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Pope Francis addresses faithful after ex-pope's death

Pope Francis will address the Catholic faithful on Sunday at the Vatican, the day after the death of his predecessor at the age of 95.. On Sunday, Francis will preside over a service marking the World Day of Peace at St Peter's Basilica, before addressing the faithful in St Peter's Square for the Angelus prayer at 1100 GMT. Preparations are underway for the funeral on Thursday morning of Benedict at St Peter's, over which Francis will preside.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 3 mins read

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Kim calls for 'exponential increase' of N. Korea's nuclear arsenal

North Korea's Kim Jong Un has called for a major increase in the country's nuclear arsenal, including mass producing tactical nuclear weapons and developing new missiles for nuclear counterstrikes, state media said Sunday.. In 2022, Kim said he wanted his country to have the world's most powerful nuclear force and declared the North an "irreversible" nuclear state.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 2 mins read

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EU urges Rwanda to stop supporting M23 rebels in DR Congo

The European Union on Saturday urged Rwanda to stop supporting the M23 rebel group, which has captured swathes of territory in North Kivu province in neighbouring DR Congo.. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday that the European bloc had urged Rwanda to "stop supporting the M23 and use all means to press the M23 to comply with the decisions taken by the EAC (East African Community)" and at a November summit in Angola.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 2 mins read

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Ukraine clings to holiday vibe despite New Year strikes

Viktoria Lukovenko was making a salad for a New Year's Eve party on Saturday when explosions overhead sent her running for cover in a Kyiv metro station.. Waiting for the air raid warning to lift, Kyiv residents huddled in underground metro stations, some women already donning the brightly embroidered traditional skirts they would wear to parties later in the evening. 

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 3 mins read

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Russia strikes Ukraine hours before the New Year

Russian strikes on Saturday targeted Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, just hours before New Year's Eve celebrations while President Vladimir Putin told Russians that "historical rightness" was on their side. . In his traditional New Year's Eve address, broadcast by channels just before midnight, Putin told Russians that "moral, historical rightness is on our side".

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 3 mins read

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Croatia set to enter euro, borderless Europe club

Croatia was counting down the hours on Saturday ahead of a switch to the euro and entry into Europe's passport-free zone -- two major milestones for the country after joining the EU nearly a decade ago.. It will also be the 27th nation in the passport-free Schengen zone, the world's largest, which enables more than 400 million people to move freely around its members.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 3 mins read

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Pope Francis to lead unique funeral for ex-pope Benedict

For the first time in modern history, a sitting pope will preside over his predecessor's funeral next week, with Pope Francis leading a "simple" ceremony for Benedict XVI, who died Saturday.. Unlike when previous popes have died, there is no need to call a conclave to elect a new pontiff, as Francis -- chosen to succeed Benedict in 2013 -- remains very much in the post.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 3 mins read

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China's Xi says 'light of hope in front of us' on Covid

President Xi Jinping said Saturday the "light of hope is right in front of us" as China faces an explosion of Covid-19 cases after an abrupt lifting of restrictions.. Everyone is working resolutely, and the light of hope is right in front of us," Xi said in a televised address for the New Year.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 2 mins read

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At the Vatican, faithful hail 'a great pope'

Catholics and tourists visiting St Peter's Square on Saturday expressed sadness and admiration for former pope Benedict XVI, following news of his death aged 95.. Michael Dauphinee, a tourist visiting from the United States, hailed Benedict as a "great example".

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 1 mins read

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Former pope Benedict in quotes

Here is a selection of Benedict XVI's standout quotes, some of them controversial, from his 2005-2013 papacy and in his retirement.. - February 2013, announcing his resignation aged 85.

Sat, Dec 31, 2022 4 mins read