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Britain is lowering the voting age to 16. It’s getting a mixed reaction.

Experts say it’s complicated, with mixed evidence about how lowering the voting age affects democracy and election outcomes.

Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor
The development came as federal police conducted searches at his home and his party’s headquarters in Brasília, in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

The EU targets Russia’s energy revenue and shadow fleet with new sanctions over the war on Ukraine

“The message is clear: Europe will not back down in its support for Ukraine. The EU will keep raising the pressure until Russia ends its war,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.

Syrian government forces set to re-enter Sweida province after renewed Druze-Bedouin clashes

Syrian government forces had largely pulled out of the Druze-majority southern province of Sweida after days of clashes with militias linked to the Druze religious minority that threatened to unravel the country’s fragile post-war transition.

Men deported by US to Eswatini in Africa will be held in solitary confinement for undetermined time
The men, who the US says were convicted of serious crimes and were in the US illegally, are citizens of Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos.

Israel strikes the Gaza church the pope used to call nightly
An Israeli strike hit the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing three people, injuring 10 others, and causing extensive damage to the religious complex.

Scientists use DNA from three people to protect babies from rare disease
A pioneering IVF technique combining DNA from three people to protect a baby from a rare genetic disease has been used in Britain, leading to a healthy cohort of eight babies with no sign of serious disease, scientists said Wednesday.

German and UK leaders sign mutual defense pact as US steps back
The Anglo-German accord, known as the Kensington Treaty, pledges that both countries will “assist one another, including by military means, in case of an armed attack on the other.”

More World Headlines

‘Horrific fire’ kills at least 61 at Iraq shopping mall

Iraq’s Interior Ministry said the “horrific fire” began Wednesday night and swept through a recently opened, five-story shopping center in the city of Kut.

Britain plans to lower voting age to 16

Britain will lower the voting age from 18 to 16 by the next national election as part of measures to increase democratic participation, the government announced Thursday.

Israeli strike hits Gaza church, killing 3 and wounding priest who was close to Pope Francis

The shelling of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza also damaged the church compound, where hundreds of Palestinians have been sheltering.

Zelensky appoints a new prime minister for a war-weary nation

Yuliia Svyrydenko, was appointed as its new prime minister Thursday, becoming the country’s first new head of government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

A fire at a mall in eastern Iraq kills more than 60 people

Civil defense teams rescued more than 45 people who became trapped when the fire broke out late Wednesday in the city of Kut in Wasit province.

Ukraine to boost domestic arms production to counter Russia’s invasion, says Zelensky

Meanwhile, Switzerland said Thursday that the US Defense Department had informed it that Washington is diverting a Swiss order for Patriot air defense systems to help Ukraine.

Syrian forces withdraw from Sweida after cease-fire goes into effect

While the truce between Druze armed groups and government forces appeared to be largely holding, state media reported that Druze militants had launched revenge attacks on communities of Sunni Bedouins.

Teacher stabbed at Dutch elementary school music show; 3 suspects arrested

The 53-year-old teacher was stabbed as he tried to intervene in an argument between three men at a cultural center in Alblasserdam, police said.