WORLD

Al-Hol Camp, Syria | AFP | In an overcrowded desert camp for families linked to the Islamic State group in northeastern Syria, a French woman begged for another chance so she and her children could go home. In the same settlement, two other French women were more tepid about the prospect …

Washington, United States | AFP |  President Donald Trump’s historic impeachment trial begins in earnest Tuesday in the Senate, with Democrats calling for his removal from office and Republicans determined to acquit him — and quickly, if possible. Four months after the Ukraine scandal exploded and went on to overshadow the …

Davos, Switzerland | AFP |  The starkly opposed visions of US President Donald Trump and Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg on climate change will clash in Davos on Tuesday as the World Economic Forum tries to face up to the perils of global warming on its 50th meeting. The four-day gathering …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | President Vladimir Putin moved quickly on Monday to push through an overhaul of Russia’s political system that has fuelled speculation over his ambitions after his term expires. Less than a week after announcing the reforms that unleashed a political storm in Russia, Putin submitted the package …

Beijing, China | AFP | A World Health Organization emergency panel will meet this week to discuss a SARS-like virus that has spread beyond China and that a Beijing government expert said Monday is contagious between humans. The new coronavirus strain, first discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has …

Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s lawyers submitted a trial brief Monday calling his impeachment by the House “a dangerous perversion” of the US constitution and demanding his immediate acquittal by the Senate. Almost simultaneously, House impeachment managers responded to an earlier Trump filing, saying the president had …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prince Harry voiced his “great sadness” at bowing out entirely from representing the British monarchy as newspapers said Monday it was the best viable compromise on his desire to step back. Harry said he and his wife Meghan did not want to quit their royal …

  Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Patients who stop smoking at least four weeks before an operation significantly reduce the risk of having postsurgical complications because their blood flow improves, according to a study published Monday. The World Health Organisation (WHO) study argued that minor or non-essential operations on regular smokers …

Beijing, China | AFP | A new SARS-like virus has killed a third person, spread around China and reached a third Asian country, authorities said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the Lunar New Year in humanity’s biggest migration. The new coronavirus strain, first …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Boris Johnson told African leaders Monday that Britain would be more open to migrants from their continent after Brexit as he hosted a summit intended to boost trading ties. He also promised an end to direct UK state investment in thermal coal mining …