Russia, Iran and Turkey seek deal on new Syria constitutional body
Russia, Iran and Turkey are close to agreement on composition of a Syrian constitutional committee that could pave the way for drafting a new charter followed by elections, diplomats said on Monday.
U.N. Security Council mulls Myanmar action; Russia, China boycott talks
The U.N. Security Council is considering action to push Myanmar to work with the United Nations to address the Rohingya refugee crisis, although China and Russia have so far boycotted talks on a British-drafted resolution, diplomats said on Monday.
Somali man arrested in Italy after comments about attacking Vatican: police
Italian police said on Monday they had arrested a 20-year-old Somali man suspected of having been a member of Islamic State and who had threatened to bomb churches in Italy, including St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Facing opposition, UK’s May will bring Brexit deal back to parliament
Prime Minister Theresa May said on Monday she would bring her Brexit deal back to parliament for a mid-January vote, pledging to get assurances from the European Union before then to break a deadlock over Britain’s fraught efforts to quit the bloc.
U.S. isolated at U.N. over its concerns about abortion, refugees
The United States found itself isolated in the 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Monday over Washington’s concerns about the promotion of abortion and a voluntary plan to address the global refugee crisis.
Hungarians protest at state TV to demand independent public media, courts
About 2,000 Hungarians protested at the state television building to demand independent public media and courts on Monday in the latest gathering uniting a fragmented opposition in action against right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
France vows aid for Burkina, but no more troops to fight Islamists
France agreed on Monday to a new military framework with Burkina Faso that would speed engagement of its forces to fight Islamist militants in a northern border region of Burkina where there has been a spike in violence.
U.N. peacekeepers say two tunnels at Israel border breached U.N. resolution
U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon said on Monday two of four tunnels found close to the border with Israel crossed the frontier demarcation between the two countries, violating a U.N. resolution that ended a 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
U.S. backs NATO membership for Bosnia, dismisses Serb opposition
The United States supports Bosnia’s ambition to join NATO, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, dismissing Bosnian Serb objections and adding Washington would react strongly to any threat to the stability of the country.
UK’s Labour calls May no confidence vote over Brexit vote timing
The leader of Britain’s main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said he was calling for a no confidence vote in Prime Minister Theresa May — a largely symbolic gesture — for not putting her Brexit plan to a vote by lawmakers immediately.
