U.S. returns bells looted after Philippine wartime massacre
Church bells taken as war trophies by U.S. forces more than a century ago arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday, ending Manila’s decades-long quest for the return of some of the most famous symbols of resistance to U.S. colonialism.
Colombia’s Gulf Clan crime gang declares holiday ceasefire
The Gulf Clan crime gang, considered Colombia’s largest criminal organization, has declared a month-long ceasefire for Christmas and New Year and invited other armed groups to also lay down their weapons for the festivities.
Mexico to invest $30 billion to boost growth, stem migration, foreign minister says
Mexico will invest more than $30 billion in its poor southern states over the next five years, the foreign minister said on Monday, boosting the region economically as part of efforts to curb migration.
UK MP Blunt sends letter of no confidence to ‘1922 Committee’: The Times
British lawmaker Crispin Blunt has sent a letter of no confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May to the chairman of the committee in charge of Conservative Party leadership contests, the 26th MP in the party to do so, The Times reported on Monday.
Britain’s May to meet Germany’s Merkel after delaying Brexit vote
Prime Minister Theresa May will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday to discuss the concerns expressed by British lawmakers over her Brexit deal, her office said on Monday.
Arab League tells Brazil’s Bolsonaro Israel embassy move could harm ties
The Arab League has told Brazil’s right-wing President-elect Jair Bolsonaro that moving Brazil’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would be a setback for relations with Arab countries, in a letter seen by Reuters on Monday.
U.S. sanctions three North Korean officials for alleged rights abuses
The United States said on Monday it had sanctioned three North Korean officials, including a top aide to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, for serious human rights abuses and censorship.
Indian opposition could get a boost as Modi looks set to lose state votes
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party won a landslide in India’s last general election, in 2014, it grabbed almost all the parliamentary seats in the heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
To quell unrest, France’s Macron speeds up tax cuts but vows no U-turn
France’s President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced wage rises for the poorest workers and tax cuts for pensioners in further concessions meant to defuse weeks of often violent protests that have challenged his authority.
Macron concessions to cost between 8-10 billion euros – minister
Measures announced by President Emmanuel Macron to appease a wave of protests across France will cost between 8-10 billion euros ($9.1-$11.4 billion), a junior minister said on Monday.
