News Headlines - 26 December 2013

▽BBC News - Japan PM Shinzo Abe visits Yasukuni WW2 shrine

Japan's prime minister has infuriated China and South Korea by visiting a shrine that honours Japan's war dead, including some convicted war criminals. Shinzo Abe said his visit to Yasukuni was an anti-war gesture.

▽U.S. 'disappointed' in Japanese leader

The United States has joined China and South Korea in criticizing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for visiting a war shrine in Tokyo. "Japan is a valued ally and friend," said a statement from the American Embassy in Tokyo. "Nevertheless, the United States is disappointed that Japan's leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors."

▽Japan's Stock Rally Might Not Be Over

This year's rally in Japanese stocks pushed the Nikkei to finish above the psychological barrier of 16000 for the first time in six years Wednesday, but many money managers are holding on for even loftier heights.

▽BBC News - UK could be Europe's 'largest' economy by 2030

The UK will be in a position to overtake Germany as Europe's largest economy, according to the think tank the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR). The CEBR predicts that Germany will lose its current top spot in Europe by 2030. It cites the UK's population growth as an aid to economic acceleration.

▽Turkish PM reshuffles cabinet after 3 step down in corruption probe | Fox News

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday reshuffled his Cabinet after three key ministers resigned over a sweeping corruption and bribery scandal that has targeted his allies and rattled his government. Erdogan replaced Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Interior Minister Muammer Guler and Erdogan Bayraktar, the minister for the environment and urban planning. All three men's sons were detained as part of the corruption investigation. They all deny any wrongdoing.