Ukraine-Russia conflict: Pentagon places 8,500 troops on standby

The Pentagon says that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has put about 8,500 troops on heightened alert, so they will be prepared to deploy if needed to reassure NATO allies in the face of ongoing Russian aggression on the border of Ukraine.

Dead man taken to post office to collect pension

The body of a dead man was allegedly brought to a post office in an attempt to collect his pension.

Dutch tourist arrested, fined for Nazi gesture at Auschwitz

According to local reports, prosecutors said the woman was caught making a Hitler gesture at the Auschwitz-Birkenau entrance gate.

Ahead of Olympics, Beijing district orders mass COVID-19 testing

China is stepping up enforcement of its “zero tolerance” strategy aimed at isolating every infected person as Beijing prepares to open the Winter Games on Feb. 4 under intensive anti-virus controls.

Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk, dies at 95

Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered Zen Buddhist monk who helped spread the practice of mindfulness in the West and socially engaged Buddhism in the East, has died. He was 95.

US, Russia face 'critical moment' in Ukraine talks, Blinken says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Friday before heading into talks with his Russian counterpart amid rising concerns that Europe could again be beset by war.

Skier charged with manslaughter after killing 5-year-old in crash

A man faces manslaughter charges in connection with a high-speed crash on a ski slope that left a 5-year-old girl dead.

Airlines, cellphone carriers scuffle over looming 5G rollout

Big cellphone carriers have agreed to delay the launch of 5G service around airports, but they're not happy about it and they're signaling this will be the last delay.

Jamaica to send four-man bobsled team to Winter Olympics for first time in 24 years

Jamaica is sending a four-man bobsled team to the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing next month for the first time in over two decades after qualifying on Monday. 

'Extremely rare' 555.55-carat black diamond going up for auction

A 555.55-carat black diamond, called “the Enigma,” is going up for auction in February and is expected to be sold for at least $6.8 million

Tongans wait for news after tsunami
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The world waits for word from the tiny island nation of Tonga after a tsunami slammed the country over the weekend.

Shock waves detected in Chicago after volcano eruption in Tonga

A volcanic eruption Saturday in the South Pacific island nation of Tonga was so powerful that its shock wave caused changes in air pressure detected thousands of miles away in Chicago.