AFP, Damascus
The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold.
The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war.
Nearly seven years later, the Emirati flag was raised again during a ceremony attended by diplomats and journalists.
Pompeo to meet Netanyahu in Brazil
AFP, Washington
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet next week in Brazil with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington prepares to withdraw troops from Syria, the State Department said Thursday.
Pompeo and Netanyahu will meet in Brasilia where both will be attending the New Year’s Day inauguration of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing firebrand who has vowed to move Brazil closer to Israel and US President Donald Trump.
Fire in building kills 5 in India
AP, New Delhi
Police say at least five people have died after a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a residential building in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital.
Police officer Sushil Kamble says one person was hospitalized Thursday after complaining of trouble breathing caused by smoke from the 15-story building in Mumbai’s Chembur area.
Ten police officers killed in Burkina Faso
AFP, Ouagadougou
Ten police officers were killed and three wounded in an ambush in northwestern Burkina Faso on Thursday, the west African country’s security ministry said.
“The toll is 10 officers who have lost their lives and three wounded,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that a police convoy from the Toeni region and reinforcements from the Dedougou area had been ambushed.
Security minister Clement Sawadogo confirmed the toll on national television, announcing an increase in police and army forces patrolling the area.
