Dec 18 Live updates: Israel’s allies call for winding down of assault in Gaza By Associated Press The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote Monday on an Arab-sponsored resolution calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants. Continue reading
Dec 18 Suspected cyberattack renders most gas stations in Iran out of service By Associated Press In recent years, Iran has seen a series of cyberattacks on its filling stations, railway system and industries. Surveillance cameras in government buildings, including prisons, have also been hacked in the past. Continue reading
Dec 18 Pope formally allows priests to bless same-sex couples By Associated Press The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. Continue reading
Dec 18 Defense Secretary Austin expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza By Tara Copp, Melanie Lidman, Samy Magdy, Associated Press France, the U.K. and Germany joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend, and Israeli protesters have demanded the government relaunch talks with Hamas on releasing more hostages after three were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops. Continue reading
Dec 17 Chile rejects conservative draft of new constitution in 2nd referendum vote By María Verza, Patricia Luna, Associated Press Chilean voters have rejected a conservative constitution to replace the country’s dictatorship-era charter, a little over a year after turning down a proposed leftist charter that many characterized as one of the world’s most progressive. Continue reading
Dec 17 Discovery of major Hamas tunnel in Gaza renews scrutiny of Israeli intelligence failures By Ariel Schalit, Julia Frankel, Associated Press The Israeli military said Sunday it has discovered a large tunnel shaft in Gaza close to what was once a busy crossing into Israel, raising new questions about how Israeli surveillance missed such conspicuous preparations by Hamas for the militants' deadly Oct. Continue reading
Dec 17 Serbia’s ruling populist party claims sweeping victory in tense parliamentary election By Dusan Stojanovic, Associated Press The main contest in the parliamentary and local elections was between President Aleksandar Vucic’s governing Serbian Progressive Party and the centrist coalition that sought to undermine the populists who have ruled the troubled Balkan state since 2012. Continue reading
Dec 17 Watch 3:01 News Wrap: Israeli military finds large Hamas tunnel near northern Gaza border In our news wrap Sunday, Israel re-opened a border crossing in southern Gaza and released footage of a newly discovered Hamas tunnel at the Erez crossing in the north, Trump’s anti-immigrant remarks at a campaign event drew criticism, a storm… Continue watching
Dec 17 Russian drones hit Black Sea coast while Ukraine targets air base in Russia By Karl Ritter, Associated Press Russia and Ukraine reportedly launched mass drone attacks at each other’s territories for a second straight day Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport. A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa after the remnants of a destroyed drone… Continue reading
Dec 17 Pressure mounts on Israel to renew cease-fire talks after killing of hostages raises alarm about its conduct in Gaza By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Israel's government faced calls for a cease-fire from some of its closest European allies and from protesters at home on Sunday after a series of shootings, including of three hostages who waved a white flag, added to mounting concerns about… Continue reading