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.
Peru’s president pardons ex-leader Fujimori, citing his health
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.
Guatemala to move embassy to Jerusalem, backing Trump
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) – Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said on Sunday he had given instructions to move the Central American country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a few days after his government backed the United States in a row over the cit…
For Iraq’s Christians, a bittersweet first Christmas home after Islamic State
TELESKOF, Iraq (Reuters) – Inside the newly renovated Church of Saint George in the Northern Iraqi town of Teleskof, Hayat Chamoun Daoud led children dressed as Santa Claus singing “Jingle Bells” in Aramaic.
Peru president summons Cabinet to discuss Fujimori: source
LIMA (Reuters) – Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has summoned his Cabinet for an extraordinary meeting on Christmas Eve to discuss former President Alberto Fujimori’s request to be freed from prison, a government source told Reuters on Sunday…
Pope, on Christmas Eve, says faith demands respect of immigrants
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis strongly defended immigrants at his Christmas Eve Mass on Sunday, comparing them to Mary and Joseph finding no place to stay in Bethlehem and saying faith demands that foreigners be welcomed.
