Monday, 23 Dec, 2024

International

Philippines braces for fifth cyclone in under one month

The Philippines has issued fresh weather warnings as the fifth major storm in three weeks bore down on the archipelago, days after thousands were evacuated ahead of Typhoon Toraji. Tropical Storm Usagi was now just two days away from the country's northeast coast, the National

Japan's record number of women MPs still minority

New lawmaker Saria Hino took her seat on Monday as one of a record number of women in Japan's Diet, but while campaigning ahead of the recent election, a voter asked her: "Who's looking after your children?" The mother-of-four was among 73 women elected to the

Flood fears as Ukraine says Russian strike damages dam

Russian strikes on Monday damaged a dam near the front line in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian authorities said, warning nearby villages could be threatened by rising water levels. Ukraine also said Russian attacks killed at least three people in the center of the

US military says strikes in Syria targeted ‘Iranian backed groups’

The US military has carried out strikes against targets in Syria in what the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said was a response to recent attacks on US forces by “Iranian-aligned targets” in the country. CENTCOM’s commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said

US migrant rights advocates raise alarm over Trump appointments

As US President-elect Donald Trump moves to fill key cabinet positions in his incoming administration, experts and rights groups in the United States have said his selections so far point towards a hardline approach to immigration. Trump announced on Monday that Tom Homan – a

40 killed in Gaza as Israeli drone attacks ‘safe zone’ café

At least 40 Palestinians have been killed across Gaza in Israeli attacks, including a drone strike on people sitting at a café in the al-Mawasi area in the south of the territory which was previously designated a “safe zone” by Israel’s military. Al

Israel committing 'genocide' in Gaza: Saudi crown prince 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” in some of the harshest public criticism of the country by a Saudi official since the start of the war. Speaking at a summit of Muslim and Arab leaders the prince also

Israeli strikes on north Lebanon and Gaza kill dozens

Israeli strikes on northern Lebanon and Gaza have killed dozens of people including several children, rescuers and officials say. The Lebanese health ministry said at least 23 people including seven children were killed on Sunday in Almat near Byblos, to the north of the capital

Haiti's prime minister ousted after six months

Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille has been fired by the country's ruling council less than six months after he took office. An executive order, signed by eight of the council's nine members, named businessman and former Haiti Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime as

House vote hangs in balance as Trump appoints border tsar

The Republican Party is edging closer to overall control of the US Congress, having already secured a majority in the Senate and needing fewer than five seats to take the House of Representatives. A party needs 218 seats to win a House majority and president-elect Donald Trump's

World leaders meet in Baku as UN climate talks begin

World leaders have gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, to kick off the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), set to take place from November 11 to 22, 2024.  This year's summit comes at a critical time as countries confront escalating climate impacts while global

Russia downs 34 drones in biggest Ukrainian attack on Moscow

Russia downed 34 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on Sunday, the Defense Ministry said, in the largest attack on the capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The attack, which forced the temporary closure of three Moscow airports, injured a 52-year-old

Israel kills 44 in Gaza, 31 in Lebanon

On Saturday, Israeli forces launched extensive strikes across Gaza and southern Lebanon, resulting in at least 75 casualties.  In Gaza, 44 people were killed in airstrikes on Saturday targeting densely populated areas.  Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, Israeli attacks left

Nearly 70% of Gaza war dead are women and children: UN 

The UN's Human Rights Office has condemned the high number of civilians killed in the war in Gaza, saying its analysis shows close to 70% of verified victims over a six-month period were women and children. The agency said the high number was largely due to Israel's use of

Qatar suspends role as mediator between Israel and Hamas

Qatar has suspended its work as a mediator in ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas, officials say. The country said it would resume its work when Hamas and Israel "show their willingness" to negotiate. It comes after senior US officials reportedly

Trump rules out top jobs for Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he will not offer Nikki Haley or Mike Pompeo jobs in his administration, as he assembles his cabinet following a resounding election victory over Vice-President Kamala Harris. "I very much enjoyed and appreciated working with them

Indonesia volcano catapults vast ash tower into sky

A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted again on Saturday, sending a giant ash tower nine kilometers into the sky, days after it killed nine people and forced thousands of locals to evacuate. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-meter twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores,

In call with Abbas, Trump says he ‘will work to stop the war’

US President-elect Donald Trump held a phone call earlier today with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the latter’s office says. Abbas congratulated Trump on his election victory this week and wished him good luck as he prepares for his second term in the White

Pakistan railway bomb blast kills at least 24

Authorities say at least 24 people have been killed after a bomb exploded at a railway station in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Dozens of others were injured in the blast, which happened as a popular morning train was about to leave Quetta station in southwestern Pakistan for

US charges man over alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump

The US government has brought charges against an Afghan national in connection with an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Donald Trump before he was elected as the next president. The Department of Justice on Friday unsealed an indictment against Farhad Shakeri, 51, alleging he was