In New Year message, pope decries violence against women
Pope Francis, in his first message of the new year, denounced on Wednesday the use and abuse of women in modern society, and called for an end to the exploitation of the female body.
Mother of Briton jailed for alleging gang rape backs boycott of Cyprus
Holidaymakers should boycott Cyprus after a court found a British woman guilty of lying about being gang-raped by a group of Israeli youths, the woman’s mother said on Thursday.
French hardline union calls for more strikes to counter Macron’s pension reform
French hardline union CGT called on Wednesday for more strikes in France this month after president Emmanuel Macron pledged to push through an overhaul of the pension system following weeks of nationwide strikes by trade unions.
Hong Kong police fire tear gas during mass New Year’s day march
Hong Kong police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds during a New Year’s day march on Wednesday that has drawn tens of thousands of people, including families with children.
Iraqi militiamen hurl stones at U.S. Embassy, prepare for extended stay
Hundreds of Iraqi militiamen and their supporters hurled stones at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for a second day on Wednesday and security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to drive them away.
Iran’s Khamenei strongly condemns U.S. attacks in Iraq: TV
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly condemned U.S. attacks on Iran-allied militia group in Iraq, Iranian state TV reported on Wednesday, blaming the United States for the violence in the neighbouring country.
India approves third moon mission, months after landing failure
India has approved its third lunar mission months after its last one failed to successfully land on the moon, its space agency said on Wednesday, the latest effort in its ambitions to become a low-cost space power.
Ghosn flight prompts talk of more curbs in Japan’s strict justice system
Carlos Ghosn’s daring flight from Japan, where he was awaiting trial on charges of financial wrongdoing, has revived global criticism of the nation’s “hostage justice,” but in Japan is prompting talk of reversing more lenient curbs on defendants.
Thousands march in Hong Kong on New Year’s Day, pledge to ‘keep fighting’
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters began marching in Hong Kong on New Year’s Day, demanding concessions from the city’s embattled government as the civil unrest that convulsed the Chinese-ruled city for over half a year spills into 2020.
World welcomes 2020, but wildfires, protests, cast a pall over some celebrations
The world celebrated the New Year on Wednesday with fireworks displays from Sydney to London, although celebrations were clouded by deadly wildfires in Australia, protests in Hong Kong and India and nuclear tensions with North Korea.
