Venezuela socialists winning local vote, Maduro joyous
CARACAS (Reuters) – President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government was on course to sweep Venezuela’s nationwide mayoral elections on Sunday, deepening opposition disarray and strengthening his hand ahead of a likely 2018 re-election campaign.
China, Taiwan spar over Chinese diplomat’s invasion threat
BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) – A threat by a senior Chinese diplomat to invade Taiwan the instant any U.S. warship visits the self-ruled island has sparked a war of words, with Taipei accusing Beijing of failing to understand what democracy means.
With foes abstaining, Venezuela mayoral contests look set to boost Socialists
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelans voted on Sunday in mayoral races that the ruling Socialist Party looked sure to sweep, deepening opposition disarray and strengthening President Nicolas Maduro ahead of a probable 2018 re-election campaign.
China’s top paper says Australian media reports are racist
BEIJING (Reuters) – Australian media reports on Chinese interference in Australia are racist and paranoid, China’s top newspaper said on Monday, stepping up a war of words over concerns in Australia about Chinese influence in the country.
Britain’s May hails new optimism in Brexit talks after deal
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Theresa May hailed “a new sense of optimism” in Brexit talks, telling parliament on Monday an agreement to move negotiations on to future trade ties would reassure those concerned Britain may leave with no deal.
Syrian army and Iranian-backed militias push towards Idlib province
AMMAN (Reuters) – The Syrian army and Iranian-backed militias backed by Russian air power stepped up a military campaign against rebels in eastern Hama province in a push towards the rebel stronghold of Idlib province in northwestern Syria, rebels and …
Berlin police say bags of bullets found near Christmas market not linked to terrorism
BERLIN (Reuters) – There is no reason to suspect that two bags of bullets found near a Christmas market and mosque in western Berlin have anything to do with terrorism and the find was related neither to the market nor to the mosque, police said on Sun…
Mexican opposition leader Anaya to seek presidency in coalition
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican opposition leader Ricardo Anaya said on Sunday he would seek to win the presidency in a left-right alliance after stepping down as head of the conservative National Action Party (PAN).
Iraq holds victory parade after defeating Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – An Iraqi military parade in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone celebrated final victory over Islamic State on Sunday, with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi looking on as troops marched in formation, their bodies spelling “victory …
Grounded ferry in Calais refloated, passengers disembarked
LILLE, France (Reuters) – A P&O ferry with more than 300 people on board which had run aground in Calais harbor in northern France has been refloated and all passengers have disembarked, a P&O Ferries spokesman said on Sunday.
