'Unfathomable tragedy': Fire at western Germany zoo kills 30 animals, many close to extinction

A fire at a zoo in western Germany in the first minutes of 2020 killed more than 30 animals, including apes, monkeys, bats and birds.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/krefeld-zoo-fire-1.5412299?cmp=rss

Pope says sorry for losing patience with well-wisher who yanked his arm

Pope Francis has apologized a day after hitting the hand of a well-wisher who grabbed him and yanked him toward her while he was taking a stroll in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City in Rome.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pope-arm-yank-apology-1.5412287?cmp=rss

Australia scrambles to reach fire victims as death toll rises

Australia deployed military ships and aircraft Wednesday to help communities ravaged by deadly wildfires that have sent thousands of residents and tourists fleeing to the shoreline.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/australia-wildfires-jan1-1.5412274?cmp=rss

Hong Kong protesters' 1st 2020 rally mostly orderly but 5 arrests

A huge crowd gathered in Hong Kong on Wednesday for an annual New Year's Day protest march as the months-long pro-democracy movement extends into 2020.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hong-kong-protests-new-years-day-1.5412261?cmp=rss

U.S. troops fire tear gas at pro-Iran protesters in Iraq

U.S. troops fired tear gas on Wednesday to disperse pro-Iran protesters who were gathered for a second day outside the American Embassy compound in Baghdad.

source https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/baghdad-embassy-iraq-iran-protests-jan1-1.5412257?cmp=rss