World News

Russia never abandoned desire to normalise ties with US, says Putin

In an interview with Russian TV and radio outlet VGTRK, Putin said, "It is possible to do everything if there is desire. We have never abandoned this desire"

Pope Francis calls for ceasefire on all fronts in prayer ahead of Christmas

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire on all war fronts in his Sunday Angelus prayer ahead of Christmas, condemning the cruelty of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza.

Ukrainian drones hit Russian fuel depot for second time this month

The strikes came days after Russia launched sweeping attacks on Ukraine's already battered energy grid, threatening to plunge thousands of homes into darkness as winter tightens its grip over region

Syrian youth will resist incoming govt, says Iran's supreme leader

Iran had provided crucial support to Assad throughout Syria's nearly 14-year civil war, which erupted after he launched a violent crackdown on a popular uprising against his family's decades-long rule

Stampedes at Christmas charity events in Nigeria leave at least 32 dead

Police said they were investigating the two incidents, only days after another stampede in which several children were killed

UK's shadow minister Priti Patel wants China on national security risk list

The 52-year-old Indian-origin frontline member of the Opposition Conservative Party led by Kemi Badenoch pointed with concern to the recent scandal engulfing an alleged Chinese spy

Fresh Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 22 as Vatican envoy visits region

The Israeli military said it carried out a precise strike on Hamas militants sheltering there

Who is the Saudi-born suspect behind Germany Christmas market attack?

A 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia, who has been living in Germany since 2006, is the prime suspect in the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, which killed five people

Taiwan detects 11 Chinese military aircraft, 6 vessels near island

According to Radio Free Asia, this shipment is part of a larger order of 122 tanks expected over the next two years. While the M1A2T is regarded as one of the most advanced main battle tanks globally

Albania to shut down TikTok for a year over violence among children

There has been increasing concern from Albanian parents after reports of children taking knives and other objects to school to use in quarrels or cases of bullying promoted by stories on TikTok

US nuclear expansion unlikely to deter China, finds CSIS-MIT study

Three scenarios culminated in mutual annihilation, with both the US and China engaging in a nuclear exchange that decimated cities and resulted in millions of casualties

16 soldiers killed in terrorist attack on South Waziristan post in Pakistan

The ISPR reported that on the night of December 19-20, security forces detected a group of terrorists attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from Afghanistan. Following an intense exchange of fire

Bankruptcies, suicide rise as Japanese struggle with mounting debt

While Japan is by no means alone in confronting a debt problem, salaries are the lowest of Group-of-Seven countries, and the central bank is raising borrowing costs while its peers cut them

Trump taps 'Apprentice' producer Mark Burnett as special envoy to UK

Almost a decade after he left his reality TV role, Trump's television career remains central to his biography and political rise. The show presented Trump Tower to tens of millions of people

7 Indians among around 200 injured in German Christmas market attack

Senior prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens said the motive for the attack remains unclear, but the suspect's dissatisfaction with Germany's treatment of Saudi refugees may have played a role

38 dead, 100+ missing in Congo after ferry capsizes in Busira river

Congolese officials have often warned against overloading and vowed to punish those violating safety measures for water transportation

US Prez Biden signs govt funding legislation, averts shutdown crisis

The deal funds the government at current levels through March 14 and provides $100 billion in disaster aid and $10 billion in agricultural assistance to farmers

Rocket fired from Yemen hit Tel Aviv, 16 injured: Israeli military

A further 14 people sustained minor injuries as they rushed to shelters when air raid sirens sounded before the projectile hit just before 4 am Saturday

Death toll in Germany Christmas market attack rises to 5, over 200 injured

Authorities arrested a 50-year-old man at the site of the attack in Magdeburg on Friday evening and took him into custody for questioning. He has lived in Germany for nearly two decades

Pope Francis reprimands staff for gossiping in annual Christmas message

A wheezing and congested sounding Francis, who just turned 88, urged the prelates instead to speak well of one another and undertake a humble examination of their own consciences