WORLD NEWS
Ukrainian drones strike Russia as Kyiv reels from consecutive massive air attacks
Read full article: Ukrainian drones strike Russia as Kyiv reels from consecutive massive air attacksUkrainian drone strikes on southern Russia have killed a 9-year-old boy and set fire to a major oil terminal.
Middle East latest: Top diplomats from US, Arab League and Turkey discuss Syria's transition
Read full article: Middle East latest: Top diplomats from US, Arab League and Turkey discuss Syria's transitionTop diplomats from the United States, the Arab League and Turkey have met in Jordan to discuss Syria’s transition after the fall of Bashar Assad's government last weekend.
A diminished Hezbollah is made even weaker by the toppling of Assad in Syria
Read full article: A diminished Hezbollah is made even weaker by the toppling of Assad in SyriaA severely hobbled Hezbollah was in no position to help defend former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally, from the lightning-fast insurgency that toppled him.
South Korea’s parliament votes to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law order
Read full article: South Korea’s parliament votes to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law orderSouth Korea’s parliament has impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law decree, a move that ended days of political paralysis but set up an intense debate over Yoon’s fate.
Hearings are done: Now the wait begins for verdict on closely-watched climate case at UN’s top court
Read full article: Hearings are done: Now the wait begins for verdict on closely-watched climate case at UN’s top courtTwo weeks of historic and closely-watched hearings on the threat of climate change have wrapped up at the UN's top court.
Who was in ousted Syrian President Assad's inner circle and where are they now?
Read full article: Who was in ousted Syrian President Assad's inner circle and where are they now?After insurgents toppled Syrian President Bashar Assad this month, many senior officials and members of his dreaded intelligence and security services appear to have melted away.
Saudi Arabia's plans to host the men's World Cup 2034 will be harmful for the climate, experts say
Read full article: Saudi Arabia's plans to host the men's World Cup 2034 will be harmful for the climate, experts saySaudi Arabia says that to host the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer, it will build or renovate 15 stadiums, create a futuristic city and expand airports and public transport in a massive buildout to accommodate millions of athletes, coaches and spectators.
EU nations agree a crackdown on migrant smugglers. Some fear it may target people trying to help
Read full article: EU nations agree a crackdown on migrant smugglers. Some fear it may target people trying to helpEuropean Union countries have agreed a draft law aimed at preventing and countering migrant smuggling, which critics say could be abused to target people or charity groups that try to help migrants in trouble.
Bringing hope and joy: superheroes for children with cancer in Kosovo
Read full article: Bringing hope and joy: superheroes for children with cancer in KosovoAs the year draws to a close, a remarkable initiative involving “superheroes” clad in unique costumes brings unexpected joy — not only to the sick children but also, perhaps even more deeply, to their parents.
Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell
Read full article: Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fellExuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule.
Traffic blockades held throughout Serbia against populist government over roof collapse tragedy
Read full article: Traffic blockades held throughout Serbia against populist government over roof collapse tragedyResidents throughout Serbia have stopped in silence for 15 minutes as part of persistent protests against the populist leadership following the collapse last month of a concrete canopy in the country’s north that killed 15 people.
President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister
Read full article: President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime ministerFrench President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.
Moldova declares a state of emergency over energy as fears of Russian gas shortage loom
Read full article: Moldova declares a state of emergency over energy as fears of Russian gas shortage loomMoldova’s parliament has voted in favor of imposing a state of emergency in the energy sector over fears that Russia could leave the European Union candidate country without sufficient natural gas supplies this winter.
A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew is barred from UK
Read full article: A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew is barred from UKA suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the United Kingdom because of concerns that he posed a threat to national security.
Middle East latest: Syrians celebrate Assad's fall as US seeks a peaceful political transition
Read full article: Middle East latest: Syrians celebrate Assad's fall as US seeks a peaceful political transitionThousands of Syrians gathered in Damascus’ historic main mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since former President Bashar Assad was overthrown.
Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems
Read full article: Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systemsPresident-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports.
Environmental groups condemn new laws threatening soybean restrictions in Brazil's Amazon
Read full article: Environmental groups condemn new laws threatening soybean restrictions in Brazil's AmazonDozens of environmental nonprofits issued a manifesto Thursday condemning new laws in Brazilian states that threaten to dismantle the Amazon soy moratorium.
Syria faces crisis and Gaza heads toward famine, World Food Program official says
Read full article: Syria faces crisis and Gaza heads toward famine, World Food Program official saysThe deputy executive director of the U.N. World Food Program has been on whirlwind visits to hotspots in the Middle East and Sudan to assess dire humanitarian situations and escalating demands for food from millions of people trapped or fleeing conflicts.
China's Xi is likely to decline Trump's inauguration invitation, seeing it as too risky to attend
Read full article: China's Xi is likely to decline Trump's inauguration invitation, seeing it as too risky to attendChina experts say Chinese leader Xi Jinping would likely see President-elect Donald Trump’s invitation to attend his inauguration as too risky to accept, and the gesture from Trump may have little bearing on the increasingly competitive ties between the two nations.
In Lesotho, UN chief Guterres urges rich nations to meet new commitments on climate finance
Read full article: In Lesotho, UN chief Guterres urges rich nations to meet new commitments on climate financeUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged rich nations to honor their new commitments to help the world’s poorer countries fight climate change in a speech to Lesotho’s Parliament.
Zimbabwe's president once faced the death penalty and is now set to abolish it
Read full article: Zimbabwe's president once faced the death penalty and is now set to abolish itZimbabwe’s senate has approved a bill to abolish the death penalty and it is now set to be signed into law by the president.
Paraguay reopens its embassy in Jerusalem, handing Israel a rare diplomatic victory
Read full article: Paraguay reopens its embassy in Jerusalem, handing Israel a rare diplomatic victoryParaguay has reopened its embassy in Jerusalem, a move that marks a diplomatic win for Israel as it faces increasing international isolation because of the Gaza war.
Funeral for activist turns into call for justice for other missing Syrians
Read full article: Funeral for activist turns into call for justice for other missing SyriansHundreds of Syrians marched through central Damascus in a funeral procession for one of the country's most prominent anti-government activists, whose body was found after the ouster of President Bashar Assad.
Bolivia extradites former anti-narcotics chief to the US to face drug trafficking charges
Read full article: Bolivia extradites former anti-narcotics chief to the US to face drug trafficking chargesBolivia’s former anti-narcotics chief has been extradited to the United States to face federal drug trafficking charges in a New York court.
Concern over Syria's chemical weapons stockpile triggers emergency meeting of global monitor
Read full article: Concern over Syria's chemical weapons stockpile triggers emergency meeting of global monitorThe global chemical weapons watchdog has opened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Syria over concerns about the country’s stockpile of toxic chemicals in the wake of the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.
Trump extends unprecedented invites to China's Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration
Read full article: Trump extends unprecedented invites to China's Xi and other world leaders for his inaugurationPresident-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders to his inauguration next month.
Rescue group saves 11-year-old girl floating alone in the Mediterranean for days after shipwreck
Read full article: Rescue group saves 11-year-old girl floating alone in the Mediterranean for days after shipwreckA humanitarian rescue group says its sailboat plucked from the central Mediterranean an 11-year-old girl believed to be the only survivor of a shipwreck in stormy seas.
UN drug experts say opium production has leveled off in Myanmar, but instability may trigger a rise
Read full article: UN drug experts say opium production has leveled off in Myanmar, but instability may trigger a riseU.N. experts say there has been a slight drop in the production of opium in Myanmar, the world’s biggest source of the illicit drug from which heroin is derived, but warn there are still strong prospects for future expansion of the deadly trade.
Fresh fin whale meat is auctioned for the first time in decades in Japan
Read full article: Fresh fin whale meat is auctioned for the first time in decades in JapanMeat from fin whales caught for the first time in nearly 50 years off Japan’s northern coast has fetched up to more than $1,300 per kilogram at auction, as officials try to keep the struggling industry alive.
At least 110 people have died in 7 weeks of post-election protests in Mozambique, rights groups say
Read full article: At least 110 people have died in 7 weeks of post-election protests in Mozambique, rights groups sayRights and civil society groups say more than 100 people including children have been killed by security forces in post-election protests in Mozambique that have lasted nearly two months.
American pilgrim imprisoned in Assad's Syria calls his release from prison a 'blessing'
Read full article: American pilgrim imprisoned in Assad's Syria calls his release from prison a 'blessing'An American who disappeared seven months ago into former Syrian President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system says he was released by the “liberators” who arrived in Damascus a day after the longtime ruler fled the capital.
Russian forces edge closer to a key eastern Ukraine city in intense fighting, officials say
Read full article: Russian forces edge closer to a key eastern Ukraine city in intense fighting, officials sayUkraine’s top military commander says fighting around a key eastern Ukraine city is “extremely intense” after a monthslong Russian push.
A look at the whirlwind events that led to the impeachment of South Korea's president
Read full article: A look at the whirlwind events that led to the impeachment of South Korea's presidentSouth Korea’s parliament voted to impeach embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree this month, a shocking stunt that paralyzed the country’s politics, halted foreign policy and spooked financial markets.
Hong Kong court convicts 7 men, including ex-lawmaker, of rioting during 2019 protests
Read full article: Hong Kong court convicts 7 men, including ex-lawmaker, of rioting during 2019 protestsA Hong Kong judge on Thursday convicted seven people, including a pro-democracy former lawmaker, of rioting during mob violence at a subway station at the height of the city’s anti-government protests in July 2019.
Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kids
Read full article: Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kidsPalestinian medical officials say an Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more.
Thousands attend the funeral of a Taliban minister killed by an Islamic State suicide bomber
Read full article: Thousands attend the funeral of a Taliban minister killed by an Islamic State suicide bomberThousands of people have attended the funeral of a Taliban government minister killed in an Islamic State suicide bombing the previous day.
Rights group accuses Russian mercenaries of abuses against civilians in Mali
Read full article: Rights group accuses Russian mercenaries of abuses against civilians in MaliHuman Rights Watch says Mali’s armed forces, supported by Russian mercenaries, committed abuses against civilians since the withdrawal of a UN peacekeeping mission late last year.
As tourists discover Finland's Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the masses
Read full article: As tourists discover Finland's Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the massesMore than 600,000 people annually visit Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park in the small town of Rovaniemi in Finland.
Papua New Guinea gains a team in Australian rugby league in diplomatic push aimed at curbing China
Read full article: Papua New Guinea gains a team in Australian rugby league in diplomatic push aimed at curbing ChinaPapua New Guinea will gain its own team in Australia’s rugby league in a soft diplomacy deal linked to limiting Chinese influence in the South Pacific.
South Korea's Yoon defends martial law as an act of governance and vows to 'fight to the end'
Read full article: South Korea's Yoon defends martial law as an act of governance and vows to 'fight to the end'South Korea’s president has defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges, vowing to “fight to the end” in response to attempts to impeach him and intensifying investigations into last week’s dramatic move.
UN General Assembly demands ceasefire in Gaza and backs UN agency helping Palestinian refugees
Read full article: UN General Assembly demands ceasefire in Gaza and backs UN agency helping Palestinian refugeesThe U.N. General Assembly has overwhelmingly approved resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and backing the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees that Israel has moved to ban.
Vatican's keffiyeh Nativity scene raises eyebrows and then disappears — at least until Christmas Eve
Read full article: Vatican's keffiyeh Nativity scene raises eyebrows and then disappears — at least until Christmas EveOne of the Vatican's Nativity scenes raised eyebrows when it was unveiled because it featured a keffiyeh, the Palestinian headscarf.
Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisons
Read full article: Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisonsMany bodies have been found in Syrian detention centers and prisons since President Bashar al-Assad's government fell.
Brazil’s President Lula to undergo a new procedure after initial surgery for brain bleed
Read full article: Brazil’s President Lula to undergo a new procedure after initial surgery for brain bleedBrazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undergo a new procedure on Thursday following up on an unplanned surgery earlier this week for a brain bleed.
Blinken faces GOP critics in Congress who say Afghanistan withdrawal 'lit the world on fire'
Read full article: Blinken faces GOP critics in Congress who say Afghanistan withdrawal 'lit the world on fire'Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to face questions for the last time regarding some of the darkest moments of Joe Biden’s presidency: the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Macron seeks political deal to name a new prime minister and restore France's stability
Read full article: Macron seeks political deal to name a new prime minister and restore France's stabilityA spokesperson for France's outgoing government says President Emmanuel Macron is seeking a political deal that would allow him to both name a new prime minister and “guarantee the stability of the country.”.
Scholz sets Germany on course for an early election as he requests a confidence vote next week
Read full article: Scholz sets Germany on course for an early election as he requests a confidence vote next weekChancellor Olaf Scholz has formally set Germany on course for an early election by requesting a confidence vote in parliament next week.