Political news

• Crowds build in New York's Times Square ahead of New Year's revelry

  31-12-2016 23:37
  By Frank McGurty NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of merrymakers converged on Times Square on Saturday evening, hours before the giant New Year's Eve ball makes its midnight descent, a century-old New York tradition unfolding this year under an unprecedented blanket of security. Michelle Adkins was so excited to be there that she left her sleepy friend behind at the hotel and headed for the bright lights long before the witching hour. "I've waited my whole life to see Times Square," said A
  
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• Theresa May new year message: EU referendum 'laid bare divisions'

  31-12-2016 23:17 via bbc.co.uk
  
  In her new year message, Theresa May says 2016's EU referendum "laid bare divisions" in the UK.
  
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• Theresa May’s new year message: I’ll fight remainers’ case in Europe, too

  31-12-2016 23:00
  
  Prime minister acknowledges ‘divisive’ effect of Brexit vote with pledge to seek beneficial relationship with EUTheresa May has used her new year message to reassure those who voted for Britain to stay in the European Union that she will fight for their interests “around the negotiating table in Europe this year”.In a video shot from a state room in Downing Street, the prime minister acknowledges how “divisive” June’s referendum has been and calls for un
  
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• The Latest: Trump ditches press pool to play golf

  31-12-2016 22:39
  
  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST):
  
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• New York's Times Square heats up ahead of New Year's Eve revelry

  31-12-2016 22:32
  By Frank McGurty NEW YORK (Reuters) - Early birds hoping to find a prime spot to experience the annual descent of the New Year's Eve ball in Times Square began to converge on Saturday, revelling in a century-old New York tradition that will unfold under an unprecedented blanket of security. By early afternoon, throngs of out-of-towners and New Yorkers were already streaming into Times Square, which by midnight will be filled with a veritable sea of humanity. Michelle Adkins was so excited to be
  
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• The Latest: Obama kicks off New Year's Eve on golf course

  31-12-2016 22:28
  HONOLULU (AP) — The Latest on President Barack Obama's family vacation in Hawaii (all times local):
  
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• Lords revolt over plans for ‘free-market’ universities

  31-12-2016 22:00
  
  Labour and Lib Dems unite to halt bill that would make it easier for new profit-making colleges to become universitiesThe government faces a huge cross-party revolt next week over controversial reforms of higher education that would make it easier for new colleges to award degrees, become universities and make profits from teaching students. Related: The Guardian view on the higher education white paper: the customer is always ripe – for fleecing | EditorialContinue reading...
  
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• Trump ditches media for golf game, offers New Year's wishes

  31-12-2016 21:58
  
  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump ditched his press pool once again, traveling to play golf at one of his clubs without a pool of journalists on hand to ensure the public has knowledge of his whereabouts.
  
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• Italy president says electoral law needed before new vote

  31-12-2016 21:58
  Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on Saturday that the country must adopt a new electoral law before a national vote can be called. Italy's president is largely a ceremonial figure, but he does have the power to pick prime ministers and dissolve parliament. When Matteo Renzi resigned as prime minister in early December after losing a referendum over his flagship constitutional reform, many party leaders called for a snap election.
  
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• U.N. security council adopts resolution welcoming syria ceasefire brokered by russia and turkey

  31-12-2016 21:49
  UN security council adopts resolution welcoming (not endorsing) syria ceasefire brokered by russia and turkey
  
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• The Latest: Russia envoy urges settlement of Syria conflict

  31-12-2016 21:48
  The latest on the conflict in Syria, and the Russia and Turkey brokered cease-fire agreement between Syria's government and opposition rebels. All times local.
  
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• Donald Trump victory sparks global women’s rights marches

  31-12-2016 21:43
  
  Washington DC and London among 30 cities rallying against ‘politics of fear’ on day after inaugurationAfter a year of seismic shocks comes the protest and fightback. At least that is what activists plan with the first major demonstration of the year – the women’s march – planned for 30 cities around the world on 21 January, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration as president of the US.The women’s march on Washington has been given permission by state
  
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• UN Security Council welcomes Syria truce, rebels warn they could abandon it

  31-12-2016 21:07
  By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council on Saturday welcomed a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war, but rebel groups threatened to abandon the two-day-old truce if violations persisted. The deal, brokered by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, reduced violence, but firefights, air strikes and shelling went on in some areas. Factions belonging to the Free Syrian Army (FSA) - a loose alliance of militias excluding more radical Islamist groups - said governmen
  
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• Wijnaldum header gives Liverpool win over Man City

  31-12-2016 20:49
  By Simon Evans Dec 31 (Reuters) - - LIVERPOOL 1 MANCHESTER CITY 0 A thundering header from Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Saturday.     The result moved second-placed Liverpool four points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s team and kept them six points behind leaders Chelsea who beat Stoke City 4-2 earlier on Saturday.     The home side dominated the opening half after Wijnaldum leapt above City defe
  
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• Donald Trump's New Year's Message To 'His Many Enemies' Has Been 'Fixed' On Twitter

  31-12-2016 20:32
  
  President-elect Donald Trump has dashed off a New Year’s message bereft of the spirit of harmony that usually marks the season.
  While Barack Obama looked to a future where “all of us deserve every chance to live out our dreams” in his final year end address, his successor struck a more blunt tone on Twitter:“Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!”
  Happy New Year
  
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• France's Hollande says to visit Iraq Monday

  31-12-2016 20:25
  PARIS (Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande on Saturday said he would visit Iraq on Monday to salute troops which are taking part in a U.S.-led military coalition against the Islamic State. "We're not done with the plight of terrorism. We have to keep on fighting it," Hollande said in a New Year address to the nation that was broadcast on French television. "This is the reason for our military operations abroad, in Mali, in Syria, in Iraq -- Iraq where I'll be going the day after tomorr
  
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• U.N. council welcomes Syria ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey

  31-12-2016 19:49
  The United Nations Security Council on Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution welcoming a ceasefire in the Syrian civil war brokered by Russia and Turkey. Russia and Turkey announced the ceasefire this week, the third truce this year seeking to end the nearly six years of war in Syria. The resolution also welcomes plans for talks to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan between the Syrian government and the opposition, ahead of the resumption of U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva in February.
  
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• Soccer-Pogba seals late United comeback win over Middlesbrough

  31-12-2016 19:32
  By Richard Martin MANCHESTER, Dec 31 (Reuters) - - Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial scored late goals as Manchester United came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 on Saturday and spare Jose Mourinho the embarrassment of losing to his former assistant Aitor Karanka. Grant Leadbitter latched on to a clever knockdown from Alvaro Negredo to give the visitors the lead in the 67th minute against the run of play after United had hit the woodwork twice and had a goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out i
  
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• Pope, in year-end message, urges action on youth unemployment

  31-12-2016 19:09
  Pope Francis in his year-end message urged leaders on Saturday to do more to tackle youth unemployment, saying a generation was being lost to desperation, migration and joblessness. At his last public event of 2016, an evening vespers service in St. Peter's Basilica, the 80-year-old Francis said doors had to be opened for young people "so that they can be capable of dreaming and fighting for their dreams". In Africa, the continent with the world's youngest population, youth unemployment probably
  
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• India's PM Modi defends cash ban, announces incentives

  31-12-2016 19:04
  
  By Rupam Jain and Malini Menon NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of incentives to the poor, farmers, women and small businesses on Saturday in a New Year's address, and defended his recent decision to abolish high denomination bank notes. The televised speech was widely seen as an opportunity for Modi to shore up support after a radical move on Nov. 8 to withdraw all 500 and 1,000 rupee bills, accounting for 86 percent of currency in circulation. Millio
  
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• Huddersfield edge up Championship table with stoppage-time equaliser

  31-12-2016 18:37
  Huddersfield Town edged up to fourth spot in England's Championship on Saturday, rescuing a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers with a stoppage-time equaliser from striker Nakhi Wells. Rovers were denied victory by a Wells free kick in the 94th minute, having gone ahead in the 81st when Danny Graham headed in his seventh goal in his last eight games. The draw left Blackburn in the relegation zone ahead of their Monday meeting with table-topping Newcastle United.
  
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• Robson-Kanu hits winner in first West Brom start

  31-12-2016 18:35
  Hal Robson-Kanu marked his first start for West Bromwich Albion by smashing in a spectacular goal to secure a 2-1 comeback Premier League win at Southampton on Saturday. Shane Long had headed his first of the season after 41 minutes to give Southampton a deserved lead but Matt Phillips curled in an equaliser two minutes later. Robson-Kanu, whose last goal was his Cruyff-turn classic for Wales in their Euro 2016 quarter-final victory over Belgium, had been on the bench since joining West Bro
  
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• Chelsea extend lead at the top, United leave it late

  31-12-2016 18:33
  By Steve Tongue LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea were given a stiff examination by Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday before extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points ahead of the late game between Liverpool and Manchester City. Willian scored twice as a spirited Stoke were beaten 4-2 despite twice coming back to equalise. Willian then scored twice in eight minutes in the second half, on either side of Peter Crouch tapping in for his first Stoke goal since May 2015.
  
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• Leicester ease relegation fears with 1-0 win over Hammers

  31-12-2016 18:29
  Dec 31 (Reuters) - Striker Islam Slimani scored the only goal as champions Leicester City beat West Ham United 1-0 on Saturday to climb six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. Slimani, who had earlier hit the post, met Marc Albrighton's cross with an emphatic header past keeper Darren Randolph after 20 minutes. Leicester's fifth victory in 19 league matches lifted them to 15th with 20 points and ended a run of three wins for West Ham, who came closest when Michail Antonio's shot
  
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• Bournemouth add to managerless Swansea's misery with 3-0 win

  31-12-2016 18:27
  Bournemouth thrashed Swansea 3-0 with first-half strikes from Benik Afobe and Ryan Fraser followed by a late one from Joshua King on Saturday, leaving the Swans nailed to the bottom of the Premier League table. Eddie Howe's Cherries took the lead in the 25th minute with Afobe scoring from close range on the rebound after Jordi Amat narrowly avoided deflecting the ball into his own net. Fraser raced into the area in stoppage-time at the end of the half to smash in a Junior Stanislas cross, doubli
  
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• Gray grabs hat-trick as Burnley thrash Sunderland

  31-12-2016 18:25
  Dec 31 (Reuters) - Andre Gray celebrated his maiden Premier League hat-trick as Burnley headed into the New Year sitting comfortably in mid-table after a 4-1 demolition of struggling Sunderland at Turf Moor on Saturday. The 25-year old striker opened the scoring in the 31st minute, powering the ball past goalkeeper Vito Mannone after two Sunderland defenders collided. He added a brace in the space of two minutes early in the second half before Ashley Barnes completed the rout with a 67th-minute
  
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• Chelsea equal winning record with 4-2 victory over Stoke

  31-12-2016 18:20
  Dec 31 (Reuters) - Chelsea equalled Arsenal's Premier League record of 13 consecutive wins in the same season on Saturday, goals from Gary Cahill, Diego Costa and two from Willian bringing the leaders a 4-2 win over Stoke City. Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant had made a series of fine saves from a rampant home side before Cesc Fabregas's pinpoint flighted corner found Cahill's head at the near post and the captain nodded home. But barely a minute into the second half Bruno Martins Indi poked in an eq
  
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• China steps up scrutiny on individual forex purchases in the new year

  31-12-2016 18:09
  By Samuel Shen and Engen Tham SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's foreign exchange regulator said that, starting Jan. 1, 2017, it will step up scrutiny on individual foreign currency purchases and strengthen punishment for illegal money outflows, but the $50,000 annual individual quota will remain unchanged. The announcement by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) late on Saturday comes amid worries that the yuan, which fell nearly 7 percent against the dollar in 2016, could face renewed
  
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• Iran and European planemaker ATR to sign contract next week - minister

  31-12-2016 18:01
  Iran and European planemaker ATR are due to sign a deal next week for the purchase of 20 short-haul passenger aircraft, an Iranian official said on Saturday, weeks after Tehran finalised deals with Boeing and Airbus . ATR, co-owned by Airbus and Italy's Leonardo Finmeccanica , in February reported preliminary orders from Iran for 20 twin-engine turboprop ATR 72-600 aircraft. "Representatives of ATR will come to Tehran this Wednesday to have a final round of talks," Deputy Transport Minister Asgh
  
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• Confirmations, conservative agenda on tap for GOP panels

  31-12-2016 17:58
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Confirming Donald Trump's presidential Cabinet tops the immediate agenda for the Senate committees and their Republican chairmen, who then will focus on fulfilling long-sought goals by implementing a conservative agenda.
  
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• In 2017, GOP Congress sees mandate to undo Obama's agenda

  31-12-2016 17:34
  
  Republicans' grip on all levers of power stands as a mandate to the GOP-led Congress, which will move swiftly to try to undo eight years of outgoing President Barack Obama's agenda. With Republican President-elect ...
  
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• Syrian rebels threaten to abandon truce if violations continue

  31-12-2016 17:21
  By John Davison BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syrian rebel groups threatened on Saturday to abandon a two-day-old truce if violations continued, and urged the U.N. Security Council not to endorse the deal until the Syrian government and its ally Russia had shown they would respect it. The deal, brokered during the week by Russia and Turkey, which back opposing sides, reduced the level of violence, but firefights, air strikes and shelling continued in some areas. Factions belonging to the Free Syrian Army -
  
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• Nigel Farage The Movie Is Now A Very Real Prospect, As Warner Brothers 'Expresses Interest'

  31-12-2016 17:05
  
  Nigel Farage and his fellow Brexit campaigners could become the focus of a big Hollywood film, it has been reported.
  The diary of Leave.EU’s financial backer Aaron Banks is said to be attracting interest from American movie studios. The book’s humourous story of how Brexit came about has become an unlikely bestseller.
  The Daily Telegraph reported that executives from Warner Brothers are keen to meet Farage and Banks on their next visit to the US.Farage’s star ascended in Ameri
  
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• Russian, Iranian presidents agree to work closely on Syria - Kremlin

  31-12-2016 16:57
  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iran's President Hassan Rouhani agreed in a telephone conversation on Saturday to continue their close coordination in trying to end the Syria crisis, the Kremlin said in a statement. The two men agreed on the importance of a new ceasefire agreement in Syria brokered by Russia and Turkey and plans for peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana, the Kremlin said. Russia and Iran are strong supporters of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian conflict.
  
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• Italy to seek to track down and deport migrants with no right to stay

  31-12-2016 16:54
  By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italy will seek to deport more migrants who have no right to be in the country and will open new detention centres to hold them before their expulsion, according to a written directive and a ministry source. Police chief Franco Gabrielli sent a two-page directive to stations across the country on Friday ordering them to increase efforts to identify and deport migrants a week after Berlin Christmas market attacker Anis Amri was shot dead near Milan. The directive
  
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• Andy Murray, Olympic athletes and Posh Spice honoured in Queen's New Year List

  31-12-2016 16:52
  By Adela Suliman LONDON (Reuters) - Olympic athlete Mo Farah, tennis star Andy Murray, actor Mark Rylance, comedian Ken Dodd and Kinks musician Ray Davies have been knighted in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours List. Spice Girl and designer Victoria Beckham was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) while other fashion notables included Anna Wintour editor-in-chief of "American Vogue" and accessories designer, Anya Hindmarch.
  
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• AP New Year's poll: Americans ready to bid farewell to 2016

  31-12-2016 16:32
  
  Emotionally wrenching politics, foreign conflicts and shootings at home took a toll on Americans in 2016, but they are entering 2017 on an optimistic note, according to a new poll that found that a majority ...
  
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• Baghdad blasts kill 29 as Mosul fighting intensifies

  31-12-2016 16:29
  By Kareem Raheem and Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Three bombs killed 29 people in Baghdad on Saturday as fighting intensified in the northern city of Mosul, where Iraqi government forces are trying to rout Islamic State militants from their last major stronghold in the country. A pro-Islamic State news agency said the target was Shi'ite Muslims, whom the militants regard as apostates. Islamic State has continued to launch attacks in the heavily fortified capital, even after losi
  
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• Nigeria's Buhari says will pursue peace in restive Niger Delta in 2017

  31-12-2016 16:27
  Nigeria's government will seek a lasting peace settlement with militants in the oil-producing southern Niger Delta region in 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a New Year's message on Saturday. Attacks on oil facilities in Nigeria's energy hub, coupled with low oil prices, helped push Africa's biggest economy into recession - the first in 25 years - in the second quarter. Attacks by militants, who want a greater share of the country's energy wealth to go the impoverished oil-producing swam
  
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• Venezuela ex-opposition governor says released from house arrest

  31-12-2016 15:58
  Venezuelan authorities on Saturday released former opposition governor and presidential candidate Manuel Rosales from house arrest and freed five lesser-known anti-government activists from prison, Rosales said via Twitter. Rosales was jailed in 2015 upon his return to Venezuela from Peru, where he fled six years earlier after being charged with illicit enrichment by the government of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez. "I inform the people of Venezuela that I have been freed along with other pol
  
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• Celtic fight back to beat Rangers 2-1 in Old Firm derby

  31-12-2016 15:54
  (Reuters) - Scottish champions Celtic stayed firmly on course to clinch a sixth successive league title and 48th overall after coming from behind to beat arch-rivals Rangers 2-1 in an entertaining Old Firm derby on Saturday. Moussa Dembele cancelled out Kenny Miller's opener with his 19th goal of the season in all competitions before strike partner Scott Sinclair pounced in the second half to give Celtic victory on their first visit to Ibrox since March, 2012. Celtic stayed top with 58 points fr
  
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• Trump sends New Year wishes to all, even his 'many enemies'

  31-12-2016 15:43
  
  President-elect Donald Trump has an unusual New Year's message for his Twitter followers. He is wishing a "Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost ...
  
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• Obama: Reaching Out to Adversaries, Alienating Allies

  31-12-2016 15:30
  As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama promised to embrace America’s allies and extend a hand to its adversaries. As president, he has made remarkable progress in engaging longtime foes, restoring relations with Cuba and negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran. But the same can’t be said for all the country’s traditional friends. Obama certainly strengthened alliances with Western European nations turned off by George W. Bush, and worked closely with other countries to fight IS
  
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• Murray ends landmark year with win over Raonic

  31-12-2016 15:16
  (Reuters) - World number one Andy Murray ended 2016 with a 6-3 7-6(6) win over big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic to take third place at the year-ending exhibition tournament Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The 29-year-old Scot succumbed to a surprise loss to Belgian David Goffin on Friday, having ended the official season with a 24-game string of wins. Murray started the match quickly, breaking Raonic in his first two service games to take the first set.
  
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• Egypt court backs government in Red Sea islands dispute

  31-12-2016 14:58
  By Mohamed Abdellah CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian appeals court on Saturday upheld an agreement to give control of two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, providing a boost for the government in a case that has prompted rare street protests. The territorial deal, announced in April, caused public uproar among many Egyptians who said the uninhabited islands of Tiran and Sanafir belonged to their country. The case has become a source of tension with Saudi Arabia, which has provided billions of
  
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• Greek finance minister - extending fiscal contingency steps may break EU/IMF stalemate

  31-12-2016 14:47
  Greece is open to extending a contingency mechanism to ensure it will meet fiscal targets beyond 2018 to break a stalemate in talks with its euro zone lenders and the IMF over its second bailout review, its finance minister said on Saturday. Greece's official creditors are assessing its performance against reforms and fiscal targets set in its bailout programme of up to 86 billion euros (73.24 billion pounds) agreed last summer, its third since its debt crisis exploded in 2010. A rift between th
  
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• Thai King urges unity in first New Year speech

  31-12-2016 14:43
  Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn called for unity in his first New Year address since taking over from his late father, who was widely seen as a unifying force during decades of turbulence. Any appearance by the new king is closely watched and the pre-recorded address was only the second time he has spoken to the public since taking the throne on Dec. 1 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In the coming weeks, King Vajiralongkorn is expected to endorse a constitution drafte
  
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• Tanzania says seeking $300 million loan from Credit Suisse

  31-12-2016 14:25
  By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania is in talks with banking giant Credit Suisse for a $300 million (243.08 million pound) loan that would go towards financing infrastructure projects, the country's finance minister said on Saturday. Philip Mpango said Tanzania was also in separate talks with other lenders, including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala Development and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for an un
  
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• Deutsche Bank chairman rules out pan-European merger - Frankfurter Allgemeine

  31-12-2016 12:55
  Deutsche Bank chairman Paul Achleitner has ruled out a pan-European merger or a state bailout in the wake of the lender's mortgage settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung reported. Germany's biggest lender last week announced a $7.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over its sale and pooling of toxic mortgage securities in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis. "At the moment the fantasy for a pan-European merger is muted as w
  
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• Egypt hands over remains of air crash victims

  31-12-2016 12:33
  Egypt began on Saturday handing over to their families the bodies of those who died when EgyptAir flight MS804 crashed into the Mediterranean in May with the loss of 66 passengers and crew, the state news agency MENA reported. The remains of crew members were handed over on Saturday, with the handover of Egyptian, French and other foreign passengers expected to begin on Sunday.
  
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