Is This the Year Laos Breaks Through?

The Southeast Asian country has lagged behind Vietnam and Thailand when it comes to tourism. The government hopes new hotels, roads and a train system will put Laos on visitors’ lists.

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Deadly Strike Hits Northern Gaza, Palestinian Officials Say

Several people were killed in an attack on the city of Jabaliya, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. Israel’s military did not immediately comment.

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Ivory Coast Says French Forces Will Withdraw

The troops are expected to leave this month as France, a former colonial power in West Africa, fast loses influence there.

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At Trevi Fountain in Rome, Tourists’ Coins Go to Good Cause

Who gets to spend the millions of euros in change tossed into the Roman landmark?

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Tensions Escalate After Pakistan Pounds Afghanistan With Airstrikes

Pakistani leaders were once friends of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now, cross-border violence has become alarmingly frequent.

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Rebels Easily Toppled Syria’s Army. Their Challenge Now: Rebuilding.

​The rebels’ path to victory is littered with evidence of Syria’s defeated military. It also reflects the sizable task of trying to put the country back together.

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‘Walkable’ New York City Became Deadlier for Pedestrians in 2024

The city said overall traffic deaths were down compared with 2023, and the number was still far lower than it was before the city adopted its Vision Zero safety program.

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How Katz’s Deli’s Legal Woes Started With the 2011 Zagat Guide

The Lower East Side institution agreed to make renovations to accommodate people with disabilities, long after a “most popular” restaurants list put it under Justice Department scrutiny.

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Times Square Revelers Ring in a Soggy New Year After Thunderstorm

People lined up in ponchos to see the New Year’s Eve ball-drop in New York.

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Trump Says He Plans to Attend Carter’s Funeral

In wide-ranging remarks at a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, the president-elect also predicted that Mike Johnson would secure enough votes to be re-elected as House speaker.

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