International

Beijing rains heaviest since records began 140 years ago: weather service

BEIJING, China (AFP) — Rains that pummeled Beijing in recent days were the heaviest since records began 140 years ago, the city’s weather service said Wednesday. “The maximum (amount) of rainfall recorded during this storm, which was 744.8 millimeters, occurred at the Wangjiayuan Reservoir in Changping,” the Beijing Meteorological Service said, adding it was the “heaviest rainfall in 140 years”. Storm Doksuri, a former super typhoon, swept northwards over China after hitting southern Fujian province […]

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Forced to flee: Despair after India deadly ethnic clashes

By Aishwarya KUMAR Agence France-Presse MOIRANG, India (AFP) — Deadly ethnic violence in India’s troubled Manipur state divided communities but each side tells similar stories of loved ones murdered, homes torched and harsh new lives in camps. At least 120 people have been killed since May in armed clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki in the northeastern state. Many in Manipur believe the number could be higher. Some 50,000 […]

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UN chief calls on Tunisia to end migrant expulsions

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Tuesday for Tunisia to stop expelling migrants into desert border areas, and demanded those already stranded in the harsh environment be relocated, a spokesperson said. “We are deeply concerned about the expulsion of migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers from Tunisia to the borders with Libya and also Algeria,” deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said. He warned that “several have died” at Tunisia’s border with Libya, while […]

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First evacuation flight from coup-hit Niger lands in France

By Boureima HAMA Agence France-Presse NIAMEY, Niger (AFP) — The first of three planes carrying mostly French and European people evacuated from Niger landed in Paris early Wednesday, a week after a coup toppled one of the last pro-Western leaders in the jihadist-plagued Sahel. “There are 262 people on board the plane, an Airbus A330, including a dozen babies,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told AFP before the flight landed at Paris Roissy Charles de […]

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Trump indicted over efforts to overturn 2020 election

WASHINGTON, Aug 1, 2023 (AFP) – Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election — the most serious legal threat yet to the former president as he campaigns to return to the White House. Trump is charged with three counts of conspiracy and one count of obstruction in the 45-page indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith. Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United […]

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At least 11 killed, 27 missing in Beijing rainstorms

By Jing Xuan TENG Agence France-Presse MENTOUGOU, China (AFP) — At least 11 people are dead and 27 missing after heavy rains lashed Beijing, state media said Tuesday, in downpours that have submerged roads and deluged neighborhoods with mud. Storm Doksuri, a former super typhoon, had swept northwards through China since hitting southern Fujian province on Friday after first scything through the Philippines. Heavy rains began pummeling Beijing and its surrounding areas on Saturday, with […]

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Drone attack targets Moscow, office tower struck

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — A Ukrainian drone downed by Russia on Tuesday struck a Moscow office tower that was also hit over the weekend, as multiple other drones were downed, Russian officials said. “Several drones were shot down by air defense systems while trying to fly to Moscow. One (drone) flew into the same tower in (Moscow) City as last time. The facade on the 21st floor was damaged,” Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on […]

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Military helicopters deliver aid to Beijing flood victims

By Jing Xuan TENG Agence France-Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) –China deployed military helicopters on Tuesday to deliver supplies to stranded train passengers in Beijing, state media reported, after deadly rainstorms wreaked havoc in the capital. Storm Doksuri, a former super typhoon, has swept northwards over China since Friday, when it hit southern Fujian province after scything through the Philippines. Heavy rains began pummeling the city and surrounding areas on Saturday, with nearly the average rainfall […]

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For Trump, the more indictments, the more loyal his fans

By Frankie TAGGART Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — As mushrooming criminal probes threaten his political ambitions and his liberty, Donald Trump has been able to console himself with one encouraging constant: blockbuster polling numbers. “I’m the only person (who) ever got indicted who became more popular,” the former president and 2024 Republican primary frontrunner grinned in Iowa recently, an observation added to his stump speech in recent months. Trump has been indicted in […]

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UNESCO recommends putting Venice on heritage danger list

By Joris FIORITI Agence France-Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — The UN’s cultural agency UNESCO on Monday recommended that Venice be added to its list of world heritage in danger, saying the Italian authorities needed to step up efforts to secure the historic city and its surrounding lagoon. UNESCO said in its recommendation that Venice risked “irreversible” damage due to a string of issues ranging from climate change to mass tourism. The recommendation will now go […]

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Pampanga placed under state of calamity

The entire province of Pampanga has been placed under a state of calamity by the Provincial Board, following the endorsement of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), headed by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda. The measure was approved in light of the consequences brought about by the southwest monsoon, which was further intensified by the impacts of typhoons Egay and Falcon. (Provincial Information Office of Pampanga / Eagle News)

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Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, delaying polls

YANGON, July 31, 2023 (AFP) – Myanmar’s junta announced a six-month extension to a state of emergency Monday, signalling a delay to elections they had pledged to hold by August. The Southeast Asian nation has been ravaged by deadly violence since a coup deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s government more than two years ago, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent. Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured as the junta battles a clutch of […]

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