World News Briefs -- December 9, 2014

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on "Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against ISIL" on Capitol Hill in Washington December 9, 2014. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Kerry Urges Flexibility In U.S. War Powers Against Islamic State -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Any congressional authorization of U.S. military force against Islamic State should be flexible and not limit the fight to Iraq and Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.

The authorization should also not restrict U.S. President Barack Obama in deploying combat troops against the militant group if needed, Kerry told a Senate committee debating the need for an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, or AUMF.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iraq presses Hagel for more U.S. air strikes, weapons.

Iran denies airstrikes against IS militants in Iraq.

US decision to form anti-IS coalition taken too late: Iraqi FM.

US funding may ‘open the floodgates’ of arms to undesirable Iraqi & Syrian groups - Amnesty.

Al-Qaeda detonates two vehicles killing dozens in Yemen. Suicide attacks on military base kill 7 in Yemen.

Explosions in Bahrain villages kill two.

'Truth commission' to begin in Israel.

Rattled by wartime rockets, Israel plans alternate airport.

ASIA

Afghanistan mired in war as US combat command ends.

Nine killed in bomb blast in Philippines.

FM: China firmly opposes US arms sale to Taiwan.

FBI official says 'no attribution' to North Korea in Sony hack probe.

Russia ready to build up to 25 nuclear units in India - Putin.

AFRICA

U.N. postpones start of new Libya peace talk.

UN official: Focus on ebola shifts to Sierra Leone, Guinea.

Mugabe sacks vice-president Mujuru. Zimbabwe's Mugabe sacks Vice-President Joice Mujuru over 'plot'.

South Sudan peace talks stutter as economy becomes casualty of war. Sudan ceasefire talks end without deal as violence increases.

Last French hostage freed by Al Qaeda's north African arm.

EUROPE

Ukrainian military and separatists observe ‘Silent Day’. Ukraine attempts 'Day Of Silence' truce. Ukraine talks delayed, ceasefire holds.

Russia's Lavrov says easing of east Ukraine tensions "long way off".

Gazprom confirms re-start of gas supplies to Ukraine. Ukraine says Russia has resumed gas flow.

IMF visits Ukraine for bailout talks.

German chancellor does not rule out new sanctions against Russia.

Uranium traffickers seized in Moldova with dirty bomb material — police.

Markets tumble as Greek PM takes big gamble on presidential vote.

EU reaches deal on 2015 budget and overdue bills.

AMERICAS

Congress agrees $1.1tn spending bill to avoid government shutdown.

Maduro: Venezuela needs credit to cope with oil price drop.

Tension mounts in Haiti as clock ticks on electoral impasse.

US Senate approves Venezuela sanctions bill.

Ex-Guantanamo inmate thanks Uruguay for his freedom.

More than 150 arrested in California during police killings protests.

Detroit poised to exit bankruptcy.

Tarantulas: deadly … and profitable? Nicaragua hopes hairy hordes help economy.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Counter-Terrorism: Places Islamic terrorists avoid.

Taliban indoctrinates kids with jihadist textbooks paid for by the US.

American 'planned attacks on Muslim sites in Israel'.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Uber taxi app banned in Spain.

OECD: Reducing inequality would boost economic growth.

Amazon says it may take drone testing outside US.