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Serbian protesters set up road block over alleged vote fraud
Protesters on Monday launched the first of several announced road blocks in Belgrade over alleged electoral fraud in Serbia's recent parliamentary and local elections, an AFP reporter saw.
World celebrates Christmas in shadow of war
People donned Santa caps on beaches, ski slopes and streets around the globe on Monday to celebrate Christmas, with Israel's war on Hamas and Russia's invasion of Ukraine casting a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.
Gaza war makes for sombre Christmas in the Holy Land
Sadness over the war in Gaza subdued the holiday cheer in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, when the biblical town would usually be decked out in festive finery.
Palestinians feel 'no joy' as Israel bombs Gaza on Christmas
Palestinians said they felt "no joy" this Christmas as Israel bombed the besieged Palestinian territory on Monday, with no end in sight to the war that Hamas says has claimed more than 20,000 lives.
Pope kicks off Christmas celebrations in shadow of wars
Pope Francis on Sunday kicked off global Christmas celebrations with a call for peace, as Israel's war on Hamas and Russia's invasion of Ukraine cast a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.
'Tonight our hearts are in Bethlehem,' pope says in Christmas mass
Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for peace as he kicked off Christmas celebrations with a mass at Saint Peter's Basilica as the Israel-Hamas war raged in the Gaza Strip.
Indian plane passengers held in France probe could leave Monday
A plane with 303 Indian passengers detained near Paris over suspicions of human trafficking will be free to leave Monday, French judicial officials said, though its destination remains unclear.
Serbia opposition MP vows to keep up hunger strike
Looking frail but determined, Serbian opposition leader Marinika Tepic fixes her makeshift bed -- a leather sofa inside a parliament building, where she has been on hunger strike since Monday.
Grim Christmas Eve in Bethlehem as war rages in Gaza
Gaza's deadliest ever war cast a pall of gloom over Bethlehem on Christmas Eve Sunday, as the death toll spiralled and Israel shifted its efforts against Hamas to the besieged territory's south.
Ukrainians move Christmas to Dec 25 to be 'far from Moscow'
Ukrainian Orthodox Christians attended services on Sunday as the country prepares to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from January 7, when most Orthodox believers celebrate, in a snub to Russia.
Indians held in France over trafficking could leave Monday
Most of the roughly 300 Indians travelling on a plane detained near Paris over suspicions of human trafficking will be free to resume their trip Monday, French judicial sources said Sunday.
Moldova's pro-EU president to seek second term
Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Sunday said she would seek a second term next year as she looks to steer the former Soviet republic to EU membership.
Austria detains suspected Islamists amid security fears
Austria on Sunday said three people were detained for suspected involvement in an "Islamist network", as Vienna and Cologne step up police controls citing heightened security concerns during Christmas.
Gaza war rages on Christmas Eve as Biden urges caution
Israel pushed on Sunday with its military campaign to destroy Hamas over the October 7 attacks, as the focus of the deadly combat shifted to southern Gaza where most displaced Palestinians are trapped.
Israel trains fire on south Gaza, as Biden urges caution
Israel said its armed forces were increasingly focused on Hamas targets in south Gaza Sunday, as the United States again pressed its ally to do more to protect Palestinian civilians.
In Gaza, displaced women recount lives upended by war
A relentless Israeli military campaign, in response to deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, has upset the lives of most, if not all, residents of the Gaza Strip.
Ukrainians defy Moscow with first Dec. 25 Christmas
Many Ukrainians will on Monday celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from the Orthodox Church observance of January 7 in a snub to Russia.
US sees new isolation from Israel support
Nearly three years after President Joe Biden took office vowing "America is back," the country's international image is taking a beating as his administration backs Israel in its war with Hamas.
US 'deeply concerned' over fate of jailed Putin foe Navalny
The United States on Saturday voiced deepening concern over the fate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has not been heard from since early December.
Calls for restraint in DR Congo after tense vote
Western embassies in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa urged restraint on Saturday, after several leading opposition members called this week's election a "sham" and called for protests.
In Chad camps, survivors recount Sudan war horrors
Sitting outside her makeshift shelter in eastern Chad, Sudanese refugee Mariam Adam Yaya warmed up tea on some firewood in a bid to quell the pangs of hunger.
Russian Communists pit political veteran against Putin
The Communist Party of Russia, the second largest party in parliament, on Saturday selected a 75-year-old to stand next March in presidential polls against Vladimir Putin.
Russia bars pro-peace candidate from presidential ballot
Russia's Central Electoral Commission on Saturday rejected an application by a candidate calling for peace to stand in next year's presidential elections.
Exiled Senegal opposition figure Karim Wade vies for top job
Exiled Senegalese opposition figure Karim Wade, an ex-minister and the son of former head of state Abdoulaye Wade, Saturday said he had filed papers to contest presidential elections in February.
Israel strikes Gaza after UN calls for more aid
Israel pressed its Gaza offensive Saturday, with Hamas authorities reporting heavy shelling in several cities hours after world powers demanded more aid be allowed into the besieged Palestinian territory.
UN Security Council voices 'alarm' at spreading violence in Sudan
The UN Security Council expressed "alarm" at growing violence in war-torn Sudan on Friday, a day after it reported that seven million people have been displaced by the conflict.
UN Security Council demands 'urgent' aid for Gaza
The UN Security Council on Friday demanded aid be rushed to Gaza "at scale" as the head of the World Health Organization warned of a looming famine in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Influx of migrants at US-Mexico border poses conundrum for Biden
US border patrol and several states have found themselves overwhelmed lately, lacking resources to manage the thousands of migrants arriving from Mexico every day -- a crisis that has exposed President Joe Biden to intense attacks from his Republican opponents.
Stock markets mixed before Christmas break as US inflation cools
Global stock markets traded in a tight range Friday before the Christmas break, while Asia-focused tech shares were hammered after China announced additional curbs on online gaming.
Stepping up tone, US says Iran 'deeply involved' in Huthi ship attacks
The United States on Friday accused Iran of close involvement in attacks on commercial ships by Yemen's Huthi rebels, stepping up the tone as Washington considers tougher measures including possible force.
Initial DR Congo results trickle in after chaotic elections
Initial results from a presidential poll in DR Congo began to trickle in on Friday after shambolic elections spread over several days which the authorities deemed successful.
UN resolution urges more Gaza aid as war takes toll on civilians
Fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza raged Friday as the UN Security Council approved a much-delayed resolution to boost aid to the besieged Palestinian territory where civilians are struggling to find food.