Istanbul - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed Friday to "more effective coordination" between their countries' operations in Syria, after Ankara threatened to launch a new offensive in the war-torn nation.

London - London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has declared a climate emergency and urged the UK government to do more to avert an ecological breakdown that he says poses an existential threat to future generations.

New York - On December 12, world renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli headlined Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of his North American Tour, for an excellent turnout.

Itagua - Brazil on Friday launched with military pomp the first of five navy attack submarines it is building under a $7.6-billion technology-sharing deal struck with France.

Veteran singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks has made rock and roll history. She is the first woman inducted into the coveted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Country songstress Jenna Paulette premieres her acoustic music video for "Slow Dancing on the Moon" exclusively on Digital Journal.

Bangkok - Carrying a bold message of inclusion, transgender rights and a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, Miss Spain's Angela Ponce is blazing a trail as the first transgender contestant in Miss Universe's 66-year history.

London - The latest Brexit summit in Brussels leaves Theresa May facing a dwindling number of options over Britain's exit from the EU.

Helsinki - Scientists in Finland have developed what they believe is the world's first vaccine to protect bees against disease, raising hopes for tackling the drastic decline in insect numbers which could cause a global food crisis.

Toronto - Stock futures pointed to a lower opening for Canada’s main stock index on Thursday, as oil prices fell after China reported slower economic growth, pointing to lower fuel demand in the world’s biggest oil importer.

Paris - Fears grew about the economic impact of France's month-long "yellow vest" protests on Friday ahead of a decisive weekend for the grassroots opposition movement and President Emmanuel Macron.

Pristina - Kosovo on Friday passed laws to build an army, asserting its statehood in a US-backed move that has angered Serbia, which does not recognise the former province's independence.

Strasbourg - France's interior minister on Friday dismissed a claim by the Islamic State group that a gunman who killed four people at a Christmas market in Strasbourg was one of its "soldiers", as investigators sought to understand his motives.

New York - On December 13, this journalist had the pleasure to review the opening night of Dr. Seuss' "How The Grinch Stole Christmas — The Musical."

New Delhi - India's top court dismissed Friday calls for an investigation into a French military jet deal that was threatening to damage Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of elections next year.

New York - UN special envoy Martin Griffiths on Friday called for the urgent creation of a strong monitoring mechanism in war-ravaged Yemen, one day after fighting parties agreed to a ceasefire at a vital port.

Rio De Janeiro - Family members of Carlos Ghosn, the auto executive jailed in Japan on financial misconduct allegations, have entered an apartment he used in Rio de Janeiro and removed items, according to Nissan.

Beirut - Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria.

Washington - Even as the last pockets of resistance in eastern Syria hold their ground, the Islamic State group is shapeshifting into a new, but no less dangerous, underground form, experts warn.

Den Haag - The Netherlands pledged Friday to boost its defence spending in the coming year to buy more F-35 fighter jets and strengthen its special forces and cyber capabilities, officials said.