Antony Blinken says Biden administration supports zero-Covid protesters in China

CNN  —  Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the Biden administration supports the zero-COVID protesters in China, explaining that he will address the topic when he visits the country early next year. “Of course, we do,” Blinken told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” when asked about the US support for […]

Venezuela and Chevron sign oil contract in Caracas

CNN  —  The Venezuelan government and American oil company Chevron have signed a contract in Caracas on Friday to resume operations in Venezuela, according to the country’s state broadcaster VTV. “This contract aims to continue with the productive and development activities in this energy sector, framed within our Constitution and the Venezuelan laws that govern […]

Israeli journalists experience chilly reception at Qatar World Cup

Editor’s Note: A version of this story first appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Sign up here. Jerusalem and Doha CNN  —  When special direct flights were announced from Tel Aviv to Doha for the FIFA World Cup, the scene at Ben Gurion airport […]

Indonesia set to make sex outside marriage an offense punishable with jail time

Reuters  —  Indonesia’s parliament is expected to pass a new criminal code this month that will penalize sex outside marriage with a punishment of up to one year in jail, officials have confirmed to Reuters. The legislative overhaul will also ban insulting the president or state institutions and expressing any views counter to Indonesia’s state […]