Germany’s Scholz announces Ukraine military aid in visit to Kyiv

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unexpected visit to Kyiv on Monday, vowing his country would remain Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe and promising delivery this month of military aid worth 650 million euros ($683 million).
The visit, his second since Russia’s full-scale…[Read more]

Syria: US, Germany, France, UK call for de-escalation

The four NATO nations urged the “protection and civilians and infrastructure.” Meanwhile, the opposition-run White Helmets said Syrian and Russian airstrikes killed 25 people in Idlib on Sunday.

The United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom have all called for de-escalation in…[Read more]

Volkswagen workers in Germany to strike over plan to cut jobs and pay

Employees take action over plans to axe at least three plants in first domestic closures in company’s 87-year history

Workers at Volkswagen factories in Germany will strike from Monday over the carmaker’s plans to lay off thousands of people, cut pay and close plants for the…[Read more]

75,000 people barely surviving as Israel blocks N. Gaza aid: UN

The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Thursday accused Israel of blocking all efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged northern Gaza.

In a statement, UNRWA said it attempted 91 times to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit…[Read more]

Turkish prosecutors brief UN committee on activist Eygi’s killing

U.N. Commission of Inquiry delegation has arrived in Ankara to review the investigation into the killing of Turkish-U.S. activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi and to collect evidence on alleged violations of humanitarian law and human rights in Palestine, Turkish authorities said Th…[Read more]

No global peace without Gaza cease-fire: Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said there would be no regional or global peace without ensuring peace in Gaza.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Erdoğan highlighted the importance of reaching a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been carrying ou…[Read more]

Turkey shocks the U.S.: Drops F-16 fighters deal, goes local

Turkey has shocked its NATO partner, the United States, by refusing to purchase packages to modernize the Turkish Air Force’s existing F-16s. Instead, Ankara plans to carry out the modernization with its own resources, developed locally in recent years.

“We gave up on this 79. This is…[Read more]

Turkey prices are expected to decline 30 percent this year

The head of a state poultry group is encouraging consumers to stock up on turkey before the avian influenza outbreak impacts the supply chain.

Bill Mattos with the California Poultry Federation says retail turkey prices should be much higher because of reduced supplies this year, but…[Read more]

More than 30 Australian laws changed overnight

Dozens of new laws will come into force after a late-night scramble by the government to tick off most of its to-do list in a single night.

There are a few things that didn’t survive the rush — election donations, a gambling ad ban, and a national environmental protection agency were the big p…[Read more]

Former Aboriginal Commission chairman jailed for six years over $1 million theft

An Indigenous leader who stole almost $1 million from Aboriginal organisations has been thrown behind bars for more than six years.
Three separate juries convicted Geoff Clark, 72, on 25 charges of theft, obtaining financial advantage by deception, perjury and…[Read more]

‘Doomed to fail’, ‘really good’ and ‘crazy’: How the world has reacted to Australia’s social media ban for kids

The passing of world-first legislation banning children under the age of 16 from social media has earned Australia headlines around the globe, but international experts have almost unanimously rubbished the effectiveness of the new…[Read more]

‘Narco sub’ bound for Australia seized in massive international operation

Six so-called “narco subs” stuffed with cocaine have been captured in a Colombian-led international anti-drug operation, say authorities in the Latin American nation, as part of a huge global bust.
The mission, involving 62 countries, seized more than 1,400 metric tonnes of…[Read more]

Australia approves social media ban on under-16s

Australia will ban children under 16 from using social media, after its parliament approved the world’s strictest laws.

The ban, which will not take effect for at least 12 months, could see tech companies fined up to A$50m ($32.5m; £25.7m) if they don’t comply.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese…[Read more]

Stowaway caught on flight from New York to Paris

A stowaway flew from New York to Paris without a ticket earlier this week, but was discovered towards the end of the flight.

The woman flew on a Delta Airlines flight from New York’s JFK International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport without a boarding pass on Tuesday, and was taken i…[Read more]

Paris’s Gothic jewel Notre-Dame to reopen five years after fire

The world gets a first look inside a resplendent new Notre-Dame on Friday, as France’s President Emmanuel Macron conducts a televised tour to mark the cathedral’s imminent re-opening.

Five-and-a-half years after the devastating fire of 2019, Paris’s Gothic jewel has been rescued,…[Read more]

France declines to say whether it would arrest Putin under ICC warrant

France, which is under pressure over its stance on an international arrest warrant issued for Israel’s prime minister, declined on Thursday to say whether it would be prepared to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin under a similar warrant.
The International Criminal Court…[Read more]

Chad ends defence cooperation agreement with France

Chad’s government said on Thursday it has ended its defence cooperation pact with France, a move that could see French troops leave the Central African country.
In a statement, Chad’s foreign ministry said the country, a key Western ally in the fight against Islamic militants in the region,…[Read more]

Five Democratic US lawmakers receive bomb threats at home

Five Democratic U.S. lawmakers from Connecticut on Thursday said they were targeted with bomb threats at their homes, but no explosive devices had been found, according to social media and local media.
U.S. Representatives Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, John Larson and Joe Courtney, all from…[Read more]

Thanksgiving Day storm batters Northeast with rain and snow, delaying travel

Winter storm warnings are in effect from eastern New York through central and northern New England, with over a foot of fresh snow possible, forecasters said.

Travelers already at their holiday destinations have much to be thankful for as a Thanksgiving Day storm dumps…[Read more]