The World

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers on Friday and said in a sermon that the country has every right to flex its military muscle beyond its borders. Also, China released new data showing the country’s economy is slowing and birth rate figures are at their lowest rate in more than half a century. And, a bookseller in England is feeling the love after his tweet about not selling a single book on Tuesday went viral and now he is overwhelmed with orders.

Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced Thursday that it would open a criminal probe into possible surveillance of former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Also, the death of a US citizen in an Egyptian prison raises serious questions. And, we have a profile of one of the biggest hip-hop stars in Europe — Alyona Alyona who raps from her home in Ukraine.

The House of Representatives voted on a resolution today to name impeachment managers and transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Also, as Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his hours long federal state address today, he suddenly shifted to talk about changing the constitution. Plus, the potential perils when a cool microbrew goes global. Refugees from Myanmar say buying Fat Tire beer also helps buy bullets for Myanmar's army, which has been on trial for genocide at The Hague.

European nations have formally accused Iran of breaking the 2015 nuclear agreement, a move that could lead to the reimposition of UN sanctions on Tehran. The World asks: Why now? And what could new sanctions look like? Also, for the past several months, Americans have been hearing about Ukraine in the news. But for many Ukrainians, impeachment is the last thing on their minds. And, Canada is expected to be the part-time home to the UK's Prince Harry and his American wife, Meghan...

If the rise of despots around the world seems bewildering, especially given unprecedented access to information in 2019 — therein may lie the very problem. A new kind of propaganda has taken hold — one that relies on too much information, instead of too little...

Iranians have taken to the streets for a third day in a row over anger toward their government as well as the US. Also, Texas is a huge participant in the US refugee resettlement program, but not for much longer. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told the US State Department that the state will not accept any refugees this year. Plus, Haitian American Nathalie Joachim, a flutist, composer and vocalist, pays tribute to female artists in Haiti.

The United States, Canada and Britain all are now saying a missile was the reason for the deadly crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane this week. Iran still denies this and is pointed toward an unknown mechanical issue with the aircraft. We hear more about the evidence in cellphone videos taken as the plane came down. And, how do airlines choose to fly or not when a hostile situation is developing in a given area...

What led to the crash of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 in Iran early Wednesday remains a mystery. But US officials now say the plane may have been mistakenly shot down by an Iranian missile. And, scholars disagree on whether the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was legal. But critics argue the Trump administration has failed to make a legal case for the killing raising questions about the limits of executive power...

US President Donald Trump addressed the nation today and said the US will continue to "evaluate options in response to Iranian aggression," but backed away from military confrontation. And, a Ukraine International Airlines flight leaving from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after takeoff Wednesday morning. We get the latest from Kyiv. Also, Italian Vogue reimagines the cover photoshoot for its January issue to promote sustainability.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked Tuesday about claims that Iran was planning imminent attacks against Americans ahead of Qasem Soleimani's killing. American allies in Europe are watching carefully and also criticizing the US airstrike. And, should we prepare for cyberattacks from Iran? That's the message coming from the US government, which expects retaliation from Iran. Also, a knitted green sweater has become deeply symbolic to people working to remember the lessons of the Holocaust...