world
UK opens door to Assange extradition to US on spying charges
A British appellate court opened the door Friday for Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States on spying charges by overturning a lower court decision that the WikiLeaks founder's mental health was too fragile to withstand incarceration in America.
55 dead after truck smuggling migrants crashes in Mexico
Rescue workers arriving at a road accident in southern Mexico found a horrific scene: A tractor trailer jammed with as many as 200 migrants crashed into the base of a steel pedestrian bridge, killing 55 and injuring dozens.
Russia military chief warns Ukraine against attacking rebels
Russia's top military officer on Thursday sternly warned neighboring Ukraine against trying to reclaim control over separatist areas by force, saying that Moscow will "suppress" any such attempt.
Bah! Humbug! Italy bishop tells children Santa doesn't exist
A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologized to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that Santa Claus doesn't exist.
Explosions in Palestinian camp in Lebanon cause casualties
Arms stored for the Palestinian Hamas group exploded in a refugee camp in southern Lebanon on Friday night, killing and wounding a number of people, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Ukraine leader hopes for talks with Russia amid tensions
Ukraine's president said Friday that more opportunities for talks with Russia may arise thanks to the U.S. diplomatic effort to help de-escalate tensions after Moscow massed troops near Ukraine's border, stoking fears of a possible invasion.
Pop superstar Alicia Keys unveils new album 'KEYS' in Dubai
Superstar Alicia Keys on Friday debuted her new album live in front of a packed crowd at the world's fair in Dubai — a lively pop performance full of soaring vocals and piano solos.
Serbs vote to weaken Bosnia, step up their secession drive
The Bosnian Serb parliament voted Friday to launch a series of steps that could weaken war-ravaged Bosnia's central authority. The ballot came as the Bosnian Serb leader stepped up his campaign to secede from the Balkan country, despite a threat of new U.S. and other sanctions.
Palestinian killed by Israeli fire in West Bank clashes
Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during clashes Friday in the occupied West Bank, health authorities in the territory said.
UN appoints Biden adviser Catherine Russell to head UNICEF
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment Friday of Catherine Russell, an assistant to U.S. President Joe Biden, as the next head of the U.N. children's agency UNICEF.
Scholz meets with Macron in 1st trip as German chancellor
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday as their governments worked to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Finland picks Lockheed Martin F-35A in $11B defense deal
Finland has agreed to buy 64 Lockheed Martin fighter jets to replace its aging fleet of combat planes in a 10 billion-euro ($11.3 billion) deal that represents the Finnish military's largest ever purchase, the government said Friday.
Probe by Poland refutes Belarus account of diverted flight
The diversion to Minsk of a Lithuania-bound flight carrying a self-exiled Belarusian journalist was an act of "state terrorism" carried out to detain an opponent of Belarus' government, Polish security officials said Friday.
Nobel Peace Prize winners call for journalist protections
The two journalists who shared this year's Nobel Peace Prize received their awards Friday during a pomp-filled ceremony in Norway, with both warning that the world needs independent reporting to counter the power of authoritarian governments.
Armenia reports 1 dead, 8 wounded in clashes with Azerbaijan
The Armenian military reported Friday that one of its soldiers was killed and eight more were wounded in yet another clash with Azerbaijani forces on the border between the two countries, where tensions have simmered for months.
4 Bulgarian parties agree to form centrist-led government
The leaders of four Bulgarian parties on Friday said they've agreed to form a centrist-led coalition that would end a months-long political crisis, giving a country beset by economic and health problems its first regular government since April.
Ghana to require full vaccination for arriving travelers
Ghana has announced that all adult visitors must provide proof of vaccination to enter the country, the government announced Friday, in an effort to prevent the escalation of coronavirus cases over the holiday period.
Germany vows solidarity with Poland in Belarus border fight
Germany's new foreign minister voiced solidarity Friday with Poland while also calling for humanitarian treatment of migrants and refugees stuck near the country's border with Belarus as temperatures plummet.
Afghans seek help for women back home before it's too late
Women who were evacuated to Albania after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan are urging the international community to pay attention to the plight of Afghan women and girls still living in an environment of severe gender-based discrimination.
Norway's Magnus Carlsen wins FIDE world chess championship
Reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway defended his title and won the FIDE World Championship on Friday in Dubai.