AP

By The Associated Press The Kremlin on Thursday said it was in contact with the French authorities over the fate of a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia has made “an offer to the French” regarding Laurent

By SILVIA STELLACCI and COLLEEN BARRY The Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV during his first Christmas Day message on Thursday urged the faithful to shed indifference in the face of those who have lost everything, such as in Gaza, those who are impoverished, such as in Yemen, and the many migrants

By GABRIELA SÁ PESSOA Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro underwent double hernia surgery on Thursday at a hospital in the country’s capital, his family said. The procedure in Brasilia lasted about 3½ hours and was completed without complications, according to his family. Bolsonaro, who has been hospitalized since Wednesday,

By MELANIE LIDMAN Associated Press Three Palestinians have been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to a Christmas tree and damaging part of a Nativity scene at a Catholic Church in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian Authority police said. Police said late Wednesday that the arrests were made after reviewing surveillance footage.

By JULHAS ALAM Associated Press DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The son of a former prime minister of Bangladesh returned home Thursday, promising to work for a safe country after more than 17 years in self-imposed exile as a frontrunner to become the nation’s next leader in upcoming elections. Tarique Rahman moved to London in 2008

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday called on Emirati-backed separatists in southern Yemen to withdraw from two governorates they now control, a move that has threatened to spark a confrontation within a fragile coalition that has been battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the country’s north.

By DANICA KIRKA Associated Press LONDON (AP) — On a Christmas Day when the war in Ukraine casts a shadow over Europe, concerns over immigration divide societies, and some politicians fan anger and resentment, Britain’s King Charles III called on people to focus on kindness instead of conflict. Delivering his annual holiday address from Westminster