PRAGUE -- Czech President Milos Zeman presented his Christmas message on Thursday, drawing attention to the slowness in trial proceedings, housing and infrastructure construction in the country.

"I would summarize the problem I want to talk about in one word. Slowness. Slowness of court proceedings, slowness of construction process, slowness in the construction of transport infrastructure," he said, citing examples of trials lasting 10 to 20 years, while warning against highway construction that takes 13 years. (CZ-President-Christmas)

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SANTIAGO -- Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Thursday that there are indications that the fires in Valparaiso, which have destroyed at least 245 houses, may have been set intentionally.

"There is some evidence that this could have been an intentional fire. If this is true, it would be extraordinarily serious," the president said after visiting Valparaiso, where he set up an emergency committee to deal with the fires. (Chile-Fires)

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CHICAGO -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural futures settled higher on Thursday, with soybean futures edging higher as traders expected more U.S. soy exports to China.

The most active soybean contract for March delivery added 1.75 cents, or 0.19 percent, to close at 9.465 dollars per bushel. March wheat went up 8 cents, or 1.48 percent, to 5.49 dollars per bushel. March corn rose 1 cent, or 0.26 percent, to 3.885 dollars per bushel. (U.S.-Chicago-Agricultural Commodities)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory in his party primary election on Thursday night, fending off a veteran contender that challenged his long-time rule of Israel's governing party.

"Great victory!" Netanyahu wrote on Twitter.

The results secured Netanyahu's place at the helm of the Likud party ahead of the upcoming national elections on March 2. (Israel-PM-Election) Enditem

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