U.S. says North Korea call for joint probe of Sony hack ‘absurd’
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Washington’s U.N. envoy on Monday dismissed as absurd North Korean demands for a joint U.S.-North Korean investigation of the hacking of Sony Pictures and threats of retaliation if the United States refused.
Jordan puts Brotherhood politician on trial over UAE comments
AMMAN (Reuters) – Prominent Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood figure Zaki Bani Rushaid went on trial on Monday on charges of “souring ties with a foreign country” after he criticized the United Arab Emirates for designating his organization as a terrorist g…
Ukraine peace talks may be held in Minsk on Dec. 24 and 26: Poroshenko
KIEV (Reuters) – A fresh round of peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will be held in the Belarussian capital on Dec. 24 and 26, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in a statement on M…
Greek prosecutor closes bribery investigation before vote
ATHENS (Reuters) – A Greek prosecutor has closed an investigation into allegations that a lawmaker was offered a bribe to back the government in a tight vote in parliament that could trigger a snap general election, a court official said on Monday.
Japanese daily promises reform after ‘comfort women’ coverage rebuked
TOKYO (Reuters) – The president of Japan’s leading liberal newspaper pledged to fundamentally transform the paper for the better after its coverage of women forced into sex work during the Second World War was sharply criticized in a report.
Iraq says Jordan to begin training Iraqi troops soon
AMMAN (Reuters) – Jordan will begin training the first group of army troops from neighboring Iraq in the next few weeks as part of the international effort to fight Islamic State, the Iraqi defense minister said on Monday.
Six dead as garbage truck ploughs into Christmas shoppers in Glasgow
LONDON (Reuters) – Six people were killed when a rubbish truck ran out of control and careered down a pavement crowded with Christmas shoppers in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday, people, police said.
Libya fighting spreads to third oil port, 11 killed in Benghazi
BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Fighting between Libya’s competing governments has spread to a third oil port, curbing gas exports to Italy and cutting crude production to less than needed to cover the North African country’s own domestic requirements, of…
Blast hits market in north Nigeria’s Bauchi
BAUCHI, Nigeria (Reuters) – An explosion shook a busy market in the north Nigerian city of Bauchi on Monday, engulfing it in flames and causing an unknown numbers of casualties, a Reuters witness said.
Al Jazeera suspends Egypt channel as Doha, Cairo mull closer ties
CAIRO (Reuters) – Qatari-owned Al Jazeera suspended broadcast of its Egypt-focused channel on Monday, citing a product restructuring, as Doha and Cairo seek to mend ties that deteriorated last year after the army toppled elected Islamist President Moha…
