After the center-left failed in three elections to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the fourth one is shaping up into a contest among right-wing leaders.

Iraqi witnesses against Blackwater guards were promised justice after a mass killing in Baghdad in 2007. ‘Today,’ one said, the bullets still in his leg, ‘they proved to me it was just theater.’

In Britain, about 4,000 truck drivers were stuck along roads near the southeastern English port in Dover after a 48-hour shutdown to prevent the spread of a variant of the coronavirus. Truckers who want to travel to France must show proof of a negative virus test.

These are the stories about birds, bugs, fish and mammals that surprised and delighted readers the most this year.

British officials said severely curtailing human contact was the only way to protect people. Efforts to restart trade stalled, with more than 5,000 trucks stuck at English ports.

More areas in England lock down over new variant.

What to know as Israel gears up for another vote, this time set for March 23.

Rampaging infections at farms caused scandal, scientific head-scratching and a search for a vaccine — for mink.