Exclusive: After Cabinet opposed Mexican cartel policy, Trump forged ahead
In the weeks before U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters.
Notre-Dame restoration enters risky phase with scaffolding removal
The operation to shore up fire-ravaged Notre-Dame Cathedral is entering a risky stage as engineers resume preparations for the removal of scaffolding that could provoke a further collapse.
Brazilian far-right group claims attack on ‘gay Jesus’ comedy troupe
A far-right religious group in Brazil has claimed responsibility for a Christmas Eve fire-bombing attack on the offices of a comedy troupe that produced a Netflix special depicting Jesus as gay.
Rescuers comb Austrian, Swiss avalanches in case of victims
Rescuers hunted for possible victims of three avalanches that hit the Austrian ski resort of Ankogel and one at the Swiss resort of Andermatt on Thursday, injuring at least two people.
Hong Kong marchers target malls on third day of Christmas protests
Hundreds of protesters marched through Hong Kong shopping malls on Thursday, disrupting business in the Asian financial hub for a third day over the festive period and prompting riot police to close off a mall in a tourist district.
Turkey’s block on Wikipedia violates rights, court rules
Turkey’s Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday that a more than two-year block on access to online encyclopedia Wikipedia in the country is a violation of freedom of expression.
Serbs protest in Montenegro ahead of vote on religious law
Hundreds of backers of Montenegro’s pro-Serb opposition took to the streets of the capital Podgorica on Thursday, rallying against a law they say would strip the Serbian Orthodox Church there of its property.
Mexico appeals to International Court of Justice over diplomatic spat with Bolivia
Mexico’s government said on Thursday it was appealing to the International Court of Justice to ensure its diplomatic facilities were respected in Bolivia following its decision to grant asylum to nine people there.
Trump warns Russia, Syria, Iran against killing civilians in Idlib
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Russia, Syria and Iran against killing civilians in Syria’s Idlib province and said Turkey was working hard to stop the “carnage.”
China, Russia and Iran to hold joint naval drills from Friday
China, Iran and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting on Friday in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, China’s defense ministry said on Thursday, amid heightened tension in the region between Iran and the United States.
