World
-
Annual Fat Bear Week kicks off in Alaska’s Katmai National Park
In Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, the annual Fat Bear Week contest commenced on Wednesday, inviting viewers to select their favourite among a dozen well-fed brown bears preparing for winter. This event, now in its 10th year, honours the tenacity of the 2,200 brown bears inhabiting the preserve, which stretches from Alaska’s southwest corner to the Aleutian Islands. These…
-
Massachusetts court decides fate of rescued beaver Nibi
A Massachusetts court is currently determining whether a two-year-old beaver named Nibi will stay with her rescuers or be released into the wild as winter nears. This case has sparked a significant response, even drawing comments from the governor. Adam Teper, the lawyer for Nibi’s rescuers, expressed amazement at the global support for the beaver’s protection. On Tuesday, a judge…
-
Mexican soldiers kill six migrants near Guatemalan border
Mexican soldiers shot and killed six migrants who were part of a group of 33 travelling in a pick-up truck. The migrants attempted to evade a military patrol, leading to the incident, according to a statement from the defence ministry. On Tuesday evening, another 10 migrants sustained injuries. The group included nationals from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India, and Pakistan. The…
-
Haiti charges interim council members in $770,000 bribery scandal
PORT-AU-PRINCE – On Wednesday, Haiti’s anti-corruption agency charged five prominent figures with corruption, including three members of an interim governing council, over a bribery scandal involving the chairman of a state-owned bank. The council members, who are part of a nine-member body appointed in April to serve as the country’s executive branch until elections, are accused of abuse of office,…
-
Australia secures flights for citizens to exit Lebanon swiftly
Australia has arranged several hundred airline seats for its citizens to exit Lebanon, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Thursday. She urged the remaining thousands of Australians in Lebanon to leave while they still have the chance. The government has secured 580 seats on flights leaving on Thursday and Saturday for citizens, permanent residents, and their families, Wong revealed at…
-
Israeli forces strike Beirut, six dead, seven injured
Israeli forces targeted central Beirut on Thursday, resulting in six deaths and seven injuries. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati reported that Israeli attacks have displaced approximately 1.2 million Lebanese citizens. The Israeli strike followed the loss of eight Israeli soldiers during a ground incursion into Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah. Hezbollah confirmed the destruction of three Israeli Merkava tanks with rockets…
-
Russia backs China against US in Asia-Pacific tensions
Russia aligns with China on Asian matters, including opposing the U.S. push to extend its influence and efforts to escalate the situation around Taiwan, stated Russia’s foreign minister on Thursday. Sergei Lavrov, in an essay for Rossiiskaya Gazeta, commended Beijing’s stance on the Ukraine conflict and mentioned that both nations aim to address the issues Moscow claims are the root…
-
Woman becomes police officer to catch father’s killer
A woman who became a police officer to catch her father’s killer admitted she couldn’t “hold back the tears” after confronting him. Gislayne Silva de Deus was nine when her father, Givaldo, was murdered over a $66 debt. Raimundo Gomes shot Givaldo in the head after an argument at a bar and fled. Despite warrants for Gomes’s arrest, he remained…
-
Guatemala arrests 25 police officers in human trafficking ring
Guatemalan security agents have arrested 25 individuals, chiefly active police officers, linked to a human trafficking network. This network operated along a route frequented by migrants heading to the United States, according to Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez on Tuesday. Guatemala has long served as a major transit point for migrants from Latin America and other regions journeying north to Mexico’s…
-
South Korea factory activity hits 15-month low amid export drop
South Korea’s factory activity saw its steepest decline in 15 months in September due to a drop in overseas demand, marking a slow path to economic recovery. The purchasing managers index (PMI) for manufacturers in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, compiled by S&P Global, dipped to 48.3 in September from 51.9 in August. This index, which distinguishes between expansion and contraction, fell…
-
California to permit cannabis smoking in cafes from 2025
Starting next year, restaurants in California’s western US region will permit cannabis smoking, thanks to a new “cannabis cafes” law, similar to those in the Netherlands. Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill on Monday, allowing licensed cannabis businesses to serve hot food and non-alcoholic drinks. This law takes effect on January 1, 2025. California legalized recreational cannabis in 2016,…
-
Walz faces scepticism from Butte ahead of VP debate
Tim Walz is set to face J.D. Vance in Tuesday’s vice-presidential debate. Walz often shares stories about his small-town upbringing in Butte, Nebraska. However, Beth Lechtenberg, a rancher and mother of three in the predominantly Republican town of 270, finds it amusing. “We don’t want him running our country,” she said. “His morals and values don’t align with ours.” Butte…
-
Typhoon Krathon forces closures as Taiwan braces for impact
Taiwan halted operations on Wednesday, closing offices, schools, and financial markets in anticipation of Typhoon Krathon. Experts predict the typhoon, though weakening, will cause storm surges along the coast and heavy rain. Kaohsiung, a crucial port city directly in the storm’s path, has urged residents to stay indoors and avoid coastal, river, and mountainous areas. Authorities warned of a potential…
-
Australian police seek to block pro-Palestine rally
Australian police aim to block a pro-Palestine rally in Sydney on October 6 and 7, marking one year since Israel’s war in Gaza began following a deadly attack by Hamas militants. This conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and triggered a humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. New South Wales police, after discussions with rally organisers, expressed…
-
Hurricane Helene claims life in North Carolina flooding disaster
The Dixon family never anticipated the danger lurking behind their North Carolina home until the creek turned into a furious torrent. Jessica Dixon recounted the tragic moment when her father was swept away, leading to his death, before they could escape. Thousands of residents around Asheville, including the Dixons, faced unexpected devastation as Hurricane Helene surged inland after hitting Florida’s…
-
Netanyahu vows retaliation after Iran’s missile strike on Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed retaliation against Tehran hours after Iran initiated a missile strike on Tuesday. Netanyahu declared, “Iran made a big mistake tonight and it will pay for it,” during a late-night Security Cabinet meeting. Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel, marking the latest escalation in a long-standing conflict between Israel, Iran, and its Arab allies. The…
-
Japan factory activity contracts due to weak economy and demands
Japan’s factory activity remained subdued in September, with output and new orders contracting amidst a weak economy and sluggish overseas demand, according to a private-sector survey released on Tuesday. The au Jibun Bank Japan manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell to 49.7 in September from 49.8 in August, although it slightly improved from the flash reading of 49.6. This marks the…
-
China marks 75 years of Communist rule amid economic challenges
China is observing 75 years of Communist Party rule amidst ongoing economic and security challenges. The only planned event on Tuesday is a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. Historically, China has showcased military parades and economic achievements on significant anniversaries, such as the 60th and 70th. The world’s second-largest economy is struggling to recover post-COVID-19. A prolonged downturn in the…
-
Lammy calls for ceasefire as Israel-Lebanon conflict escalates
British foreign minister David Lammy has reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire amid growing signs of a potential escalation in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. He discussed the situation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone on Monday. Lammy told a news agency that both he and Blinken had seen reports about Israel possibly entering a new phase in…
-
Putin mandates conscription of 133,000 new servicemen this autumn
Russian President Vladimir Putin has mandated the conscription of 133,000 new servicemen. This autumn draft starts on 1 October and runs until the year’s end, as detailed in a Kremlin decree published Monday. The decree, appearing in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, specifies drafting citizens aged 18 to 30 who are not in the reserve. The head of Russia’s conscription office, Vice-Admiral Vladimir…
-
Hurricane Helene claims 128 lives, devastates Southeast
Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in the South, transforming the landscape into a scene of splintered homes, crushed cargo containers, and mud-soaked highways. The death toll has surpassed 125. In western North Carolina, a crisis unfolded as residents, cut off by washed-out roads and without power or cellular service, lined up for fresh water and a chance to…
-
Helene leaves North Carolina in ruins, hundreds unaccounted for
North Carolina resembled a “post-apocalyptic” wasteland on Monday afternoon following the aftermath of Helene. Hundreds of individuals remained cut off from communication and unaccounted for due to flooded roads and a lack of essential services. Officials confirmed over 100 fatalities across several states due to the powerful storm, which hit Florida’s Big Bend region as a major hurricane late Thursday…
-
López Obrador’s final briefing: music, gifts, and farewells
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador transformed his final morning briefing into a lively event, featuring live music, breakfast, and a raffle where he gifted his watch to a journalist. “I dedicated myself to serve the people,” the 70-year-old leader said. “I leave very satisfied to have the affection of many Mexicans.” Hundreds of enthusiastic supporters, along with mariachis, gathered outside…
-
Wim Hof accused of abuse halting ongoing projects
Wim Hof’s ex-partner has accused him of physical and sexual abuse, labelling him a ‘mean drunk’ with an ‘explosive character’ in a recent interview. The project about Hof’s life as the ‘Iceman’ is halting production temporarily following these allegations. His former partner claims he abused her, their son, and her two children from a previous marriage for about 13 years.…
-
Conservative candidates focus on stricter visa rules for Indians
Immigration has taken centre stage in the campaigns of the two main contenders aiming to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader. Their focus has been on imposing stricter visa regulations for Indians. This contentious issue ignited fervent discussion during the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, which started on Sunday. Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister, has advocated for stringent…
-
Earth to capture new mini moon this Sunday
Earth is soon to gain a temporary companion, a “mini moon”. This small asteroid will be captured by Earth’s gravity on Sunday, orbiting the planet for about two months before moving on. This mini moon, known as Asteroid 2024 PT5, measures approximately 10 metres, similar to the size of a bus. Astronomers at Spain’s Complutense University first detected it in…
-
Nepal floods and landslides claim 151 lives, 56 missing
Floods and landslides due to heavy rain in Nepal have claimed 151 lives, with 56 individuals still unaccounted for as of Sunday, according to police. The government has responded by closing schools for three days. Since Friday, large areas in eastern and central Nepal have experienced severe flooding, including flash floods impacting different regions. In the Kathmandu Valley, 37 fatalities…
-
Israel airstrikes hit key Houthi infrastructure in Yemen
Israel launched airstrikes on Sunday targeting crucial infrastructure of Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Captain David Avraham stated that a large-scale operation saw dozens of Air Force aircraft, including fighter jets, refuelling planes, and reconnaissance aircraft, attack military targets of the Houthi regime in the Ras Issa and Hodeida areas. This assault followed the interception of a missile fired by Houthis…
-
Biden to urge Netanyahu: prevent full-scale Middle East war
President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he would converse with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasising the necessity to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East. “It has to be,” Biden stated to reporters while boarding Air Force One for Washington. “We really have to avoid it.” His remarks followed Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that resulted in dozens…
-
Prince Harry’s heartfelt tribute to Princess Diana at Concordia Summit
Prince Harry recently paid a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, during the 2024 Concordia Annual Summit. Commending the summit team, led by Dr Tessy Ojo, Harry acknowledged their dedication to his mother’s legacy and philanthropic efforts. The Duke of Sussex’s commitment to his mother’s causes was praised by Ojo and her team. A royal insider revealed to…
