Iraq resumes Mosul assault:
MOSUL, Iraq — Iraq’s special forces continued to push back Islamic State militants in the eastern sector of Mosul on Friday in intense fighting that forced scores of people to flee their homes. The fighting in the Quds neighborhood came a day after Iraqi forces broke a two-week lull in fighting to stage a multi-pronged offensive in eastern Mosul east of the Tigris River. The latest push, aided by airstrikes and artillery from a U.S.-led coalition, is taking place under clear and sunny skies and, if the weather holds, was expected to continue until all forces in the eastern sector reach the Tigris River.
U.N. takes up Syria cease-fire:
UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote this morning on a Russian resolution that would endorse the cease-fire agreement in Syria and reiterate support for a road map to peace that starts with a transitional government. The draft resolution also calls for “rapid, safe and unhindered” access to deliver humanitarian aid throughout the country.
60 hurt at music festival:
MELBOURNE, Australia — Sixty people were injured at an Australian music festival in the crush of a crowd trying to leave a performance, police said Saturday. Nineteen people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, Victoria police said. The incident began on Friday night when fans were trying to leave a performance by the Australian band DMA’s. Several at the front of the crowd fell down.
Elephants get a break:
BEIJING — China promised Friday to close down its domestic ivory trade completely by the end of 2017, a decision greeted by environmentalists as offering real hope to curb a poaching crisis that is wiping out tens of thousands of elephants across Africa. “China’s announcement is a game changer for elephant conservation,” said Carter Roberts, president and chief executive of the World Wildlife Fund.
Israel issues alert for India:
JERUSALEM — Israel is alerting citizens visiting India over the New Year’s holiday to stay away from large gatherings amid intelligence warnings of imminent militant attacks.
The Friday statement from the prime minister’s counterterrorism office warned of the “possibility for terror attacks against tourist and Western sites.”
Ban Ki-moon bids farewell:
UNITED NATIONS — Ban Ki-moon joked to hundreds of diplomats and U.N. staff as he left United Nations headquarters Friday for the last time as secretary-general that he feels “like Cinderella — tomorrow at midnight, everything changes.” Flanked by the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, the native South Korean thanked U.N. workers for their hard work and commitment over the course of his 10-year tenure, which ends at midnight tonight.
Deportations up 2 percent:
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has deported 240,255 immigrants over the past 12 months, a 2 percent increase over 2015. But while the number of deportations was greater than last year, it was a sharp decrease from 2014. Of those deported, 58 percent had criminal convictions. This was little changed from the 59 percent recorded last year and 56 percent in 2014.
Children scream in 911 call:
AIKEN, S.C. — Children can be heard screaming "just stop, Daddy" on a 911 call made from the home of a South Carolina legislator accused of beating his wife and pointing a gun at her, local media reported Friday. Republican Rep. Chris Corley, of Graniteville, is charged with first-degree criminal domestic violence and pointing a firearm at a person. If convicted, the felonies could send him to prison for up to 15 years.
Michigan bans plastic bans:
A new law in Michigan will prohibit local governments from banning, regulating or imposing fees on the use of plastic bags and other containers. You read that correctly: It’s not a ban on plastic bags — it’s a ban on banning plastic bags. Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signed the new public act into law on Wednesday, along with 11 other bills. This means individual cities and municipalities are not allowed to ban plastic bags or charge customers a fee for using them.
Court sides with N.C. gov-elect:
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina judge granted a small victory to the state’s incoming Democratic governor on Friday, temporarily blocking a law by Republican lawmakers stripping him of control over elections in a legislative power play just weeks ago.
Skakel conviction reinstated:
HARTFORD, Conn. — Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel faces a possible return to prison after the state Supreme Court on Friday reinstated his murder conviction in the killing of Martha Moxley in 1975 when they were 15 years old and neighbors in a wealthy enclave. The court issued a 4-3 decision that rejected a lower court's ruling that Skakel's trial lawyer didn't adequately represent him. Justice Peter T. Zarella wrote that the majority of the court concluded Skakel's lawyer “rendered constitutionally adequate representation.”
Coast Guard suspends search:
CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday suspended its search for an airplane that was carrying a beverage distribution company executive and five other people when it vanished over Lake Erie shortly after takeoff from the city’s lakeshore airport. The Coast Guard said it would step aside to allow Cleveland to begin recovery efforts of the plane and the victims.
