January will bring two supermoons, a blue moon, and a total lunar eclipse
Visible supermoons—full moons that appear when the moon is at its closest orbital point to Earth—aren’t very rare. Having three in a row certainly is.
World Headlines
Iran warns against ‘illegal gatherings’ as fresh protest reported in Tehran
The Iranian government warned people against further protests on Saturday after two days of demonstrations sparked by anger over an array of economic problems even as a fresh demonstration was reported at the University of Tehran.
2 protesters killed in Iran as government tries to thwart activists with social media crackdown
Two demonstrators were reportedly killed overnight as the Iranian government struggled to contain anti-government protests spreading throughout the country.
Putin tells Assad Russia will help defend Syrian sovereignty
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad in a new year’s greeting that Russia will continue supporting Syria’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
France sets up tax dept to investigate Jews
The secret department has 20 Hebrew-speaking employees, and is hiring five more to investigate tax evasion.
Sen. Graham: U.S. can deal ‘fatal blows’ to Iran, North Korea in 2018
Current and former U.S. officials said President Donald Trump’s response to Iranian protests could have long-term effects on nuclear tensions with North Korea.
Trump says China’s stance on North Korea influences his trade policy
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had ‘been soft’ on China on trade issues and said he was not happy that China had allowed oil shipments to go into North Korea.
Islamic State claims Kabul suicide bomb attack
Islamic State claimed a suicide bomb attack carried out on Thursday on an office of the Afghan Voice news agency and a neighboring Shi’ite cultural center in Kabul, the group’s Amaq news agency said in an online statement.
US Imposes Sanctions Against Top North Korean Weapons Makers
The United States has imposed new sanctions on two of North Korea’s key figures in its weapons program.
After Islamic State’s defeat, a massive bill to rebuild Iraq
The Iraqi government estimates $100 billion is needed nationwide to rebuild cities and towns left in ruins by more than three years of war against the Islamic State group. Local leaders in Mosul, the biggest city held by IS, say that amount is needed to rehabilitate their city alone.
Blast rips through supermarket in Russia’s St Petersburg, 10 hurt
A blast ripped through a supermarket in Russia’s St Petersburg on Wednesday evening, injuring at least 10 shoppers, investigators said.
U.S. sanctions North Korean missile experts, Russia offers to mediate
The United States announced sanctions on two North Korean officials behind their country’s ballistic missile program on Tuesday, while Russia reiterated an offer to mediate to ease tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.
Russian warships in UK waters keep Royal Navy busy over Christmas
The Royal Navy monitored a series of Russian warships around Britain over Christmas, as the Defence Secretary said Britain would not be intimidated.
Pope Francis laments ‘winds of war’ blowing around the world
Lamenting ‘the winds of war’ blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula.
Russia bars Putin challenger from election
Russian election officials on Monday barred opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running against President Vladimir Putin.
Putin, Merkel discuss situation in eastern Ukraine
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to explain Russia’s decision to withdraw its military observers from a joint group monitoring the truce in eastern Ukraine.
ISIS Threatens Holiday Terror Attacks
Islamic State terrorists are threatening Christmas and New Year’s attacks in major cities across the US and Europe.
South Korea fires shots after another North Korea soldier defects
Shots were fired after a North Korean defector fled to the South on Thursday across the DMZ, the land border that divides the peninsula, South Korean military officials said.
EU says Brexit transition to end in December 2020
The Brexit transition period should end on 31 December 2020, with a clear view what sort of relationship the EU and UK will have afterwards, the EU Commission proposed on Wednesday (20 December).
Poland cries foul as EU triggers ‘nuclear option’ over judicial independence
The Polish government has accused the European commission of a politically motivated attack after the EU’s executive body triggered a process that could see the country stripped of voting rights in Brussels, over legal changes that the bloc claims threaten the independence of the judiciary.