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Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo chokes on toxic air as a thick blanket of winter fog rolls over the city

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — Flights have been grounded and people told to stay indoors as a thick layer of smog has engulfed Bosnia’s capital of Sarajevo. Thursday’s fog had residents virtually choking on toxic air. The Swiss air quality technology company IQAir put Sarajevo’s air quality index, or AQI, at a “very unhealthy” 225, ranking

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Bank of England warns of ‘heightened uncertainty’ as it keeps interest rates on hold

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — The U.K.’s central bank has warned about “heightened uncertainty” as it kept interest rates on hold after inflation moved further above target even at a time when the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of England’s nine-member Monetary Policy Committee kept its main interest rate unchanged at 4.75%

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US ambassador to Vietnam says US arms manufacturers could help boost Vietnam’s military capabilities

Associated Press HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to Vietnam says U.S. arms manufacturers could help the southeast Asian country build up its armed forces. Ambassador Marc Knapper said at a press briefing during an international arms expo in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Thursday that U.S. and Vietnamese companies could work together to

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The Fed expects to cut rates more slowly in 2025. What that could mean for mortgages, debt and more

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s third interest rate cut of the year will likely have consequences for debt, savings, auto loans, mortgages and other forms of borrowing by consumers and businesses. But with inflation pressures still elevated and with concern that President-elect Donald Trump’s policies could fuel inflation, the Fed indicated

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Putin boasts of gains in Ukraine at annual news conference meant to reinforce his authority

Associated Press MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin boasted that his military operation in Ukraine has strengthened Russia and denied that the ouster of key ally Bashar Assad in Syria had hurt Moscow’s prestige, as he took questions at his annual news conference and call-in show Thursday. He used the tightly choreographed event, which lasted

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British YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly admits to reckless driving in Australia while awaiting trial

PERTH, Australia (AP) — A British YouTuber and rapper known as Yung Filly has admitted in an Australian court to reckless driving while he was awaiting trial on charges of raping a woman three months ago. The 29-year-old’s real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos. He appeared briefly in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday,

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France’s Macron says tour of cyclone-devastated Mayotte is a day he won’t forget

Associated Press MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived Thursday in the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte to survey Cyclone Chido’s destruction and was immediately confronted with a first-hand account of devastation across the French territory. “Mayotte is demolished,” Assane Haloi, a security agent, told Macron after he stepped off the plane. Macron

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Pakistan denounces US sanctions on its missile program as biased and putting regional peace at risk

Associated Press ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has denounced U.S. sanctions on its ballistic missile program as biased and putting regional peace at risk. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the “discriminatory” sanctions not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security. The sanctions freeze

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Middle East latest: Israeli strike on a Gaza school kills 17 people sheltering there

Israeli airstrikes slammed into two schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City on Thursday, a Health Ministry official said, killing at least 17 people including five children in one of the schools. Rescue workers said at 30 people were also wounded across both locations. Israel said Hamas operated command centers inside the shelters, without providing

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5 suspected militants killed in Kashmir fighting, Indian military says

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — The Indian military says government forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir killed five suspected militants in a gunbattle. Soldiers and police launched a joint operation on Thursday after receiving a tip that rebels were hiding in a village in southern Kulgam district. The militants opened “indiscriminate and heavy volumes of fire” at the

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Man accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing faces federal charge that’s eligible for death penalty

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was whisked back to New York by plane and helicopter Thursday to face new federal charges of stalking and murder, which could bring the death penalty if he’s convicted. Luigi Mangione was held without bail following a Manhattan federal court appearance, capping

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Number of dead and missing still unclear as first aid arrives in quake-hit Pacific nation of Vanuatu

Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The number of people killed and missing remains unclear two days after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. More than 48 hours after the quake, the Ministry of Health said the number of confirmed deaths reached 10 early Friday, with the number expected

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Japanese newspaper boss who influenced the nation’s postwar politics died at 98

Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Tsuneo Watanabe, the powerful head of Japan’s largest newspaper who helped shape the country’s postwar politics, has died, his company said Thursday. He was 98. Watanabe, who was editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun for over 30 years, had close ties with former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and other powerful politicians

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