International News

MIAMI, December 13 ------ President Donald Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy split more than 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border during his first term. Border crossings sit at a record low nearly a year into his second administration and a new wave of immigration enforcement is dividing families inside the U.S. Federal officials and their local law enforcement partners are detaining tens of thousands of asylum-seekers and migrants. Detainees are mo

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 13 ------ A new analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed there is no link between vaccines and autism -- contrary to theories being propagated in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month revised its website with language that undermines its previous, scientifically-grounded position that immunizations do not cause the developmental disability autism. Years of research demonstrate that

NEW YORK/LONDON, December 12 ------ The U.S. dollar stumbled, hitting multi-month lows against the euro, Swiss franc, and sterling and extending losses from the previous session, after the Federal Reserve delivered a less hawkish outlook than some had expected. The Swiss franc drew support from the Swiss National Bank's decision to hold interest rates steady. The dollar fell 0.6 per cent versus the franc to 0.7947, after earlier touching its lowest since mid-November. The gre

TOKYO, December 12 ------ Japan said it held a joint air exercise with the United States in a show of force, days after Chinese-Russian patrols in the region and following weeks of diplomatic feuding between Tokyo and Beijing. The Japanese joint chiefs of staff said Wednesday’s exercise with the US Air Force was conducted in “an increasingly severe security environment surrounding our country.” Tokyo said on Wednesday that two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers flew a day

December 12 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at a referendum for Ukrainians to decide whether to cede land to Russia to help end Russia’s invasion. The comment came as the US pressures Kyiv to concede the Donbas region as part of the peace settlement – a Kremlin war goal and a red line for Kyiv, as it is prohibited by the Ukrainian Constitution. Zelensky, speaking to reporters on Thursday, said it is ultimately the Ukrainians’ decision on the price for peace – hinti

December 12 ------ The Defense Forces are conducting search-and-assault operations and eliminating enemy forces in the urban areas of Pokrovsk. This was reported by the Operation Task Force “East” on Facebook, according to Ukrinform. In Myrnohrad, Ukrainian units are holding defensive lines and eliminating enemy forces on the city’s approaches. Additional logistical routes to Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad are being organized to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of all necessary supp

SINGAPORE, December 11 ------ Oil prices held steady after falling about 1% in the previous session, as investors watched for progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks and awaited a decision on U.S. interest rates. Brent crude futures were up 19 cents, or 0.3%, to $62.13 a barrel at 0645 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $58.44 a barrel, up 19 cents, or 0.3%. "Oil markets are currently struggling for direction as far as we can see, with a minor lift from falling U.S

SAMRAONG, Cambodia, December 11 ------ Half a million evacuees in Cambodia and Thailand were sheltering in pagodas, schools and other safe havens after fleeing renewed fighting in a century-old border dispute in which US President Donald Trump has vowed to again intercede. At least 11 people, including Thai soldiers and Cambodian civilians, have been killed in the latest spate of fighting, officials said, while more than 500,000 have fled border regions near where jets, tanks