National-World

By Jennifer Johnson, CNN (CNN) — A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31, killing at least 2,200 people and injuring thousands. The mountainous communities in the war-ravaged nation already face hunger and economic crises. Rescue operations are underway and charities are on the ground providing food, medicine and shelter. You can make a

By Associated Press La Paz, Bolivia (AP) — Struck by lightning during a roaring thunderstorm 10 years ago, an ancient pine tree in Bolivia’s capital of La Paz is thriving. Known as the “miracle tree,” this giant conifer now draws devotees from across the country to La Paz’s largest public cemetery, founded two centuries ago

By Mostafa Salem and Charbel Mallo, CNN (CNN) — The Lebanese government welcomed a plan presented by the army on Friday to disarm Hezbollah, the country’s most formidable military force, in an unprecedented move that risks sparking internal conflict. The army will start implementing the terms of the deal, but may have limited capabilities, according

By Max Foster, Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Billy Stockwell, CNN London (CNN) — The Duchess of Kent, one of Britain’s most beloved royals, died on Thursday night at age 92, surrounded by close family, Buckingham Palace announced Friday. “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of

By Darya Tarasova and Catherine Nicholls, CNN (CNN) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that any Western troops in Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets for defeat,” a day after it was announced that dozens of Western countries have pledged to contribute to a potential peacekeeping force there if a ceasefire deal is agreed.

By Christian Edwards and Max Foster, CNN London (CNN) — Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned following a scandal over her failure to pay the correct amount of property tax, adding to the woes of the country’s struggling center-left government. Rayner’s departure is another headache for the United Kingdom’s increasingly unpopular leader, Keir

By Tamar Michaelis, Ibrahim Dahman and Oren Liebermann (CNN) — Hamas on Friday released a video of two hostages being driven around Gaza City, in a move apparently aimed at swaying Israeli public opinion as the military ramps up its assault on the city. The propaganda video shows captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal in a car in

By Sebastian Shukla, Nadine Schmidt, Claudia Otto, CNN Berlin (CNN) — “When I think about the trip today, I wouldn’t do it again – it was so dangerous. What I remember is that many people died, they drowned … there were too many people on that boat.” Anas Modamani, who as a teenager fled Syria’s

By Haicen Yang and Fred He, CNN Hong Kong and Beijing (CNN) — At a busy market in a small town of China’s Hebei province, Labubu is no longer the coveted collectible displayed in glass cases. Here, they’re treated like sweet potatoes or cabbages, dumped by the dozen into large plastic bags, or piled into

By Helen Regan, Kocha Olarn, CNN (CNN) — Thailand’s influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suddenly left the country on his private jet Thursday days before a court ruling that could see him imprisoned, raising speculation that he might not return to face the verdict. His departure came a day before Thailand’s parliament picked veteran

By Lex Harvey, Jennifer Hansler, CNN (CNN) — The US State Department has imposed sanctions on three Palestinian human rights groups that asked the International Criminal Court to investigate and arrest Israeli leaders over accusations of war crimes in Gaza. Late last year the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former