Bombs across Baghdad kill at least 15, clashes continue in Anbar: sources
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Bombs exploded across the Iraqi capital on Tuesday, killing at least 15 people, police and medical sources said, a day after police broke up a Sunni Muslim protest camp in a western province.
Outgoing top Muslim envoy seeks accord with Christians
PARIS (Reuters) – The outgoing head of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said on Tuesday some Muslim states should broaden rights for religious minorities.
Turkish minister says fending off ‘mini-coup attempt’
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s government said on Tuesday it was fending off a “mini coup attempt” by elements in the police and judiciary who served the interests of foreign and domestic forces bent on humbling the country.
Thousands block Central African Republic flights in plea for help
BANGUI (Reuters) – Thousands of people caught up in fighting in Central African Republic blocked the runway of its international airport on Tuesday, demanding more aid and the resignation of the president.
French priest kidnapped in Cameroon set free
PARIS/YAOUNDE (Reuters) – A French Catholic priest kidnapped in northern Cameroon last month was released on Monday and said he had spent the weeks pacing his tent prison, torn by a mixture of boredom and anger.
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.
