Around the world in 180 characters

Every weekend Paste BN takes a bite-sized look in approximately 180 characters per item at the past week's top stories from around the world.

Okinawa move

The governor of Okinawa on Friday said he has approved a deal that would allow the U.S. military to relocate a base on the island, potentially breaking a lengthy deadlock over the issue.

Python attack

A python strangled a security guard near a luxury hotel on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Friday, and then escaped into nearby bushes following the deadly attack.

Hope in South Sudan

South Sudan's government on Friday agreed to end hostilities, regional leaders said at the end of a crisis summit, raising hopes for a potential breakthrough in efforts to cease violence.

Disappointed in Abe

The U.S. joined China and South Korea in criticizing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for visiting the the war-glorifying Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Thursday.

Egypt intensifies

Egypt's military-backed interim government declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization Wednesday in a decision that likely ends any chance of reconciliation.

Pope Francis' hope

Pope Francis offered a Christmas wish Wednesday for a better world, singling out nations ravaged by conflict: Syria, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Iraq.

O little town

On Christmas Eve, thousands gathered in the cradle of Christianity on the site where Jesus is believed to have been born.

'Mission accomplished'

National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden said his "mission's already accomplished" after revealing NSA secrets that have caused a reassessment of U.S. surveillance policies.

Rodman leaves N. Korea

Former basketball star Dennis Rodman left North Korea on Monday, but didn't answer questions from the media on whether he had met with leader Kim Jong Un.