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DEUTSCHE WELLE/DW-WORLD.DE Newsletter
English Service News
25.12.07, 17:00 Uhr UTC
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Today's highlight on DW-WORLD:
Landmark Treaty Deal EU's Biggest Success in 2007
Throughout 2007, the EU struggled to salvage its derailed
constitution. Come year's end, however, the 27-nation bloc can
look back on some successes, the biggest one being the deal on
its roadmap for the future.
To read this article on the DW-WORLD website, just click on the
internet address below:
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Suicide blasts kill 29 in Iraq
At least 29 people have been killed and more than 100 others wounded
in two suicide bombings in Iraq. Twenty-two people died after a
suicide truck bomber blew himself up at an Iraqi army checkpoint
near the northern town of Baiji. The bomber set off his explosives
when security guards prevented him from entering a compound of the
state-run North Oil company. Later, four people were killed when a
suicide bomber blew himself up in the midst of a funeral procession
in Baquba.
Turkey strikes again at PKK in Iraq
Turkish warp***s have bombed an area of northern Iraq, in the
latest of a string of air and ground strikes on Kurdish separatists.
The Turkish military said warp***s launched the limited strike
after spotting Kurdistan Workers Party guerrillas during a
reconnaissance flight. The strike was reportedly smaller than others
in recent weeks. The Turkish military earlier announced it had
killed between 150 and 175 Kurdish guerrillas, in a large-scale air
offensive against rebel camps in Northern Iraq on Dec. 16.
Dozens missing after Nepal bridge collapses
At least 15 people have been killed and dozens of others are missing
after a suspension bridge collapsed in western Nepal. Police said
the bridge over a river in Chunchu village was overloaded with
pedestrians when its support cables snapped. Initial reports said
some people had managed to swim to safety but police said they
expected the death toll to rise.
Russian submarine test-fires ballistic missile
A Russian submarine in the Barents Sea has successfully test-fired a
new ballistic missile. Russia's Ministry of Defence said the RSM-54,
or Sineva missile, hit a target on the Kamchatka peninsula on
Russia's Pacific coast minutes later. The rocket is a hybrid
ballistic missile that in its final stages becomes a modified cruise
missile. The warheads on this type of missile cannot be targeted by
most anti-missile systems. Tuesday's launch is the second successful
test-firing of the Sineva in less than a week. The tests come as
tensions mount over plans by the United States to build missile
defence sites in central Europe.
Pope urges world leaders to end conflicts
Pope Benedict XVI has marked Christmas Day by calling on political
leaders around the globe to find the wisdom and courage to end
conflicts in places like Darfur, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Congo.
Benedict delivered his traditional Urbi et Orbi speech from the
balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Pontiff also urged the
crowd to rejoice over the celebration of Christ's birth, which he
said he hoped would console all those who live in the darkness of
poverty, injustice and war.
Köhler calls on young and old to work together
German President Horst Köhler has used his annual Christmas address
to call on the country's young and old to work together to face
common problems. He praised older people who provide the benefit of
their experience to the young. At the same time, he praised those in
the younger generation who give of their time to help their older
relatives. The president also thanked those who serve their country
over the holidays, including police officers, Bundeswehr
peacekeepers and aid workers.
Two European diplomats ordered out of Afghanistan
Afghanistan has ordered a British and an Irish diplomat to leave the
country. Government officials in Kabul said they were declared
persona non grata after allegations that they had met with Taliban
insurgents during a recent trip to the volatile southern province of
Helmand. One of those asked to leave was a United Nations employee,
the other worked for the European Union.
Thaksin to return to Thailand to clear name
Exiled former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he may to
return to Thailand in the next few weeks. But speaking to reporters
in Hong Kong, he said he had no plans to seek political office and
that his main priority would be to clear his name of corruption
charges filed against him. Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in
September of last year and has lived in London ever since. His
allies, the People Power Party won a comfortable majority in
Sunday's parliamentary elections.
Settlement plans stall Israeli-Palestinian talks
The latest peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have
ended without making any progress. The negotiations, which were held
in Jerusalem, broke down due to a dispute over the construction of
Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Palestinians are angered by
the plans to build in Har Homa on the southern outskirts of
Jerusalem. Israeli negotiators repeated their demand that the
Palestinians reign in militants who fire rockets at Israeli towns.
This was the second round of talks since last month's peace
conference in the US city of Annapolis. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to
discuss the dispute over the settlements when they meet later in the
week.
South Korean ship sinks, 14 missing
The South Korean coast guard is searching for 14 sailors who are
missing after a ship carrying toxic chemicals sank near the port of
Yeosu. The South Korean-flagged ship was carrying 2,000 tonnes of
nitric acid. One sailor has been rescued and taken to hospital.
Bomb rocks Socialist Party HQ in northern Spain
There has been an explosion near the offices of Spain's governing
Socialist Party in the country's northern Basque region. A
statement released by the Basque interior ministry said the
separatist group ETA had called in a warning to emergency services
shortly before the bomb went off. This gave police time to seal off
the area and no injuries were reported.
Jazz legend Oscar Peterson dies
Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson has died of kidney failure at
his home near Toronto. He was 82. The Montreal native is considered
by many to be one of the greatest piano players of all time.
Peterson recorded nearly 200 albums and won eight Grammy awards.
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Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the
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