Trump vows revenge after troops in Syria killed in ISIL ambush

At least 10 dead, 12 injured in Australian beach shooting

Gunman kills two, wounds nine at US university

Storm kills 11 Palestinians, causes $4M damage in Gaza

Thailand continues Cambodia strikes despite Trump truce calls

US envoy to meet Zelensky, Europe leaders in Berlin this weekend

Israeli settlements in West Bank growing at highest level since 2017: UN

The expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank is at its highest level since at least 2017, when the United Nations began tracking such data, according to a report by the U.N. chief seen by AFP on Friday.

Former Iraqi president named next UN refugee chief

Former Iraqi President Barham Salih, who once fled Saddam Hussein’s persecution, has been named the next U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, marking a break from the long-standing practice of choosing leaders mainly from major European donor countries.

Reddit files legal challenge to Australia social media ban

Online discussion site Reddit launched a legal challenge on Dec. 11 to Australia's social media ban for under-16s, just days after the landmark law came into effect.

Indonesia floods 'extinction level' for rare orangutans

Indonesia's deadly flooding was an "extinction-level disturbance" for the world's rarest great ape, the Tapanuli orangutan, causing catastrophic damage to its habitat and survival prospects, scientists warned on Dec. 11.

South Korea exam chief quits over complaints of too-hard tests

The chief organizer of South Korea's notoriously grueling university entrance exams has resigned, after complaints that an English test he designed was just too difficult.

US urges Israel to lead Gaza debris-clearing effort: Report

The United States has urged Israel to take charge of clearing the extensive debris scattered throughout the Gaza Strip following more than two years of the war, including damage from airstrikes and armored bulldozers, according to Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth.

Thai PM dissolves parliament, paving way for national elections

Thailand's prime pinister dissolved parliament on Friday, paving the way for general elections early next year as deadly border clashes continue with neighbour Cambodia.

US slaps sanctions on Maduro relatives as Venezuela war fears build

The U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions Thursday against three of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro's relatives as well as six companies shipping the South American country's oil.

US, Japan defense chiefs say China harming regional peace

Beijing's actions are "not conducive to regional peace", Japan's defense minister and U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth agreed during a call after Chinese aircraft locked radar on Japanese jets near Taiwan, Tokyo said Friday.

Trump 'extremely frustrated' with Russia, Ukraine over talks on war

U.S. President Donald Trump is "extremely frustrated" with Russia and Ukraine, his spokeswoman said on Thursday, as Kyiv said Washington was still pushing it to make major territorial concessions as part of its plan to end the nearly four-year war.

Bulgarian government resigns after mass protests: PM

Bulgaria's prime minister announced Thursday that his government was resigning after less than a year in office following a series of anti-corruption protests.

Aid flow into Gaza falls short of the ceasefire terms, Israeli figures show

Aid deliveries into Gaza are falling far short of the amount called for under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, according to an Associated Press analysis of the Israeli military’s figures as humanitarian groups say the shortfall is severely impacting the strip's 2 million people.