[World] Shinzo Abe Favors Greater Global Role for Japan

Shinzo Abe Favors Greater Global Role for Japan
http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1572429.html
Japan's newly elected prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is a long-time conservative politician who has pushed for a more aggressive foreign policy and a greater role for Japan on the world stage.

Russian Parliament Sends Adoption Ban to Putin
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/russian-parliament-approves-ban-on-american-adoptions/article6712541/?cmpid=rss1
MOSCOW - The upper chamber of Parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to ban adoptions of Russian children by United States citizens, sending the measure to President Vladimir V. Putin, who has voiced support but not yet said if he will ...

Egypt's contentious Islamist constitution becomes law
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Egypt-President-Morsi-signs-contentious-constitution-into-law/articleshow/17767579.cms
By Tamim Elyan and Shaimaa Fayed. CAIRO | Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:10am EST. CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi signed into law a new constitution shaped by his Islamist allies, a bitterly contested document which he insists will help ...

Chinese ambassador urges political solution to Syria crisis
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/syria-death-toll-spirals-as-brahimi-peace-mission-stumbles/story-e6frfkui-1226543833167
DAMASCUS, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese ambassador to Syria Zhang Xun met Wednesday with the visiting UN-AU joint envoy Lakhdar Brahimi and they stressed the urgent need for a political solution to Syria's 22-months crisis.

The GCC quest for relevance
http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/the-gcc-quest-for-relevance-1.1124182
... Gulf Cooperation Council leaders meet during the final day of GCC summit in Bahrain, Tuesday. Once again, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders held a summit to discuss burning issues and, once again, little of their decisions appeared to be relevant.

Syrian interior minister leaves Beirut hospital, flown to Damascus despite arrest ...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/12/26/syria-general-al-shallal-defects.html
BEIRUT - Syria's interior minister, wounded in a Damascus bombing, headed home on a private jet Wednesday after treatment in Beirut, airport officials said, despite calls from some Lebanese to put him on trial for Syrian actions in their country.

United Arab Emirates 'arrests members of terror cell'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20845468
The United Arab Emirates says it has arrested members of what it called a terror cell which was planning attacks. According to an official statement carried on the state news agency WAM, the arrests were made in conjunction with Saudi Arabia.

Make room for God, pray for peace, pope says in Christmas services
http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Pope-s-Christmas-message-focuses-on-Mideast-China-4144632.php
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged people to think seriously about their faith at Christmas, and he urged them to recognize the connection between believing in God and helping others through acts of charity and by praying and working for ...

Israel to ease Gaza ban on construction material
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Dec-26/199901-israel-to-ease-gaza-ban-on-construction-material.ashx
GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Israel is to begin allowing materials for private construction into Gaza, easing its blockade under the terms of a truce deal, Israeli and Palestinian officials said on Wednesday.