Russian arms sales soared in 2013, bucking global slowdown: think tank
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Russian arms makers’ sales soared 20 percent in 2013, bucking a slowdown in other countries’ industries, largely thanks to a Kremlin push to modernize its military, the SIPRI think tank said on Monday.
Canada, China to sign deal on return of fugitives’ seized assets
BEIJING (Reuters) – Canada is set to sign a deal with China to return ill-gotten assets seized from those suspected of economic crimes, the official China Daily reported on Monday, as Beijing works to track down corrupt officials who have fled overseas…
Greek minister says failure to elect president would hurt 2015 growth
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece’s finance minister has said a failure by parliament to elect a president by the end of the month will lead to lower growth next year.
Denmark to claim slice of continental shelf in Arctic Ocean
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Denmark will claim on Monday ownership of around 900,000 square kilometers of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean by filing documents to United Nations.
Long-jailed Chinese dissident says was tortured in jail
BEIJING (Reuters) – A dissident who had been one of China’s longest-serving political prisoners until his release last week was tortured while in detention and has been threatened since he was let out, he said in a statement released on Monday.
Syria’s al Qaeda takes base next to major highway
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian branch of al Qaeda, the Nusra Front, said on Monday it had taken control of a base next to the country’s main north-south highway.
Ahead of taxi protest, France says UberPop to be banned
PARIS (Reuters) – The UberPop transport service will be forbidden in France beginning Jan. 1, the French interior ministry said on Monday, the latest regulatory hurdle for the controversial car service company.
Britain to set up independent inquiry into air traffic failure
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain will establish an independent inquiry into a technical failure at an air traffic control center which caused widespread disruption to flights in and out of London last week.
Philippines calls one-month ceasefire with Maoists for Xmas, Pope
MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino has suspended army operations against Maoist guerrillas for a month to mark Christmas and a visit by Pope Francis, the head of the military said on Monday.
India to boost women taxi drivers, spurred by Uber rape claim
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The alleged rape of a woman passenger by an Uber taxi driver once again spotlights the risks of India’s transport system, which fails to keep women safe. One solution: Taxis driven by women for women.
