Brussels New Year fireworks canceled over attack fears
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Authorities in the Belgian capital Brussels on Wednesday called off the city’s traditional New Year’s Eve fireworks display, citing fears of a militant attack.
Leaders urge full implementation of Minsk peace deal in 2016
BERLIN (Reuters) – The leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine agreed in a phone call on Wednesday that the Minsk peace deal for Ukraine must be fully implemented next year and said their foreign ministers would meet in one month to assess progr…
Strange bedfellows bump against each other in Taiwan elections
TAIPEI (Reuters) – White Wolf, an ex-criminal gang leader who is running for Taiwan’s parliament, found himself squashed in a lift with a gaggle of young women supporting one of Taiwan’s most famous heavy-metal singers and outspoken China critic, Fredd…
White House says concerned by arrest of journalists in Ethiopia
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Wednesday voiced concern about the arrest of journalists in Ethiopia and urged that country’s government to release people imprisoned for exercising their right to free expression.
Iraqi PM says Turkey not respecting agreement to withdraw troops
BAGHDAD/ANKARA (Reuters) – Iraq’s prime minister accused Turkey on Wednesday of failing to respect an agreement to withdraw its troops from the country’s north and its foreign minister said if forced, Iraq could resort to military action to defend its …
Little sign of compromise as Turkey seeks constitutional reform
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s ruling AK Party and the main opposition agreed on Wednesday to revive efforts to forge a new constitution, a move President Tayyip Erdogan hopes will hand him sweeping powers, but deep divisions mean progress is likely to be…
Nigeria ready to negotiate release of Chibok girls with Boko Haram, Buhari says
LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigeria’s government is prepared to negotiate with Islamist militant group Boko Haram to secure the release of around 200 schoolgirls kidnapped last year, if credible leaders are identified, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesda…
Nigeria has documents suggesting oil money has been looted, Buhari says
LAGOS (Reuters) – Nigerian authorities have seen documents suggesting the proceeds from past crude oil sales were diverted to personal accounts rather than reaching government coffers, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday.
Catalonia’s Pujol charged with money laundering for hiding fortune
MADRID (Reuters) – The former president of Catalonia, one of the most prominent political figures of democratic Spain, has been charged with money laundering as part of a long-running investigation into his hidden bank accounts.
Nephew of accused ex-Panama president arrested in Colombia
BOGOTA (Reuters) – A nephew of ex-Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was arrested in the Caribbean resort town of Cartagena, Colombia on Tuesday under an Interpol red notice, Colombian police said, as the former politician battles corruption charg…
