World News Briefs -- January 9, 2017

ABC News Online: President Bashar al-Assad ready to negotiate 'everything', vows to take back 'every inch' of Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his Government is ready to negotiate on "everything" in proposed peace talks in Kazakhstan, but it was not yet clear who would represent the opposition and no date had been set.

Mr Assad also said a ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia, his most powerful ally, was being violated and the army would recapture all of Syria, including a rebel-held area near Damascus where a vital water supply had been bombed out of service.

Last month, Moscow said it had agreed with Mr Assad, Iran and Turkey that the Kazakh capital of Astana should be the venue for new peace talks after rebels suffered their biggest defeat of the war by being driven from eastern Aleppo.

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MIDDLE EAST

Assad: 'Everything' up for discussion in Astana talks. Bashar al-Assad: Everything on table in Astana talks.

Syrian war: Assad says Aleppo bombing was justified.

Pentagon chief claims US fighting ISIS alone, Russia doing ‘virtually zero’ in Syria.

Iraqi forces in Mosul punch through to the Tigris River. Iraqi forces capture eastern side of bridge above Tigris River in Mosul.

Suicide bombs kill at least 23 in Baghdad.

Iran’s former president, set to play key role in selecting next supreme leader, dies. Iran mourns 'sheikh of moderation' Rafsanjani.

Iran: U.S. surrendered more than $10 billion in gold, cash, assets.

Top Senate Republican says Iran deal should be strictly enforced, not torn up.

Turkey's parliament debates greater powers for Erdogan as president.

Israel buries soldiers killed in truck-ramming attack. Truck rams into soldier crowd in Jerusalem, 4 dead, 17 injured .

ASIA

Chinese state tabloid warns Trump, end one China policy and China will take revenge. China warns US on Taiwan leader's stopover.

Three suspected of 2015 Xinjiang terror attack shot dead in police raid.

North Korea sends message to Trump amid threat to fire missile 'at any time'.

Pakistani groups note drop in violence, credit the military.

Indonesia's president moves to rein in 'out of control' military chief.

Free speech curtailed in Aung San Suu Kyi's Myanmar as prosecutions soar.

East Timor axes Australia border treaty over oil reserves. East Timor tears up oil and gas treaty with Australia after Hague dispute.

AFRICA

Egypt police attack: At least 10 police officers dead in northern Sinai. Death toll from Sinai checkpoint attack rises to 10. Eight policemen killed in two North Sinai checkpoint attacks.

South Sudan rival forces claim victories in multiple places.

Boko Haram targets Nigeria military base, militia.

Northeast Nigeria bombers kill three in weekend violence upsurge.

Morocco political deadlock deepens as premier ends coalition talks.

New President promises he won't let Ghana down.

Ghana: Nana Akufo-Addo caught up in plagiarism row.

Three killed in Mogadishu blast.

EUROPE

‘Witch hunt’: Kremlin slams ODNI report claiming Russia hacked US elections. Trump election: Russia 'tired' of US hacking 'witch-hunt'.

Talks to secure Cyprus reunification enter 'final stages'. 'Crucial' round of renewed Cyprus peace talks to begin Monday.

UK PM May: Wrong to say hard Brexit is inevitable.

Macedonia conservatives face tough coalition talks.

Italy Five Star Eurosceptics vote to break link with UKIP.

Portugal's father of democracy Mario Soares dies at age 92.

Most Russians report improved standards of living, general content with life.

Several die in Poland as icy weather continues to sweep across Europe. Europe cold weather death toll rises.

Kim Kardashian West robbery suspects picked up by French police.

AMERICAS

Trump's choices for top Cabinet posts face big tests this week.

Trump hits back at Meryl Streep, calls actress 'overrated'.

Trump acknowledges Russia role in U.S. election hacking: aide.

Obama says he didn't underestimate Putin but did misjudge the potency of misinformation.

Barack Obama tells Donald Trump US presidency is not a family business, urges greater focus on policy.

Taiwan's president meets with Texas Gov. Abbott, Sen. Cruz en route to Central America.

Venezuela announces plan to hike minimum wage by 50 percent.

Brazil jail riots: Amazonas governor asks for help.

West prepares for flooding while East Coast in deep freeze.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Al Qaeda linked to more than 250 West African attacks in 2016.

US puts Osama bin Laden’s son, and would-be heir of Al-Qaeda, on terror blacklist.

China’s double standard on counter-terrorism.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Oil down on concerns rising U.S. production could dampen output cut deal.

BMW 'absolutely committed' to a new Mexican plant.

Volkswagen executive arrested in US: report.

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