World News Briefs -- December 5, 2019 (Evening Edition)

French CRS riot police face off with protesters during clashes at a demonstration against French government's pensions reform plans in Paris as part of a day of national strike and protests in France, December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Reuters: French police fire tear gas at strikers challenging Macron reform

PARIS (Reuters) - Police fired tear gas at protesters in the center of Paris on Thursday and public transport ground to a near halt in one of the biggest strikes in France for decades, aimed at forcing President Emmanuel Macron to ditch a planned reform of pensions.

The strike pits Macron, a 41-year-old former investment banker who came to power in 2017 on a promise to open up France’s highly regulated economy, against powerful trade unions who say he is set on dismantling worker protections.

The outcome depends on who blinks first - the unions who risk losing public support if the disruption goes on for too long, or the government which fears voters could side with the unions and blame officials for the standoff.

“People can work around it today and tomorrow, but next week people may get annoyed,” said 56-year-old cafe owner Isabelle Guibal.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

EXCLUSIVE: Satellite images suggest Iran stockpiling missile arsenal in Syria.

'In cold blood': Syria Kurds say killed, robbed by Turkey proxies.

Exclusive: U.S. military completes pullback from northeast Syria, Esper says.

US says Iran protest death toll may surpass 1,000.

Iran says its ballistic missile & space launch program is in line with UN resolution.

Iran to continue ballistic missile program despite EU warning.

Pro-paramilitary demonstrators stream into Iraqi protest camp.

US says seized Iranian weapons bound for Yemen.

Israel: Netanyahu cousin and associates to be charged with corruption.

ASIA

Hong Kong residents living with tear gas worry of effects.

As scandal simmers, majority of Japan firms want PM Abe to finish term: Reuters poll.

In rare legal test, Myanmar faces genocide hearings at The Hague.

US peace envoy to Afghanistan launches ‘accelerated effort’ in surprise stop in Kabul.

South Korean president hears reassurances from senior Chinese diplomat.

Kim Jong Un was 'displeased' by Trump's Rocket Man remarks at Nato summit and repeating them would be the ‘dangerous actions of a dotard’ North Korea warns.

Report: China, North Korea officials meet ahead of sanctions deadline.

Major Hong Kong anti-government rally and march get police permission.

China maintains tariffs must be reduced for phase one trade deal with U.S..

China’s economic clout welcomed by most of the world, but Asian neighbours remain wary: Pew survey.

AFRICA

Libyan officials collect evidence of Russian fighters in war.

Armed attack in Burundi aggravates tensions with Rwanda.

UN appeals for aid to help millions of Zimbabweans buy food.

Boko Haram kidnaps 17 youths in north Cameroon: officials.

Pirates kidnap 19 crew members of Greek tanker off Nigeria.

At least 58 die as migrant boat sinks off Mauritania.

Botswana poll result 'to be challenged in court'.

Ethiopian PM's new party labelled 'illegitimate'.

EUROPE

French strike against Macron reforms enters day two.

Paris police arrest scores amid strike over pension reform.

More than 800,000 people march against Macron as strikes grip France.

Russia ready to extend New START arms control treaty without conditions and further discussions – Putin .

Little wiggle room as Ukraine, Russia leaders meet for crunch Paris talks.

Boris Johnson vows to ban all-out strikes on public transport.

3 British members of European Parliament quit Brexit Party.

Prince Philip 'ordered Andrew to step down for the sake of the monarchy' at Sandringham showdown with Charles amid worsening Jeffrey Epstein crisis.

Trump lawyer meets Ukraine MP who called for Biden probe.

AMERICAS

Trump threatens trade action to spur NATO contributions.

Mexican president hails 'good meeting' with U.S. attorney general Barr.

Anti-impeachment witness says he's received threats since Judiciary Committee hearing.

Pelosi says Trump to be impeached, Trump says ‘do it fast, but I’ll win’.

Trump likely to face at least three articles of impeachment.

At Iowa event, Biden gets into spat over Ukraine.

Joe Biden says he will REFUSE to testify voluntarily if impeachment trial reaches the Senate because he doesn't want to 'divert' attention from Donald Trump's 'crimes'.

Joe Biden: John Kerry endorses presidential bid.

US trade deficit falls in October to lowest since May 2018: report.

Bolivia: 'Overwhelming' evidence of vote rigging.

Colombia protests resume after talks flounder. Third general strike in Colombia keeps pressure on Duque government.

US indicts 'Evil Corp' hackers with alleged Russian intelligence ties.

Canada's Trudeau clears first hurdle as opposition party offers support.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

ISIS has NOT been defeated and Syria is a 'tinder box' that could easily ignite, head of Britain's Armed Forces warns.

Syrian farmer says his arm was blown off and his two friends were killed in raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi despite US claims that troops 'protected all non-combatants'.

ISIS is taking a beating in Afghanistan setting the stage for potential US troop withdrawal.

Morocco and Spain arrest 4 suspected ISIS supporters in joint raids.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street inches higher as Dec. 15 tariff deadline looms.

OPEC talks end without announcement of expected cuts.

Nearly 6,000 US sexual assaults reported to Uber in 2017 and 2018.

OPEC, allies agree to deepen oil output cuts.

Saudi Aramco to be world's most valuable firm after IPO next week.

Outcry as Google bans political advertising in Singapore as election looms.

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