Dec 26 South Korean military fires warning shots, scrambles jets after North Korean drones enter its airspace By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press South Korea's military has fired warning shots, scrambled fighter jets and flew surveillance assets across the heavily fortified border with North Korea after North Korean drones violated its airspace for the first time in five years. Continue reading
Dec 26 China sends 71 warplanes, 7 ships toward Taiwan By Associated Press Taiwan says China's military sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the self-ruled island. Continue reading
Dec 26 As COVID infections soar, China races to vaccinate elderly By Joe McDonald, Associated Press Chinese authorities are going door to door and paying people who are older than 60 to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Continue reading
Dec 26 Russia says it shot down Ukrainian drone approaching airbase By E. Eduardo Castillo, Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press The Russian military says it shot down a Ukrainian drone approaching an airbase deep inside Russia, the second time the airbase has been targeted this month. Continue reading
Dec 26 Heavy snow in Japan leaves 17 dead, more than 90 injured By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Large swaths of Japan are seeing heavy snow since last week, killing 17 and leaving hundreds of homes without power. Continue reading
Dec 25 Ukrainians move up their traditional Christmas celebration in break with Russia By Renata Brito, Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press BOBRYTSIA, Ukraine — Ukrainians usually celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, as do the Russians. But not this year, or at least not all of them. Some Orthodox Ukrainians have decided to observe Christmas on Dec. 25, like many Christians around… Continue reading
Dec 24 Pope Francis denounces war, poverty and injustice in Christmas Eve mass By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Recalling Jesus’ birth in a stable, Pope Francis rebuked those “ravenous” for wealth and power at the expense of the vulnerable, including children, in a Christmas Eve homily decrying war, poverty and greedy consumerism. Continue reading
Dec 24 Bethlehem rebounds from pandemic, lifting Christmas spirits in West Bank By Maya Alleruzzo, Jalal Bwaitel, Associated Press The biblical town of Bethlehem marked a merry Christmas on Saturday, with thousands of visitors descending upon the traditional birthplace of Jesus as it rebounds from the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Dec 24 Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kherson leaves at least 10 dead, 55 wounded By Associated Press Russian shells pummeled the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson on Saturday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 55 in the city that Moscow’s troops were forced to abandon last month. Continue reading
Dec 24 COVID-19 wave rolls through China, overwhelming hospitals outside Beijing By Dake Kang, Associated Press As China grapples with its first-ever national COVID-19 wave, emergency wards in small cities and towns southwest of Beijing are overwhelmed. Continue reading