Friday, 26 Apr, 2024

International

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

Thousands of Israelis rally to demand hostage deal

Opponents of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu say 100,000 people have rallied against the government and to demand a Gaza hostage deal. The rallies in Tel Aviv and other cities came after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recovered the body of hostage Elad Katzir. Protesters chanted

Total solar eclipse on Monday

On Monday, a total solar eclipse will cross North America – a phenomenon that has not taken place in the United States in seven years, and astronomers say will not take place again in the U.S. for another two decades. Millions will likely gaze into the sky on April 8 for the rare

More than 13,000 Haitian migrants forced back home: UN

Some 13,000 Haitian migrants were forcibly returned home by neighboring countries in March, despite a worsening humanitarian and security crisis, the UN’s migration agency said on Thursday.  Since the end of February, powerful Haitian gangs have teamed up to launch a

Iran tells US to "Step Aside" as it prepares to attack Israel

Iran said it asked the US to "step aside" as the country prepares a response to a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria while Hezbollah, its main proxy in the Middle East, warned the Jewish state it's prepared for war. In a written message to Washington, Iran

Colombia seeks to join Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Colombia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to allow the country to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip. In its application to the court on Friday, Colombia called on the ICJ to ensure “the safety and, indeed, the very

Six Russian planes destroyed by drones, says Kyiv

Ukraine has carried out a drone attack against targets in southern Russia and claims to have destroyed six Russian planes at an airbase in Rostov region. Security sources told BBC Ukrainian eight more aircraft were badly damaged, while 20 service personnel could have been killed or

Israel urged to publish full report on aid worker deaths

An aid organisation has called for an independent investigation into the killing of seven of its workers by Israeli drone strikes in Gaza. It comes after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said "grave mistakes" led to the fatal targeting of staff from charity World Central

Biden presses Netanyahu for steps to protect civilians in Gaza

United States President Joe Biden has pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to implement “specific, concrete and measurable” steps to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza, the White House said after a phone call between the two leaders. The call was the

Israel says it will open new aid routes into Gaza

Israel says it has approved the opening of two humanitarian routes into Gaza, to allow more aid into the territory. The Erez Gate in northern Gaza will be temporarily re-opened for the first time since the start of the war and Ashdod Port will also be opened for humanitarian

3 killed in southern Iran ‘terror attack’ claimed by jihadist group

At least three security personnel including the deputy of a police station have been killed in “terrorist attacks” in southern Iran, state media reported Thursday. “Three security members have been martyred in several night-time terrorist attacks on military stations