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Print - 2017-12-31
Algeria's shale gas plans will take time, require tough reforms

Algeria's shale gas plans will take time, require tough reforms

Algeria needs to exploit its shale gas resources to offset a surge in local energy consumption that is eating into vital exports, but developing the industry will take time and require far-reaching reforms at the state energy firm. The North African count
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Soyabeans stealing corn's thunder at Brazil ports

Soyabeans stealing corn's thunder at Brazil ports

November through January is typically the least active period for Brazilian soyabean exports, but that quiet time has lately been getting louder - and possibly at the expense of the United States. Record-large crops were harvested earlier this year in Bra
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Half of US soya exports to China would fall afoul of new rules

Half of US soya exports to China would fall afoul of new rules

Half of US soyabeans exported to China this year would not meet Chinese rules for routine delivery in 2018, according to shipping data reviewed by Reuters, signaling new hurdles in the $14-billion-a-year business. More stringent quality rules, which take
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Shippers benefit as China laps up Brazilian iron ore

Shippers benefit as China laps up Brazilian iron ore

US dry bulk shippers are set to post strong revenue growth in the next two years thanks to soaring Chinese demand for high-grade iron ore from Brazil and Australia. To combat severe winter smog, China has slashed iron ore output, pushing steel mills in th
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Chile and China to shape copper's fortunes next year
Exchange

Chile and China to shape copper's fortunes next year

China's war on polluting industries, its supply reforms and robust demand growth have this year combined to create a bonanza for copper and aluminium which are heading for their biggest rises since 2009. However, traders and funds taking profits and squar
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Qatar economy has recovered from boycott

Qatar economy has recovered from boycott

Qatar's economy has largely recovered from a boycott imposed by other Arab states and is again growing at one of the fastest rates in the region, according to figures released by the statistics ministry on Friday.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Brexit spurs near doubling of UK domestic deal-making

Brexit spurs near doubling of UK domestic deal-making

Companies seeking to "bulk up" to offset the uncertainty caused by Britain's looming EU exit helped to spur a near doubling of domestic mergers and acquisition activity this year, according to Thomson Reuters data.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Glencore sells parts of oil storage to China's HNA

Glencore sells parts of oil storage to China's HNA

Swiss-based trading and mining giant Glencore Plc has partly completed the sale of a 51 percent stake in its storage and logistics businesses to a unit of China's HNA Group, although transfer of some assets is pending US clearance.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
BA owner IAG to buy insolvent Austrian holiday airline Niki

BA owner IAG to buy insolvent Austrian holiday airline Niki

British Airways' owner IAG said on Friday it would buy Niki, Air Berlin's insolvent Austrian holiday airline, for 20 million euros ($24.01 million) and provide additional liquidity to the company of up to 16.5 million euros.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Georgia's economy gathers pace

Georgia's economy gathers pace

Georgia's economy expanded by 4.8 percent year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2017, official data showed on Saturday, up from 2.4 percent in the same period of 2016. Economic growth accelerated thanks to higher exports and remittances from abroad. In N
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China recovers $112 million in misused poverty relief funds

China recovers $112 million in misused poverty relief funds

Chinese authorities have recouped 730 million yuan ($112.20 million) in misappropriated funds as part of an investigation into the country's national poverty-reduction scheme, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China recovers $112 million in misused poverty relief funds

China recovers $112 million in misused poverty relief funds

Chinese authorities have recouped 730 million yuan ($112.20 million) in misappropriated funds as part of an investigation into the country's national poverty-reduction scheme, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Salah inspires Liverpool, Chelsea crush Stoke

Salah inspires Liverpool, Chelsea crush Stoke

Liverpool celebrated Virgil van Dijk's arrival at Anfield by coming from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 thanks to Mohamed Salah's brace, while Danny Drinkwater scored his first Chelsea goal in a 5-0 rout of Stoke City. Van Dijk, signed from Southampton
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Kohli tips India's balanced team to end drought in South Africa

Kohli tips India's balanced team to end drought in South Africa

India feel they have the right balance in their squad to break new ground and win a series in South Africa for the first time, to underline their top ranking in test cricket, captain Virat Kohli said on Saturday. "Our best result here has been a drawn ser
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Beaten Serena unsure about Australian Open

Beaten Serena unsure about Australian Open

A slow moving Serena Williams made an encouraging return to tennis after maternity leave, taking a set off the French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in an exhibition match Saturday, but said she has not made up her mind about defending the Australian Open
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Federer ends memorable 2017 with win at Hopman Cup

Federer ends memorable 2017 with win at Hopman Cup

Roger Federer ended a memorable 2017 the way he started it with a singles win at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Saturday. His straight-sets victory over Japan's Yuichi Sugita showed Federer was sharp for his upcoming Australian Open title defence,
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Djokovic pulls out of Qatar Open

Djokovic pulls out of Qatar Open

Former world number one Novak Djokovic on Saturday withdrew from next week's Qatar Open, casting doubt on his participation at the Australian Open later in January. Qatar is the second tournament Djokovic has pulled out in as many days due to a niggling e
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Smith century secures Ashes Test draw with England

Smith century secures Ashes Test draw with England

Steve Smith scored his 23rd Test century to bat out a draw for Australia in the fourth Ashes Test and deny England their first win of the series in Melbourne on Saturday.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Pakistan warm hearts, India and Australia shine at home

Pakistan warm hearts, India and Australia shine at home

Steve Smith helmed Australia's successful Ashes mission and India proved impregnable at home but it was cricket exiles Pakistan who had the most memorable year in 2017. Top teams have shunned the South Asian country since gunmen in Lahore attacked a bus c
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Palm oil down on European vegoils market
Vegetable Oil

Palm oil down on European vegoils market

Palm oil on the European vegetable oils market eased on Thursday, tracking weaker Malaysian palm oil futures on the back of profit-taking following recent gains and due to a stronger ringgit. A rise in the ringgit makes Malaysian palm oil more expensive f
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
European gasoline margins firm on strong demand

European gasoline margins firm on strong demand

This is a wrap of the daily gasoline/naphtha and distillates report. Gasoline and distillate margins firmed on Wednesday, buoyed by stronger demand. The Mediterranean gasoil market remains strong with strong seasonal demand, particularly into North Africa
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China's November crude oil stocks fall to seven-year low

China's November crude oil stocks fall to seven-year low

China's crude oil stocks dropped to the lowest level in seven years in November, while diesel inventory fell to a one-year low, Xinhua data showed on Thursday. Crude oil stocks fell more than 3 percent month-on-month to 26.15 million tonnes in November. R
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
US FOB Gulf corn export premiums higher

US FOB Gulf corn export premiums higher

Export premiums for corn shipped from the US Gulf Coast climbed to their highest in about 10 months on Thursday, boosted by expectations for slowed deliveries of corn barges to the gulf, traders said. Ice forming on the Illinois River forced barge operato
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Major Asian coffee markets quiet on low demand

Major Asian coffee markets quiet on low demand

Major Asian coffee markets were quiet on low demand during the Christmas holiday, traders said, while Vietnam's total coffee exports were estimated to fall this year. The Vietnam government said on Wednesday coffee exports were likely to drop 20.1 percent
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Rice markets slow in Asian centres
Currency

Rice markets slow in Asian centres

Rice markets in major Asian centres remained muted this week, with trades few and far between due to the holiday season and the approaching year-end, while Bangladesh awaited shipments from India as part of a previously announced deal.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Balochi cotton prices hit season's high
Cotton

Balochi cotton prices hit season's high

Balochi cotton prices hit season's high on the cotton market on Saturday, dealers said. The official spot rate jumped by Rs 200 to Rs 7300 in a single day rally, they said. In ready session, over 20,000 bales of cotton changed hands between Rs 6450-7800,
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Ukraine agriculture export jumps 19 percent
Vegetable Oil

Ukraine agriculture export jumps 19 percent

Ukraine boosted its agriculture exports 19 percent to $16.4 billion in the first eleven months of 2017, thanks to higher sales of vegetable oil, grains and sugar, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday. Ukraine exported 5.3 million tonnes of sunflower
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
CBOT wheat futures lower

CBOT wheat futures lower

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures ended fractionally lower on Thursday, following declines in soybeans and corn, traders said, but worries about freeze damage in the US Plains winter wheat belt lent underlying support and buoyed K.C. winter wheat futur
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
US natural gas futures jump on stronger demand

US natural gas futures jump on stronger demand

US natural gas futures on Thursday surged nearly 7 percent, the biggest daily percentage gain in two months, on expectations of stronger heating demand due to colder-than-normal weather in January. On the first day as the front month, gas futures for Febr
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Canadian canola falls sharply

Canadian canola falls sharply

ICE Canadian canola fell sharply for the second straight session on Thursday, notching six-month lows on chart-based selling as soyabean futures also declined, traders said. March canola futures finished $4.70 lower at $487.30 per ton. The contract could
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
CBOT soyabean futures fall to four-month low

CBOT soyabean futures fall to four-month low

Chicago Board of Trade soyabean futures declined on Thursday, with the most-active March contract touching its lowest in nearly four months on improving weather conditions in South America, traders said. Crop weather remains favorable for Brazil and forec
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Minister cuts Ukraine's grain export forecast

Minister cuts Ukraine's grain export forecast

Ukraine's acting agriculture minister has cut the country's 2017/18 grain export forecast to around 41 million tonnes from 42 million tonnes previously, mainly due to transport problems, Interfax Ukraine news agency quoted Maksym Martyniuk as saying on Fr
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China's net gold imports fall

China's net gold imports fall

China's net gold imports via main conduit Hong Kong fell 23.6 percent in November from the previous month, data showed on Thursday. Net imports by the world's top consumer of the metal via Hong Kong fell to 35.554 tonnes in November from 46.522 tonnes in
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
US Plains HRW wheat bids steady

US Plains HRW wheat bids steady

Spot basis bids for hard red winter (HRW) wheat on Thursday in the southern US Plains were steady and uneventful prior to the upcoming New Year's holiday, dealers said. The Chicago Board of Trade's K.C. March HRW wheat futures contract at 12:07 pm CST (18
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
US Midwest corn bids firmer

US Midwest corn bids firmer

Corn spot basis bids at elevators, processors and river terminals on Thursday were mostly steady to firmer in the US Midwest as farmer sales diminished, grain merchants said. Bitter cold temperatures in parts of the region disrupted some movement of corn
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Chinese steel futures fall amid thin winter demand
Exchange

Chinese steel futures fall amid thin winter demand

Chinese steel futures fell on Thursday due to slow winter demand in the world's top consumer, putting pressure on raw materials. The most active rebar on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed 1.3 percent lower at 3,758 yuan ($574.79) a tonne. "Physical dem
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Soyameal eases on European feeds market
Currency

Soyameal eases on European feeds market

Soyameal on the European meals and feeds market eased on Thursday due to a lack of demand and losses in CBOT soyameal futures on the back of profit taking following recent gains. "There is little going on in the cash market as most players have already cl
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Bangladesh tea prices higher

Bangladesh tea prices higher

Tea prices in Bangladesh edged higher at a weekly auction on Tuesday on strong demand for quality leaves amid a lower volume on offer. Bangladeshi tea fetched an average price of 236.76 taka ($2.80) per kg at the auction, compared with a revised price of
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Asian naphtha crack up from three-session low

Asian naphtha crack up from three-session low

Asia's naphtha crack recovered from a three-session low the previous day to a two-session high of $118.70 a tonne on Thursday, lifted by strong fundamentals. Although spot purchases ebbed this week, overall demand has soaked up a lot of the supplies.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
European wheat prices lower on stronger euro

European wheat prices lower on stronger euro

European wheat prices edged lower in late trade on Thursday, pressured by a further rise of the euro against the dollar, in very thin volume with many operators away between the Christmas and New Year holidays, traders said. March milling wheat on Paris-b
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Italian bond yields hit two-month high as election date confirmed

Italian bond yields hit two-month high as election date confirmed

Italian government bond yields climbed to two-months highs on Friday, a day after the president dissolved parliament and a general election was scheduled for March 4. The vote is expected to produce a hung parliament, which could result in instability and
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Italian bond yields hit two-month high as election date confirmed

Italian bond yields hit two-month high as election date confirmed

Italian government bond yields climbed to two-months highs on Friday, a day after the president dissolved parliament and a general election was scheduled for March 4. The vote is expected to produce a hung parliament, which could result in instability and
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China local government bond issuance falls

China local government bond issuance falls

Bond issuance by China's local governments fell nearly 30 percent in 2017 from the previous year as Beijing stepped up its deleveraging campaign and punished reckless borrowing. Local municipalities have raised roughly 4.34 trillion yuan ($662.90 billion)
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China local government bond issuance falls

China local government bond issuance falls

Bond issuance by China's local governments fell nearly 30 percent in 2017 from the previous year as Beijing stepped up its deleveraging campaign and punished reckless borrowing. Local municipalities have raised roughly 4.34 trillion yuan ($662.90 billion)
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
TSX slips on last day of year; gains 6 percent in 2017
Exchange

TSX slips on last day of year; gains 6 percent in 2017

Canada's main stock index slipped on the last trading day of 2017 as some energy and mining stocks pulled back, but the index notched a 6 percent gain for the year, underperforming the three main US indexes as its large energy component dragged.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
China launches full convertibility for HK-listed China firms
Exchange

China launches full convertibility for HK-listed China firms

China's securities regulator said on Friday it would launch a pilot scheme that allows mainland-incorporated companies listed in Hong Kong to convert their non-tradable equity into free-floating shares. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) to
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Treasuries outlook: prices end year stronger, busy data week ahead

Treasuries outlook: prices end year stronger, busy data week ahead

Year-end demand helped US Treasuries prices end the year stronger on Friday, before a heavy week of data, though volumes were light before Monday's New Year's Day holiday. Treasuries are typically in demand at the end of the month, quarter and year as inv
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Treasuries outlook: prices end year stronger, busy data week ahead

Treasuries outlook: prices end year stronger, busy data week ahead

Year-end demand helped US Treasuries prices end the year stronger on Friday, before a heavy week of data, though volumes were light before Monday's New Year's Day holiday. Treasuries are typically in demand at the end of the month, quarter and year as inv
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
London Stock Exchange's company floats hit three-year high
Exchange

London Stock Exchange's company floats hit three-year high

The London Stock Exchange raised 15 billion pounds ($20.28 billion) from 106 initial public offerings (IPOs) in 2017, a 63 percent increase compared to last year and the highest level for three years. Money raised from the exchange's listings was up 164 p
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Can US stocks in 2018 repeat the huge gains of 2017?

Can US stocks in 2018 repeat the huge gains of 2017?

After a banner year for US stocks, that saw the Dow hitting repeated records, Wall Street strategists predicted 2018 would see more moderate gains and increased volatility as markets retreated in the final session of 2017 on Friday. A late sell-off pushed
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Biggest withdrawal in four months hits US domestic stock funds

Biggest withdrawal in four months hits US domestic stock funds

US fund investors walloped domestic equities with the most selling in four months, using the proceeds to buy cheaper stocks abroad that could thrive in a global economic expansion, Investment Company Institute (ICI) data showed on Wednesday.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Biggest withdrawal in four months hits US domestic stock funds

Biggest withdrawal in four months hits US domestic stock funds

US fund investors walloped domestic equities with the most selling in four months, using the proceeds to buy cheaper stocks abroad that could thrive in a global economic expansion, Investment Company Institute (ICI) data showed on Wednesday.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Wall Street quiet on last trading day of a strong year
Exchange

Wall Street quiet on last trading day of a strong year

There were no fireworks on Wall Street for the last trading day of the year, as US stocks closed out their best year since 2013 on a down note, with losses in technology and financial stocks keeping equities in negative territory for the session.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Infineon not vulnerable to takeover: CEO

Infineon not vulnerable to takeover: CEO

German chipmaker Infineon does not see itself as vulnerable to a takeover despite mega-mergers in the sector led by Broadcom's $103 billion offer for Qualcomm, its chief executive told Germany's Boersen-Zeitung.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Russia's Rosneft, in U-turn, plans to bid for Alrosa's gas assets

Russia's Rosneft, in U-turn, plans to bid for Alrosa's gas assets

Russia's top oil producer Rosneft said it had asked the country's competition watchdog for permission to bid for gas fields put up for sale by diamond miner Alrosa, a day after saying it was unlikely to take part in the auction.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Bombardier wins an order from EgyptAir for 12 CS300 planes

Bombardier wins an order from EgyptAir for 12 CS300 planes

Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier on Friday announced the sale of 12 C Series aircraft to EgyptAir in a deal worth $1.1 billion. The company said it signed a letter of intent last month for the sale of the 160-seat CS300 planes, with an option for
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Saudi Aramco shipyard joint venture appoints CEO

Saudi Aramco shipyard joint venture appoints CEO

Saudi Aramco and its partners have appointed Fathi K. Al-Saleem as chief executive of a joint venture to build a shipyard on the kingdom's east coast, part of the Saudi Arabian government's drive to diversify the economy beyond oil.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
German union steps up fight for 'modern' 28-hour week

German union steps up fight for 'modern' 28-hour week

Germany's largest union is bracing for a combative start to the new year as it presses demands for a 28-hour working week, warning employers to expect mass strikes in the battle for a better work-life balance.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Bank of India says gets $354 million capital from government
Exchange

Bank of India says gets $354 million capital from government

State-run Bank of India, the country's sixth biggest lender by assets, said on Saturday it received 22.57 billion rupees ($353.6 million) from the government, joining other lenders in which the government is injecting funds to shore up their capital base.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Bank of India says gets $354 million capital from government
Exchange

Bank of India says gets $354 million capital from government

State-run Bank of India, the country's sixth biggest lender by assets, said on Saturday it received 22.57 billion rupees ($353.6 million) from the government, joining other lenders in which the government is injecting funds to shore up their capital base.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Around 6,000 Swiss VW owners seek damages in emissions scandal

Around 6,000 Swiss VW owners seek damages in emissions scandal

Swiss consumer protection organisation SKS has filed a claim on behalf of some 6,000 car owners seeking damages from Volkswagen AG and Swiss car dealer AMAG related to the "Dieselgate" emissions scandal. The claim has been lodged with the Zurich commercia
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Man dies after Melbourne car attack

Man dies after Melbourne car attack

An elderly man has died after being mowed down during a car rampage in Melbourne last week, police said Saturday, with one of 18 attempted murder charges expected to be upgraded to murder. Afghan-Australian Saeed Noori, who has a history of drug abuse and
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Trump wants Postal Service to charge 'much more' for Amazon shipments

Trump wants Postal Service to charge 'much more' for Amazon shipments

President Donald Trump called on the US Postal Service on Friday to charge "much more" to ship packages for Amazon, picking another fight with the online retail giant he has criticized in the past. "Why is the United States Post Office, which is losing ma
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Zloty, top performer of 2017, ends year firming
Currency

Zloty, top performer of 2017, ends year firming

The zloty hit a seven-month high against the euro and a three-year high versus the dollar on Friday, extending a rally that had made it the world's best performing currency in 2017 along with the Czech crown. Robust growth has made assets in the European
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Canadian dollar near flat
Exchange

Canadian dollar near flat

The Canadian dollar was little changed against the greenback on Friday as data showed bullish bets on the currency have been slashed, but the loonie posted a two-month high earlier in the session and scored its biggest yearly advance since 2009.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Dollar falls to end worst year since 2003, bitcoin soars
Exchange

Dollar falls to end worst year since 2003, bitcoin soars

The dollar fell to its lowest in over three months against a basket of major currencies on Friday, marking its steepest annual drop since 2003, on doubts over durability of a pickup in US economic growth in wake of last week's tax overhaul.
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Ukrainian hryvnia weakens
Currency

Ukrainian hryvnia weakens

The Ukrainian hryvnia weakened to 28 to the US dollar for the first time since February 2015, central bank data showed on Thursday. The central bank has recently said the hryvnia's volatility is due to seasonal factors, citing a higher coal and gas import
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Norway keeps crown purchases at NOK 900 million
Exchange

Norway keeps crown purchases at NOK 900 million

Norway's central bank will keep its daily sale of foreign currency unchanged at 900 million Norwegian crowns in January, it said on Friday. The level was raised in December to 900 million per day from 650 million per day in November, although trades were
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Speculators cut net short dollar bets to lowest since November

Speculators cut net short dollar bets to lowest since November

Speculators reduced their net short US dollar bets earlier this week to their lowest level since mid-November, according to calculations by Reuters and Commodity Futures Trading Commission data released on Friday. The value of the net short dollar positio
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Venezuela oil-backed cryptocurrency to launch in days
Currency

Venezuela oil-backed cryptocurrency to launch in days

Venezuela's cryptocurrency will launch within days and be backed by 5.3 billion barrels of oil worth $267 billion, in a bid to offset a deep financial crisis, the socialist government said on Thursday. President Nicolas Maduro surprised many earlier this
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
US military to accept transgender recruits on Monday: Pentagon

US military to accept transgender recruits on Monday: Pentagon

Transgender people will be allowed for the first time to enlist in the US military starting on Monday as ordered by federal courts, the Pentagon said on Friday, after President Donald Trump's administration decided not to appeal rulings that blocked his t
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Nepal bans solo climbers from Everest

Nepal bans solo climbers from Everest

Nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including Mount Everest, in a bid to reduce accidents, an official said Saturday. The cabinet late Thursday endorsed a revision to the Himalayan nation's mountaineering regulations, banning solo c
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Putin calls for 'pragmatic cooperation' in New Year wishes to Trump

Putin calls for 'pragmatic cooperation' in New Year wishes to Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for "pragmatic cooperation" in his New Year wishes to US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin said on Saturday. In a statement on the Russian president's New Year wishes to world leaders, the Kremlin said Putin told
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Sudan imposes state of emergency in two states

Sudan imposes state of emergency in two states

Sudan's president on Saturday announced a state of emergency in two states in the centre and east of the country, the official news agency said. President Omar al-Bashir issued a decree to install the state of emergency in North Kordofan and Kasala for si
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Turkish 'coup' officer granted asylum in Greece

Turkish 'coup' officer granted asylum in Greece

The co-pilot of a helicopter, who flew seven other Turkish military officers to Greece a day after last year's failed coup in Turkey, has been granted asylum, a Greek judicial source said on Saturday. The co-pilot landed in the Greek city of Alexandroupol
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Zambia deploys army to battle cholera after 41 deaths

Zambia deploys army to battle cholera after 41 deaths

Zambia's president Edgar Lungu has deployed the army to help combat a cholera outbreak that has claimed 41 lives in the capital Lusaka and affected 1,550 more since September. The initial outbreak began on September 28 according to the World Health Organi
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Slovenia assumes control of disputed bay

Slovenia assumes control of disputed bay

Slovenia reported on Saturday no major incidents as it began exercising sovereignty over most of a disputed bay following an international arbitration ruling that fellow EU member Croatia rejects. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in June al
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
US crime novelist Sue Grafton dies

US crime novelist Sue Grafton dies

Crime novelist Sue Grafton, whose Kinsey Millhone Alphabet series became world-wide best sellers, has died after a two-year battle with cancer, her daughter said on Friday. Grafton, 77, died in Santa Barbara, California, on Thursday surrounded by her fami
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Schaeuble does not rule out minority government for Germany

Schaeuble does not rule out minority government for Germany

Former German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on Saturday urged quick formation of a new government by Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and Social Democrats, but said he could not rule out a minority government if no deal is reached. Germany's
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
Regime forces advance against jihadists in northwest Syria

Regime forces advance against jihadists in northwest Syria

Syrian regime forces advanced against jihadists Saturday on the edge of the northwestern province of Idlib, the last outside government control, a monitor and the state news agency said. Government and allied forces backed by Russian warplanes have since
Published 31 Dec, 2017 12:00am
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