Top Stories
After 15 years, Dutch anti-blackface group declares victory
AFP - 10m ago
Cherished Christmas tradition for some, profoundly insulting for others, the Dutch character "Black Pete", a servant who …
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Eyes of football world fixed on 2026 World Cup draw with Trump presiding
AFP - 34m ago
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington on Friday, with Donald Trump set to play a prominent part in a …
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'Land without laws': Israeli settlers force Bedouins from West Bank community
AFP - 1h ago
As relentless harassment from Israeli settlers drove his brothers from their Bedouin community in the central occupied …
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Liverpool's defensive woes deepen, Arsenal face Villa test
AFP - 2h ago
Liverpool travel to Leeds this weekend with mounting questions over whether Arne Slot can stop the rot, while in-form …
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Man Utd rue missed chance in West Ham draw
AFP - 1h ago
Manchester United's issues defending a lead cost them a place in the Premier League's top five after lowly West Ham hit …
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Aid cuts causing 'tragic' rise in child deaths, Bill Gates tells AFP
AFP - 2h ago
Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates told AFP on Thursday it is "tragic" that child deaths will increase …
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Abortion in Afghanistan: 'My mother crushed my stomach with a stone'
AFP - 2h ago
When Bahara was four months pregnant, she went to a Kabul hospital to beg for an abortion. "We're not allowed," a doctor …
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Study says African penguins starved en masse off South Africa
AFP - 2h ago
Endangered penguins living off South Africa's coast have likely starved en masse due to food shortages, a study said …
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Eurovision hit by boycotts after Israel cleared to compete
Dec 04 2025
Three countries on Thursday pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest after organisers opted not to vote on Israel's …
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Trump envoys press plan with Ukraine as sanctions eased on Russia
Dec 04 2025
President Donald Trump's envoys were to meet Thursday with Ukrainian negotiators for the third time in two weeks to …
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Trump, Rwanda and DR Congo leaders sign deal despite fresh violence
Dec 04 2025
US President Donald Trump and the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace deal Thursday, …
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Israel awaits return of last hostage remains from Gaza
Dec 04 2025
Israel awaited the return of the last hostage remains held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, as the military said on …
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Eurovision faces withdrawals after Israel OK'd to compete
Dec 04 2025
The Eurovision Song Contest -- the world's largest live music competition -- faced the prospect of mass withdrawals, …
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Putin found 'morally responsible' for nerve agent death in UK
Dec 04 2025
The UK Thursday sanctioned Russia's intelligence service and summoned Moscow's ambassador after an inquiry found …
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Russia's Putin in India for defence, trade talks
Dec 04 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as …
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Hegseth's Signal use risked harm to US forces, watchdog says
Dec 04 2025
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of commercial messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen risked …
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2026 Winter Olympics flame lands in Italy
Dec 04 2025
The flame for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics arrived in Rome on Thursday for a two-month torch relay around …
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Trump despair drives folk icon Joan Baez back to the studio
Dec 04 2025
Legendary American folk singer Joan Baez has told AFP that the return of Donald Trump to the White House has pushed her …
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Rain forecasts raise fears in flood-hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Dec 04 2025
Rain forecasts on Thursday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges …
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Russia's Putin heads to India for defence, trade talks
Dec 04 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin was due in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as …
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Eurovision members debate call to boycott Israel
Dec 04 2025
Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest will be debated at a two-day meeting of member broadcasters in …
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Egypt's Sinai mountain megaproject threatens the people of St Catherine
Dec 04 2025
Atop one of Egypt's Sinai mountains, near where the three Abrahamic faiths say God spoke with Moses, another …
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Most EU citizens see 'high risk' of war with Russia: poll
Dec 04 2025
A majority of citizens across nine EU countries see a high risk of war breaking out between the bloc's members and …
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World Cup draw starts countdown to 2026 finals with Trump presiding
Dec 04 2025
The countdown to the first 48-team World Cup begins in earnest on Friday as the draw for the 2026 finals takes place in …
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Meta starts removing under-16s from social media in Australia
Dec 04 2025
Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead …
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Democrats release photos of Epstein's notorious private island
Dec 04 2025
Democrats in the US Congress released photos and videos Wednesday showing the luxury island home where convicted sex …
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FIFA gives clubs an extra week before releasing AFCON stars
Dec 04 2025
Star players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Achraf Hakimi will be able to play for their clubs for an extra …
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Doctor jailed for supplying ketamine to 'Friends' star Matthew Perry
Dec 04 2025
A doctor who supplied "Friends" star Matthew Perry with ketamine in the months before he fatally overdosed, musing to a …
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Netflix airs Diddy doc despite imprisoned mogul's legal threat
Dec 04 2025
An explosive docuseries about Sean "Diddy" Combs -- produced by his longtime rival 50 Cent -- has been released on …
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Trump says Putin wants to end war, US to hold new talks with Ukraine
Dec 03 2025
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes Russia's Vladimir Putin wants to end the Ukraine war despite …
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Arsenal extend Premier League lead, Chelsea beaten at Leeds
Dec 03 2025
Arsenal edged out Brentford 2-0 to restore their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday as …
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Trump says Putin wants to end Ukraine war despite inconclusive talks
Dec 03 2025
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes Vladimir Putin wants to end the Ukraine war, despite talks between …
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Trump scraps Biden's fuel-economy standards, sparking climate outcry
Dec 03 2025
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a reset of Joe Biden's fuel-economy standards, arguing it will lower US car …
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German president gets royal treatment on UK state visit
Dec 03 2025
Britain's King Charles III treated German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to a sumptuous banquet Wednesday, as the …
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Arsenal extend Premier League lead, Villa surge up to third
Dec 03 2025
Arsenal edged out Brentford 2-0 to restore their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday as …
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Trump to scrap Biden's fuel-economy standards, sparking climate outcry
Dec 03 2025
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a rollback of Joe Biden's fuel-economy standards, arguing it will lower US …
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Brazil police probe plight of near-extinct blue parrot
Dec 03 2025
Brazilian police said Wednesday they were probing the outbreak of a lethal virus among some of the last Spix's macaws, …
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Russia says battlefield success strengthening its hand in Ukraine talks
Dec 03 2025
The Kremlin said Wednesday that its army's recent battlefield successes in Ukraine had bolstered its position in talks …
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Lebanon, Israel hold first direct talks in decades
Dec 03 2025
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades on Wednesday under the auspices …
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Sleepy Don? Trump's health under fresh scrutiny
Dec 03 2025
He still mocks his predecessor as "Sleepy Joe" Biden. But it was Donald Trump who seemed to be fighting to stay awake at …
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Hong Kong fire death toll hits 159 after towers searched
Dec 03 2025
The death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in decades rose to 159 after all affected housing blocks were searched, …
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Italy's luxury brands shaken by sweatshop probes
Dec 03 2025
A series of investigations into exploitative work conditions within fashion subcontractors has roiled Italy's luxury …
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EU moves to break dependence on China for rare earths
Dec 03 2025
The EU on Wednesday presented a multi-billion-euro plan to help curb the 27-nation bloc's dependence on China for rare …
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Russia, Ukraine prepare for more talks with US on ending war
Dec 03 2025
Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday they were ready for more talks with the United States to end almost four years of war, …
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Lebanon, Israel hold first direct talks in decades: source to AFP
Dec 03 2025
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks Wednesday in decades, part of a year-old …
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Frustration in Indonesia as flood survivors await aid
Dec 03 2025
Officials in Indonesia and Sri Lanka battled Wednesday to reach survivors of deadly flooding in remote, cut-off regions …
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EU agrees deal to ban Russian gas by autumn 2027
Dec 03 2025
European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal Wednesday to ban all imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027, as …
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Malaysia says search for long-missing flight MH370 to resume
Dec 03 2025
The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume at the end of December, Malaysia said on Wednesday, …
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KFC readies finger-licking Japanese Christmas
Dec 03 2025
KFC in Japan is gearing up for the Christmas tradition of millions of families thronging the US fast-food chain for …
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US, Russia find 'no compromise' on territory after Ukraine talks
Dec 03 2025
High-stakes US-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine failed to yield a breakthrough on Tuesday, as the Kremlin said …
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US, Russia find 'no compromise' on key territory issue after Ukraine talks
Dec 03 2025
High-stakes US-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine failed to yield a breakthrough on Tuesday, as the Kremlin said …
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Women don fake mustaches in LinkedIn 'gender bias' fight
Dec 03 2025
Flipping their gender setting to "male" and even posting photos with fake mustaches, a growing number of women on …
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'HIV-free generations': prevention drug rollout brings hope to South Africa
Dec 03 2025
Kegoratile Aphane did not flinch when the needle pierced the skin of her right buttock, injecting a yellow-coloured drug …
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Sabrina Carpenter condemns 'evil' use of her music in White House video
Dec 03 2025
US pop singer Sabrina Carpenter on Tuesday disavowed the use of one of her songs in a video shared by the White House on …
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Football world braces for 2026 World Cup draw with Trump presiding
Dec 03 2025
The draw for the 2026 World Cup -- the biggest edition of football's global showpiece ever held -- takes place in …
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Honduran ex-president leaves US prison after Trump pardons drug crimes
Dec 03 2025
A former Honduran president convicted of helping to smuggle 400 tons of cocaine into the United States has left prison …
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Haaland century makes Premier League history in Man City's nine-goal thriller
Dec 03 2025
Erling Haaland made history as the Manchester City striker became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals …
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Under Trump pressure, Honduras vows accurate vote count
Dec 02 2025
Honduras' electoral body, under pressure from Donald Trump, vowed Tuesday its final tally of votes cast in a weekend …
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Spain overpower Germany to win second women's Nations League
Dec 02 2025
Spain defended their women's Nations League title with a 3-0 second leg win over Germany on Tuesday, following a …
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Putin and US negotiators hold high-stakes Ukraine talks in Moscow
Dec 02 2025
Top US negotiators vying to end the war in Ukraine met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in high-stakes …
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Faberge's rare Winter Egg fetches record £22.9 mn at auction
Dec 02 2025
Faberge's The Winter Egg, considered one of his most beautiful creations, sold for nearly £23 million ($30 million) at …
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Putin receives top US negotiators in high-stakes Ukraine talks
Dec 02 2025
Top US negotiators vying to end the war in Ukraine met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in a high-stakes …
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Pope urges halt to attacks in Lebanon as first voyage abroad ends
Dec 02 2025
Pope Leo XIV called for an end to hostilities in Lebanon and new approaches for peace in the Middle East before …
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Zelensky calls for peace, Putin defiant ahead of US-Russia talks
Dec 02 2025
Donald Trump's son-in-law and special envoy headed to the Kremlin Tuesday for high-stakes talks on Moscow's offensive in …
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Sport court allows Russian, Belarusian skiers to qualify for Olympics
Dec 02 2025
The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday opened the way for Russian and Belarusian skiers to compete in the 2026 …
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Race to get aid to Asia flood survivors as death toll tops 1,300
Dec 02 2025
Governments and aid groups in Indonesia and Sri Lanka worked Tuesday to rush aid to hundreds of thousands stranded by …
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Pope urges end to hostilities at end of Lebanon trip
Dec 02 2025
Pope Leo XIV called for an end to hostilities in Lebanon and said the Middle East needed new approaches for peace as he …
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US to hold talks with Putin on ending Ukraine war
Dec 02 2025
Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow …
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Race to get aid to Asia flood survivors as toll hits 1,300
Dec 02 2025
Governments and aid groups in Indonesia and Sri Lanka worked Tuesday to rush aid to hundreds of thousands stranded by …
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Race to get aid to Asia flood survivors as toll tops 1,200
Dec 02 2025
Governments and aid groups in Indonesia and Sri Lanka worked Tuesday to rush aid to hundreds of thousands stranded by …
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Tens of thousands flock to pope's Beirut mass
Dec 02 2025
Around 150,000 people gathered at Beirut's waterfront for mass with Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday morning, the highlight of …
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Pope Leo holds Beirut mass, visits port blast site
Dec 02 2025
Tens of thousands of people gathered at Beirut's waterfront as Pope Leo XIV held mass on Tuesday morning, the highlight …
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Trump says Honduras 'trying to change' presidential election outcome
Dec 02 2025
Donald Trump accused election officials in Honduras on Monday of "trying to change" their presidential election outcome, …
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Pope Leo to hold Beirut mass, visit port blast site
Dec 02 2025
Thousands of Lebanese faithful were making their way to Beirut's waterfront ahead of Pope Leo XIV's mass on Tuesday …
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Apple AI chief leaving as iPhone maker plays catch-up
Dec 02 2025
Apple on Monday said the head of its artificial intelligence team is stepping down, and the effort is to be led by a …
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Concern as India orders phone manufacturers to preload govt app
Dec 02 2025
India has ordered smartphone makers to pre-install a government-run cyber security app that cannot be removed, a move …
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'Rescued my soul': Hong Kong firefighters save beloved pets
Dec 02 2025
When Jacky Lee first heard about a raging fire at the Hong Kong housing estate where she lived, she rushed back to save …
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Samsung unveils first 'special edition' triple-folding phone
Dec 02 2025
Samsung launched its first triple-folding phone on Tuesday, a special-edition product with an eyewatering price tag …
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Race to get aid to Asia flood survivors as toll nears 1,200
Dec 02 2025
Governments and aid groups in Indonesia and Sri Lanka worked to rush aid Tuesday to hundreds of thousands stranded by …
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Right-wing rivals for Honduras presidency in 'technical tie'
Dec 02 2025
A businessman who has US President Donald Trump's backing for the presidency of Honduras was locked in a "technical tie" …
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'We chose it': PKK fighters cherish life in Iraq's mountains
Dec 02 2025
A Kurdish militant picks his way along a switchback road in Iraq's mountains before pulling over to alert his comrades …
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'Quad God' Malinin ramps up Olympic preparations at Grand Prix Final
Dec 02 2025
United States figure skater Ilia Malinin can burnish his credentials as the red-hot favourite for Olympic gold when he …
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US envoy to meet Russia's Putin for talks on ending Ukraine war
Dec 02 2025
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold talks in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss …
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Pacific island office enabling sanctions-busting 'shadow fleets'
Dec 02 2025
Dozens of oil tankers suspected of smuggling contraband crude for Russia and Iran have been using a beachside office in …
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Rich art: French pastry chefs auction chocolate sculptures
Dec 02 2025
Chocolate artworks by some of France's most famous pastry chefs sold at auction Monday for more than 100,000 euros in a …
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Son of Mexican crime lord 'El Chapo' pleads guilty in drug case
Dec 02 2025
A son of the infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman pleaded guilty Monday in a Chicago court to drug …
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From Honduras to Poland, Trump meddles in elections as never before
Dec 01 2025
The United States has meddled for decades in elections around the world. But no modern president has done so as brazenly …
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Trump holds Venezuela meeting as Maduro rejects 'slave's peace'
Dec 01 2025
US President Donald Trump summoned his top national security officials to the Oval Office on Monday to discuss …
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US upbeat on pushing Ukraine deal as envoy heads to Russia
Dec 01 2025
The United States said Monday it was optimistic about pushing through a controversial deal to end the war in Ukraine as …
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Hong Kong arrests suspects as fire death toll tops 150
Dec 01 2025
Hong Kong has arrested 14 suspects in a probe into the city's deadliest fire in decades, finding "substandard" netting …
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Trump to meet top national security team on Venezuela
Dec 01 2025
US President Donald Trump summoned his top national security officials to the White House on Monday to discuss …
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Ukraine's Zelensky eyes Trump talks after 'progress'
Dec 01 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday he expected to discuss "key issues" with Donald Trump as the …
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Pope gets rockstar welcome as he delivers message of hope to Lebanese youth
Dec 01 2025
Pope Leo XIV got a rockstar welcome from thousands of Lebanese youth on Monday, bringing them a message of hope on the …
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Asia floods death toll tops 1,160 as troops aid survivors
Dec 01 2025
The toll in deadly flooding and landslides across parts of Asia climbed past 1,160 on Monday as hardest-hit Sri Lanka …
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Pope urges Lebanon's religious leaders to fight intolerance
Dec 01 2025
Pope Leo XIV and leaders from Lebanon's religious communities met in a show of unity on Monday, with the pontiff urging …
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Asia floods death toll tops 1,100 as troops aid survivors
Dec 01 2025
The toll in deadly flooding and landslides across parts of Asia climbed past 1,100 on Monday as hardest-hit Sri Lanka …
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Trump-backed conservative holds knife-edge lead in Honduras vote
Dec 01 2025
A conservative backed by US President Donald Trump held the slenderest of leads in Honduras' presidential race, with …
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Migrant domestic workers seek support, solace after Hong Kong fire
Dec 01 2025
Sobs could be heard across Hong Kong's Victoria Park at the weekend as hundreds of migrant workers mourned victims of …
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Ukraine's Zelensky in Paris seeking support as Trump pushes plan
Dec 01 2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday sought to reinforce European support for Ukraine at a potentially pivotal moment …
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Pope prays for peace in Lebanon and the region
Dec 01 2025
Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace in Lebanon and the region on Monday on day two of his trip to the multi-confessional …
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Asia floods toll tops 1,000 deaths as troops aid survivors
Dec 01 2025
The toll in deadly flooding and landslides across parts of Asia climbed past 1,000 on Monday as hardest-hit Sri Lanka …
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Pope prays for peace in Lebanon, region
Dec 01 2025
Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace in Lebanon and the region on Monday as he kicked off day two of his trip to the …
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