Spanish parties outline conflicting views on post-election pacts
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s main political parties outlined conflicting positions on Wednesday on how to form a viable government in the wake of an inconclusive election on Sunday, suggesting the negotiations will be complex and time-consuming.
Somali government bans Christmas celebrations
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – The government of Somalia has issued a ban on Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in the Muslim country, saying the festivities “have nothing to do with Islam.”
Russia’s interests coincide with Taliban’s in fight against ISIS: agency cites diplomat
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s interests in Afghanistan “objectively coincide” with those of the Taliban movement in the fight against Islamic State, Interfax news agency on Wednesday quoted a senior Russian diplomat as saying.
Saudis reduce maid’s death sentence to jail term for adultery: Sri Lankan ministry
COLOMBO (Reuters) – Saudi authorities have reduced a Sri Lankan maid’s sentence for adultery from death by stoning to a three-year jail term after an appeal, Colombo’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
Re-elected Guinean president says PM and government quit
CONAKRY (Reuters) – Guinea’s prime minister and government have resigned, President Alpha Conde said on Wednesday, clearing the way for him to appoint a new administration two months after being elected to a second five-year term.
Bosnia court indicts wartime commander for crimes by Islamic fighters
SARAJEVO (Reuters) – A Bosnian war crimes prosecutor on Wednesday indicted a wartime Muslim army commander on charges of failing to prevent crimes committed by foreign Islamic fighters against captive Bosnian Serb soldiers during a 1992-1995 war.
Russia wants Khodorkovsky arrested abroad on murder charges
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia has issued an international arrest warrant for Mikhail Khodorkovsky on suspicion of ordering a contract killing, investigators said on Wednesday, prompting the former oil tycoon to declare the Kremlin had gone mad.
Turkey’s southeast hit by more clashes, militants launch bomb attack
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Clashes between Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants intensified in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir on Wednesday after a bomb attack on troops there killed one soldier and wounded seven other people, security…
Russia’s air force hit 1,093 IS targets in Syria between Dec. 18-23: ministry
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s air force carried out 302 sorties in Syria between Dec. 18 and 23, hitting 1,093 Islamic State targets, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
Iran calls the new U.S. visa law breach of the nuclear deal
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday a new U.S. law putting visa restrictions on Iranians and those who had visited Iran would, if implemented, breach a nuclear deal Tehran had struck with world powers earli…
