Nigeria boosts Christmas security against Islamist attacks
ABUJA (Reuters) – Fearing attacks by Islamist militant group Boko Haram over Christmas, Nigerian police said on Sunday they had ordered extra patrols, surveillance and covert operations to better secure potential targets during the festive period.
Ukraine opposition urges more protests, forms political bloc
KIEV (Reuters) – Ukrainian opposition leaders urged supporters at a rally on Sunday to stay on Kiev’s main square through New Year and Christmas, as street protests appeared to be losing momentum.
Pope expresses support for Italy’s ‘pitchfork’ protesters
ROME (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Sunday expressed support for Italians protesting over high unemployment, recession and austerity but urged them to reject the “temptation of violence”.
Analysis: Netanyahu seeks to slow Iran-U.S. thaw by ramping up demands of deal
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – By ramping up his demands of any final nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to stem the tide of international diplomacy which has turned against him in recent wee…
Immigrants sew mouths shut in Italy to demand release
ROME (Reuters) – Nine illegal immigrants detained in Italy have stitched their lips together with thread from their bedsheets in a protest to demand their release.
Turkey removes another 25 police chiefs over graft inquiry: media
ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkish authorities have removed another 25 police chiefs from their posts, media reported, widening a crackdown on the force since it launched a corruption investigation that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has called a “dirty operati…
Hollande’s approval rating inches up to 22 percent: poll
PARIS (Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande’s approval rating rose in December for the first time in months, a poll showed on Sunday, but most voters still doubt he can revive a struggling economy.
Analysis: Netanyahu seeks to slow Iran-U.S. thaw by ramping up demands of deal
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – By ramping up his demands of any final nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to stem the tide of international diplomacy which has turned against him in recent wee…
Czech party chief says he should be finance minister in potential coalition
PRAGUE (Reuters) – The leader of one of the Czech parties negotiating to form a coalition government said on Sunday he should hold two positions in the new government, as finance minister and as vice premier.
Saudi king appoints son to head Mecca province
RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi King Abdullah on Sunday appointed his son Prince Mishaal as governor of Mecca Province, one of the most prominent jobs in the country, the latest move in a rolling reshuffle of senior ruling family members over the past two yea…