Gunmen attack Kabul hotel

The hotel is frequented by Chinese nationals. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Gunmen attack Kabul hotel [Smoke rises from a hotel building after an explosions and gunfire in Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 12, 2022.] Credit: AP Afghanistan Gunmen have attacked a hotel in the Afghan capital that is [frequented by Chinese nationals](. Officials from the Taliban-led government said that at least three assailants were killed by security forces. Witnesses reported that there were [multiple blasts]( and several bursts of gunfire. At least 21 people were taken to a nearby hospital run by an Italian nonprofit group. Three people were dead upon arrival. No foreigners were killed, but two were injured while trying to escape. No group has taken responsibility yet for the attack. Libya A [Libyan man is in US custody](, accused of involvement in the making of the bomb that destroyed Pan Am flight 103 — en route from London to New York — over the town of Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, in which 270 people died. The US had charged Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir al-Marimi two years ago. And the Department of Justice said he will make his initial appearance at the US District Court in Washington, DC, though no date has been set yet. Masud was reportedly [kidnapped by a militia group]( in Libya last month, creating speculation that he was set to be handed over to US authorities for trial. China Beijing plans to [stop tracking some travel]( by disabling a smart phone app that records a person's travel between Chinese cities and provinces. The decision means that it’s less likely people will be forced into quarantine for visiting COVID-19 hot spots. Another app, however, that is used to restrict the movement of those who test positive or enter an area with a recent outbreak will remain in effect. The government also ended its strict, [long-running zero-Covid-19 policy]( just a few days ago. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [As bombs fall, northern Syria braces for a potential Turkish invasion]( [American soldiers patrol near prison that was attacked on Jan. 20 by the Islamic State militants in Hassakeh, Syria, Feb. 8, 2022.]( Credit: Baderkhan Ahmad/AP Several districts in northern Syria have [faced bombardment]( in recent weeks as the Turkish military targets what it describes as terrorist enclaves belonging to the PKK. Human rights groups warn that a Turkish invasion could trigger a new exodus of refugees, and worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis in northern Syria. [These Afghan women soldiers made it out of Afghanistan. Their next battle is making it in the US.]( [A. spent three years on high-risk night missions with US Army Special Forces as part of an all-women tactical unit of the Afghan army. Now, she and other former soldiers are trying to make new lives in Arizona.]( Credit: Alisa Reznick/The World About 40 members of a special, all-female Afghan platoon that worked alongside the US military barely made it out of Afghanistan last year. Now, they want to [put their training to use](, even though they remain in legal limbo. But that hasn’t stopped them from learning English and getting an education. There is still time to support The World before Dec. 31. Thank you to everyone who has already donated to our fundraiser! We still need 394 listeners to donate $100 or pledge $10 monthly before the tax year ends on Dec. 31 in order to reach our goal. Donate today to support our nonprofit newsroom and sustain the international coverage you rely on. Learn more and [make your gift]( today. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot Children in Ukraine who have been traumatized by the ongoing war in their country have a new friend to help them cope. Bice, an American pit bull terrier, is an 8-year-old gray dog that [recently arrived]( at a rehabilitation center in Boyarka, on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital. The playful animal gives them comfort and helps them to process through the traumatic events that many of them have witnessed firsthand. 🐶 [Children pose for photo with an American Pit Bull Terrier "Bice" in the Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation in Boyarka close Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. 7, 2022.] Credit: Vasilisa Stepanenko/AP In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.