The self-declared "Islamic State" said it was responsible for the blast that killed at least nine police officers near Kirkuk. The militia is still active in parts of Iraq, despite Baghdad declaring victory over it.

China is grappling with a new wave of COVID-19 after the government lifted its strict anti-pandemic measures. Some citizens are shocked by the sudden change while others welcome it with a sigh of relief.

Pakistan said a "bloodbath" was averted as suicide bombers carried out the attack before reaching the suspected target. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Indian and Chinese troops have clashed on their disputed Himalayan border, the first known incident between the two nuclear-armed Asian powers in nearly two years.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is particularly rich in mineral resources such as coltan. China operates some of the gold mines there, but the locals complain about poor working conditions.

Many people in China are excited about traveling abroad as COVID restrictions are eased and borders are set to reopen on January 8. Others remain cautious, with more countries imposing restrictions for Chinese visitors.

Nine suffocate to death in Ugandan New Year firework crush - police

In 2021, the Federal Criminal Police Office reported that the number of acts of violence against police officers had increased by 689 cases to 39,649 when compared with the previous year. Since 2012, cases of violence against police officers had increased by a total of 22.5%.

The names of Oskar Schindler, Hans Calmeyer and Father Marie-Benoît are synonymous with heroism and the protection of Jews during World War II. But in the eastern French city of Nancy in July 1942, a handful of local police officers also made a courageous stand against the Nazi regime.

On Sunday, tens of thousands of travelers flew in and out of China without having to submit to stringent centralised quarantine requirements. The change in policy is raising hope in neighboring countries that this will signal the return of Chinese tourists. Holiday bookings have already increased and markets are trading higher on the news, but as we explain, it will take some time for travel to return to what it was before the pandemic.

Police in Germany have started to surround the western village of Lützerath, which has been occupied for months by climate protesters ahead of a planned eviction. The site is slated to be used to mine coal.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has shut down rumors linking him with the vacant Belgium manager job. It had been reported that Henry had contacted the Belgian FA to succeed Roberto Martinez as first-team manager. However, Henry claims he never contacted the Belgian FA over the possibility of taking over from Martinez.