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Syria’s new leaders announced Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country’s rebel groups on their dissolution and integration under the defence ministry.Absent from the meeting were representatives of the US-backed, Kurdish-led forces that control swathes of Syria’s northeast. The meeting between the rebel groups and Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa “ended in an …

Syria authorities say armed groups have agreed to disband Read More »

Pope Francis opened the “Holy Door” of St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve on Tuesday, launching the Jubilee year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome.The 88-year-old pontiff, who has recently been suffering from a cold, was pushed in a wheelchair up to the huge, ornate bronze door and …

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis launches holy Jubilee year Read More »

AFP photographer Sameer al-Doumy never dreamed he would be able to return to the hometown in Syria that he escaped through a tunnel seven years ago after it was besieged by Bashar al-Assad’s forces.Douma, once a rebel stronghold near Damascus, suffered terribly for its defiance of the former regime, and was the victim of a …

‘Like a dream’: AFP photographer’s return to Syria Read More »

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 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit (930 degrees Celsius).Launched in August 2018, the spaceship is on a seven-year mission to deepen scientific understanding of our star and help forecast space-weather events that …

NASA probe makes closest ever pass by the Sun Read More »

A powerful blast ripped through an explosives plant in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, killing 11 people and injuring seven others, officials said, downgrading their original toll.Footage showed shards of glass and metal scattered outside the plant north of the city of Balikesir, where ambulances stood by.”There are unfortunately 11 deaths… eight women and three men. And …

11 killed in blast at Turkey explosives plant Read More »

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that “some progress” had been made in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months into the war.His comments in parliament came two days after Palestinian militant groups also talked of progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal.In recent …

Netanyahu tells Israel parliament ‘some progress’ on Gaza hostage deal Read More »

Mozambique’s highest court confirmed Monday the ruling party’s victory in a disputed October vote after allegations of rigging triggered weeks of deadly street clashes. Fears are high in the country and abroad that more violence could break out in the southern African nation after the opposition threatened to call an uprising following the decision. The United States …

Mozambique top court confirms ruling party disputed win Read More »

French President Emmanuel Macron named a new government Monday evening, putting together a team under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, to drag the second-largest EU economy out of political crisis.Macron named former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, education minister in a new cabinet under centrist Bayrou.Another former premier, Manuel Valls, 62, …

France’s Macron announces fourth government of the year Read More »

Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, revived calls to buy Greenland and joked about annexing Canada — leaving the world guessing once again whether he is serious or not.By challenging the sovereignty of some of Washington’s closest allies four weeks before he even returns to the Oval Office, the US-president elect has …

Is he serious? Trump stirs unease with Panama, Greenland ploys Read More »

Germany’s far-right AfD party on Monday held what it called a “memorial” rally for victims of a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market that has newly inflamed debate on migrant and security policy.Meanwhile, an anti-extremist initiative called “Don’t Give Hate a Chance” was gathering nearby in the eastern city of Magdeburg, which was mourning five …

Germany’s far-right AfD holds march after Christmas market attack Read More »