Friday, 19 Apr, 2024

International

Australia hints it could recognise Palestinian state

Australia's foreign minister has suggested the country could recognise Palestinian statehood, to increase momentum towards peace. However Hamas could have no role in its governance, Penny Wong said. Both Australia's opposition and the Zionist Federation of Australia say such

Germany rejects allegation of aiding genocide in Gaza at ICJ

Germany has denied accusations that it was aiding genocide in Gaza by selling Israel arms in a case at the top UN court brought by Nicaragua – a case that reflects a mounting legal action in support of Palestinians. Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, legal adviser for the German Foreign

UK will not block arms sales to Israel: David Cameron

The United Kingdom will not halt arms sales to Israel by British companies after reviewing the latest legal advice on the matter, Foreign Minister David Cameron has said. Six months into the Israeli assault on Gaza, triggered by the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, British Prime

Israel bombs central Gaza killing 14 in Nuseirat

An Israeli air strike has killed at least 14 Palestinians, including four children, in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, the Gaza Civil Defense says. Turkey has issued an export ban on Israel while France’s foreign minister and Human Rights Watch say targeted sanctions could be

South Korea votes for new parliament

South Korea is voting for a new parliament, in what is widely seen as a midterm referendum on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration. Mr Yoon still has three years left in office but his People Power Party (PPP) has struggled to achieve its agenda in a legislature dominated by

IOM: Shipwreck off Djibouti leaves 38 dead

A ship carrying Ethiopian migrants sank Monday off Djibouti, killing at least 38 people, according to the International Organization for Migration. The IOM says 22 people were rescued, the U.N. agency said in a statement. The ship was traveling to Yemen from Djibouti, the main

Israel deploys C-Dome defence system for first time

Israel for the first time deployed its ship-mounted defence system, called the C-Dome, against a "suspicious" target that entered the country's airspace near the southern city of Eilat, the military said Tuesday. The C-Dome is a naval version of the Iron Dome air defence

Let individual states decide abortion rights: Trump 

Donald Trump has said decisions about abortion rights should be left to the states, releasing a statement on the contentious election issue on Monday. Many in his Republican Party had wanted him to back a nationwide ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. But Mr Trump said

Panama Papers money-laundering trial begins

The trial of 27 people charged in connection with the Panama Papers money laundering scandal has started in a Panamanian criminal court. The leak of secret financial documents in 2016 revealed how some of the world's wealthiest people stashed their assets in offshore companies.

Biden's new plan to ease US student loan debt for millions

Joe Biden has announced plans to ease student loan debt for millions of Americans, as the United States president tries to make good on a promise to younger voters ahead of the general elections in November. The proposal, which Biden unveiled on Monday during a trip to the state of

Total solar eclipse: Continent watches in wonder 

Across Mexico, the US and Canada, inside a ribbon of land stretching 155 miles wide but more than 4,000 miles long, tens of millions of people craned their necks, tilted their heads to the sky and watched in wonder as the day turned to night. What many saw on Monday was a phenomenon

90 killed as boat sinks off Mozambique coast

More than 90 people died when an overcrowded makeshift ferry sank off the north coast of Mozambique, local authorities said on Sunday. The converted fishing boat, carrying about 130 people, ran into trouble as it tried to reach an island off Nampula province, officials said.

Ukraine nuclear plant drone strike prompts warning

A new drone attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant has raised the risk of a "major nuclear accident", the UN's atomic watchdog has warned. Russia said Ukraine was behind the attack, which it said injured three people. Ukraine has denied involvement. The giant

Israel reduces troop numbers in southern Gaza

Israel's military said on Sunday that it was reducing its numbers of soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade in the area. The military stressed a "significant force" would remain in Gaza. "This is another stage in the war effort", Israel Defense

Muslims urged to sight Shawwal moon on April 8 for Eid confirmation

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on all Muslims across the Kingdom to participate in the sighting of the Shawwal moon on the evening of Monday, Ramadan 29, 1445 Hijri, corresponding to April 8, 2024. Encouraging individuals capable of observing the crescent moon, whether

Blast kills seven children in Syria

Seven children were killed in southern Syria’s Daraa province on Saturday when an “explosive device” detonated, state media reported. “Seven children” were killed “and two other people were injured, one of them a woman, when an explosive device

Over 1,100 migrants rescued off Italy's coasts over 24 hours

Over 1,100 migrants and refugees including 121 non-accompanied children were rescued off Italy's southern coasts over 24 hours, local media said on Saturday. Some 145 people were saved during the night while sailing aboard three boats that had departed from the Libyan ports of

Malaysia bans hiring of foreign workers in major 'anti-immigration' push

The authorities in Malaysia have banned the hiring of foreign workers in what appears to be a severe blow for the low-skilled workers who had fewer options for immigration. Malaysia reopened its labor market in 2022 and started recruitment of foreign workers which helped the workforce

Greta Thunberg arrested at Hague climate protest

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested by Dutch police at a protest in The Hague. The 21-year-old joined hundreds of protesters in a march against fossil fuel subsidies on Saturday. The protest devolved into a standoff as dozens of police officers, some on

Myanmar military loses border town in another big defeat

The military regime which seized power in Myanmar three years ago has suffered another big defeat, this time on the eastern border with Thailand. Troops had suffered weeks of attacks by ethnic Karen insurgents, allied with other anti-coup forces. Hundreds of troops guarding the