World

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday vowed that his country would use 2025 to fight for an end to Russia’s nearly three-year-long invasion by any means necessary.The Ukrainian leader’s address caps a difficult year for the war-battered country which has been fending off a better-resourced Russian army for nearly three years.”May 2025 be our year,” …

Zelensky vows Ukraine will do everything in 2025 to stop Russia Read More »

Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen zone on Wednesday, expanding the borderless area to 29 members and ending a 13-year wait for the two eastern European countries.The expansion, made possible when Austria and other members dropped their objections to the former communist countries joining, officially took place at midnight (2200 GMT) on …

Romania, Bulgaria join borderless Schengen zone Read More »

An American man who absconded after being sentenced to prison for his role in the US Capitol riot is now seeking political asylum in Canada, as he hopes for a pardon when Donald Trump returns to the White House.Antony Vo, 32, was sentenced to nine months behind bars and ordered to report to a federal …

US Capitol riot fugitive seeks asylum in Canada Read More »

Venezuelan opposition leaders called on their supporters Tuesday to prepare for mass protests against the start of President Nicolas Maduro’s third term in office on January 10.”The moment is approaching when we will once again take to the streets of Venezuela to claim victory,” said Maria Corina Machado, who went into hiding following the disputed …

Venezuela opposition urges protests against Maduro’s inauguration Read More »

The remains of Suriname’s former dictator Desi Bouterse, who led two coups and became a fugitive from justice for the killing of political opponents, will be cremated on Saturday, his party announced.The government of the former Dutch colony on the northeastern coast of South America has ruled out a state funeral for the ex-president, who …

Suriname ex-dictator Bouterse to be cremated on Saturday Read More »

Victims of a £10 million ($12.5 million) London jewellery raid have offered rewards of up to £1.5 million to help recover the gems and catch the thief.Some of the property reportedly belongs to art collector Shafira Huang, said to be a multi-millionaire Instagram influencer.A lone thief made off with the jewellery as well as designer …

£1.5 mn reward offered after ‘brazen’ London gem raid Read More »

Zimbabwe officially abolished the death penalty Tuesday after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law an act that will commute to jail time the sentences of about 60 prisoners on death row.There has been a moratorium on executions in the southern African country since 2005 although courts have continued to hand down the death sentence for …

Zimbabwe abolishes the death penalty Read More »

Panama on Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of the United States’ handover of its interoceanic canal, a milestone overshadowed by President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to demand control be returned to Washington.The anniversary came two days after the death of former US president Jimmy Carter, who in 1977 signed the treaties that led to the vital …

Panama marks canal handover anniversary in shadow of Trump threat Read More »

Russia advanced by almost 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 miles) in Ukraine in 2024, seven times more than in 2023, an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War showed Tuesday.The data highlights the pressure Ukraine faces as it enters 2025, with Moscow pouring resources into its nearly three-year invasion and uncertainty …

Russian advances in Ukraine grew seven-fold in 2024, data shows Read More »

Israel’s raid on a major Gaza hospital and the arrest of its director over alleged links to Hamas have drawn global attention to the war-ravaged territory’s crumbling healthcare system.For weeks, as fighting escalated around the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza’s Beit Lahia area, its head Hossam Abu Safiyeh made desperate appeals to the international …

Gaza hospital chief held by Israel becomes face of crumbling healthcare Read More »