Brazil's Lula sworn in as president amid a polarized country

Lula’s presidency is unlikely to be like his previous two mandates, coming after the tightest presidential race in more than three decades.

More countries imposing COVID rules on travelers from China

China is battling a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

World population projected to hit 7.9 billion on New Year’s Day

A combination of births, deaths, and international migration increases the U.S. population by a person every 27 seconds, Census Bureau data finds.

French serial killer 'The Serpent' freed from Nepal prison

Confessed French serial killer Charles Sobhraj was freed from prison in Nepal on Friday after serving most of his sentence for killing American and Canadian backpackers. The crimes were dramatized in a series co-produced by Netflix called "The Serpent."

Massive fire at Cambodia hotel casino kills at least 19, officials say

Thai media reported dozens of Thais were trapped and Cambodian rescuers say calls for help were heard hours after the fire began.

Viking burial site discovered in backyard in Norway

A Viking burial site was discovered in a backyard in Oslo, Norway, where archeologists were brought in to excavate a site in the city's Holmen neighborhood.

Legendary soccer star Pelé nears 1 month in hospital with no sign of improvement

One of Pelé’s daughters says she and her family are enduring moments of sadness and despair as the 82-year-old Brazilian soccer great’s hospitalization nears one month.

Health of retired Pope Benedict XVI 'worsening,' Vatican says

Earlier Wednesday, Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for Benedict and went to visit his predecessor in the monastery on Vatican grounds.

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.

Notable deaths of 2022: The influential people we lost this year

As 2022 comes to a close, here's a look back at the actors, athletes, entertainers, creators and politicians who died 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.

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.

Brittney Griner asks supporters to advocate for Paul Whelan

"I hope you’ll join me in writing to Paul Whelan and continuing to advocate for other Americans to be rescued and returned to their families," Griner wrote.