World News

The European Union has ordered social media firm TikTok to freeze data linked to Romania’s elections after the meteoric rise in popularity of a pro-Russia presidential hopeful who says the moon landings “were staged,” soft drinks “include microchips” and disputes the chemical formula for water.

Romania has plunged into political turmoil as the country’s top court annulled its presidential elections and the upcoming runoff, which was initially scheduled for Sunday, December 8.

Syrian rebels have captured the central city of Hama in the latest blow to President Bashar al Assad, adding to concerns about the plight of the country’s Christian minority, according to military officials and aid workers.

Faced with the most significant political turmoil in years, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged Thursday he would name a new prime minister within “the coming days” but dismissed calls for his resignation.

French President Emmanuel Macron will address the nation on Thursday after the government lost a no-confidence vote, Worthy News learned.

Global debt soared by over $12 trillion in the first three quarters of 2024, reaching a record $323 trillion, driven by falling borrowing costs and increased risk appetite, according to the latest Global Debt Monitor report by a banking trade group.

Pope Francis expressed concern Wednesday that “war is a human defeat” after new evidence emerged that the Russia-Ukraine war impacted those whose lives have just begun. Investigators say Ukrainian children were stripped of their Ukrainian identity and placed with Russian families.

As Syria’s army struggles to fend off the surprise insurgency launched last week by jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Iran-backed militias entered the country on Sunday to lend support to the Syrian forces, Reuters reports. The insurgents first attacked Syria’s second-largest city of Aleppo and then moved into Idlib and Hama province.

South Korea’s military warned Tuesday that martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol would remain in place “until he lifts it” despite the parliament’s majority vote against it.

The United States announced on December 2 a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against the Russian invasion launched in February 2022, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports.

Describing their actions as a demand for the blockade of Gaza to be lifted, Houthi Islamic insurgents in Yemen fired seven missiles and drones at American warships and merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden on Sunday, December 1, Straight Arrow News (SAN) reports.

Romania’s pro-EU and pro-NATO parties appeared to be holding off the far right in a parliamentary election on Sunday, but the strength of the radical vote suggested that an ultranationalist, pro-Russian candidate could still win the presidency this month.

The French government was facing collapse Monday after far-right and left-wing parties said they would back a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, despite his warnings it could further threaten the nation’s already challenging economy.

Nearly three years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has just approved a military budget that surpasses the country’s allocated spending on health care, education, and social policy combined, Euro News reports.

The Pentagon announced Friday that the United States has approved a new arms sale to Taiwan worth US$387 million, the Taipei Times (TT) reports. The sale represents the 18th arms deal with Taiwan to be approved by the Biden administration.