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Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Jan. 17

Xinhua, January 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

U.S. Department of Defense said on Friday the program to train forces of moderate Syrian opposition could involve as many as 1,000 U.S. trainers and support personnel.

The initial number of U.S. trainers will be 400, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters in a press briefing, adding that the total number "could approach 1,000." "It might even exceed that. I can't rule that out."

Some deployment orders could come as early as next week, and troops could begin to deploy within the next four to six weeks, he said. (US-Syria-Training)

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MOGADISHU -- Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke has dismissed his newly nominated cabinet, a government official told Xinhua in the wee hours Saturday.

"The PM decided to dissolve the newly appointed cabinet due to strong opposition from parliament," said member of Parliament Ali noor Bodaye, adding that Sharmarke is expected to appear before the national assembly on Saturday to request more time to form new government. (Somalia-Cabinet)

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PRISTINA -- The head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Bashkim Smakaj, resigned on Friday after a series of the agency's reported scandals.

Kosovo leader Atifete Jahjaga and "Prime Minister" Isa Mustafa approved the resignation as they have shared authority in appointing and dismissing the head of the secret agency.

In a joint press statement they praised his six years' leadership and performance in establishing and managing the agency, though in recent months a number of scandals involving the agency were reported. (Kosovo-KIA-Resignation)

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THE HAGUE -- The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Friday that its prosecutor, Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, will open a preliminary examination into the situation in Palestine.

"A preliminary examination is not an investigation but a process of examining the information available in order to reach a fully informed determination on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation pursuant to the criteria established by the Rome Statute," the ICC announced in its press release. (ICC-Palestine) Endi