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.
London Zoo reopens after fire that killed aardvark, meerkats
LONDON (Reuters) – London Zoo reopened on Sunday, a day after a fire that killed an aardvark and likely four meerkats and which left staff suffering from smoke inhalation and shock.
Putin critic Navalny clears first hurdle in bid for Russia presidency
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday cleared the first hurdle towards taking part in next year’s presidential election, even though the central election commission has previously ruled him ineligible to run.
Turkey wants to bring wounded from Syria’s Ghouta for treatment
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey is working with Russia to evacuate around 500 people from the besieged Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.
Turkey dismisses more than 2,700 with emergency rule decree
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey said on Sunday that 2,756 people were dismissed from their jobs in public institutions including soldiers, teachers and ministry personnel over links to “terror” organizations.
Rescuers search for Philippine storm victims as toll rises to 200
MANILA (Reuters) – Rescuers in the Philippines searched on Sunday for survivors of a storm that triggered floods and landslides and killed about 200 people, left scores missing and thousands homeless, most of whom apparently ignored warnings to move to…
