Thursday, December 14, 2017

World News Briefs -- December 14, 2017 (Evening Edition)



DW: Syria missed 'golden opportunity' at peace talks, says UN mediator de Mistura

A political solution to Syria's conflict may require "new ideas" to move peace talks forward, the UN's top mediator said. Going on seven years, the conflict has shown no sign of ending despite several attempts at peace.

Staffan de Mistura, the UN's Special Envoy for Syria, on Thursday said the latest round of peace talks aimed at advancing a political solution to the Syrian conflict was a "missed golden opportunity."

"I did not see the (Syrian) government really looking to find a way to have a dialogue and negotiate during this round," de Mistura said.

"I will probably need to come up with new ideas, parameters, about how to move the talks forward, particularly on constitution and elections."

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran supplied ballistic missile to Yemen rebels: US. US gives evidence Iran supplied missiles that Yemen rebels fired at Saudi Arabia.

UN blames Damascus for 'golden opportunity missed' at Syria peace talks. U.N. calls Syria talks a 'big missed opportunity', seeks new ideas.

UN Syria envoy urges Putin to have ‘courage’ to push Assad.

U.S. jets fire flares to warn Russian jets in Syria.

UN: Syria's Ghouta faces 'complete catastrophe'.

UN chief: Iran may be defying UN on missiles, OK on nukes.

Hamas marks 30-year anniversary with Gaza rally.

Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza after rocket fire.

Netanyahu: OIC Jerusalem statement fails to impress us.

Turkish coast guard in dramatic rescue of stranded migrants.

Pence Middle East trip to go ahead.

ASIA

U.N. chief presses for release of arrested Reuters journalists in Myanmar.

Rohingya death toll likely above 10,000, MSF says amid exodus. 6,700 Rohingya Muslims killed in one month in Myanmar, MSF says.

South Korean President Moon in China on visit to repair ties. N Korea threat high on agenda of S Korea-China talks.

China constructing North Korean border refugee camps in preparation for disaster: leaked report.

China summons Australia's ambassador over influence row.

China's central bank raises interest rates after Fed rise.

India PM Modi's party seen sweeping state polls in popularity boost.

Fortified by family and China cash, Cambodia's strongman digs in.

AFRICA

Cameroon's Anglophones flee to Nigeria as crackdown grows.

UN warns of cost if South Sudan stymies 'last chance' peace plan.

Togo opposition wants regional backing for political change.

Kenyan police accused of rape in opposition strongholds after elections, says HRW.

Macron calls for Sahel force against armed groups.

Boko Haram tries to take over military base in NE Nigeria.

Somalia: Suicide bomber hits Mogadishu police academy. Somalia suicide bomber kills police at Mogadishu academy.

German naval vessel rescues more than 100 migrants off Libyan coast.

Congolese fighters convicted of raping young girls in landmark case. Militiamen jailed in DR Congo's Kavumu for raping 40 children.

Zimbabwe’s new leader begins journey to key 2018 election.

Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president, suffers double court blow.

Nelson Mandela’s family voice dismay at funeral corruption claims.

EUROPE

EU agrees to extend economic sanctions on Russia until mid-2018.

EU extends economic sanctions against Russia, agrees to new defense force.

Cyprus, Greece, Egypt vow closer security cooperation in Mediterranean.

Children killed as train and school bus collide in southern France.

Putin says will run as independent candidate for new Kremlin term.

Vladimir Putin takes aim at claims of US election meddling in marathon press conference. Putin: Trump opponents harm US with 'invented' Russia scandal.

EU leaders wrestle with migrant quotas at summit.

British troops breached Geneva conventions in Iraq, high court rules.

Theresa May: We're on course to deliver Brexit despite vote.

EU’s Tusk warns of bruising Brexit battle ahead, urges unity.

Brexit: Paris steps up efforts to lure London firms.

Eurozone economy to grow at faster rate, says central bank.

AMERICAS

Peru opposition demands president's immediate resignation.

Republicans forge tax deal, final votes seen next week.

‘Petro’-bolivar: Venezuela to launch oil-backed cryptocurrency. Venezuelans seeing bitcoin boom as survival, not speculation.

Mexico: murders of women rise sharply as drug war intensifies.

Mexico’s proposed security law draws strong criticism.

Colombia's main gang declares unilateral ceasefire.

Ecuador VP Jorge Glas sentenced for corruption in Odebrecht case.

Human foot found on Canada shoreline – the 13th such discovery in a decade.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

'Islamic State' is fighting with weapons made in the EU: study.

ISIS threatens National Cathedral in fiery propaganda image.

Terrorism not a ‘systemic threat’ to UK says former MI6 head.

Iraq hangs 38 members of IS, Qaeda for 'terrorism'.

US to publicize Khamenei's assets to prove Iranian support of terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall St falls as investors fret about tax bill passage.

World's richest 0.1% have boosted their wealth by as much as poorest half.

Rupert Murdoch reshapes media empire with $66bn Disney deal. Walt Disney buys Murdoch's Fox for $52.4bn.

As Bitcoin, other currencies soar, regulators urge caution.

US prosecutors confirm Uber target of criminal probe.

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