QWorld: Obama Says Trump in for a Wake-Up Call; Bulgarian PM Quits

Here’s a compilation of top stories from around the world.

Donald Trump and Barack Obama at the White House. (Photo: AP)

1. Trump Will Get Wake-Up Call When He Takes Office, Says Obama

President-elect Donald Trump is in for a quick wake-up call and will have to adjust his temperament when he confronts the realities of his new job on 20 January, President Barack Obama said.

2. Europeans Agree Defence Plan After Campaign Swipes by Trump

The European Union agreed a defence plan that could see it sending rapid response forces abroad for the first time, as US President-elect Donald Trump's criticism of allies appeared to galvanise Europe into revamping its strategy.

3. In Iraq, Syrian Kurds Long to Return Home to Fight Islamic State

Days after helping to capture the Iraqi town of Bashiqa northeast of Mosul, Syrian Kurdish fighters walked proudly past the corpses of Islamic State combatants still lying in the ruins. But, in a situation that illustrates the complexities of the fight against the world's most dangerous militant group, rivalries between Kurdish groups are being played out across borders and preventing the Rojava Brigade fighting in Syria.

4. New York Police Probe Swastikas Amid Reports of Hate Crimes

Police in New York are investigating two cases involving swastikas drawn or painted in public spaces, as civil rights activists say there has been a surge in hate crimes following last week's US presidential election.

5. Afghan President Defies Parliament by Telling Sacked Ministers to Stay

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani instructed cabinet ministers sacked by parliament to remain in their jobs on Monday, looking to the Supreme Court to resolve an escalating power struggle.

6. Bulgarian PM Borisov Resigns, Snap Parliamentary Poll Likely

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov resigned after his centre-right GERB party candidate lost Sunday's presidential election to a political novice backed by the opposition Socialists who favour improved ties with Russia.

7. New Zealand Begins Evacuating Tourists From Quake-Hit Town

New Zealand emergency services and defence personnel began evacuating hundreds of tourists and residents from the South Island town of Kaikoura, a day after a powerful earthquake hit the region, killing two people.

8. Obama Promises to Veto Bill That Would Block Aircraft Exports to Iran

President Barack Obama's administration said he would veto legislation seeking to block financial transactions related to the export of passenger aircrafts to Iran, saying it would undermine the nuclear deal implemented early this year.

9. Congo Cabinet Resigns as Part of Deal for Kabila to Stay

Congo's prime minister and cabinet resigned as part of a deal that extends the tenure of President Joseph Kabila, who also defended the ‘right of the Congolese people’ to change the constitution currently barring him from running again.