Hello Australia! - One of PM Abbott's top deputies is set to oppose him on a major issue - A retired dictator must face trial for genocide, although the conditions undercut hopes for justice - Video of a ridiculously happy Pug - And more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

A court in Guatemala says former dictator Efraim Rios Montt must stand trial for the ordering the murders of 1,700 Mayan indigenous villagers during his brief but bloody rule in the 1980s.  But the hearing must take place behind closed doors, and Rios Montt cannot be sentenced if found guilty.  At 89-years old, the clock is rapidly running out for any form of justice in the case.  Rios Montt was already found guilty once in 2013, but the verdict was set aside.  His lawyers have successfully delayed a retrial, claiming he suffers from dementia.

Treasurer Joe Hockey will take part in a cross party push for a Republic, putting him at odds with London-born monarchist PM Tony Abbott.  Hockey will join Labor Senator Katy Gallagher to set up a committee to promote the idea and call for a plebiscite before 2020.  The latest polls found just under 50 percent support for an Australian head of state replacing the monarchy.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey are together on one thing, and that is denying a report in Fairfax Media that claimed Abbott begged US President Barack Obama to deploy RAAF fighters in aerial attacks on Islamic State targets in Syria.  The government says the request came from the White House without any prompting from Abott.  Mr. Abbott said, "This was raised with me by the president in a conversation that the president initiated to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiation, so it was raised with me by President Obama."  Hockey told ABC News Breakfast that he was "sure they've had many discussions about the issue from time to time, but the fundamental point is the United States made the request to us and we are considering that request".

The US has enlisted Turkey to join in on the aerial attacks against IS.  Turkey has already hit IS a few times last month, but critics accused Ankara of using them as a cover for evenbroader strkes against the Kurdish PKK.  The new agreement puts Turkish jets under the command of the US-led coalition, and a Pentagon spokesman said it would probably take "a few days"' to put it into practice.

The United Nations is ready to slap an arms embargo and economic sanctions on the world's newest country South Sudan, if President Salva Kiir fails to sign a peace deal with rebels.  Mr. Kiir reportedly still had "reservations" hours before he was to finally sign the deal to end 20 months of fighting.  Rebel leader Riek Machar signed it last week.

Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong is calling a snap election to take place on 11 September, to decide Singapore's long term future.  "You will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years," Lee wrote on social media.  Lee's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has held power for more than 50 years, but has declined in popularity in the most-recent elections - leading to this attempt to lock it in the minds of the voting public while a majority is still winnable.

Lola the Pug is happy to be reunited with her human!  Police in Harlow, UK caught three suspects who allegedly broke into Kate Witham's home earlier and stole the doggy.