China calls for constructive efforts to ease Korean tensions
BEIJING (Reuters) – China called on Monday for all countries to make constructive efforts to ease tension after North Korea said the latest U.N. sanctions against it are an act of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade.
Russia’s Lavrov calls on U.S. and North Korea to start talks: RIA
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Monday for the United States and North Korea to start negotiations, the RIA news agency reported.
Islamic State claims blast at Afghan intelligence agency in Kabul
KABUL (Reuters) – Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a compound of Afghanistan’s national intelligence agency in Kabul on Monday, that killed at least five people and wounded two.
Peru president pardons ex-leader Fujimori; foes take to streets
LIMA (Reuters) – Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski pardoned former authoritarian leader Alberto Fujimori late on Sunday, triggering Christmas Eve street clashes as protesters denounced the decision as part of a crude political deal.
Vietnam braces for typhoon as Philippine toll rises to 230 dead
HANOI/MANILA (Reuters) – Authorities in Vietnam prepared to move a million people from low-lying areas along the south coast on Monday as a typhoon approached after it battered the Philippines with floods and landslides that killed more than 230 people…
Blast in Afghan capital Kabul close to intelligence agency
KABUL (Reuters) – A suicide bomber on foot blew himself up close to a compound of Afghanistan’s national intelligence agency in the capital, Kabul, on Monday, killing at least three people and wounding one, government officials said.
China has ‘overwhelming advantage’ in bringing Taiwan to heel, official says
BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s growing economic, political and diplomatic power means it is achieving an “overwhelming advantage” in bringing self-ruled Taiwan to heel, and time is on China’s side, a senior official said in a comments published on Monday….
Peru president pardons ex-leader Fujimori; foes call for protests
LIMA (Reuters) – Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski pardoned former authoritarian leader Alberto Fujimori late on Sunday, clearing him of convictions for human rights crimes and graft before completion of a 25-year prison sentence.
Chinese report says South China Sea islands expanded ‘reasonably’
BEIJING (Reuters) – China has “reasonably” expanded its islands in the disputed South China Sea and this year construction projects there including radar facilities covered about 290,000 square meters (72 acres), according to a new government report.
Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near Israel
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian army forces backed by Iranian-backed militias pushed deeper into the last rebel-held enclave near a strategic border area with Israel and Lebanon in a new expansion of Tehran’s influence in the war-torn country.
