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In Damascus meeting, US drops reward for arrest of Syria's new leader
A senior US diplomat told Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday that Washington was scrapping a reward for his arrest, and welcomed "positive messages" from their talks including a promise to fight terrorism.
Major reshuffle as Trudeau faces party pressure, Trump attacks
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday shook up his cabinet, changing one-third of his team as political turmoil threatens his leadership and tensions erupt with incoming US president Donald Trump.
Serbia schools shut amid new protests over station collapse
Schools closed across Serbia on Friday just as teachers and pupils were set to join nationwide protests over the collapse of a train station roof that killed 15 people last month.
Russian skaters allowed to compete as neutrals in 2026 Winter Olympics
Russians will be able to qualify for the ice skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics as neutral athletes, the sport's governing body said on Friday.
Russian missile barrage on Kyiv kills one, damages embassies
Russian missiles targeted Kyiv at sunrise Friday, killing at least one person and damaging embassies and a university in the centre of the Ukrainian capital.
Stocks retreat as US inflation ticks higher
Global stock markets slid on Friday as investors grow concerned about the economic outlook for next year and a looming US government shutdown.
Ex-IMF chief Rato gets four-year jail term in Spain for tax crimes
A Madrid court sentenced ex-IMF chief and Spanish economy minister Rodrigo Rato to more than four years in prison for tax crimes, money laundering and corruption, it said Friday.
US hours from government shutdown over Christmas
US lawmakers raced Friday to prevent a government shutdown due to bite within hours, after Donald Trump and Elon Musk sabotaged a bipartisan agreement that would have kept the lights on well beyond Christmas.
Russian missile barrage on Kyiv kills one, damages diplomatic missions
Russian missiles targeted Kyiv at sunrise on Friday, killing at least one person and damaging six diplomatic missions and a university in the centre of the Ukrainian capital.
Serbia shuts schools amid new protests over station collapse
Serbia's government closed schools early for Christmas Friday just as teachers and pupils were set to join nationwide protests over the collapse of a train station roof that killed 15 people last month.
Russia central bank holds off rate hike after criticism
Russia's central bank kept interest rates at 21 percent on Friday despite surging inflation, a surprise decision that follows criticism from the country's political and business elite over the effects of higher borrowing costs on the economy.
Credit Suisse collapse probe slams banking regulator
Switzerland's financial regulator was ineffective in tackling the scandals at Credit Suisse, where executive mismanagement scuppered the bank and nearly triggered a global financial crisis, a Swiss inquiry concluded Friday.
Taiwan lawmakers brawl over bills that would 'damage democracy'
Taiwanese lawmakers tackled and doused each other with water on Friday as President Lai Ching-te's party tried to block the passage of bills they say could harm the self-ruled island's "democratic system".
Ambushes and nostalgia on banks of frontline Ukraine river
Lyubov Voronova still remembers a time before the war when the Oskil river flowing by her east Ukraine home was an idyll where families would swim, picnic and make memories.
Five people who defined 2024
From great leaps in artificial intelligence to the heroic defendant in a mass rape trial that shocked France, here are the stories of five people who made their mark on 2024:
US diplomats visit Syria to meet new rulers
US diplomats have arrived in Syria to speak directly to the new Islamist-led rulers, hoping to encourage a moderate, inclusive path and to find clues on missing Americans, the State Department said Friday.
Australia agrees deal to strengthen Solomons police
Australia said Friday it has agreed to boost Solomon Islands' police force with a finance and training package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China.
Macron extends visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte after locals vent anger
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his visit to cyclone-devastated Mayotte on Friday after angry residents vented exasperation and despair over the scale of the disaster.
South Korea probe team issues Christmas Day summons for Yoon
Investigators probing suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his foiled martial law bid on Friday ordered him to appear before the country's corruption watchdog on Christmas Day -- after he snubbed a previous summons this week.
China's Xi swears in new Macau leader
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday presided over the inauguration of new Macau leader Sam Hou-fai, capping off a three-day visit as the former Portuguese colony marks 25 years since being returned to China.
Egypt's first-ever asylum law fuels concerns over refugee rights
Egypt adopted its first-ever asylum law this week, but it has sparked concerns among human rights groups who warn it takes a "security-focused approach" that could undermine refugee protections.
Australia agrees deal to finance, train Solomons police
Australia said Friday it has agreed to help boost Solomon Islands' police force with a finance and training package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China.
UAE says will not arm Sudan paramilitary RSF: White House
The United Arab Emirates has informed the United States that it will not arm paramilitaries in Sudan's brutal civil war, US lawmakers long critical of the Gulf power's role quoted the White House as saying on Thursday.
US lawmakers reject Republican bill to avert government shutdown
The US House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected a Republican-led funding bill aimed at averting a government shutdown, with federal agencies due to run out of cash on Friday night and cease operations starting this weekend.
El Salvador plans to sell or shut its crypto wallet
El Salvador will privatize or close the cryptocurrency wallet "Chivo" created by President Nayib Bukele when he made bitcoin legal tender in 2021, an official said Thursday.
UAE promises not to arm Sudan paramilitaries, US lawmakers say
The United Arab Emirates, under fire in Washington, has promised the United States not to arm paramilitaries in Sudan's brutal civil war, US lawmakers said Thursday.
'President Musk' makes his presence felt in Washington
Elon Musk's role in wrecking a bipartisan Congress deal to avert a US government shutdown has underlined his extraordinary influence over the Republican Party and the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
China's Xi to lead Macau handover anniversary celebrations
Chinese President Xi Jinping will preside over a day of celebrations in Macau and inaugurate the city's new leader on Friday to mark 25 years since the former colony was returned to China.
IMF confirms talks with Argentina about new loan agreement
The IMF and Argentina have begun negotiations over a new loan agreement as the current program draws to a close, a spokesperson for the international financial institution confirmed Thursday.
Blinken hopes Trump picks up work on Saudi-Israel deal
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday voiced hope that President-elect Donald Trump will pick up his work to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, acknowledging a historic deal will not happen under Joe Biden's administration.
US announces $200 mn additional aid for Sudan
The United States on Thursday announced $200 million of new funding for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, bringing Washington's commitment to $2.3 billion, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday.
Defeat of Syria's Assad stirs a mother's bitterness
In the villages above the Syrian port city of Tartus they once hailed the sons who died fighting in Bashar al-Assad's service as martyrs.