[World] Kuwait to host Syria crisis meeting, envoy meets Assad

Kuwait to host Syria crisis meeting, envoy meets Assad
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/syrias-assad-meets-un-envoy/story-e6frfkui-1226543184469
By Erika Solomon. BEIRUT | Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:18pm EST. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Kuwait will host an international conference next month to tackle Syria's humanitarian crisis, the ruling emir said on Monday, as foes of President Bashar al-Assad voiced ...

Pope ahead of Christmas: Find room for God
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jURk8BknrhGhz5zGJszdcPJDayFg?docId=c3532b04652e46d29d5b44c3776085bb
Pope Benedict leads world's Roman Catholics into Christmas, urges people to find room for God in their fast-paced lives, asks for prayers for those who "live and suffer" in the Holy Land.

Eleven children die after school van falls into pond in China
http://en.trend.az/regions/world/ocountries/2102644.html
Eleven children died after a minivan carrying them to their kindergarten plunged into a pond in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangxi, state media said on Tuesday, DPA reported.

China Assails US Over Alliance With Japan and Possible F-16 Sales to Taiwan
http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/china-assails-u-s-over-alliance-with-japan-and-f-16-sales-to-taiwan/
A squadron of F-16s from the Taiwanese Air Force during a military exercise in Claro Cortes Iv/Reuters A squadron of F-16s from the Taiwanese Air Force during a military exercise in 2007.

Kudankulam and more: Why Putin's India visit was a hit
http://www.firstpost.com/world/kudankulam-and-more-why-putins-india-visit-was-a-hit-568504.html
The just-concluded 13th Indo-Russian summit between visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was much bigger and important than envisaged so far.

No Date Set for Egyptian Referendum Results
http://www.voanews.com/content/results-of-egypts-referendum-expected-soon/1571048.html
Egyptian authorities say no date has been set for official results of this month's two-stage referendum on an Islamist-backed draft constitution, as authorities investigate opposition complaints of fraud.

Two killed as plane crash lands in Burma
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/myanmar-airliner-makes-emergency-landing-on-road-2-dead-11-injured/312233-2.html
A Burmese airliner carrying 63 passengers has made an emergency landing in the country's north-east, killing two people and injuring 10 others.

Turkey lifts objection to NATO cooperation with Israel
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/turkey-lifts-objection-to-nato-cooperation-with-israel.premium-1.489723
ANKARA - Turkey has given approval for Israel to participate in non-military NATO activities in 2013, withdrawing an earlier objection driven by an ongoing dispute between the former regional allies, a Turkish official said on Monday.

LDP, New Komeito agree to form coalition gov't
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/wire-news/japans-abe-to-pick-mp-kishida-as-foreign-minister-kyodo_799366.html
TOKYO, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP) and its key ally, the New Komeito Party, have formally agreed on Tuesday to form a coalition government, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.

New poll shows Israel's leader losing altitude
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/25/3156181/new-poll-shows-israels-leader.html
New poll shows Israel's leader losing altitude. The Associated Press. Get Adobe Flash player. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.

Somali troops end hostages' three-year ordeal
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/23/somali-pirates-ship-hostages-released
Somali troops have released 22 hostages almost three years after their ship was seized by pirates off the Yemeni coast. Authorities in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland say the operation to secure the sailors' release began a fortnight ago.

UN to Hold Arms Trade Treaty Conference in March
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/un-to-hold-arms-trade-treaty-conference/story-e6frfkui-1226543261886
The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly late Monday to hold a conference in March to try to reach agreement on a U.N. treaty to regulate the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.