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.
Guerrillas killed seven soldiers in ambush last week, Myanmar military says
YANGON (Reuters) – Seven Myanmar soldiers were killed and 20 wounded in an attack by rebels in the northeastern frontier with China five days ago, state media said Monday.
Uber offers free rides in Sydney after criticism of price surge amid siege
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Online car service Uber on Monday offered free rides from Sydney’s central business district following a public backlash over an initial surge in prices amid a hostage drama in a city cafe.
Saudi Arabian security man shot dead in Riyadh: police
DUBAI (Reuters) – A gunman holding three laborers hostage in the Saudi capital Riyadh shot dead a member of the security forces when police tried to free the captives, police said on Monday.
China says U.S. appropriations bill violates rules, sends bad signal
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China is unhappy with the U.S. spending bill passed by the House of Representatives last week, saying it contains discriminatory clauses that violate the rules of fair trade and “send the wrong signal”.
