World News

Elite Davos forum 'sitting target' of conspiracy theorists

A Swiss Alpine town where heads of state and business titans huddle for a week of debate: the World Economic Forum in Davos is an ideal target for conspiracy theorists pushing the idea of an elite cabal running the world.. - 'Sitting target' -  The elitist nature of the forum that many business titans pay tens of thousands of dollars to attend, with some flying in on emissions-spewing private jets, perpetuates that mistrust.

South Korea to drop most indoor mask restrictions

South Korea will drop rules that require people to wear masks in most indoor spaces, authorities said Friday, ending one of the country's last major pandemic restrictions as Covid-19 cases dwindle.. The mask mandate has been in place since October 2020, and is one of South Korea's last remaining pandemic-era restrictions, with other rules from business curfews to social distancing long dropped.

Race on to replace Ardern as New Zealand PM

Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation sparked a push on Friday for New Zealand to choose its first Maori prime minister, as a small pack of candidates emerged for the top job.. Wood is the third candidate to emerge so far.

Folk-rock pioneer David Crosby dies at 81: US media

David Crosby, the trailblazing singer-songwriter whose time with The Byrds and later Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young expanded rock's range, has died, US media reported.. "David was an unbelievable talent -- such a great singer and songwriter.

Brazil's Lula vows to defeat 'fanatical far right'

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke on Thursday of his desire to defeat the "new monster" that is the "fanatical far right," not just in his country but throughout the whole world.. "We have to challenge and defeat the new monster that is the emergence of a fanatical, rabid far right that hates all of those that don't share their thoughts," Lula told university rectors at the presidential palace in Brasilia.

EU parliament slams declining press freedom in Morocco

The European Parliament on Thursday condemned what it described as a decline in press freedom in Morocco, saying it was "concerned" by corruption allegations against Rabat.. The Parliament also said it was "deeply concerned" by allegations that Moroccan authorities had bribed its members and reaffirmed its commitment to "fully investigating" corruption. maj/js/jj

Biden invites Americans to sponsor refugees as admissions languish

President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday launched a program to encourage ordinary Americans to sponsor refugees as admissions languish despite record displacement around the world.. "The Biden administration must prioritize the streamlining of refugee admissions, which remain regrettably low this fiscal year," she said in a statement.

Orthodox Epiphany tradition marked by conflict near Ukraine front lines

Oleksandr used to come every year with his loved ones to the Holy Dormition Lavra monastery in Svyatogirsk in Ukraine's Donetsk region to submerge himself in the freezing river to mark Orthodox Epiphany on January 19.. But this year, the monastery and the tradition have been marked by the almost year-long war with Russia.