Kathmandu experienced violent clashes on Friday as pro-monarchy demonstrators demanded the return of former King Gyanendra Shah. The unrest left two dead and over 30 injured, leading authorities to impose a curfew and call in the army. Protesters, frustrated with corruption and instability, torched vehicles and vandalized offices as security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
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The world is seeing rising division and polarization, from the US under Trump to Europe's migration issues and the rise of far-right groups like Germany's AfD. This polarization hampers problem-solving and encourages prejudice. Addressing social issues like affordable housing and fair wages is crucial to overcoming these divisions and countering far-right agendas.
Hamas aired a video showing two Israeli hostages, Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, captured during the October 7 attack. The men, barefoot and unshaven, are seen in a dim room urging another hostage to recount his experiences to speed their release. Families urged Israeli and US leaders for urgent action.
Doug Ford, leader of Ontario Progressive Conservatives, drew criticism for joking about the death penalty at a police gala, referencing 'sparky' while discussing crime. Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976. His spokesperson clarified he does not support it and expressed frustration with the federal bail system. Critics, including Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie, condemned the remarks.
On New Year’s Eve, the USS Harry S. Truman conducted precision missile strikes targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen. The operation, part of a broader series of attacks, aimed to neutralize command centers and weapon facilities. This was a response to recent militant missile launches in Israel.
American farmers, particularly in North Dakota, face severe financial strains due to plummeting crop prices and skyrocketing input costs. Seed prices, for instance, have surged from $150 to $230 per bag. President-elect Trump acknowledges the crisis, planning tariffs on some Canadian and Mexican agricultural imports to alleviate the issue.
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cautioned the public about ongoing flood risks in Queensland and New South Wales following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Significant power outages and flooding impacts persist, with financial assistance available for affected residents who have lost income.
Two American citizens, Matthew Heath, a former U.S. Marine, and Osman Khan, a Florida resident, have filed a lawsuit against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging that his government operated a “criminal enterprise†that wrongfully detained them as part of a coercive strategy. The lawsuit accuses Maduro’s regime of torture and exploitation of American prisoners for political leverage with the US.
US President Donald Trump's administration has initiated significant cuts to Voice of America and other pro-democracy programs without congressional approval, targeting agencies like the US Agency for Global Media. The reductions impact several networks including Radio Free Europe and Radio Marti, provoking potential legal challenges.
A French court is set to deliver verdicts in a mass rape trial involving 51 men, including Dominique Pelicot, accused of drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle, over nine years. Pelicot used an online website to invite men to his home to assault his unconscious wife. He also filmed his daughters-in-law and is suspected in other cold cases.
Pope Francis has extended the Catholic Church's reform process by three years, despite ongoing health issues. The reforms aim to elevate women's roles, potentially by ordaining female deacons, and increase laypeople's involvement. While still in the hospital, the 88-year-old pontiff has remained active in governance, indicating his commitment to these changes.