Venezuela frees 36 jailed opponents in Christmas gesture
CARACAS (Reuters) – Three dozen opponents of Venezuela’s socialist government were released from prison and reunited with their families on Sunday as part of a wider Christmas release, a local rights group said.
South Sudan army, rebels clash hours after ceasefire
NAIROBI (Reuters) – South Sudan’s army clashed with rebels in an oil-producing region early on Sunday, both sides said, shattering a ceasefire hours after it came into effect.
Sudan, Turkey to set up ‘strategic cooperation council’, boost trade ties
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Turkey and Sudan have agreed to set up a “strategic cooperation council” to strengthen economic ties, their presidents said at a news conference in Khartoum on Sunday after the first visit by a Turkish leader to the African nation….
Turkey to hire 110,000 new public servants in 2018
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Sunday that Turkey would employ an additional 110,000 public servants in 2018 including teachers, medical and religious personnel.
Egypt detains 15 after dozens attack Coptic church south of Cairo
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian authorities have detained 15 people pending an investigation into an attack on an unlicensed Coptic Christian church in a village south of Cairo, a security source said on Sunday.
Egypt security forces kill nine suspected militants in raid: ministry
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian security forces on Sunday killed nine suspected militants in a shootout in the Nile Delta province of Sharqiya, the interior ministry said in a statement.
Italy PM plans to shift military forces from Iraq to Niger
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Sunday he would propose to parliament transferring some of the country’s troops stationed in Iraq to Niger to fight people smuggling and terrorism.
Thirty-six Maduro foes freed in Christmas gesture in Venezuela
CARACAS (Reuters) – Three dozen opponents of Venezuela’s socialist government were released from prison and reunited with loved ones on Sunday as part of a wider Christmas release, a local rights group said.
Chess federation says Israel excluded from Saudi-hosted match
ATHENS (Reuters) – Israeli players have been denied visas to participate in a speed chess championship hosted by Saudi Arabia this week, a vice president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) said on Sunday.
Swiss president wants a vote to clarify country’s EU position
ZURICH (Reuters) – A referendum in Switzerland to clarify the country’s relationship with the European Union would be helpful, Swiss President Doris Leuthard said on Sunday, after ties between the two sides cooled this week.
