1. Iraq PM Vows to Defeat ISIS in 2016
A triumphant Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that the coming year would see his forces defeat ISIS, after his military achieved its first major victory since collapsing in the face of the fighters 18 months ago.
2. South Korea, Japan Agree to Resolve “Comfort Women” Issue
South Korea and Japan reached an agreement to resolve the issue of sex slaves who were forced to work in Japan’s wartime brothels, which has long plagued ties between the neighbours.
3. Hundreds of Fighters, Civilians Escape From Syrian Areas Under UN Deal
Around 450 Syrian fighters and their families were evacuated from two besieged areas under the kind of operation that the United Nations hopes can be a stepping stone toward a wider peace accord in a country torn apart by a civil war.
4. Tech Giants Spot Opportunity in Forecasting China’s Smog
Air pollution in China could be big business. Two of the world’s largest technology firms, IBM and Microsoft, are vying to tap the nascent, fast-growing market for forecasting air quality in the world’s top carbon-emitteing countries.
Bouts of acrid smog enveloping Beijing prompted authorities in the Chinese capital to declare two unprecedented “red alerts” this month – a warning to the city’s 22 million inhabitants that heavy pollution is expected for more than three days.
5. Ohio Grand Jury Clears Police in Fatal Shooting of 12-Year-Old
A grand jury cleared two Cleveland police officers in the November 2014 fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was brandishing a toy gun in a park, with a prosecutor saying there were a series of mistakes but no criminal activity.
6. Book of Putin’s One-Liners Makes Quirky Gift for Russian Officials
Some of Vladimir Putin’s saltiest one-liners have been turned into a book by his supporters who have sent a batch to the Kremlin touting it as the ideal holiday gift for patriotic Russian officials.
7. At Least 48 Killed in Bombings in North Nigeria
At least 48 people were killed in suicide attacks and bombings in two cities in northern Nigeria where the jihadist Boko Haram group is waging a six-year campaign to create an Islamic state, officials and residents say.
8. One Killed, 33 Wounded in Kabul Suicide Attack
A Taliban suicide bomber killed at least one person and wounded 33 on Monday in an attack on a road near a school close to the Kabul airport, officials in the Afghan capital said, two weeks after a major insurgent assault in the city.
9. World Body Takes Aim at NFL Testing After Doping Report
The World Anti-Doping Agency on Monday described allegations made in an Al-Jazeera report that Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning took human growth hormone as “very concerning” and has urged “increased collaboration” with sports leagues in the US.
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