International

Merkel says Germany must fight for ‘our convictions’

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said Germany must “stand fast, argue, and fight for our own convictions” and assume greater responsibilities at a time when multilateralism is coming under intense pressure. In her New Year’s address to Germans, Merkel said long-held certainties about international cooperation were being put to the test. Global challenges including climate change, immigration and the fight against terrorism could not be solved by countries going it alone, […]

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6.9-magnitude quake strikes off southern Philippines: USGS

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Saturday, monitors said, adding that a tsunami threat was possible for parts of the Philippines and neighbouring Indonesia. The quake struck southeast of Davao City at a depth of 59 kilometres (35 miles), the US Geological Survey said, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said “hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible” along the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines. However tsunami […]

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Nations count cost of 2018 climate disasters

by Patrick GALEY Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Climate change-induced disasters cost nations at least $100 billion in 2018, a watchdog said Thursday, warning the spate of deadly wildfires, floods and superstorms was “a shadow” of things to come if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t slashed. This year is set to be the fourth hottest on record and as planet-warming carbon and methane levels in the atmosphere continue to rise, extreme weather events such as […]

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Australia swelters in record-breaking heatwave

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s vast continent is sizzling through extreme heatwave conditions this week, with temperatures reaching record highs and emergency services on high alert for bush-fires. The mercury is up to 16 degree Celsius (29 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than usual for this time of the year for southern Australia, with numerous towns setting new December records, the Bureau of Meteorology said Friday. “Heatwave conditions are being experienced across large parts of the country,” […]

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Russia says will host Putin-Erdogan-Rouhani summit early 2019

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Moscow will early next year host the leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey to discuss the Syrian conflict, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said Friday, after the United States announced it was withdrawing troops from the country. “It’s our turn to host the summit… around the first week of the year. This will depend on the schedules of the presidents,” Mikhail Bogdanov was cited as saying by Interfax news agency. The meeting […]

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Blue sky at night lights up social media in New York

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — An alien invasion? The Rapture? The sky flashed an eerie blue over New York City on Thursday night and social media users feared the worst. Extraterrestrial activity was a leading theory: “IM SORRY WHAT???? THE SKY JUST TURNED BLUE???? literally so confused I think aliens just tried to steal new york,” one user wrote on Twitter. “Apparently aliens are landing in New York City right now bcs the sky’s […]

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UAE reopens Damascus embassy after seven years

by Maher al-Mounes with Rouba El Husseini in Beirut Agence France Presse DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) — The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold. The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war. Nearly seven years later, the Emirati flag was raised again […]

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Winter storm snarls holiday travel in parts of US

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Hundreds of flights were canceled and thousands more delayed across the United States on Thursday as a powerful winter storm swept through the center of the country, frustrating holiday travelers. More than 6,500 flights were delayed and some 800 more were canceled, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. A mix of rain, snow, and strong winds also made travel dangerous or impossible on roads, especially in the northern and […]

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Top Chinese officials forced to carry out self-criticisms

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Top Chinese leaders have been forced to undergo a self-criticism session, state media said Thursday, in a further sign of President Xi Jinping’s efforts to enforce party loyalty amid signs of internal dissent over his handling of a trade war with the United States. A tool highly favored by Mao Zedong and taken to extremes during the Cultural Revolution, self-criticism sessions are back in favor under Xi’s presidency as he seeks […]

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Strike call, protests in DR Congo after new election delay

BENI, DR Congo (AFP) — A DR Congo opposition bloc called Thursday for a nationwide stoppage and police clashed with demonstrators in two eastern cities after upcoming elections were placed on hold in their region. Lamuka, a coalition of parties supporting opposition candidate Martin Fayulu, called for cities to be brought to a standstill on Friday, two days before polling day. A diplomatic storm with the European Union meanwhile erupted into the open as the […]

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Sudan govt says 19 killed in bread price protests, as journalists strike

by Jay Deshmukh and Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali Agence France Presse KHARTOUM, Sudan (AFP) — Sudanese journalists went on strike Thursday in the wake of deadly protests against a rise in bread prices that the government says have left 19 people dead, including two members of the security forces. “Nineteen people lost their lives in the incidents including two from security forces” since the protests began on December 19, government spokesman Boshara Juma said on […]

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Saudi king orders government reshuffle after Khashoggi fallout

by Anuj Chopra Agence France Presse RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia’s King Salman ordered a sweeping government reshuffle Thursday, replacing key security and political figures including the foreign minister, as the kingdom grapples with the international fallout over critic Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. The surprise shake up saw the appointment of a new National Guard chief and the head of a new space agency, but the ministries of energy and finance were unaffected despite […]

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