Wednesday, December 13, 2017

World News Briefs -- December 13, 2017



Reuters: Palestinian leader says Trump's Jerusalem 'crime' prevents U.S. peace role

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Muslim leaders on Wednesday that a U.S. decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was a crime which showed that Washington should no longer play a role in Middle East peace talks.

Addressing an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders in Turkey, Abbas said President Donald Trump was giving Jerusalem away as if it were an American city.

“Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine,” he said, adding Trump’s decision was “the greatest crime” and a violation of international law.

Wednesday’s summit was hosted by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan who has bitterly criticized the United States, a NATO ally, for its stance on Jerusalem.

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MIDDLE EAST

Russian, Syrian jets hit Aleppo, Damascus countryside.

Syrian opposition seeks direct Geneva talks with regime.

Houthis: Saudi-led raid kills prisoners in Sanaa. Yemen war: Air strikes on rebel prison in Sanaa 'kill 30'.

Israeli military strikes Hamas in Gaza in response to rocket fire.

Istanbul hosts summit against Trump’s Jerusalem recognition.

OIC declares East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital.

Press freedom index: Turkey remains world's worst jailer of journalists.

Palestinian leader says Trump's Jerusalem 'crime' prevents U.S. peace role. Palestinian president says no role for US in peace process.

ASIA

Philippines extends martial law for one year in restive Mindanao amid fears of IS resurgence.

UN official says North Koreans agree on importance of avoiding war.

Tillerson says U.S. ready to talk to North Korea; Japan wants pressure.

Russia welcomes US pledge to drop preconditions on North Korea talks.

H.R. McMaster: Time running out for China on North Korea.

China gathering blood, DNA and iris scans for massive database of millions in Muslim province.

Presumed North Korean ghost ship washes ashore in northern Japan.

China marks 80th anniversary of Nanjing massacre.

AFRICA

UAE, Saudi Arabia join G5 Sahel force summit in Paris.

France seeks ways to boost anti-jihadi force in Africa.

Boko Haram displaced get ID cards in Nigeria.

Rwanda-backed report alleges France’s role in 1994 genocide.

Wanted Sudan leader Bashir attends Turkey's Islamic summit.

Global companies snared in South Africa’s corruption scandal.

Shyma: Egyptian singer jailed over music video inciting debauchery.

EUROPE

EU parliament backs starting next phase of Brexit talks.

Brexit: May stands firm over Commons vote demands.

Germany's Angela Merkel and SPD start grand coalition talks.

Catalan secessionists face steepest challenge in Barcelona's bruised beltway.

Kremlin calls U.S. allegations of subversive activity 'groundless'.

More Russians want to vote for Putin, poll shows.

German soldier charged with plotting to kill politicians while posing as refugee.

AMERICAS

Democrat Jones wins stunning red-state Alabama Senate upset.

Trump Jr. to appear before Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday.

Canada cautions Boeing amid trade row.

Argentina: DNA reunites thousands after 'Dirty War'.

Joshua Holt: Venezuela court rules US man to be tried on weapons charges.

Venezuela’s opposition, prisoners win EU human rights award.

California hills appear to be covered with lava in apocalyptic scenes as wildfires grow to five times the size of DC and 8,000 firefighters battle to contain them.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Men due to leave Gitmo under Obama seem stuck under Trump.

New York bombing suspect Akayed Ullah warned Trump on Facebook.

LinkedIn hosted jihadist lectures, Blair institute reveals.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Google to open artificial intelligence centre in China.

Disney set to seal $60bn 21st Century Fox takeover.

Facebook hits back at former executive's claims the company is 'destroying how society works'.

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