What You Need To Know:
1. Battle intensifies in Syria’s Afrin province between Turkish and Kurdish forces. Many casualties reported on both sides.
2. About 90 migrants feared dead as boat capsizes off Libya‘s coast. Over 300 migrants rescued in a separate incident.
3. In Kenya, opposition leader Odinga held an unofficial swearing-in ceremony; President Kenyatta calls the event treasonous. Authorities shut down TV stations in response despite court order.
4. Yemeni separatists capture the port city of Aden after two days of fighting, confining President Mansour Hadi to the presidential palace.
5. Authorities in Saudi Arabia net $106 billion in settlements from anti-corruption campaign; 56 people remain in custody.
6. In Italy, a far-right gunman shot 6 African immigrants in a two-hour drive-by shooting spree.
7. Suicide bombing in northwestern Pakistan kills 11 soldiers in what authorities say was the first attack in over three years in the region once ruled by militants.
8. Conservative Evangelical Christian leads presidential vote in Costa Rica, will face run-off against TV anchor.
9. Well over 100,000 people from across Greece converged on Athens’ main square to protest against use of the name Macedonia.
10. 71-year-old Cyprus President Anastasiades wins run-off presidential election with 56% of the vote. This will be his second five-year term.
Syria
- Government airstrikes kill at least 33 in Idlib province
- Aircraft attack civilian convoy on highway, at least 7 killed
- Suspected Russian warplanes hit busy market in Idlib, kill 15
- Army air attack kills 28 in Northwest Syria
- Syrian army air strike in Hama province cripples hospital
- Russian air strikes kill more than 30 militants in Syria
Turkey
- 8 Turkish troops die in Syria operation
- Authorities detain at least 300 people for social media posts criticizing its military offensive in Syria
- 1 killed, 2 injured in roadside bomb attack on Turkish military convoy in Idlib
- Rocket fire from Syria into Turkish border town kills 1
- Prosecutor orders detention of 120 army personnel over Gulen links
- Court reverses release of Amnesty head
- Boiler room explosion injures 3 in Ankara
Russia
- Russia says hundreds killed in Turkish operation in Syria’s Afrin
- Kremlin accuses U.S. of meddling in Presidential election
- Putin says U.S. took ‘hostile step’ in publishing Russian sanctions list
- Police detain opposition leader Navalny’s allies
- PM approves warplane deployment on disputed island near Japan
- Russian fighter jet shot down in Syria’s Idlib province, pilot killed
The United States of America
- U.S. to resume refugee admissions from 11 ‘high-risk countries’
- Russian fighter jet intercepts U.S. spy plane over Black Sea
- FBI deputy director quits ahead of agency review
- Trump administration holds off on new Russia sanctions
- Trump signs order to keep Guantanamo detention center open
- Train carrying Republican lawmakers hits truck in Virginia, 1 dead
Afghanistan
- 11 Afghan troops killed in ISIS attack on Kabul military academy
- President leaves open possibility of talks with some Taliban
Australia
- Government to create a $3 billion fund to lend to exporters
- Member of Parliament unseated for being dual citizen
Libya
- 329 migrants rescued off Libya’s coast
- 90 migrants feared drowned after boat capsizes off Libya
- At least 5 killed in clashes near Libyan oilfield
Argentina
- Government freezes some salaries, cuts jobs in austerity push
- President bans nepotism, prevents ministers from employing close family
- 2 die in gold mine accident
North Korea
- North Korea plans military parade on the eve of Winter Olympics
- Government earned $200 million from banned exports by sending arms to Syria, Myanmar
- North Korea cancels joint performance with South Korea
Portugal
Cuba
Palestine
- Israeli soldier kills Palestinian teenager during arrest raid in the West Bank
- Israel vows to retain West Bank control in any peace deal
- 13,000 U.N. employees in Gaza hold protest strike over U.S. aid cut
- U.S. state department designates Hamas leader as terrorist
The Czech Republic
South Sudan
- Rebel group release 15 army soldiers held as prisoners
- U.S. slaps arms embargo on South Sudan, urges U.N. to do the same
Austria
Kenya
- Opposition leader ‘sworn-in’ as event called treason
- Former Vice President’s home attacked in assassination attempt
- Government shuts down TV stations despite court order to remain open
- At least 4 dead in fire at slum near Nairobi
India
- India issues 7.5% growth forecast
- Bus plunges into river, at least 36 dead
- India unveils ‘world’s largest’ public health insurance scheme
- Merchant ship with 22 crew goes missing in Gulf of Guinea
Nigeria
Tunisia
Vietnam
Brazil
Germany
- U.S. Army leader tells Germany to meet NATO spending goal or weaken NATO
- Military to end role in E.U. training mission in Somalia
- Talks on creating German coalition government enters final round
China
- China denies report it attacked African Union headquarters
- UK Prime Minister says she wants free trade with China
- Vehicle plows into pedestrians in Shanghai, injuring 18
- China accuses U.S. of disrespect after Latin America comments
- China accuses U.S. of ‘Cold War mentality’ over nuclear policy
- Hong Kong lawmakers vote to ban ivory trade in ‘historic’ vote
Colombia
Ireland
Yemen
- Prime Minister prepares to flee Aden as separatists advance
- Islamic militants kill 12 troops in South Yemen
- Separatists capture Aden government confined to palace
- Saudi airstrike on police building in Sanaa kills 8
Egypt
- Opposition coalition calls for boycott of March Presidential vote
- Egypt bulldozes zone by Sinai airport displacing thousands
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Italy
- Syrian migrant picked up from Italian vessel, taken to Montenegro
- 6 Africans shot in drive-by shooting, anti-migrant ex-candidate arrested
Iran
- Opposition cleric accuses Khamenei of abuse of power
- Defying U.S., Russia says no case for U.N. action against Iran
- Prosecutor sentences suspect to 6 years in prison for nuclear espionage
Brunei
Pakistan
- Explosion kills 6 family members in Northwestern Pakistan
- Earthquake kills child, injures dozens
- Suicide bombing in Northwestern Pakistan kills 11 soldiers
Liberia
Kiribati
South Korea
- South Korea bans 36,000 foreigners from entering for Winter Olympics
- North Korea’s ceremonial head of state to visit South Korea
- South Korea uncovers $600 million in cryptocurrency crimes
Israel
- U.N. reviews 206 companies over links to illegal Israeli settlements
- Israel to legalize settlement outpost deep in the West Bank
- Israel begins distributing deportation notices to Africans
Eritrea
Romania
Congo
- Congolese colonel detained in Tanzania, extradition sought
- Authorities plan to dissolve state power, water utilities
France
- 5 migrants in critical condition after Calais shooting
- Corsican leader threatens President Macron in talks for autonomy
- 5 killed in collision of military helicopters
- Macron’s party loses in two parliamentary elections
- Corsican nationalists protest ahead of Macron’s visit
Chile
Poland
The Philippines
Japan
- Fire at senior welfare residence kills 11
- Anti-US military base mayor loses to ruling party rival in Okinawa
Cambodia
Maldives
- Top court orders retrial of ex-president, opposition leaders
- Government orders army to resist any Supreme Court impeachment order
- President says he’s willing to hold early elections
- Exiled former leader to seek presidency again
Venezuela
- U.S. Secretary of State raises prospect of military ouster of President Maduro
- Socialist Party officially taps Maduro for re-election
Myanmar
Lebanon
Zimbabwe
Costa Rica
- Conservative Christian leads Presidential vote, will face run-off against TV anchor
- Top U.N. court awards Costa Rica territory claimed by Nicaragua
The United Kingdom
- Prime Minister May gets 9 billion pounds in China deals
- Thousands march to demand more money from U.K. health service
Canada
Singapore
Haiti
Indonesia
Greece
Mexico
Ecuador
Cyprus
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