Digest

World and business news. The world is the totality of entities, the whole of reality, or everything that exists. The nature of the world has been conceptualized differently in different fields. Some conceptions see the world as unique while others talk of a “plurality of worlds”

Germany’s Scholz speaks with Putin, demands Russia withdraw from Ukraine

Germany’s Scholz speaks with Putin, demands Russia withdraw from Ukraine

A German government spokesperson said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz held direct talks via telephone Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin...

Ukrainians face harsh winter as Russian attacks destroy energy infrastructure

Ukrainians face harsh winter as Russian attacks destroy energy infrastructure

GENEVA — Ukraine is heading into its third, most challenging winter since the war started nearly 1,000 days ago because “systematic...

Dutch government says needs ‘more time’ for strategy on anti-Semitism 

Dutch government says needs ‘more time’ for strategy on anti-Semitism 

The Hague, Netherlands — The Dutch government needs “more time” to flesh out a strategy to fight anti-Semitism after last week’s...

Spanish regional leader admits ‘mistakes’ in handling deadly floods 

Spanish regional leader admits ‘mistakes’ in handling deadly floods 

Valencia, Spain — The head of Spain’s eastern Valencia region admitted Friday to “mistakes” in handing the country’s deadliest flood in...

Australia’s plan to ban children from social media proves popular, problematic

Australia’s plan to ban children from social media proves popular, problematic

MELBOURNE, Australia — How do you remove children from the harms of social media? Politically the answer appears simple in Australia,...

1 dead, thousands without heat after Russian strike on Ukraine port city

1 dead, thousands without heat after Russian strike on Ukraine port city

Kyiv, Ukraine — A massive Russian attack that set apartments alight and knocked out heating to thousands in Ukraine’s southern port...

A criticized Airbnb deal will let users play gladiator in Rome’s Colosseum

A criticized Airbnb deal will let users play gladiator in Rome’s Colosseum

ROME — The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights — albeit staged — for the first time...

Can Trump’s return to White House be an opportunity for enhancing US-Turkey ties?

Can Trump’s return to White House be an opportunity for enhancing US-Turkey ties?

washington — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was among the first foreign leaders to congratulate U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his...

Italy’s president urges Elon Musk to ‘respect sovereignty’ after court blocks Albania migrant deal

Italy’s president urges Elon Musk to ‘respect sovereignty’ after court blocks Albania migrant deal

Italy’s flagship policy of holding migrants in detention centers in Albania for processing has hit a legal roadblock – as...

Putin attempts whitewashing Russian atrocities in Africa

Putin attempts whitewashing Russian atrocities in Africa

Various human rights groups accuse Russia of committing crimes that amount to crimes against humanity in Africa. Several reports also...

French military tech used in Sudan, rights group reports

French military tech used in Sudan, rights group reports

Amnesty International reported that French-manufactured military technology incorporated into armored personnel carriers (APCs) made by the United Arab Emirates is...

Reporters Without Borders sues X

Reporters Without Borders sues X

Washington — The press freedom group Reporters Without Borders on Thursday announced that it is suing the social media company X,...

Trial begins for Russian accused of sending military video to Ukraine

Trial begins for Russian accused of sending military video to Ukraine

MOSCOW — A Russian man went on trial Thursday on charges of high treason for a video he allegedly sent to...

Is Europe ready for year-end cutoff of Russian gas via Ukraine?

Is Europe ready for year-end cutoff of Russian gas via Ukraine?

On the first day of 2025, Ukraine’s contract with Russian state-owned Gazprom will expire, shutting down a major Russian natural...

EU fines Meta $840 million over abusive practices benefiting Facebook Marketplace

EU fines Meta $840 million over abusive practices benefiting Facebook Marketplace

Brussels — The European Commission on Thursday fined Meta Platforms $840.24 million over abusive practices benefiting Facebook Marketplace, it said in...

EU parliament loosens delayed anti-deforestation rules

EU parliament loosens delayed anti-deforestation rules

The European Parliament on Thursday approved a one-year delay on implementing the bloc’s landmark anti-deforestation rules, while also voting to...

Russian forces capture village in eastern Ukraine

Russian forces capture village in eastern Ukraine

Russia’s military reported capturing a village in east Ukraine on Thursday, with forces closing in on the town of Kurakhove....

BRICS offered Turkey partner country status, Turkish trade minister says

BRICS offered Turkey partner country status, Turkish trade minister says

ANKARA, turkey — Turkey was offered partner country status by the BRICS group of nations, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said, as...

Swiss villagers pack up for evacuation over fears of another rockslide

Swiss villagers pack up for evacuation over fears of another rockslide

GENEVA — Families in a tiny Swiss village were packing up Wednesday after authorities issued an evacuation order with a weekend...

Russian exiles plan massive anti-Putin march in Berlin

Russian exiles plan massive anti-Putin march in Berlin

Russian exiles plan a march Sunday in Berlin demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the prosecution of Russian...

Ukraine drone attacks spark fires in Russia’s Bryansk, Kaluga regions

Ukraine drone attacks spark fires in Russia’s Bryansk, Kaluga regions

Ukrainian overnight drone attacks have set several non-residential buildings on fire in Russia’s Kaluga and Bryansk regions, regional governors said...

New storms and flooding in Spain threaten hard-hit Valencia again

New storms and flooding in Spain threaten hard-hit Valencia again

Madrid — New storms in Spain caused school closures and train cancellations on Wednesday, two weeks after flash floods in Valencia...