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World Digest: Dec. 24, 2014 World Digest: Dec. 24, 2014
(about 4 hours later)
Shinzo Abe took office Wednesday for a third term as Japan’s prime minister, appointing a former military officer as his defense minister but retaining the other members of his previous cabinet.Shinzo Abe took office Wednesday for a third term as Japan’s prime minister, appointing a former military officer as his defense minister but retaining the other members of his previous cabinet.
Parliament reelected Abe after his Liberal Democratic Party won a renewed mandate in a Dec. 14 snap election that he said was needed for him to carry out further economic and political reforms.Parliament reelected Abe after his Liberal Democratic Party won a renewed mandate in a Dec. 14 snap election that he said was needed for him to carry out further economic and political reforms.
Gen Nakatani, Abe’s new defense minister, led the Defense Agency in 2001-2002 under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, before the agency won full-fledged ministry status. Gen Nakatani, Abe’s new defense minister, led the Defense Agency in 2001 and 2002 under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, before the agency won full-fledged ministry status.
Nakatani favors a stronger role for Japan’s military, which is constrained by the country’s constitutionally mandated pacifism.Nakatani favors a stronger role for Japan’s military, which is constrained by the country’s constitutionally mandated pacifism.
Abe favors revising the constitution as part of his effort to fortify Japan’s military.Abe favors revising the constitution as part of his effort to fortify Japan’s military.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives among a group of pro-government Sunni militiamen near the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, killing at least 24 people.A suicide bomber detonated his explosives among a group of pro-government Sunni militiamen near the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, killing at least 24 people.
The attacker mingled with the militiamen as they gathered at a military base in the town of Madain, about 15 miles south of Baghdad, to receive their monthly paychecks, two police officers said. At least 15 of the dead were Sunni militiamen and the rest were soldiers, the officers said, while 55 others were wounded.The attacker mingled with the militiamen as they gathered at a military base in the town of Madain, about 15 miles south of Baghdad, to receive their monthly paychecks, two police officers said. At least 15 of the dead were Sunni militiamen and the rest were soldiers, the officers said, while 55 others were wounded.
The Sunni militiamen are viewed as traitors by Sunni extremists fighting to overthrow the Shiite-led government.The Sunni militiamen are viewed as traitors by Sunni extremists fighting to overthrow the Shiite-led government.
In another attack, four civilians were killed and seven were wounded when a bomb tore through an outdoor market in the town of Yusufiyah, about 10 miles south of Baghdad, a police officer said.In another attack, four civilians were killed and seven were wounded when a bomb tore through an outdoor market in the town of Yusufiyah, about 10 miles south of Baghdad, a police officer said.
No one asserted responsibility for Wednesday’s bombings, but the attacks bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State militant group.No one asserted responsibility for Wednesday’s bombings, but the attacks bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State militant group.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
Talks aimed at achieving a stable cease-fire in Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian armed groups ended Wednesday with no indication of progress and questions about when the next round might take place.Talks aimed at achieving a stable cease-fire in Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian armed groups ended Wednesday with no indication of progress and questions about when the next round might take place.
The opening session was held in the Belarusan capital, Minsk, one day after Ukraine’s decision to drop its nonaligned status. Kiev’s move is a first step toward a possible bid for NATO membership, which would be anathema to Moscow. The opening session was held in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, one day after Ukraine’s decision to drop its nonaligned status. Kiev’s move is a first step toward a possible bid for NATO membership, which would anger Moscow.
Negotiators — representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — were to discuss how to improve an often-violated cease-fire declared in September, to pull back heavy weapons and to exchange prisoners of war.Negotiators — representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe — were to discuss how to improve an often-violated cease-fire declared in September, to pull back heavy weapons and to exchange prisoners of war.
News media outlets were not allowed access to the meeting, and the participants left the session without comment. Another round had been tentatively set for Friday, but the Belarusan Foreign Ministry said it was unclear whether that would take place. News outlets were not allowed access to the meeting, and the participants left the session without comment. Another round had been tentatively set for Friday, but the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said it was unclear whether that would take place.
— Associated Press— Associated Press
Pipeline leak causes oil spill near Russian port: A leak from a major Russian oil pipeline caused a spill in the Black Sea near the port of Tuapse, where officials said stormy weather was hampering efforts to assess and respond to the mishap. “Some quantity of oil has spilled into the sea,” said Sergei Proskurin, first deputy captain of the port of Tuapse. He said the size of the spill was unclear. Local news media quoted the Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft as saying that the pipeline was shut down after the leak.Pipeline leak causes oil spill near Russian port: A leak from a major Russian oil pipeline caused a spill in the Black Sea near the port of Tuapse, where officials said stormy weather was hampering efforts to assess and respond to the mishap. “Some quantity of oil has spilled into the sea,” said Sergei Proskurin, first deputy captain of the port of Tuapse. He said the size of the spill was unclear. Local news media quoted the Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft as saying that the pipeline was shut down after the leak.
Liberia’s U.N. mission reports 4th Ebola case: The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Liberia said one if its staffers has contracted Ebola, bringing to four the number of its members who have come down with the disease during the worst outbreak on record. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the ill staffer is from Liberia. The patient was immediately transferred to an Ebola treatment unit, according to a statement from the mission. Two of the U.N. staffers who earlier contracted Ebola have died.Liberia’s U.N. mission reports 4th Ebola case: The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Liberia said one if its staffers has contracted Ebola, bringing to four the number of its members who have come down with the disease during the worst outbreak on record. U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the ill staffer is from Liberia. The patient was immediately transferred to an Ebola treatment unit, according to a statement from the mission. Two of the U.N. staffers who earlier contracted Ebola have died.
Nigeria imposes traffic ban over security fears: Nigerian authorities banned traffic in two northeastern states where they say Islamist extremists are plotting major attacks over Christmas. The military announced the most severe restrictions in Borno state, home of the Boko Haram extremist group, which is blamed for numerous bombings. Lesser restrictions were imposed in neighboring Yobe state.Nigeria imposes traffic ban over security fears: Nigerian authorities banned traffic in two northeastern states where they say Islamist extremists are plotting major attacks over Christmas. The military announced the most severe restrictions in Borno state, home of the Boko Haram extremist group, which is blamed for numerous bombings. Lesser restrictions were imposed in neighboring Yobe state.
— From news services— From news services