S Sudan leaders sign ceasefire agreement

KAKUMA, Dec 23 (Al Jazeera): Warring parties in South Sudan have signed a ceasefire deal that will allow humanitarian access to civilians caught in the fighting.Thursday's agreement, which is expected to go into force on December 24, calls for an unconditional end to the violence and unhindered access for aid...

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Storm plays havoc in Philippines

MANILA, Dec 23 (Reuters): A tropical storm in the southern Philippines triggered mudslides and flash floods that killed more than 100 people, while dozens are missing, police and disaster officials said on Saturday.The casualties, most of them caused late on Friday, were all on the main southern island of Mindanao,...

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Iraq deploys paramilitary troops on Syrian border

BAGHDAD, Dec 23 (Al Jazeera): Iraq's Shia paramilitaries have deployed fighters to the Syrian border to support security forces after multiple attacks from within Syria."After several Iraqi border guard positions came under several attacks by missiles, and backup from security forces was late, the 13th brigade of the Popular Mobilisation...

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