Dec 27 Japan PM dismisses 4th minister in 2 months to patch up scandal-hit Cabinet By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has dismissed his fourth minister in two months to patch a scandal-tainted Cabinet that has raised questions over his judgment of staff credentials. Continue reading
Dec 27 New York Congressman-elect Santos admits to lying about employment history and college education By Associated Press Congressman-elect George Santos, a New York Republican, has admitted that he lied about his job experience and college education during his successful campaign for a seat in the U.S. House. Continue reading
Dec 27 Taiwan extends compulsory military service from 4 months to 1 year By Huizhong Wu, Associated Press It's one of the major steps the self-governed island is taking to address military, diplomatic and trade pressure from China. Continue reading
Dec 27 Supreme Court keeps pandemic-era immigration limits in place indefinitely By Rebecca Santana, Elliot Spagat, Associated Press The restrictions, often referred to as Title 42, were put in place under then-President Donald Trump at the beginning of the pandemic to curb the spread of COVID-19. Continue reading
Dec 27 Russia's foreign minister warns Ukraine must demilitarize, threatens further military action By E. Eduardo Castillo, Associated Press Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that Ukraine must meet Moscow's demand for "demilitarization" and the removal of the military threat to Russia. Continue reading
Dec 27 Federal authorities say North Atlantic right whale must remain on endangered list By Patrick Whittle, Associated Press Federal officials say the fading North Atlantic right whale will remain protected under the Endangered Species Act and requires a series of protective steps to stave off extinction. Continue reading
Dec 27 Japan to require COVID testing for all visitors from China By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japan will require COVID-19 tests for all visitors from China as a temporary emergency measure against the surging infections there after Beijing largely abandoned its "zero-COVID" policy. Continue reading
Dec 27 Military police enforce driving ban in snow-choked Buffalo By Carolyn Thompson, Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Tuesday that police are being positioned at entrances to Buffalo and at major intersections to enforce a ban on driving. Continue reading
Dec 27 UN reports abductions, torture, rape as conflict in Congo worsens By Sam Mednick, Associated Press According to a U.N. report by a panel of experts, scores of civilians including women and children have been killed by the M23 rebels in eastern Congo. Continue reading
Dec 27 South Korea military apologizes for failing to shoot down North's drones By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press South Korea's military scrambled warplanes and attack helicopters on Monday, but they failed to bring down any of the North Korean drones that flew back home or disappeared from South Korean radars. Continue reading