Ecumenical Patriarch hands over decree, sealing Ukraine church independence
The spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide on Sunday presented the head of the Ukrainian church with a decree granting it independence from Moscow, a historic split strongly opposed by Russia.
Taliban seek venue change for peace talks with U.S.
The Taliban will not attend planned peace talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia this month, and want to shift the venue to Qatar, Taliban officials said on Sunday, seeking to fend off Riyadh’s push to include the Afghan government in talks.
UK health minister: Hopefully chances of winning Brexit vote have improved
British health minister Matthew Hancock said on Sunday that he hoped the probability of getting the government’s Brexit deal approved by parliament have improved over the Christmas break.
Iran plans naval drills with Russia in Caspian Sea
Iran and Russia are preparing to hold joint naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, including rescue and anti-piracy drills, the commander of the Iranian navy was quoted on Sunday as saying.
Rain clears smog in Indian capital yet air quality ‘very poor’
A rainy spell early on Sunday brought better air to residents of New Delhi, giving them a brief respite from thick grey smog that has shrouded the Indian capital for the last two months, although air quality continued to be “very poor”.
UK’s May could seek more time before final Brexit vote: paper
British Prime Minister Theresa May might again push back a final vote in parliament on her Brexit deal, less than three months before the country is due to leave the European Union, a newspaper reported.
Colombia’s Cano Limon pipeline halted by first bomb attack of 2019
Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol has halted the Cano Limon-Covenas pipeline after it was damaged in a bomb attack, spilling crude into two streams in Norte de Santander province, the company said.
New Venezuela congress chief says Maduro will be usurper president
The newly elected chief of Venezuela’s opposition-run Congress on Saturday said President Nicolas Maduro will be “usurping the presidency” when he swears in for a second term on Jan. 10 after winning a much criticized and broadly boycotted 2018 electio…
Egyptian explosives expert killed defusing bomb near church in Cairo
An Egyptian police officer was killed on Saturday while attempting to defuse a bomb found near a church in an eastern Cairo suburb, state television reported, less than two days before Egypt’s Christians celebrate the Coptic Christmas.
Clashes erupt in Paris as ‘yellow vests’ protest at unrepentant Macron
Rioters in Paris torched motorbikes and set barricades ablaze on the upmarket Boulevard Saint Germain on Saturday, as protests against high living costs and the perceived indifference of President Emmanuel Macron turned violent on the fringes.
