JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday called for an immediate halt to the government’s controversial judicial reforms, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sacked his defence minister for similar demands. Herzog, who has a largely ceremonial role, made the call following large demonstrations in Tel Aviv overnight where protesters again charged that the judicial overhaul package threatens Israel’s democracy. “For the sake of the unity of the people of Israel, […]
International
Germany braces for transport ‘mega-strike’
by Deborah COLE Agence France-Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Transport staff across Germany are set to stage a major strike on Monday to push for wage hikes in the face of brisk inflation, as passengers brace for serious disruptions. Workers at airports, ports, railways, buses and metro lines throughout much of Europe’s top economy are expected to heed a call by the Verdi and EVG unions to the 24-hour walkout. “A labour struggle that has […]
Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin says will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighbour and ally Belarus, bringing the arms to a country at the gates of the European Union. Putin has previously issued thinly veiled warnings that he could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine if Russia were threatened, reviving Cold War-era fears. He also said he would deploy depleted uranium ammunition if Kyiv received the controversial weaponry from the […]
Tornado survivors in US pick through debris, grateful to be alive
Rolling Fork, United States | AFP | by Inès BEL AIBA A brick house reduced to rubble, its floors strewn with personal effects like a pink backpack and a bottle of shampoo, somehow standing upright. That’s just one of many scenes of the utter devastation left by a tornado that ripped through the southern US state of Mississippi Friday night. And shell-shocked residents of the shattered town of Rolling Fork are now grappling with […]
North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Monday 3/27/2023 North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles Monday, South Korea’s military said, the latest in its flurry of weapons tests in recent weeks. The launch comes as Seoul and Washington are carrying out a joint amphibious landing exercise, and just days after they wrapped up their largest combined military drills in five years. North Korea views all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has repeatedly warned […]
Unrest in France prompts postponement of King Charles III visit
Paris, France | AFP | Saturday 3/25/2023 by Adam PLOWRIGHT and Dina JEHHAR Violent pension reform protests in France led to the postponement Friday of King Charles III’s trip to the country, highlighting the growing security and political problems faced by President Emmanuel Macron. The French president condemned the latest burst of violence overnight, while a human rights watchdog criticised the “excessive use of force” by police during recent demonstrations. King Charles’ first foreign trip […]
Indonesia volcano erupts, spews tower of smoke and ash
Jakarta, Indonesia | AFP | Indonesia’s Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted Friday, belching a tower of smoke and ash almost a kilometre into the sky and prompting authorities to impose a no-go zone in the area. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the eruption, which sent up a tower of volcanic smoke 700 metres (0.4 miles) high in a remote part of the Southeast Asian archipelago nation. But authorities imposed an exclusion […]
At least 23 dead as tornado, storms rip through Mississippi
🚨Per Amory, Mississippi fire scanner: “All of north Amory is gone”. Multiple gas leaks and major damage reported after tornado. Responders having hard time moving through streets due to debris. Forecast Center says debris was being lofted at least 16,000 feet in the air.🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/cebsgts3WP — BIG DAVE (@2bz4thot) March 25, 2023 #SilverCity #Mississippi A wedge tornado reportedly 2mi at the base has destroyed multiple towns in Mississippi and Alabama. Multiple reports of towns […]
Large asteroid to zoom between Earth and Moon
Paris, France | AFP | Saturday 3/25/2023 by Daniel Lawler A large asteroid will safely zoom between Earth and the Moon on Saturday, a once-in-a-decade event that will be used as a training exercise for planetary defence efforts, according to the European Space Agency. The asteroid, named 2023 DZ2, is estimated to be 40 to 70 metres (130 to 230 feet) wide, roughly the size of the Parthenon, and big enough to wipe out […]
Yemen’s children threatened by aid funding shortfall: UN
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — The UN warned Friday it could be forced to slash support for children in Yemen without a funding boost, a war-torn country where it said dozens already die daily from “preventable causes”. “More than 540,000 children under the age of five (are) suffering life-threatening severe acute malnutrition, with one child continuing to die every 10 minutes from preventable causes,” the UN children’s agency UNICEF said. “If funding is not […]
Biden arrives in Canada to discuss trade, migration challenges
by Aurélia END Agence France-Presse OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — US President Joe Biden arrived Thursday in Canada where he will meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and address parliament, with reports that a deal has been struck on managing undocumented migration across the neighbors’ long border. Trade, Canada’s anemic defense spending, and a potential international force to stabilize troubled Haiti are expected to be on the agenda in the events set largely for Friday. As Biden […]
Brazil police raid leaves 13 dead in favela near Rio: media
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — A police raid on a favela near Rio de Janeiro Thursday left at least 13 people dead, including the suspected leader of a crime gang active in the north of Brazil, local media reported. “There are 13 dead, two individuals detained and a large number of weapons seized,” Fabricio Oliveira, from the Coordination of Special Resources of the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, told a press conference. Police […]
