Israel frees Palestinian prisoners before Kerry visit
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, days before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was due back in the Middle East to press the two sides to reach a framework peace deal.
Congo ‘prophet’ says criticism of Kabila prompted violence
KINSHASA (Reuters) – A self-proclaimed Congolese ‘prophet’ said on Tuesday an uprising by his supporters in Kinshasa was prompted by an army assault on his residence after he criticized President Joseph Kabila, something the government denied.
War, weather, bureaucracy cause Syria to miss chemical weapons deadline
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Security concerns and bureaucracy have caused President Bashar al-Assad’s government to miss Tuesday’s deadline for the removal of deadly toxins from Syria under an international effort to remove its chemical arsenal, the global chem…
Thai PM seeks reconciliation despite threat of more protests
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Embattled Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called for reconciliation on Tuesday as the streets of the capital, Bangkok, emptied ahead of New Year celebrations, a rare period of calm after weeks of unrest.
Analysis: Bahrain impasse risks more instability in 2014
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahraini government and opposition groups are sliding into an increasingly dogged confrontation amid rising fears over violence, with authorities using arrests, raids and strict new laws against activists seeking political reform.
French priest kidnapped in Cameroon set free: French government
PARIS (Reuters) – Georges Vandenbeusch, the French priest kidnapped in northern Cameroon last month, has been released, the office of President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday.
Exclusive: China may raise Iran oil imports with new contract: sources
BEIJING (Reuters) – China may buy more Iranian oil next year as a state trader is negotiating a new light crude contract that could raise imports from Tehran to levels not seen since tough Western sanctions were imposed in 2012, running the risk of ups…
Trapped ship passengers can’t go overboard with New Year celebration
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Passengers and crew aboard a Russian ship trapped for eight days in ice off Antarctica planned to ring in the New Year with dinner, drinks and song as they waited for a break in a blizzard to allow a Chinese helicopter to rescue them…
Religious extremism blamed for Xinjiang attack
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police said the nine people responsible for a deadly “terrorist attack” in the western region of Xinjiang were promoting religious extremism, state media reported on Tuesday.
Talks to ease Northern Ireland tensions break down
BELFAST (Reuters) – Marathon talks between the leaders of Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant communities broke down on Tuesday without agreement to ease tensions that have led to one of the worst years of rioting in the British province for a d…
