World News Briefs -- January 9, 2017 (Evening Edition)

Reuters: Iraq special forces advance in east Mosul, close to linking with army

Iraqi special forces made further advances against Islamic State in Mosul on Monday, pushing militants from another eastern district and edging closer to army units nearby, officers in the city said.

The Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) said it was working to seize areas overlooking Mosul University in the city's northeast, after taking over a nearby district.

The ground troops and a U.S.-led coalition backing them launched rockets and air strikes against the militants, who responded with mortars and sniper fire. Residents trickled out of the conflict zone but many also returned to their homes in areas retaken from Islamic State in recent days.

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MIDDLE EAST

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.

Syria's Assad vows to retake key area near Damascus. Assad rules out truce in Syria's Wadi Barada.

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.

New Yemen offensive looks to break deadlock.

US warship fires warning shots at Iranian boats in Strait of Hormuz.

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 .

Lebanon's new president on Saudi visit.

ASIA

22,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar to Bangladesh in one week: UN.

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

Tens of thousands of people uprooted by militia violence in central Congo: U.N.

Striking Kenya doctors told to return to work or be fired.

Reshuffle in I.Coast, security chiefs out after mutiny.

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.

UN urges probe of DR Congo officers involved in gold trafficking.

EUROPE

Northern Ireland faces elections as deputy leader McGuinness quits.

Austria police investigate Afghans over New Year's sexual assaults.

Lithuania bars data center project over fears of Russian spying.

‘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

Top Canadian officials met Trump team for trade talks: paper.

Cuba, United States sign oil spill deal before Trump inauguration.

Trump son-in-law Kushner to take senior White House role.

Trump's choices for top Cabinet posts face big tests this week. Top U.S. Senate Democrat says Trump's nominees need 'thorough' vetting.

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 Congress says Maduro 'abandoned post'; Congress called 'disobedient'.

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

US-led raid on IS leaders in Syria 'successful': Pentagon.

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

Toyota to invest $10 bil in the United States.

Oil drop stymies Dow's march to 20,000; health stocks boost Nasdaq.

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.