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Five people who defined 2024
From great leaps in artificial intelligence to the heroic defendant in a mass rape trial that shocked France, here are the stories of five people who made their mark on 2024:
US diplomats visit Syria to meet new rulers
US diplomats have arrived in Syria to speak directly to the new Islamist-led rulers, hoping to encourage a moderate, inclusive path and to find clues on missing Americans, the State Department said Friday.
Australia agrees deal to strengthen Solomons police
Australia said Friday it has agreed to boost Solomon Islands' police force with a finance and training package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China.
Macron extends visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte after locals vent anger
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his visit to cyclone-devastated Mayotte on Friday after angry residents vented exasperation and despair over the scale of the disaster.
South Korea probe team issues Christmas Day summons for Yoon
Investigators probing suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his foiled martial law bid on Friday ordered him to appear before the country's corruption watchdog on Christmas Day -- after he snubbed a previous summons this week.
China's Xi swears in new Macau leader
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday presided over the inauguration of new Macau leader Sam Hou-fai, capping off a three-day visit as the former Portuguese colony marks 25 years since being returned to China.
Egypt's first-ever asylum law fuels concerns over refugee rights
Egypt adopted its first-ever asylum law this week, but it has sparked concerns among human rights groups who warn it takes a "security-focused approach" that could undermine refugee protections.
Australia agrees deal to finance, train Solomons police
Australia said Friday it has agreed to help boost Solomon Islands' police force with a finance and training package for the Pacific nation, which has fostered close ties with China.
UAE says will not arm Sudan paramilitary RSF: White House
The United Arab Emirates has informed the United States that it will not arm paramilitaries in Sudan's brutal civil war, US lawmakers long critical of the Gulf power's role quoted the White House as saying on Thursday.
US lawmakers reject Republican bill to avert government shutdown
The US House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected a Republican-led funding bill aimed at averting a government shutdown, with federal agencies due to run out of cash on Friday night and cease operations starting this weekend.
El Salvador plans to sell or shut its crypto wallet
El Salvador will privatize or close the cryptocurrency wallet "Chivo" created by President Nayib Bukele when he made bitcoin legal tender in 2021, an official said Thursday.
UAE promises not to arm Sudan paramilitaries, US lawmakers say
The United Arab Emirates, under fire in Washington, has promised the United States not to arm paramilitaries in Sudan's brutal civil war, US lawmakers said Thursday.
'President Musk' makes his presence felt in Washington
Elon Musk's role in wrecking a bipartisan Congress deal to avert a US government shutdown has underlined his extraordinary influence over the Republican Party and the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
China's Xi to lead Macau handover anniversary celebrations
Chinese President Xi Jinping will preside over a day of celebrations in Macau and inaugurate the city's new leader on Friday to mark 25 years since the former colony was returned to China.
IMF confirms talks with Argentina about new loan agreement
The IMF and Argentina have begun negotiations over a new loan agreement as the current program draws to a close, a spokesperson for the international financial institution confirmed Thursday.
Blinken hopes Trump picks up work on Saudi-Israel deal
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday voiced hope that President-elect Donald Trump will pick up his work to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, acknowledging a historic deal will not happen under Joe Biden's administration.
US announces $200 mn additional aid for Sudan
The United States on Thursday announced $200 million of new funding for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, bringing Washington's commitment to $2.3 billion, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday.
Defeat of Syria's Assad stirs a mother's bitterness
In the villages above the Syrian port city of Tartus they once hailed the sons who died fighting in Bashar al-Assad's service as martyrs.
Macron promises to 'rebuild' Mayotte as locals voice grievances
French President Emmanuel Macron promised to "rebuild" Mayotte as distraught and angry local people jeered and shouted out their grievances during his visit to the cyclone-devastated Indian Ocean archipelago on Thursday.
Yemen rebels say Israeli strikes kill 9, after missile attack
Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels said Israeli air strikes on Thursday killed nine people, after the group fired a missile toward Israel, badly damaging a school.
UN members seek ICJ opinion on Israel aid obligations to Palestinians
The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to assess Israel's obligations to assist Palestinians, amid accusations the Israeli government systematically hinders Gaza aid.
Zelensky says Trump and EU must work together to secure peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he needed both Europe and the United States on board to secure a durable peace, as he huddled with EU leaders at their final summit before Donald Trump's inauguration.
Brazil's Lula returns to regular duties after head surgery
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was to return to Brasilia on Thursday and his regular duties, after getting the go-ahead from his doctors following emergency head surgery, officials said.
'Welcome Donald': Zelensky seeks to win Trump to Kyiv's side
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he wanted to appeal to US President-elect Donald Trump on a human level to win him over against "crazy" Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Putin ready to meet Trump to talk Ukraine deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he was ready for talks at "any time" with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has touted his ability to strike a Ukraine peace deal within hours of coming to office.
UN chief sees 'flame of hope' in Syria, calls for end to Israel strikes
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that there was a "flame of hope" in Syria following the fall of president Bashar al-Assad's regime but warned of significant challenges ahead.
Wall Street stocks rebound despite government shutdown threat
Wall Street stocks rebounded Thursday from sharp losses over the prospect of fewer US rate cuts next year despite the looming threat of a government shutdown.
Painful wait in Saudi for family of detained Syrian chess champion
As Syrians pour out of prisons that Bashar al-Assad used to cement his grip on power, the Saudi-based family of one detainee is desperate for any news, even if it confirms their worst fears.
Israel accused of 'acts of genocide', 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza
Israel on Thursday faced accusations of "acts of genocide" in Gaza, a charge it denounced as full of "lies", while a medical charity said the devastation caused in the Palestinian territory showed "signs of ethnic cleansing".
Myanmar junta FM briefs neighbours on election plans: Thai FM
Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister briefed officials from five neighbouring countries on the military's repeatedly delayed plans to hold elections, Thailand's foreign minister said on Thursday.
US, European, Chinese firms seek to draw Vietnam arms deals from Russia
Major US weapons manufacturers including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, along with Europe's Airbus and Chinese firms, put their wares on show at an arms fair in Hanoi Thursday as Vietnam looks to diversify its defence supplies away from Russia.
Key facts from the Pentagon's annual China military report
The Pentagon has released its annual congressionally mandated report on China's military and security developments.