Friday, 18 Apr, 2025

International

Putin puts warship armed with hypersonic missiles on combat duty

Russian President Vladimir Putin has deployed a frigate armed with hypersonic cruise missiles towards the Atlantic and Indian oceans in a show of military force as the war in Ukraine grinds on. Putin took part in a ceremony via video conference on Wednesday to mark the launch of the

Bomb cyclone smashes into California

A bomb cyclone smashed into California on Wednesday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain that was expected to cause flooding in areas already saturated by consecutive storms. Authorities issued ominous warnings of threats to life and property for a vast stretch of the most

Trump calls for all Republicans to back McCarthy for Speaker

Former President Trump called on House Republicans to unite behind House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) for the Speakership, announcing early Wednesday that he is standing by McCarthy despite opposition from some hard-line members of the party.  Trump said in a Truth Social

US House in chaos after no speaker elected 

On a day of political drama not seen in Congress for a century, Republican leader Kevin McCarthy repeatedly failed in his bid to be elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives. The House adjourned without a speaker on Tuesday night - the first time since 1923 they had failed to

Two Pakistan intelligence officers gunned down in Punjab

A gunman has shot and killed two officers with Pakistan’s intelligence service outside a roadside restaurant in the east of the country, police and security officials said. Murtaza Bhatti, a senior police officer in the Punjab province’s district of Khanewal, said the

Canada grants record permanent residency permits in 2022

Canada set an immigration record last year by granting more than 437,000 foreigners permanent residency, the government said on Tuesday, as it ramps up immigration to fight a tight labor market.  The government had set a target to welcome 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022,

Palestinian anger over far-right Israeli minister's holy site visit

Palestinians have condemned a visit to a contested holy site in Jerusalem by a far-right Israeli minister as an "unprecedented provocation". National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has called for a harder line towards the Palestinians, walked around the site

New York OKs human composting law; 6th state in US to do so

Howard Fischer, a 63-year old investor living north of New York City, has a wish for when he dies. He wants his remains to be placed in a vessel, broken down by tiny microbes and composted into rich, fertile soil. Maybe his composted remains could be planted outside the family home in

I want my father and brother back: Prince Harry

Prince Harry has said "I would like to get my father back, I would like to have my brother back," in a trailer for an interview ahead of the release of his upcoming memoirs. In a trailer for the sit-down interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, he says "they've shown

Russia says 63 troops killed in Ukrainian attack on Makiivka

Russia has said that 63 of its troops were killed during a Ukrainian New Year’s Eve attack on a makeshift barracks in the partly-occupied Donetsk region. The ministry said in a statement on Monday that Ukraine’s military had launched six projectiles at the

Israeli forces kill two Palestinian men in occupied West Bank

The Israeli army has killed two Palestinian men during a raid on a village near the city of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank. Mohammad Samer Hoshiyeh, 22, and Fouad Mohammad Abed, 25, were shot dead early on Monday in Kufr Dan, northwest of Jenin, the Palestinian Ministry of

Ukraine claims 400 Russians killed by missile attack

Ukraine says around 400 Russian soldiers have died in a missile attack on the occupied Donetsk region. The attack hit a building in the city of Makiivka, where Russian forces were thought to be stationed. The figure has not been verified. Pro-Russian authorities acknowledged

Helicopters collide over Australian beach, 4 passengers dead

Two helicopters collided in an Australian tourist hotspot Monday afternoon, killing four passengers and critically injuring three others in a crash that drew emergency aid from beachgoers enjoying the water during the southern summer. One helicopter appeared to have been taking off and

Lula sworn in as president of divided Brazil amid tight security

Leftist leader Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva has pledged to “rebuild” Brazil “with the people” as he was sworn in as the new president of the fiercely polarised country for a historic third term. The inauguration ceremony in Congress began at 3pm

Israeli raids kill Syrian soldiers, shut down Damascus airport

Syria’s military says Israeli missiles have killed at least two Syrian soldiers and put the country’s main international airport out of service. The volley of air-launched missiles came from the direction of Lake Tiberias in Israel at about 2am local time on Monday (23:00

14 killed in attack on prison in Mexico border city

Members of the Mexican Army arrive at Cereso number 3 state prison after unknown assailants entered the prison and freed several inmates. Gunmen have attacked a Mexican prison in the northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, leaving at least 14 people dead and allowing 24 inmates to

New year being celebrated with hope for war-free world

Cities across the globe are welcoming 2023 with large crowds gathering for fireworks and light displays hoping for an end to the war in Ukraine and a return to post-COVID normality. The year was marked by the conflict in Ukraine, economic stresses and the effects of global warming. But

Croatia rings in New Year as fully integrated EU member

At the stroke of midnight on Saturday, Croatia switched to the shared European currency, the euro, and removed dozens of border checkpoints to join the world's largest passport-free travel area. It marked a fresh start for the small Balkan nation of 4 million people that captured

NKorea's Kim orders 'exponential' expansion of nuke arsenal

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the “exponential” expansion of his country's nuclear arsenal and the development of a new, more powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported Sunday, after he entered 2023 with another weapons test following a

Two dead, 200 rescued in Lebanon migrant boat sinking: army

Two migrants died and another 200 were rescued Saturday when their boat sank off Lebanon’s northern coast, from where increasing numbers make the risky journey to flee a collapsed economy. An AFP correspondent in the impoverished port city of Tripoli said men, women and children