria.

Isolating terrorists in jail hardens extremist beliefs, prisons study finds.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US and China trade negotiators will sit down together in January: US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Facebook gave more user data access to tech firms than previously known: report.

Pharma giants GSK, Pfizer join to create new healthcare company.

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