Climate in 2022: Extreme heat, drought, floods fueled by warming planet

By October, the U.S. had experienced 15 major weather disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion in damage each, according to NOAA.

South Korea lifts ban on imported full-body sex dolls

South Korea has formally lifted a ban on the import of full-body sex dolls, ending years of debate over how much the government can interfere in private life.

South Korean military apologizes for failing to down North Korea’s drones

North Korean drones entered South Korean airspace for the first time since 2017 . The drone flights came days after South Korea said North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles, extending its record testing activities this year.

Pope Francis orders return of Parthenon Sculpture fragments to Greece

The Vatican on Friday termed the gesture a “donation” from the pope to His Beatitude Ieronymos II, the Orthodox Christian archbishop of Athens and all Greece.

Pope laments 'icy winds of war' in Christmas address

"Indeed, we must acknowledge with sorrow that, even as the Prince of Peace is given to us, the icy winds of war continue to buffet humanity," Pope Francis said.

Pelé's family gathers at hospital as cancer worsens

Doctors said the three-time World Cup winner is under “elevated care” at a Brazilian hospital with his family by his side.

‘Hard road’ lies ahead for China as COVID-19 cases spiral

China has reduced testing and stopped reporting most mild COVID cases. China is among a few countries that managed to stop most domestic transmission of the virus in 2020, but it’s the last to end restrictions.

Ali Ahmed Aslam, often credited as inventor of chicken tikka masala, dies at 77

Ali Ahmed Aslam said in a 2009 interview that he first came up with the dish in the 1970s when a customer asked if there was a way of making his chicken tikka less dry.

More arms to Ukraine will aggravate war, Kremlin warns

The Kremlin is warning that increasing the supply of U.S. arms to Ukraine would aggravate the devastating 10-month war ignited by Russia’s invasion.

UK warns citizens not to get 'blind drunk' amid ambulance strike

The government advised people not to play contact sports, take unnecessary car trips or get drunk in order to reduce their risk of needing an ambulance.

German court convicts 97-year-old ex-Nazi camp secretary

The ex-Nazi camp secretary was convicted of being an accessory to more than 10,000 murders during World War II.

Iconic Berlin Christmas tree decapitated by climate activists

The climate activists used a hydraulic lift and a hand saw to cut 6 feet off the top of the tree and hang up a banner stating: “This is only the tip of the Christmas tree.”

Taliban bans women from universities until further notice

Despite initially promising a more moderate rule and women's and minority rights, the Taliban have widely implemented their harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia.