Turkey says will not evacuate posts in Syria’s Idlib
It is “out of the question” for Turkey to evacuate its military observation posts in Syria’s Idlib, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday, after Russian and Syrian forces intensified their bombardment of targets in the northwestern province.
Two militiamen wounded by stun grenades outside U.S. embassy in Baghdad: witness
Two Iraqi militiamen were wounded on Tuesday outside the U.S. embassy in Baghdad after stun grenades were thrown, apparently from inside the embassy compound, to force protesters to disperse, a Reuters witness said.
Ivory Coast street militia leader sentenced to 20 years for role in civil war
Charles Ble Goude, an ally of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo, has been sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison by a court in Abidjan for his role in the civil war that followed the 2010 presidential election, his lawyers said.
Iraq’s prime minister warns against aggression toward foreign embassies
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi warned on Tuesday against any aggression towards foreign embassies and representations in Baghdad, asking protesters outside the U.S. embassy to leave.
Spain’s parliament speaker aims for investiture debate, vote on Jan. 4-7
Spain’s lower house plans to hold a confirmation session on Jan. 4, 5 and 7 on whether to renew Pedro Sanchez as Prime Minister, an official from the parliament’s speaker office Meritxell Batet said on Tuesday.
U.S. embassy in Baghdad evacuated as protesters denounce U.S. air strikes
The U.S. ambassador to Iraq and other staff were evacuated from their embassy in Baghdad for their safety on Tuesday, Iraqi officials said, as thousands of protesters and militia fighters outside the gate denounced U.S. air strikes in Iraq.
Sydney gears up for New Year’s spectacle despite Australian fires
Large crowds thronged Sydney harbor on Tuesday to watch Australia’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks, even as smoke from deadly wildfires turned skies in nearby coastal towns blood-red.
Bangladesh shuts down telecoms along India border citing security concerns
Muslim-majority Bangladesh has ordered telecom operators to shut down services along the border with India, citing security concerns over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new citizenship law which critics say discriminates against Muslims.
Iraqi security forces fire teargas to disperse protesters outside U.S. embassy
Iraqi security forces fired teargas on Tuesday outside the U.S. embassy to disperse protesters who had gathered to condemn American air strikes in Iraq.
Putin and Zelenskiy agree to work on new prisoner swap
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy have agreed to begin work immediately on a new prisoner swap, Ukraine’s presidential office said.
