Syria ready to discuss Russia peace plan talks, opposition dismissive
BEIRUT/CAIRO (Reuters) – Syria said on Saturday it was willing to participate in “preliminary consultations” in Moscow aimed at restarting talks next year to end its civil war but the Western-backed opposition dismissed the initiative.
Swedish centre-left do eight-year deal with opposition to avert snap election
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Sweden’s three-month-old minority centre-left government announced a deal with the opposition on Saturday to sideline the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who hold the balance of power in parliament, and avert a fresh election.
Somali Islamist with $3 million U.S. bounty on head surrenders – government source
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – A leader of Somali Islamist group al Shabaab, who has a $3 million U.S. bounty on his head, has surrendered, a Somali government source and local media said on Saturday.
Two dead in Turkey’s southeast as Islamists, Kurds clash
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) – Two people died and three others were wounded on Saturday in clashes between Islamists and Kurdish youths in Turkey’s southeastern town of Cizre, the government said.
Libya asks Italy to help extinguish fire at biggest oil port
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Libya has called on Italy to send firefighters to prevent a fire spreading out of control at Es Sider, the country’s biggest oil port, officials said on Saturday.
After turbulent 2014, next year may be no calmer
NEW YORK (Reuters) – From financial crisis in Russia to cyber warfare with North Korea, 2014 has generated new flashpoints right into its final days, setting 2015 up to be just as turbulent.
China, Vietnam to address maritime disputes without using ‘megaphone diplomacy:’ Xinhua
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Senior Chinese and Vietnamese officials have agreed to settle their maritime disputes without resorting to “megaphone diplomacy”, the official Xinhua news service said on Saturday.
U.S., allies conduct 12 air strikes against Islamic State: Task Force
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States and its allies carried out 12 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria on Saturday, the Combined Joint Task Force said.
Belarus’ Lukashenko dismisses prime minister and top ministers
MINSK (Reuters) – Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed the country’s prime minister, central bank head and other top ministers, the presidential press service said on Saturday, in the biggest government reshuffle since 2010.
Russia says to supply coal, electricity to Ukraine
MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) – Russia has agreed on a new deal to supply coal and electricity to Ukraine, which is struggling with a lack of raw fuel for power plants due to a separatist conflict in the industrial east, Russian officials said on Saturday.
