Switzerland plans revamp of Cold War-era nuclear bunker network
Gollion, Switzerland Reuters Switzerland wants to update its network of ageing nuclear shelters, which are increasingly seen as an asset at a time of greater global uncertainty, notably since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Thanks to a 1963 law, Switzerland is already ahead of neighbours like Germany. Each of its nine million residents, including foreigners and […]
New section of Emperor Nero’s ‘Golden House’ reopens
Rome, Italy Reuters A section of Ancient Roman Emperor Nero’s vast underground Domus Aurea (Golden House) has been reopened to the public after extensive restoration and repair work to protect the nearly 2,000-year-old site from water damage. The inauguration came as Rome is preparing for an influx of tourists during the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy […]
South Korea court begins review of Yoon impeachment
Seoul, South Korea Reuters South Korea’s Constitutional Court will begin on Monday reviewing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his 3rd December martial law attempt, while investigators said they plan to question him this week. All six current justices of the court will attend the first meeting over the impeachment, which the opposition-led […]
Australia says remaining ‘Bali Nine’ members have returned from Indonesia
Sydney, Australia Reuters The remaining five members of the “Bali Nine” Australian drug ring have returned from Indonesia after diplomatic efforts between the countries this month to strike a repatriation deal, the two governments said on Sunday. “The Australian Government can confirm that Australian citizens Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, and […]
Drones over US show gaps in airspace security, top Trump adviser says
Washington DC, US Reuters A raft of drone sightings in New Jersey and other US states has underscored gaps in US airspace security that need to be closed, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday. President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration has played down concerns about a growing number of […]
Congo and Rwanda say peace talks in Angola will not take place
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Reuters A meeting between the presidents of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo will not take place as planned on Sunday, both countries said, dashing hopes of a deal to curb Congo’s M23 rebel conflict that has displaced more than 1.9 million people. The event was meant to see a […]
West Africa bloc offers junta-led states six months to rethink exit as Niger says 39 civilians killed in militant attacks
Abuja, Nigeria Reuters Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will have a six-month grace period after their scheduled exit from West Africa’s main political and economic group next month during which the ECOWAS bloc will try to persuade them to stay, the bloc’s leaders agreed on Sunday. Nigeria’s President and Chairman of Economic Community of West […]
Homelessness: As cities crack down, LA offers them a hotel room
DANIEL TROTTA, of Reuters, reports on Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ signature Inside Safe program…
Macron has a new Prime Minister but the same old problems
Paris, France Reuters When veteran centrist Francois Bayrou, France’s new Prime Minister, was education minister in the 1990s, his plan to increase subsidies for private schools led to nationwide protests. He quickly caved in and would stay in the post for four more years. Three decades later, he will face a different force in the […]
Essay: Polluting shipwrecks are the ticking time-bomb at the bottom of our oceans
In an article first published on The Conversation, FRASER STURT says shipwrecks from two world wars have been slowly degrading, increasing the chances of sudden releases of toxic substances into the marine environment…