At Least Eight Killed After Severe Storms

At least eight people have been killed with one still missing after severe storms battered Australia’s eastern states over the Christmas holidays, bringing down trees and power lines and leaving tens of thousands of households without power.
Czech Minister Says 13 Bodies Identified From Fatal Shooting

The Minister of Interior in Czech Republic, Vít Rakušan, has given an update on the shooting that occurred in the country on Thursday saying the shooter has been identified as well as 13 of the 14 victims.
US, China Top Military Officials Hold First Talks In More Than A year

A top military officer from the United States held a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart in the first such conversation in more than a year.
Rwanda Lifts Ban On Entertainment Spots

The Government of Rwanda has relaxed operating restrictions previously imposed on bars, nightclubs and other entertainment establishments.
Armenia And Azerbaijan Exchange Prisoners In Step Towards Normalization

Armenia and Azerbaijan have traded prisoners of war at their border in a step towards normalizing their relations; three months after Azerbaijan achieved a breakthrough in their decades-old conflict.
Tanker ‘Attacked By Cruise Missile’

Reports say A tanker ship travelling through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula off the coast of Yemen has been hit by a missile.
Ex-Sierra Leone president to be questioned over attempted coup

Sierra Leone police summoned ex-president Ernest Koroma for questioning as part of an investigation into an attempted coup last week.
Russia Teenager Shoots Classmates, Injures Five

A Russian teenager on Thursday shot dead a classmate and injured five others before killing herself in a school in Bryansk near the Ukrainian border.
Benin Republic Seeks Stronger Ties With Nigeria

The Republic of Benin has requested deeper trade ties with Nigeria and free movement of products and persons ahead of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Summit.
Gaza Crisis Deepens Amid Intense Israeli Attacks

Israel intensifies bombardment across central and southern Gaza, with dozens reported killed in an Israeli attack on homes in Deir el-Balah.