President Trump suggests US troops no longer needed in Syria
President Donald Trump has said that US troops do not need to remain in Syria.
World
EU reaches deal with Italy on budget
The European Commission has reached an agreement with Italy on its budget plans, which the EU’s executive arm had warned could break the euro’s rules and lead to legal action.
South African warrant issued for Grace Mugabe’s arrest
Authorities in South Africa have issued an arrest warrant for the wife of former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe over an alleged assault.
European officials agree ban on some single-use plastics
European Union officials have agreed to ban some single-use plastics – such as disposable cutlery, plates and straws – in an effort to cut marine pollution.
Elon Musk unveils revolutionary underground tunnels
Elon Musk has unveiled his underground transportation tunnel on, allowing reporters and invited guests to take some of the first rides in the revolutionary albeit bumpy subterranean tube.
Shutdown threat recedes as Trump softens stance on wall
President Donald Trump has appeared to back off his demand for five billion dollars to build a border wall, signalling for the first time that he might be open to a deal that would avoid a partial government shutdown.
Yemeni parent wins travel ban waiver to see dying son in US
A Yemeni mother blocked by the Donald Trump administration’s travel ban has won her fight for a waiver that would allow her to travel to California to see her dying two-year-old son.
At least 600 homes destroyed in Brazil blaze
At least 600 wooden houses have been destroyed in a fire in northern Brazil, authorities said.
Judge postpones sentencing of ex-Trump security chief Flynn
A US federal judge has agreed to delay former national security adviser Michael Flynn’s sentencing so he can continue cooperating with the Russia probe.
Chicago officers probably didn’t see train that killed them
Two Chicago police officers may not have seen or heard the train that fatally struck them because they were focused on another train coming from the opposite direction, a department spokesman has said.
Trump Foundation reaches deal to shut down amid lawsuit
Donald Trump’s charitable foundation has reached a deal to shut down amid a legal battle with New York’s attorney general.
Putin claims Russia’s new weapons have no foreign equivalent
Vladimir Putin says Russia’s new weapons have no foreign equivalents and will help ensure the country’s security for decades to come.
Two police officers die after being struck by train in Chicago
Two Chicago police officers have been fatally struck by a train as they investigated a report of gunshots in the city.
Man faces terror charges over gun used in Strasbourg terror attack
A man suspected of supplying the gun that was used in the shooting attack that killed five people near a Christmas market in Strasbourg was charged with preliminary terror offences on Monday, a judicial official said.
Protesting Hungarian MPs ejected from state broadcasting HQ
Security forces have physically ejected Hungarian opposition politicians from the headquarters of the Hungarian state broadcaster MTVA in Budapest.
Powerful bomb explodes outside private Greek TV station
A powerful bomb has exploded outside private Greek television station Skai, causing extensive damage but no injuries.
Amazon workers on strike in Germany a week before Christmas
Workers at two Amazon distribution centres in Germany have gone on strike as part of a push for improved work conditions, leading to fears that Christmas orders may not arrive in time.
Polish president says Strasbourg attack victim tried to protect others
Poland’s president has said a Polish victim of last week’s shooting attack in Strasbourg, France, had been trying to protect other people.
Philippines celebrates as Catriona Gray crowned Miss Universe
The Philippines’ Catriona Gray has been named Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, beating contestants from 93 other countries and delighting her home nation.
Sri Lankan president casts doubt on working with reinstated prime minister
Sri Lanka’s president has accused newly reappointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of corrupt leadership in a scathing speech.
Police and anti-migration protesters clash at EU headquarters
Police fired tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators who congregated around the EU’s headquarters in Brussels after marching against a new United Nations migration pact.
Restaurant explosion leaves more than 40 injured in Japan
More than 40 people have been injured in an explosion at a restaurant in Sapporo, northern Japan.
Strasbourg remembers victims of Christmas market attack
The people of Strasbourg filled a square on Sunday to show respect and sympathy for the victims of last week’s shooting attack near the city’s famous Christmas market, as the death toll rose to five.
Sri Lankan president reinstates prime minister he sacked
Sri Lanka’s president has re-appointed Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister, nearly two months after firing him and setting off a long political stalemate in the South Asian island nation.
Indonesian volcano erupts sending thick ash into sky
A volcano in central Indonesia has erupted, sending columns of thick ash as high as 7,500 metres into the sky.
Family of migrant girl disputes official story on her death
The family of a seven-year-old Guatemalan girl who died in US Border Patrol custody is disputing an account from US officials who said she had not been given food or water for days.
Diplomats at UN climate talks agree on reporting emissions
Officials from around the world have agreed upon a set of rules to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord after two weeks of UN talks in Poland.
Police use tear gas on the Champs-Elysees, but fewer Paris protesters
Police used tear gas on the Champs-Elysees after a day of largely peaceful demonstrations in Paris on the fifth straight weekend of protests by France’s “yellow vest” movement.
4,400-year-old priest’s tomb uncovered in Egypt
A private tomb thought to be more than 4,000 years and built for a senior official from the 5th dynasty of pharaohs has been discovered in Egypt.
President Trump says Interior Secretary is leaving administration
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke – who is facing federal investigations into his travel, political activity and potential conflicts of interest – will leave the administration at the end of the year, President Donald Trump said.
Sri Lanka’s disputed prime minister resigns to end political impasse
Sri Lanka’s disputed prime minister resigned on Saturday, saying he wanted to end a long political impasse over his appointment and allow the president to form a new government.
Strong police presence in Paris before planned ‘yellow vest’ protests
A strong police presence was deployed in Paris on Saturday for planned demonstrations by the “yellow vest” protesters.