Colombian police say the country’s main leftist rebel group has freed four Chinese oil workers it kidnapped more than a year ago.
Analysis: Russian-style quantitative easing may sow trouble
MOSCOW (Reuters) – It has been dubbed quantitative easing, Russian-style. A surge in central bank lending to Russian banks is sustaining rapid loan growth, but also risks fueling inflation and a potential credit bubble. On the face of it, Russia’s central bank has been acting tough. To clamp down on inflation it has recently hiked interest rates – in stark contrast with the ultra-loose monetary policies seen in western economies. But while Russia has tightened the monetary screws with one hand, it has been opening the flood gates with the other. …
Sarkozy quizzed by magistrates over election funds
BORDEAUX, France (Reuters) – Nicolas Sarkozy was questioned on Thursday by magistrates trying to establish whether he received illegal campaign funds from France's richest woman when he ran for president in 2007. It was the first time since losing the presidency – and the legal immunity that went with it – in May that he has been questioned about the scandal which could poison any future comeback bid, something many conservatives are yearning for. … BBC chooses former news chief as director-general
The BBC has chosen a former head of its news division to lead the broadcaster as it struggles to recover from a child abuse scandal.
McCartney joins lineup for Hillsborough disaster song
LONDON (Reuters) – Former Beatle Paul McCartney has joined the lineup for a Christmas single raising money for the families of those who died in the 1989 Hillsborough football stadium tragedy in northern England, organisers said on Thursday. Already committed to the song are artists including Robbie Williams, ex-Spice Girl Melanie C, Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Holly Johnson and Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers. The version of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" will hit the shelves on December 17 and is among the frontrunners to claim the coveted Christmas No. … Egypt's Islamist leader opposes peace with Israel
The top cleric from Egypt’s fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood has denounced peace efforts with Israel, urging holy war to liberate Palestinian territories.
China says it will limit use of executed prisoners' organs
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will limit the use of organ transplants from executed prisoners within two years, a senior health official said on Thursday, after the country ramps up a volunteer donor program aimed at curtailing the controversial practice. Nearly 1.5 million people in China need organ transplants each year, but only 10,000 can get one, according to China’s Health Ministry. Many of those organs are harvested from executed criminals. Rights groups have accused China of harvesting organs from executed prisoners without their consent – something that Beijing denies. …
Colombia FARC rebels free four Chinese captives held since mid-2011
BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s FARC rebels freed three captive Chinese oil workers and their translator held in jungle camps for more than a year, a police source said on Thursday. The release late Wednesday comes as government and FARC negotiators meet in Havana, Cuba to hammer out a five-point peace plan that may bring an end to a war that has left tens of thousands dead since it began in 1964. The oil contractors were taken hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in mid-2011 as they were driving in southern Colombia. …
Sudan arrests ex-spy chief, 12 others for "inciting chaos"
KHARTOUM (Reuters) – Sudanese authorities arrested the former head of the security and intelligence agency, Salah Gosh, and 12 others including army and security officials, the information minister said on Thursday. The officials were accused of “inciting chaos,” “targeting” some leaders and spreading rumors about President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s health, Information Minister Ahmed Belal Osman told reporters. (Reporting by Ulf Laessing; Writing by Alexander Dziadosz; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Protesting Greek municipal workers occupy town halls
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greek municipal workers occupied hundreds of town halls across the country for a fifth day on Thursday to protest against public sector layoffs demanded by European Union and International Monetary Fund lenders. Greece has promised the lenders it will revamp its bloated public sector by putting as many as 27,000 workers into a layoff scheme. City and local workers are expected to be among the first to be laid off under the plan. …
NY judge to Argentina: The court will be obeyed
Argentina has finally run out of wiggle room in a billion-dollar showdown over foreign debts unpaid since the country's world-record default a decade ago, and the stakes couldn't be higher for President Cristina Fernandez. Opera boss to become new BBC Director-General: BBC
LONDON (Reuters) – The new director-general of BBC is to be the current chief executive of the Royal Opera House, Tony Hall, BBC television news said on Thursday. Hall, a former chief executive of BBC news, will replace George Entwistle who resigned earlier this month after failing to get to grips with a child sex abuse scandal that has thrown the 90-year-old state-funded broadcaster into turmoil. (Reporting by Stephen Addison ; editing by Tim Castle) Cornish doesn't like his chances against Owens for CFL's top player award
TORONTO – Jon Cornish doesn’t like his chances of being the first Canadian in 34 years to be named the CFL’s outstanding player.
Salvation Army 'overwhelmed' with public response to toy theft
TORONTO – The Salvation Army says it`s been overwhelmed by people offering to help since news spread of the theft of some $2 million worth of toys and donations.
UK politician wants new vote on women bishops soon
The Church of England’s representative in the House of Commons says that another vote on the issue of women bishops should happen as soon as possible.
Imams, priests play soccer match in Bosnia
A soccer match between Muslim imams and Catholic priests has helped raise funds for a new kindergarten in Bosnia.
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