In Syria, U.S. Hopes to Avoid Replay of Afghanistan

'Plain-wrapper guy' Gunner Stockton suddenly carrying Georgia's CFP hopes

Quarterback Gunner Stockton might not have the flash of Carson Beck, but he has a Bulldogs' pedigree.

ESPN - 1h

Pope urges 'hope and kindness' in Thought for the Day message

The Pope used his message to encourage "hope and kindness" and emphasised the importance of humility.

BBC News - 2h

Takeaways From a Times Correspondent’s Return to Afghanistan

Here’s what he found.

The New York Times - 2h

Reddy's first Test ton gives India hope in Australia

Nitish Kumar Reddy hits a superb first Test century to keep India in the fourth Test - but Australia remain in a strong position at the end of day three.

BBC News - 4h

Yellen says extraordinary measures to avoid default will begin as soon as Jan. 14

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen suggested in a letter to Congress on Friday that the department doesn't think the U.S. will need to take "extraordinary measures" on Jan. 2 to avoid defaulting on ...

The Hill - 10h

10 Years After Obama’s Opening to Cuba, Despair Replaces Hope

A decade since the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations — which many believed would transform the island — Cuba is in its worst crisis since Fidel Castro took power.

The New York Times - 14h

Treasury delays deadline for small businesses to file new form to avoid risk of fines for noncompliance

The Treasury delayed a Jan. 1 deadline to file a new "beneficial ownership information" report to Jan. 13 following a recent court order.

CNBC - 1d

Pereira hopes rejuvenated Wolves can cling on to ‘special player’ Cunha

Head coach has enjoyed an immediate impact but knows the importance of leading attacker staying put in January. As Wolves were on Friday night breathing a sigh of relief that Matheus Cunha is set ...

The Guardian - 12h

10 Years After Obama’s Opening to Cuba, Despair Replaces Hope

A decade since the United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations — which many believed would transform the island — Cuba is in its worst crisis since Fidel Castro took power.

The New York Times - 18h

‘Santa Claus rally’ is here — but can the stock market avoid the ‘Grinch pinch’?

Remember: ‘If Santa Claus should fail to call, bears may come to Broad and Wall.’

MarketWatch - 1d

Syria’s Alawite Minority, Favored by the Assads, Looks Nervously to the Future

Amid an outcry for justice and accountability and threats online, a once-dominant group is feeling deep anxiety after the ouster of Syria’s dictator.

The New York Times - 1d

Assad loyalists kill 14 in clash with Syria's new ruling forces - authorities

The clash took place with supporters of the ousted leader in Tartous, a stronghold of his Alawite sect.

BBC News - 1d

Treasury delays deadline for small businesses to file new form to avoid noncompliance fines

The U.S. Treasury Department has delayed the deadline for millions of small businesses to Jan.

NBC News - 1d

Former Assad forces in Syria clash with members of new government

Forces affiliated with Bashar al-Assad's ousted Syrian regime reportedly clashed with members of HTS, the Islamist group responsible for ending Assad's tenure. Lina Sinjab with BBC News, a CBS News ...

CBS News - 1d

California residents urged to avoid ocean as high surf pounds coastline

At least one dead and three missing amid storm that has split wharf, wrecked boat and piled up debris. California residents are being warned to stay off wharves, piers and other waterside ...

The Guardian - 1d

Syria’s New Leaders Try to Unite Rebel Factions Under Defense Ministry

As the fighters who ousted Bashar al-Assad set out to assert control over the country, they pursued former government forces loyal to the Assad regime, resulting in deadly clashes in parts of the ...

The New York Times - 1d

‘We have to try’: Pep Guardiola hoping for January reinforcements at City

‘Even the players think we have to add’ Kyle Walker missed Everton draw with illness Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City board will discuss new signings for the January transfer window this ...

The Guardian - 1d

Pope brings Holy Year and a message of hope to Rome's main prison

Pope Francis is bringing his Holy Year to Rome’s main prison

ABC News - 1d

‘It was like I was reborn’: Sednaya prison’s former inmates adapt to a new Syria

Former prisoners endured hearing fellow inmates being executed – but they are the lucky ones, with 100,000 people still missing. Of all the horrors Mohammed Ammar Hamami remembers from his time in ...

The Guardian - 1d

'Modern-day gladiator' - the rapid rise of teenage heavyweight hope Moses Itauma

Rising heavyweight hope Moses Itauma reflects on his journey from a small Slovakian town to being tipped for boxing greatness.

BBC News - 2d

Thursday Briefing: Rebel Factions Try to Unite Syria

Plus, “Squid Game” returns.

The New York Times - 2d

Why Bill Belichick Abandoned the Hope of Landing an N.F.L. Job

Belichick, the most prepared figure in the league for so long, had to recognize a chilling reality.

The New York Times - 2d

From red to green: Syria seek united future on pitch after Assad era ends | John Duerden

The national team are looking forward having changed their colours just hours after Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus. On 9 December Syria were drawn in a 2027 Asian Cup qualification group with ...

The Guardian - 2d

Taliban: Pakistani airstrikes killed 46 people in Afghanistan, mostly women, children

A Taliban government official says Pakistan’s airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children

ABC News - 2d

Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ an Anthem of Hope, Was Born of a Contentious Friendship

How a contentious friendship between political rivals led to the creation of a classic Christmas anthem of hope.

The New York Times - 3d

Palestinian Christians struggle to find hope at Christmas

For the second year running, tourists are staying away and public festivities have been cancelled.

BBC News - 3d

Protests in Syria over Christmas tree burning

Christians demonstrate to urge Syria's new Islamist leadership to protect minorities.

BBC News - 3d

Syria dissolves rebel factions as al-Sharaa consolidates power

Several groups agree to merge under defence ministry as interim government seeks to unite fractured country

Financial Times - 3d

The NFL used to avoid playing on Christmas and Wednesdays. Well, forget that

Lucrative revenue streams have a way of creating new holiday traditions, with Netflix splurging for a pair of games featuring Super Bowl contenders.

Yahoo Sports - 3d

A Russian cargo ship that may have been part of an evacuation run to Syria sank

Yahoo News - 3d

There is a foolproof solution to avoiding conflict this Christmas | Fiona Katauskas

But you may need to consult an expert. See more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here Continue reading...

The Guardian - 4d

Syria's Rebel Leaders Have Control of the Country. Now What?

The new Islamist-led government promises moderation, but officials aren’t committing to such issues as women’s rights or free elections.

The Wall Street Journal - 4d

Top Arab Diplomats, in Syria Visits, Aim to Build Ties With New Leadership

Ministers from Jordan and Qatar were among the first high-ranking Arab diplomats to meet with the leader of the rebel coalition that toppled the Syrian regime.

The New York Times - 4d

French PM names new government, hoping to avoid another no-confidence vote

Centrist François Bayrou had promised a ‘national interest government’ across the middle political ground but ended up leaning to the conservative right. The French prime minister has announced his ...

The Guardian - 4d

France has a new government. Now it must fix the budget while avoiding collapse

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office announced a new government Monday, after the previous Cabinet collapsed in a historic vote prompted by fighting over the country’s budget

ABC News - 4d

The Guardian view on the tenacity of hope: a necessary virtue in troubled times | Editorial

At a moment of the year associated with renewal and new birth, reflection on inspiring acts of solidarity and courage can point the way to a better future. In the introduction to a new, seasonal ...

The Guardian - 4d