World

Greece will legalize same-sex marriage, despite Orthodox Church opposition – National

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Greece will legalize same-sex marriage, despite Orthodox Church opposition – National

Greece’s center-right government said Thursday it would fulfill a commitment to legalize same-sex marriage, sidestepping staunch opposition from the country’s influential Orthodox Church. The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house’s current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis. The statement comes after the Church’s governing Holy Synod issued a … Read more

An Israel-Hamas conflict ceasefire ‘can’t be one-sided:’ Trudeau – National

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An Israel-Hamas conflict ceasefire ‘can’t be one-sided:’ Trudeau – National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that Canada’s support for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict doesn’t mean the country’s position on Israel has changed. “We were among the first countries to call for humanitarian pauses, and we’re now calling, like much of the rest of the world, for work towards a ceasefire,” Trudeau said in … Read more

At least 15 dead, 30 injured after shooting at Prague university: police – National

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At least 15 dead, 30 injured after shooting at Prague university: police – National

By Staff The Associated Press Posted December 21, 2023 12:23 pm Updated December 21, 2023 12:32 pm Descrease article font size Increase article font size An armed man opened fire in a university building in downtown Prague on Thursday, killing 15 people and sowing widespread panic with one of the Czech Republic’s worst mass shootings … Read more

Hamas leader in Egypt amid intensive talks on new Gaza ceasefire – National

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Hamas leader in Egypt amid intensive talks on new Gaza ceasefire – National

The leader of Hamas made his first visit to Egypt for more than a month on Wednesday, a rare personal intervention in diplomacy amid what a source described as intensive talks on a new ceasefire to let aid reach Gaza and get hostages freed. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who normally resides in Qatar, typically intervenes … Read more

‘De-extinction’ of the dodo: Company to try resurrecting long-extinct bird – National

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‘De-extinction’ of the dodo: Company to try resurrecting long-extinct bird – National

Not too unlike the plot of the movie Jurassic Park, a team of well-funded scientists are attempting to bring the extinct dodo back to life. Last month, the billion-dollar genetics company Colossal Biosciences announced it would be partnering with a wildlife charity in Mauritius to try and bring one of the world’s most famously extinct creatures … Read more

Houthis carrying out Red Sea attacks. Who are they? – National

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Houthis carrying out Red Sea attacks. Who are they? – National

The Iran-aligned Houthis of Yemen are playing an escalating role in the conflict in the Middle East, attacking shipping in the Red Sea and firing drones and missiles at Israel in a campaign they say aims to support Palestinians in the Gaza war. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday announced the creation of a multinational … Read more

AI can’t be patent ‘inventor,’ U.K. Supreme Court rules – National

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AI can’t be patent ‘inventor,’ U.K. Supreme Court rules – National

Descrease article font size Increase article font size A U.S. computer scientist on Wednesday lost his bid to register patents over inventions created by his artificial intelligence system in a landmark case in Britain about whether AI can own patent rights. Stephen Thaler wanted to be granted two patents in the U.K. for inventions he … Read more

Ukraine weighing military’s request to mobilize another 500K for war: Zelenskyy – National

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Ukraine weighing military’s request to mobilize another 500K for war: Zelenskyy – National

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday the military had proposed mobilising 450,000-500,000 more Ukrainians into the armed forces in what would mark a dramatic step up of Kyiv’s effort to beat back Russia. The Ukrainian leader told his end-of-year news conference it was a “highly sensitive” issue that the military and government would discuss … Read more

What will democracy look like in 2024? Trump may have the final word – National

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What will democracy look like in 2024? Trump may have the final word – National

Russia’s Vladimir Putin looks set to remain in power until at least 2030; India’s Narendra Modi seems certain to extend his rule to 2029; and Donald Trump could return to the White House despite charges of subverting U.S. democracy. For those who worry that authoritarian rulers are firmly in the ascendant over more liberal democrats, there is likely to be much … Read more

JN.1 is now a COVID-19 variant of interest, WHO says – National

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JN.1 is now a COVID-19 variant of interest, WHO says – National

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The World Health Organization has classified the COVID-19 variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest from the parent lineage BA.2.86 due to its rapidly increasing spread. The WHO made the announcement Tuesday, saying that based on current evidence, the global health risk posed by JN.1 remains … Read more