1. India-U.S. diplomat row escalates

    India vowed on December 18 to bring one of its diplomats* home at any price after her arrest in New York.

    The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed on December 17 that Devyani Khobragade, 39, had been strip-searched* like other prisoners after being detained.

    Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid pledged to “restore the dignity” of the diplomat — whose treatment at the hands of a superpower has touched a raw nerve* in India.

    2. Up to 500 killed in S. Sudan clashes

    The United Nations received reports from sources in South Sudan on December 17 that between 400 and 500 people had been killed and up to 800 wounded in the latest violence, and the government said it had arrested 10 politicians in connection with a “foiled coup*.”

    “Two hospitals have recorded between 400 and 500 dead and (up to) 800 wounded,” a diplomat in New York said.

    Another diplomat confirmed the remarks, adding that the United Nations was not in a position to verify the figures.

    3. Ukraine, Russia reach trade agreement

    Ukraine’s embattled* President Viktor Yanukovich reached an agreement with Russia on December 17 for a US$15 billion loan from Moscow and a more than 30 percent cut in the price of Russian natural gas — deals that aren’t likely to win him support from his European-leaning opposition.

    Yanukovich and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the accord between the neighboring nations after a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. Yanukovich enraged his political opposition recently by rejecting trade ties with the European Union, presumably to avoid alienating* Russia.

    4. UNESCO listing sought for German Santa

    A German museum has applied for UNESCO heritage status for the country’s traditional Father Christmas, saying he is under threat from the cheery version of Santa Claus popularized globally by Coca-Cola.

    The German Christmas Museum’s director Felicitas Hoeptner argues that today’s Santa Claus is based on a German gift-giver who meted out* both treats and punishment, but that knowledge of the figure’s origins is fading away.

    5. Baucus nominated as U.S. envoy to China

    U.S. Senator Max Baucus has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next ambassador to China.

    “For more than two decades Max Baucus has worked to deepen the relationship between the United States and China,” the president said in a statement released by the White House.

    Baucus, who announced earlier this year his intention to retire from the Senate at the end of next year, currently chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax and trade policy.

    6. First four-star female admiral

    U.S. President Barack Obama nominated Vice Admiral Michelle Howard for a fourth star on December 20, making her the first woman in Navy history to attain the rank — assuming Senate approval — of full admiral*.

    She currently serves as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy. She has been tapped to serve as vice chief of naval operations, the Navy’s second-ranking officer. “Someday, sure, there’ll be a woman CNO,” she once told Time nearly 14 years ago. “It will happen of its own accord.”

    7. Turkey removes another 25 police chiefs

    Turkish authorities have removed another 25 police chiefs from their posts, media reported on Sunday, widening a crackdown* on the force since it launched a corruption investigation that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has called a “dirty operation” against his rule.

    Twenty-four people have been formally arrested under the corruption investigation, including the sons of two government ministers and the general manager of state-owned Halkbank. (SD-Agencies)