National-World

By Christian Edwards, CNN London (CNN) — The blaze that killed 72 people in Grenfell Tower in London was caused by “decades of failure” by the UK government and the construction industry that allowed the 24-storey building to be wrapped in flammable cladding, a seven-year public inquiry has found. The fire began in the early

By Kosta Gak, Alex Stambaugh, Helen Regan and Ivana Kottasová, CNN (CNN) — Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba became the latest top official to tender his resignation on Wednesday, ahead of a major government reshuffle, as yet another wave of Russian attacks overnight killed at least seven people, including a child. As Ukraine’s top diplomat,

By Angus Watson, CNN Sydney, Australia (CNN) — A series of smiling Instagram photos of diplomats wearing purple and enjoying cupcakes has caused a spat between Iran and Australia, with the Australian ambassador summoned to explain the “disrespectful” behavior. The Australian Embassy in Tehran posted photos on Monday to mark Wear It Purple Day, an

By Rebecca Wright, Anna Coren, Salman Saeed and Mark Phillips, CNN Dhaka, Bangladesh (CNN) — The banging on the door started just after sunrise, when law student Iftekhar Alam was still sleeping in his fifth-floor apartment. Around half a dozen armed police officers pushed inside, shouting obscenities and telling him he had wronged the nation

By Simone McCarthy, CNN Beijing (CNN) — Delegations from dozens of African countries are gathering in Beijing for a three-day summit set to see China showcase itself as a lead partner for the continent, despite slowing lending for its development – and as it faces rising frictions with the West. A procession of African leaders have

By Stefano Pozzebon, CNN (CNN) — Christmas will start next month in Venezuela, authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro has decreed – even as thousands of Venezuelans look set to pass the holidays behind bars amid his government’s crackdown on political unrest. “September smells like Christmas!” Maduro said in his weekly television show on Monday, to the

By Sharon Braithwaite, CNN (CNN) — Uganda’s main opposition leader Bobi Wine has been “seriously injured” in a confrontation with police, his party the National Unity Platform (NUP) said Tuesday. The NUP said in a post on social media that Wine was shot in the leg in an attempt on his life, just outside the

By Camille Knight, Emmanuel Miculita and Caroline Baum, CNN (CNN) — A man is on trial accused of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife, as well as encouraging dozens of other men to rape her in their home while she was unconscious, court documents show. The alleged victim, Gisèle, 72, appeared in a courtroom in

By Christian Edwards, CNN (CNN) — With its announcement that militants guarding Israeli hostages in the buildings and tunnels of Gaza had “new instructions” to kill them if Israeli troops closed in, Hamas signaled the opening of a chilling new chapter in an already brutal war. Seizing on a spasm of public outrage in Israel

By Emmanuel Miculita and Chris Liakos, CNN (CNN) — At least 12 people died, most of them women and children, when a migrant boat capsized off the coast of northern France on Tuesday, according to French authorities. Nearly 70 people were on board the vessel, according to Boulogne-sur-Mer mayor, Frédéric Cuvillier. The exact number is unclear. Emergency

CNN By Alexandra Banner, CNN (CNN) — Costco’s first membership price hike in 7 years went into effect this week. The big-box retailer increased most of its plans by $5 to $65 a year to help offset expenses and keep its prices down. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and