Indonesia’s toll rises to 62 from deadly Sumatra floods, 25 still missing
Tanah Datar, Indonesia Reuters The death toll from weekend flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province rose to 62 on Wednesday, authorities said, while rescuers were searching areas near rivers for 25 people who are still missing. Officials said some of those earlier unaccounted for were found dead during the day, which […]
More than half of Zimbabwean population will need food aid, cabinet says
Harare, Zimbabwe Reuters More than half of Zimbabwe’s population will need food aid this year following a devastating drought that led to widespread crop failure as humanitarian organisations seek funding to save many from hunger, the country’s cabinet heard late on Tuesday. About six million people in rural areas and 1.7 million in urban areas […]
StrangeSights: Blinken rockin’ in Ukraine; Michael Schumacher’s watches; and, miniature poodle’s big win
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Explainer – Gaza death toll: how many Palestinians has Israel’s campaign killed?
Reuters Palestinian health authorities say Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 people, mostly civilians, and driven most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people from their homes. The war began on 7th October when Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israeli communities. Israel says the militants killed more than […]
India’s Modi denies stoking divisions to win election, files nomination
New Delhi, India Reuters Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended himself against criticism that he is stoking divisions between Hindus and Muslims to win national elections as he filed his nomination on Tuesday for re-election from one of Hinduism’s holiest cities. India began voting on 19th April in the seven-phase election in which Modi, 73, […]
King Charles III unveils his first portrait since coronation
London, UK Reuters Britain’s King Charles III on Tuesday unveiled the first official portrait of himself since his coronation last May. The portrait by artist Jonathan Yeo depicts Charles against a background of vivid red hues, wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards military unit, with a butterfly just above his shoulder. Britain’s King Charles […]
Four rescued from collapsed Kenya building, more people likely trapped; death toll from South African collapse rises to 33
Nairobi, Kenya Reuters Rescuers have pulled four people out of the rubble of a collapsed building in the Mathare neighbourhood of Kenya’s capital on Tuesday, but more people were likely trapped, the Kenya Red Cross said. “Three out of the four rescued have been taken to a nearby health facility, while one with minor injuries […]
Singapore to inaugurate new PM as Lee makes way after 20 years in charge
Singapore Reuters Singapore will inaugurate Lawrence Wong on Wednesday as its new Prime Minister and fourth leader since independence six decades ago, completing a carefully calibrated power transfer designed to guarantee continuity in the wealthy city-state. Wong, 51, comes from among a crop of so-called “4G” leaders, a new generation of politicians hand-picked by the […]
Parishioners subdue armed teenager at Louisiana children’s service
Abbeville, Louisiana, US AP Parishioners subdued a teenager with a gun who entered a Louisiana church during a service for dozens of young children, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. Officials in the Catholic diocese are weighing new safety protocols, including the possibility of someone carrying a firearm at services, after Saturday’s confrontation at St Mary Magdalen […]
Gaza under siege: Criminal gangs, profiteers thrive as cash shortage worsens misery
NIDAL AL-MUGHRABI, EMMA FARGE and RIKAM ALKOUSAA, of Reuters, report on how armed gangs are exploiting the difficulties accessing cash in Gaza…