Dec 21 Israeli Cabinet approves 19 new Jewish settlements in occupied West Bank By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press Israel’s Cabinet has approved a proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the far-right finance minister said Sunday, as the government pushes ahead with a construction binge in the territory that further threatens the possibility of… Continue reading
Dec 21 Multiple gunmen attack a South African pub, killing 9 people and wounding 10 By Michelle Gumede, Alfonso Nqunjana, Associated Press Nine people have died and at least 10 others were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of Sunday, authorities said. Continue reading
Dec 20 U.S. forces stop 2nd oil tanker off Venezuelan coast as Trump follows up on 'blockade' promise By Konstantin Toropin, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard with help from the Defense Department stopped the oil tanker that was last docked in Venezuela. Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch 2:53 News Wrap: Russian offensive drags on in Ukraine amid ceasefire talks By PBS News Weekend In our news wrap Saturday, Russian attacks on Ukraine continued amid U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, the Israeli army struck a school in Gaza that was sheltering displaced people, U.S. Central Command released video of Friday’s strikes in Syria,… Continue watching
Dec 20 Jordan says its air force joined U.S. strikes against Islamic State group in Syria By Associated Press Jordan confirmed Saturday that its air force took part in strikes launched by the United States on Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for the killing of three U.S. citizens earlier this month. Continue reading
Dec 20 Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and wife sentenced to 17 years in graft case By Munir Ahmed, Associated Press A Pakistani court convicted and sentenced imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on Saturday to 17 years in prison after finding them guilty of retaining and selling state gifts, officials and his party said. Continue reading
Dec 19 Kremlin's military goals in Ukraine will be met, Putin says at annual news conference By Harriet Morris, Associated Press President Vladimir Putin emphasized Friday that Moscow’s troops were advancing across the battlefield in Ukraine and voiced confidence the Kremlin would achieve its goals militarily if Kyiv doesn't agree to Russia's conditions in peace talks. Continue reading
Dec 19 Hegseth announces operation to 'eliminate ISIS fighters' in Syria after Americans killed By Konstantin Toropin, Ben Finley, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced the start of an operation to “eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites” in Syria following the deaths of three U.S. citizens. Continue reading
Dec 19 Syria welcomes permanent repeal of sweeping U.S. sanctions imposed during Assad regime By Associated Press President Donald Trump, who had previously lifted the penalties temporarily by executive order, signed off on the final repeal late Thursday after Congress passed it as part of the country’s annual defense spending bill. Continue reading
Dec 19 Trump's blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil raises new questions about legality By Ben Finley, Eric Tucker, Kevin Freking, Joshua Goodman, Associated Press Some experts say seizing sanctioned oil tied to leader Nicolás Maduro could provoke a military response from Venezuela, engaging American forces in a new level of conflict that goes beyond their attacks on alleged drug boats. Continue reading