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ISTANBUL (AP) — At least 35 people have been killed in an attack at a nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, during New Year's celebrations. That according to Istanbul's governor who says some 40 other people were wounded in the assault in the early hours of Sunday. He calls it a "terror attack." Security measures had been heightened in major Turkish cities, with thousands of police officers barring traffic leading up to key squares in Istanbul and the capital, Ankara.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City's police commissioner says more than 7,000 officers are working to secure the city for New Year's Eve. Commissioner James O'Neill says everyone should feel safe, especially in Times Square, where hundreds of thousands of revelers are gathered to watch the crystal ball drop and ring in 2017. Police say there have been no specific, credible terror threats against the city. But police say they've prepared for any eventuality.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is willing to work with President-elect Donald Trump to reach a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel. Abbas spoke Saturday at an event marking the anniversary of his Fatah party. Abbas thanked the U.S. for its U.N. abstention vote last week, which allowed the Security Council to adopt a resolution declaring Israeli settlements in territory claimed by Palestinians illegal.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia's U.N. ambassador is urging the international community to ensure that a political settlement of the conflict in Syria is reached in 2017. Vitaly Churkin spoke Saturday to the U.N. Security Council after it unanimously adopted a resolution brokered by Russia and Turkey to end the fighting in Syria and jumpstart peace talks. In Syria, rebels are warning that cease-fire violations by pro-government forces threaten to undermine the two-day-old agreement.
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Political parties in Congo have reached a deal that calls for President Joseph Kabila to leave power after the next election. And in a concession to the opposition, that vote now will take place before the end of 2017. The deal was signed just an hour before midnight local time New Year's Eve. Dozens of people have died during two periods of unrest this year.
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