Thousands of animals sacrificed in Nepal Hindu ritual amid outcry
Tens of thousands of devout Hindus thronged a temple in southern Nepal where thousands of animals and birds were sacrificed this week, amid an outcry from animal rights activists who said the ritual was a cruel and gruesome spectacle.
Afghan victims ask ICC to open Afghan war crimes investigation on appeal
Lawyers representing victims of the Afghanistan conflict on Wednesday urged the International Criminal Court to allow a war crimes investigation that would include scrutinizing the actions of U.S. forces.
Merkel sees progress in U.S.-EU trade talks with new EU commission
The prospects of the European Union and the United States bridging differences on trade have improved after German conservative Ursula von der Leyen took over as head of the bloc’s executive arm, Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.
Melania Trump hands out Christmas presents to London children
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump was greeted by dozens of school children in northeast London on Wednesday when she attended a Salvation Army event to hand out Christmas presents and decorate the tree.
NATO says Russia’s ‘aggressive actions’ a threat to allies’ security
NATO leaders said on Wednesday that Russia’s “aggressive actions” were a threat to Euro-Atlantic security, and that China’s growing influence presented opportunities and challenges for the alliance.
Pope accepts resignation of New York state bishop accused of abuse cover-up
The Vatican said on Wednesday that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, New York, who has been at the center of a sex abuse crisis in his diocese.
Turkey agrees to back NATO plans for Baltic: Lithuania
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to back NATO’s defense plans for Poland and the Baltic states, Lithuania’s president said on Wednesday.
Blinded by rubber bullets, Chilean student becomes rallying point for protesters
Protesters against Chile President Sebastian Pinera’s government have rallied around a student blinded by police rubber bullets and his family hopes a photo capturing his injuries will increase international pressure on the administration.
Thousands of Ontario teachers to walk off job Wednesday in one-day strike
Tens of thousands of teachers and support staff in Canada’s most populous province are poised to walk off the job on Wednesday in a one-day strike, part of escalating job action as talks failed to produce a tentative agreement with the government.
Top Czech attorney rules PM Babis’s fraud investigation to continue
The top Czech state attorney said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Andrej Babis would be investigated further for fraud in a case involving European Union subsidies, reversing an earlier decision to drop the matter.
