Ukraine says it shot down 20 Russian drones
Ukraine’s military said Thursday it shot down 20 of the 31 drones that Russian forces launched in overnight attacks. The intercepts took place over the Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Kyiv regions, Ukraine’s air force said. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday…
King Charles thanks medics for his and Kate’s cancer care
London — King Charles thanked the medics who have cared for him and his daughter-in-law Kate, after they both underwent treatment for cancer this year, in a Christmas Day message that touched on global conflicts and the summer’s riots in…
China, Japan foreign ministers meet and agree on visit, security dialog
BEIJING/TOKYO — Talks between China and Japan’s foreign ministers in Beijing have paved way for Japan to host China’s foreign affairs chief next year, and mutual agreement to hold a security dialog as soon as possible, Japan said on Wednesday….
In Gaza, a Christmas without a tree
In the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, Tony Al-Masri, known as Uncle Tony, sits with his wife, Amal Aboud, and neighbour, Hossam Al-Khalili in front of their small tent. They sip coffee and reminisce about the Christmas celebrations they…
Southeast Asia provides fertile ground for women to benefit from AI
With AI enabled technology becoming commonplace, the UN System is beginning to take advantage of the latest digital tools to bring gender equality closer to reality Southeast Asia, a middle-income region with widespread internet coverage and relatively high digital literacy…
Russia damages Ukrainian energy facilities in attacks Zelenskyy calls ‘inhumane’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Russian forces attacked his country with more than 70 missiles and that targets included Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?” Zelenskyy said. U.S….
NASA probe makes closest-ever pass by the sun
WASHINGTON — NASA’s pioneering Parker Solar Probe made history Tuesday, flying closer to the sun than any other spacecraft, with its heat shield exposed to scorching temperatures topping 930 degrees Celsius (1,700 degrees Fahrenheit). Launched in August 2018, the spaceship…
Iran cyberspace council votes to lift ban on WhatsApp
TEHRAN, IRAN — Iran’s top council responsible for safeguarding the internet voted Tuesday to lift a ban on the popular messaging application WhatsApp, which has been subject to restrictions for over two years, state media reported. “The ban on WhatsApp…
Big banks, business groups sue US Federal Reserve over annual ‘stress tests’
Major banks and business groups sued the Federal Reserve on Tuesday, alleging the U.S. central bank’s annual “stress tests” of Wall Street firms violate the law. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ohio, claims the Fed’s practice…
Syria: UN health agency launches $56.4 million appeal to meet critical needs
In addition, the developments since late November, culminating with the overthrow of the Assad regime added new dimensions to the crisis, including population displacements as well as return of Syrian refugees from neighbouring countries. Since November 2024, over 882,000 Syrians…