Thursday, December 18, 2014

World News Briefs -- December 18, 2014 (Evening Edition)



Backed by U.S. Airstrikes, Kurds Regain Ground From ISIS -- New York Times

BAGHDAD — Kurdish forces, backed by a surge of American airstrikes in recent days, recaptured a large swath of territory from Islamic State militants on Thursday, opening a path from the autonomous Kurdish region to Mount Sinjar in the west near the Syrian border.

The two-day offensive, which involved 8,000 fighters, known as pesh merga, was the largest one to date in the war against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, according to Kurdish officials. It was also a successful demonstration of President Obama’s strategy for battling the extremist group: American airpower combined with local forces doing the fighting on the ground.

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MIDDLE EAST

Top Islamic militants killed; more US troops going to Iraq. 3 senior ISIS leaders killed in U.S. airstrikes.

Islamic State fight to take at least three years: U.S. general.

IS siege of Mount Sinjar broken: Iraqi Kurd official. Kurds 'retake ground' from ISIL in Iraq. Kurdish peshmerga forces launch offensive to retake Isis held areas.

U.N. appeals for $8.4 billion for humanitarian relief to Syrians.

Suicide bombers kill at least seven in Yemen port: sources.

Iran nuclear negotiations resume in Geneva. At U.N., Iran urged to show more flexibility in nuclear talks.

Palestinians set deadline for Israeli occupation.

Netanyahu: Palestinian move at UN will lead to Hamas takeover in West Bank.

Yemen's new cabinet wins parliament approval.

ASIA

Thailand welcomes China's Li as U.S. ties cool over coup.

U.N. General Assembly condemns N. Korean abuses. N. Korea debate set for UN Security Council after assembly vote.

Pakistani school attackers ‘were told to kill soldiers’ after massacre of pupils. Pakistan angry at school killings, moves to execute convicted terrorists.

Some Pakistan militants denounce school attack, amid national outrage.

Pakistan grants bail to Mumbai attack accused.

Pakistan, Afghanistan vow to unite against militants.

New control center to fight rise in attacks in Afghan capital.

Chinese criminals blamed for record Japan Bank cybertheft.

Decades of complications and cleanup remain at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant.

AFRICA

Fighting in Libya's Benghazi kills 25 in eight days: medics.

Militant video claims Tunisia politician assassinations in name of Islamic State group.

Amid fist fights, Kenya parliament passes controversial antiterror law.

Officials: Boko Haram kidnaps 185 women and children, kills 32 people. Women seized in Boko Haram raid on Nigerian village.

Cameroon army kills 116 Boko Haram militants, defense ministry says.

Official: 28 die in clashes in Central African Republic.

Armed groups recruit 10,000 child soldiers in Central African Republic: NGO.

South Sudan factions to discuss peace yet again.

South Sudan hires Ex-Blackwater chief to restore war-damaged oil facilities.

Ebola: 11th Sierra Leone doctor dies; fire destroys supplies.

EUROPE

OSCE extends observer mission at Russia-Ukraine border until March.

Putin seeks to ease fears over Russian economic crisis. Putin press conference: 'economy will rebound within two years'. Putin: I feel no responsibility for collapse of rouble.

Putin says Russia determined to protect interests, U.S. creates threats. Putin comments on possibility of peace in Ukraine during press conference.

Kiev reports 162 military personnel killed since September 5 ceasefire.

Russian sailors leaving France without warship.

EU leaders meeting about Russia, jump starting growth.

Greek presidential vote enters second round, fuelling economy fear.

Swiss National Bank will cut interest rate to minus 0.25%. Switzerland has so much money it pays consumers for bank loans.

Spain's state prosecutor steps down after spat over Catalonia.

AMERICAS

U.S. will respond to North Korea hack, official says.

IRS warns of possible shutdown.

U.S., Cuba restore ties after 50 years. U.S., Cuba make historic move to ease Cold War stance.

Obama and Raúl Castro thank pope for breakthrough in US-Cuba relations.

Sea boundary talks between U.S., Mexico, Cuba to take years: Mexico.

Latin America welcomes Obama's move to restore US-Cuba ties. US-Cuba rapprochement complicates LatAm politics.

Mexico troops sent to La Ruana after vigilante shoot-out.

Colombian gov't praises FARC cease-fire, rejects monitoring. Colombia rejects FARC's verification demand for ceasefire. Colombia's government rebuffs rebel truce.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda car bombs target Houthi fighters in Yemeni port city.

US backed talks between jihadi clerics and Isis in effort to save hostage’s life.

Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in court.

Islamic State penal code promises crucifixion, lashing for unbelievers.

US airstrike targets Pakistani, Afghan Taliban in Nangarhar.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow jumps 421 points. Best day since 2011.

Sony hacking fallout puts all companies on alert.

Oil tumbles after brief rebound; Brent back below $60.

Oil price fall is temporary, says Saudi minister.

UK oil industry ‘close to collapse’ as price plunges below $60 per barrel. North Sea oil industry 'close to collapse'.

The Interview: Sony shelves worldwide release.

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