Dec 26 Malaysian court sentences ex-Prime Minister Razak to 15 years and big fine in corruption case By Eileen Ng, Associated Press Imprisoned former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was sentenced to 15 years and a hefty 13.5 billion ringgit ($3.3 billion) in fines and assets after being convicted Friday in his biggest corruption trial tied to the multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB… Continue reading
Dec 26 Yemen separatist group accuses Saudi Arabia of launching strikes against their forces By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Separatists in southern Yemen accused Saudi Arabia on Friday of targeting their forces with airstrikes, something not formally acknowledged by the kingdom after it warned the forces to withdraw from governorates they recently took over. Continue reading
Dec 26 Watch 3:48 British panto production blends holiday tradition with Muslim culture and humor By Kayan Taraporevala and Minnie Stephenson, Independent Television News Pantomime, or panto, is a family comedy filled with fairy tales, music, slapstick and audience participation and is a holiday season staple across the UK. This year, one production is selling out a retelling of “Snow White” that blends classic… Continue watching
Dec 26 Japan's Cabinet approves record defense budget aiming to deter China as tensions grow By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that her country's military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing says must come under its rule. Continue reading
Dec 26 Thailand bombs Cambodian village even as both nations hold talks to end armed clashes By Wasamon Audjarint, Associated Press Thailand and Cambodia were engaged in combat along their border on Friday, even as the two countries held talks to try to put an end to armed clashes that erupted in early December, breaking a ceasefire that had been reached five months earlier. Continue reading
Dec 26 3 key issues that remain unresolved in U.S.-Ukraine talks on ending Russia's war By Illia Novikov, Associated Press Several key issues remain unresolved in ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and the United States over a potential framework to end Russia’s war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week. Continue reading
Dec 26 Nigerian residents of Jabo are rattled after close U.S. airstrikes made their homes shake and the sky glow red By Ope Adetayo, Tunde Omolehin, Associated Press Villagers, who had never experienced a terror attack, were confused and scared. Continue reading
Dec 26 China sanctions 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 executives over Taiwan arms sale By Associated Press The announcement of the U.S. arms-sale package, valued at more than $10 billion, has drawn an angry response from China, which claims Taiwan as its own and says it must come under its control. Continue reading
Dec 26 South Korea plans to end foreign adoptions as UN urges Seoul to address past abuses By Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press United Nations investigators have voiced concern over what they described as Seoul's failure to ensure truth-finding and reparations for human rights violations tied to overseas adoptions. Continue reading
Dec 26 Palestinian man kills 2 in car-ramming and stabbing attack in northern Israel, police say By Julia Frankel, Associated Press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu identified the victims as Aviv Maor, a teenager, and Shimshon Mordechai, 68. Continue reading