Dec 25 Ukraine says it shot down 2 Russian fighter jets, along with missiles and drones By Associated Press Ukraine also observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the Jan. 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia. Continue reading
Dec 25 Charter plane with 276 Indians stuck at French airport for days in human trafficking probe have left for India By Christophe Ena, Associated Prerss, Angela Charlton, Associated Press Local authorities said 276 of the 303 original passengers were en route to Mumbai, and 25 others stayed in France and requested asylum. Two others were detained and released and appeared before a judge as part of an investigation into… Continue reading
Dec 25 Egypt's proposal to end Israel-Hamas war: Hostage release, Palestinian oversight of Gaza By Samy Magdy, Najib Jobain, Melanie Lidman, Associated Press The Egyptian proposal, worked out with the Gulf nation of Qatar, has been presented to Israel, Hamas, the United States and European governments but still appeared preliminary. Continue reading
Dec 25 Amid Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis calls for worldwide peace on Christmas By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. Continue reading
Dec 24 'Our hearts are in Bethlehem': Pope calls attention to victims of war at Christmas Eve Mass By Associated Press Recalling Jesus’ birth in a stable in Bethlehem, Pope Francis in a Christmas Eve homily said that “the clash of arms even today" prevents Jesus “from finding room in the world.”… Continue reading
Dec 24 Watch 3:03 News Wrap: Hundreds killed in Gaza over weekend of airstrikes, heavy combat In our news wrap Sunday, Gaza saw some of the most intense and bloodiest fighting of the war this weekend, the streets of Bethlehem stood empty of crowds and festivities on Christmas Eve as celebrations were canceled amid the Israel-Hamas… Continue watching
Dec 24 Watch 8:10 'Glory to the Heroes' documents the resilience of those on Ukraine's front lines By Ali Rogin, Harry Zahn With aid for Ukraine caught in a partisan fight on Capitol Hill, it can be easy to lose sight of the human toll of the war. In a new documentary “Glory to the Heroes,” director Bernard-Henri Lévy turns the focus… Continue watching
Dec 24 As conflicts rage overseas, a divided Congress struggles to meet historic global challenges By Stephen Groves, Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Congress is not expected to return for two weeks while continued aid for Ukraine has nearly been exhausted. Still, congressional leaders are trying to rally members to address global challenges they say are among the most difficult in decades. Continue reading
Dec 24 Gaza death toll climbs from airstrikes as efforts toward new hostage release deal continue By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press At least 68 people were killed by an Israeli strike in central Gaza, health officials said Sunday, while the number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat over the weekend rose to 15. Continue reading
Dec 24 Vatican to release previously unpublished homilies by the late Pope Benedict XVI By Associated Press The Vatican next year will publish a collection of never-before-seen homilies delivered by the late Pope Benedict XVI during his private Sunday Masses, most of them penned during his 10-year retirement, officials said Saturday. Continue reading