World

Courtesy Carol Barnes (NEW YORK) — Over the last two months, following lengthy periods of detention in Russia, Americans Brittney Griner, Sarah Krivanek and Taylor Dudley were all allowed to return home — but Alabama native David Barnes continues to be held by Russian authorities. Now, after more than a year of incarceration in Russia, […]

SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — More than 10 months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion into neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin’s forces in November pulled out of key positions, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops […]

KeithBinns/Getty Images (LONDON) — A new law designed to increase the number of women in positions of power in both private and public sectors came into force in Sierra Leone on Thursday. More than a year after the legislation was first tabled in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, lawmakers voted unanimously to pass the Gender Equality and […]

Kerry Marshall/Getty Images (NEW YORK) — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced in an emotional press briefing that she will step down, saying “it’s time.” Ardern said Thursday she will not be seeking reelection this year and that her term will end by Feb. 7. “This has been the most fulfilling 5 1/2 years […]

Rainer Puster / EyeEm/Getty Images (HONG KONG and BEIJING) — With just days to go until the Lunar New Year, throngs of bundled-up travelers shuffle their way through the freezing temperatures towards Beijing Railway Station, the distinctive mishmash of eastern and western styles built in the 1950s to triumphantly herald Mao’s “New China.” “We wish […]

Courtesy Carol Barnes (NEW YORK) — Over the last two months, following lengthy periods of detention in Russia, Americans Brittney Griner, Sarah Krivanek and Taylor Dudley were all allowed to return home — but Alabama native David Barnes continues to be held by Russian authorities. Now, after more than a year of incarceration in Russia, […]

Photo by Cathy Scola (LONDON) — Offices should rethink bringing cake into the workplace as it may pose the same harm to colleagues’ health as passive smoking, according to Professor Susan Jebb, chairwoman of the U.K. Food Standards Agency. “We all like to think we’re rational, intelligent, educated people who make informed choices the whole […]

Blair family (MEXICO CITY) — The family of an American tourist found dead in Mexico said Tuesday that they believe he “was the victim of a brutal crime.” California resident and Orange County public defender Elliot Blair died on Jan. 14 at Las Rocas Resort and Spa, located on the shores of Rosarito Beach, just […]

SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images (NEW YORK) — More than 10 months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion into neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin’s forces in November pulled out of key positions, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops […]

@FreeTheNamazis / Twitter (WASHINGTON) — U.S. citizen Siamak Namazi has begun a seven-day hunger strike while urging President Joe Biden to do more to bring him and other American detainees in Iran back home. Namazi began the strike Monday to mark the seventh anniversary of a prisoner swap with Iran that failed to free him. […]