World

1st LD: At least 20 dead after heavy rains in Bolivia's Santa Cruz

LA PAZ, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian authorities confirmed at least 20 deaths and more than 20 others missing following intense rainfall and river overflows that have struck communities in the department of Santa Cruz, the government said Monday.

World

China's central bank authorizes DBS as first Singapore-based RMB clearing bank

BEIJING, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China (PBOC) on Monday announced that it has authorized DBS Bank to serve as the renminbi (RMB) clearing bank in Singapore, in line with a cooperation memorandum between the PBOC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

World

Manhunt for Brown University shooter renewed after police release detained man

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Police officers were going door-to-door on Monday seeking footage from home surveillance cameras as investigators renewed a manhunt for the gunman who killed two students and injured seven more in a classroom at Brown University.

World

Egyptian, Saudi FMs discuss bilateral ties, regional developments

CAIRO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a phone conversation on Monday, discussing ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and recent regional developments.

World

Canada's CPI rises 2.2 pct in November

OTTAWA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Canada's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.2 percent year on year in November, matching the increase in October, Statistics Canada said on Monday.

World

Denmark to allocate 39 mln USD to support vulnerable youth employment

OSLO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Danish government on Monday announced an allocation of more than 250 million Danish kroner (39 million U.S. dollars) over the next three years to help vulnerable young people enter the labor market or the education system.

World

Roundup: Central authorities support HKSAR in delivering lawful verdict on Jimmy Lai

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's central authorities have voiced support for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) over its lawful verdict in the Jimmy Lai case and pledged continued efforts to safeguard national security.

World

Romania's government survives no-confidence vote over judicial pensions

BUCHAREST, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Romania's broad coalition government survived a no-confidence vote on Monday over a second attempt to raise the retirement age for judges and prosecutors and cap their pensions, but the top court could still strike down the bill later this month.

World

Nobel laureate Machado injured as she fled Venezuela, spokesperson says

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World

India charges Pakistan-based militant groups, six men over Kashmir tourist attack

SRINAGAR, India, Dec 15 (Reuters) - India's anti-terrorism agency on Monday charged militant Islamist groups based in Pakistan and six individuals over an April attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 men, and triggered intense fighting between the two countries.

World

M23 says hundreds of Burundi soldiers captured in latest Congo offensive

Dec 15 - The Rwanda-backed M23 group has captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during its latest offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a rebel official said, as clashes continued despite a warning from the Trump administration.

World

EU's von der Leyen, NATO's Rutte join Ukraine talks in Berlin

BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (Reuters) - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will be among leaders in Berlin on Monday evening for talks on a possible peace agreement for Ukraine.

World

US dangles security guarantees for Ukraine but no deal on 'painful' territorial concessions

BERLIN/WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The United States has offered to provide NATO-style security guarantees for Kyiv as U.S. and European negotiators reported progress in talks on Monday to end the war with Russia, but a deal on territorial concessions remained elusive. 

World

Indonesia president expects flood-stricken Sumatra to return to normal in 2-3 months as death toll exceeds 1,000

JAKARTA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto said on Monday that activities in areas on Sumatra that were hit by deadly floods may return to normal in the next two to three months, after a disaster that claimed more than 1,000 lives.

World

Thousands of Romanians protest against judicial abuses

BUCHAREST, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A sixth day of protests calling for a clean-up of the Romanian judiciary was expected on Monday, after thousands took to the streets of the capital Bucharest and other cities on Sunday to support judges and prosecutors denouncing systemic abuses.

China

US commission wants more Mandarin language courses as Congress looks to curb Beijing's sway

Move would deepen students' linguistic and cultural understanding amid cuts to US cultural exchange programmes to China

World

France's Louvre museum closed as workers begin rolling strike

PARIS, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The Louvre in Paris was closed on Monday after staff began a rolling strike to demand better working conditions and urgent renovations, disrupting access at the world's most-visited museum at one of the busiest times of the year.

World

Czech president appoints Prime Minister Babis' government

PRAGUE, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Czech President Petr Pavel appointed the government of new Prime Minister Andrej Babis on Monday, following an October election won by the billionaire leader's populist ANO party.

World

Thailand to hold elections on Feb 8, local media reports

BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Thailand will hold elections on February 8, according to multiple local media reports on Monday, including from public broadcaster Thai PBS, broadcaster PPTV and digital outlet Prachathai. 

World

Germany to offer refuge to two freed Belarus opposition leaders

BERLIN, Dec 15 - Germany will offer refuge to Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka, two prominent Belarusian opposition leaders freed at the weekend after more than five years in prison, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said.