Judge blocks Prince Andrew's attempt to halt sex abuse lawsuit

A judge has rejected Prince Andrew's attempt to block the progression of a lawsuit by claiming that a woman who says he sexually assaulted her when she was 17 doesn't live in the U.S.

How will pandemic end? Despite omicron, COVID-19 will become endemic

Experts say the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually end, even if omicron is complicating the question of when. But it won’t be like flipping a switch.

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigns, cites political turmoil

Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation Sunday amid political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests following a military coup that derailed the country’s fragile transition to democratic rule.

Holocaust survivor 'Mrs. Gertrude' dies at 94

Gertrude Pressburger died Friday after a long illness, her family told the Austrian press agency APA on Saturday.

12 dead, 15 injured in crowd surge at popular Hindu shrine in Kashmir

At least 12 people died and 15 others suffered injuries in a crowd surge at a popular Hindu shrine in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

New Year's Eve: Omicron mutes celebrations as many hope for better 2022

New Year's Eve celebrations were muted or canceled in many places around the world for the second straight year due to a surge of COVID-19 infections.

France will require new car ads to promote walking, cycling

In 2022, new car ads in France will encourage greener alternatives like walking or cycling, while several fruits and vegetables will no longer be sold in plastic.

Israel to offer 4th vaccine dose to most vulnerable

Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, becoming the first country to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant.

Mexico approves use of Cuba’s Abdala coronavirus vaccine

Mexico’s health safety council has approved the use of Cuba’s three-dose Abdala coronavirus vaccine.

President Biden and Vladimir Putin to hold call Thursday over stepped up Russian security demands

President Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak Thursday as the Russian leader has stepped up his demands for security guarantees in Eastern Europe while maintaining an unsettling buildup of troops near Russia's border with Ukraine.

WHO: Global COVID cases up 11% last week, biggest increase in Americas

The WHO says the number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide increased by 11% last week, while newly reported deaths were down 4% globally.

Biden revokes COVID-19 travel ban from southern African nations

The U.S. travel ban from several southern African countries is being lifted, President Joe Biden said in a proclamation.

Putin to consider options if West declines guarantees on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATO's expansion to Ukraine.

Save the Children: Staff missing after massacre in Myanmar

Save the Children said that two of its staff who were traveling home for the holidays after conducting humanitarian response work in a nearby community were “caught up in the incident and remain missing."

Congo attack: Suicide bomber kills 6 at restaurant and bar

Saturday's attack marked the first known time that a suicide bomber has killed victims in eastern Congo, where an Islamic State group affiliate earlier this year took responsibility for a suicide bombing near another bar in Beni who had caused no other casualties.

Largest cluster of rogue planets discovered by astronomers

A team of astronomers has discovered nearly 70 rogue planets— cosmic objects that resemble a planet but do not orbit a star.

Pope Francis prays for pandemic's end in Christmas Day address

Pope Francis' Christmas Day speech gives him an opportunity to draw a global audience's attention to conflicts big and small. This year was no different.

James Webb Space Telescope, world’s largest and most powerful, launched Christmas morning

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launched successfully early Christmas morning from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast, riding a European Ariane rocket into the sky.