‘Without work and hope’: Bethlehem’s Christmas economy bleeds from Gaza war | Israel-Palestine conflict

‘Without work and hope’: Bethlehem’s Christmas economy bleeds from Gaza war | Israel-Palestine conflict

Bethlehem, occupied West Bank – Revered as the birthplace of Christ, the town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank is usually bustling with thousands of pilgrims and tourists in December. A giant Christmas tree, parades, and religious ceremonies typically inaugurate the season’s celebrations in Nativity Square. But this year,…

Day of mourning declared after 14 killed in Prague mass shooting | Gun Violence News

Day of mourning declared after 14 killed in Prague mass shooting | Gun Violence News

Flags will fly at half-mast on December 23 as people observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the attack at Prague’s Charles University. The Czech Republic has declared a day of mourning after a 24-year-old student shot dead his father, before killing 14 people and wounding 25 others at…

Sanctions threat looms over Bangladesh’s garment sector ahead of elections | Business and Economy News

Sanctions threat looms over Bangladesh’s garment sector ahead of elections | Business and Economy News

Dhaka, Bangladesh — Weeks after turbulent wage-hike protests and subsequent factory closures, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry, a key revenue earner for the nation, is dealing with a new phase of anxiety: “possible” economic sanctions by the country’s Western partners. The United States and European Union collectively account for more…

A Biden-Netanyahu rift? ‘Distraction’, Palestinian rights advocates say | Israel-Palestine conflict News

A Biden-Netanyahu rift? ‘Distraction’, Palestinian rights advocates say | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Washington, DC – Rock-solid. Unwavering. Unshakeable. After months of describing his commitment to Israel in fervent terms, United States President Joe Biden shifted his rhetoric this month — and issued his most firmly worded criticism of the country since the start of the war in Gaza. At a December 12…

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 667 | Russia-Ukraine war News

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 667 | Russia-Ukraine war News

As the war enters its 667th day, these are the main developments. Here is the situation on Friday, December 22, 2023.   Fighting Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said at least three people were killed and five injured after Russia bombed two coal mines in Toretsk in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk…

China tries to ‘bury the memory’ and trauma of zero-COVID era | Coronavirus pandemic News

China tries to ‘bury the memory’ and trauma of zero-COVID era | Coronavirus pandemic News

When Evelyn Ma’s two-year-old daughter had a persistently high fever and a bad cough earlier this month, she and her husband began to worry. The couple decided to take their daughter to a nearby children’s hospital in the city of Jinan. But as Ma walked through the doors with her…

DR Congo votes on second day of chaotic general elections | Elections News

DR Congo votes on second day of chaotic general elections | Elections News

The vote across Africa’s second-largest country was derailed on Wednesday over logistical issues. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has concluded a second day of voting in chaotic elections after logistical problems forced officials to extend the balloting. Voting in the impoverished but mineral-rich Central African nation extended into…

Trump ally Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy following defamation case | Courts News

Trump ally Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy following defamation case | Courts News

Giuliani was ordered to pay a $148m penalty for falsely accusing two 2020 election workers of facilitating fraud. Rudy Giuliani has filed for bankruptcy, just days after he was ordered to pay $148m to two former Georgia election workers he falsely accused of fraud as he worked to overturn Donald…