Iran says it is taking initial steps to design reactor fuel
Iran is taking preliminary steps to design uranium fuel with a purity of 20 percent for reactors instead of having to copy foreign designs, Iran’s nuclear chief said on Sunday.
U.S.-backed Syrian force: Islamic State in its ‘final moments’
Islamic State militants are “living their final moments” in the last enclave they hold near the Iraqi border, where U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are attacking them, an SDF official said on Sunday.
Swedish Liberal party to back Social Democrat Lofven as PM
Sweden’s center-right Liberal party voted on Sunday to back a deal that could give Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven a second term in office after months of deadlock since the tied election.
Damascus seeks ‘intensified’ talks with Kurds: official
The Syrian government hopes dialogue with Syrian Kurdish groups will intensify, a minister said on Sunday, signaling support for talks the Kurds hope will lead to a political deal between two of the main players in the multi-sided war.
French media denounce violent ‘yellow vest’ attacks on press
French media and reporters’ organizations on Sunday denounced attacks on journalists by “yellow vest” anti-government protesters and called for better protection after a series of incidents this weekend.
Bangladesh garment manufacturers raise workers’ pay amid further protests
(This Jan. 13 story has been refiled to add dropped words in paragraph 8.)
Poland could consider limits on use of Huawei products
Poland could consider a ban on the use of Huawei products by public bodies and possible legislation to curtail their use by private citizens, a senior government official said on Sunday, following the arrest of a Chinese Huawei official in Poland.
White House asked for options to strike Iran: WSJ
The White House’s national security team last fall asked the Pentagon to provide it with options for striking Iran after a group of militants aligned with Tehran fired mortars into an area in Baghdad that is home to the U.S. Embassy, the Wall Street Jo…
Greek parliament speaker suggests January 16 for confidence vote
The speaker of Greece’s parliament will propose the vote of confidence in the government, called by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras earlier Sunday, be held on Jan. 16, he said.
Bangladesh raises wages for garment workers after violent protests
Bangladesh raised wages for garment workers on Sunday following a week of demonstrations calling for higher salaries, the country’s commerce minister said.
