International

Baltimore bridge collapses after ship collision

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2024 (AFP) – The Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore collapsed after a ship collided with it, the Maryland Transportation Authority said early Tuesday. “I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike,” the MTA posted on social media platform X, referring to the interstate highway. It urged drivers to avoid the route over the Patapsco River, which it called an “active scene”. Earlier, the MTA had said interstate […]

Putin says ‘Islamists’ behind Moscow attack, links them to Ukraine

MOSCOW, March 25, 2024 (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin on Monday acknowledged for the first time that “radical Islamists” were behind last week’s attack on a concert hall outside Moscow, but suggested they were linked to Ukraine somehow. Eleven people have been detained in connection with the attack, which saw camouflaged gunmen storm into Crocus City Hall, open fire on concert-goers and set the building ablaze, killing at least 139 people. “We know that the […]

Japan drugmaker reports death after health supplement recall

TOKYO, March 26, 2024 (AFP) – A Japanese drugmaker said Tuesday it is investigating one death from kidney dysfunction potentially linked to health supplements recalled last week by the firm. It comes a day after the company said it was aware of 26 cases of people being hospitalised in relation to the prescription-free tablets. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, which sells over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements, has received an additional 50 unconfirmed reports of hospitalisations as of Tuesday […]

US raises concerns on Rafah offensive with Israeli defense chief

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2024 (AFP) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised US opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah with Israel’s defense minister on Monday, after a delegation to discuss Washington’s concerns was scrapped earlier in the day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to send the delegation to Washington but cancelled it after the United States abstained on a UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan. In his […]

US teen fatally shoots self with officer’s gun at sheriff station

LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2024 (AFP) – A teenage girl shot herself dead with a deputy’s gun in the lobby of a sheriff’s station in California, authorities said Monday. The girl, who has not been named, began hammering on the door of the station in City of Industry, near Los Angeles, on Sunday evening. As officers went to open the door, the girl managed to grab a service weapon from one of them. “The juvenile […]

US man who threatened to kill election official sentenced to 2.5 years

A man who repeatedly threatened to kill an Arizona election official was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Monday, as investigators warned of increasing hostility towards poll workers ahead of this year’s high-stakes US votes. Joshua Russell, from Ohio, directed numerous expletive-laden tirades against the person chiefly responsible for the smooth running of the 2022 mid-term election in Arizona, the state’s department of justice said. “Mr. Russell made three phone calls […]

Magnitude 6.9 quake hits Papua New Guinea: USGS

SYDNEY, March 24, 2024 (AFP) A magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit northern Papua New Guinea on Sunday morning, the United States Geological Survey said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was “no tsunami threat” from the inland quake, which struck at 6:22 am local time (2022 GMT Saturday) at a depth of approximately 35 kilometres (21 miles). The “notable quake” hit some 88 kilometres (54 miles) southwest of Wewak, the USGS said, a town of […]

Four suspects remanded in custody over Moscow concert hall massacre

MOSCOW, March 25, 2024 (AFP) – Four men accused of involvement in a massacre at a Moscow concert hall that killed 137 people were remanded in custody Sunday, as Russia observed a national day of mourning following the attack claimed by the Islamic State. All four suspects have been charged with terrorism, according to Moscow’s Basmanny district court, and face life imprisonment. Their detention is set until May 22 but may be extended depending on […]

Philippines says three soldiers hurt by China water cannon

MANILA, March 24, 2024 (AFP) – Three Philippine troops were injured in the latest China Coast Guard water cannon attack on a Filipino supply vessel near a South China Sea reef, Manila’s national security adviser said Sunday. The Philippine government said Saturday’s confrontation caused severe damage to the Unaizah May 4 vessel while it was on its way to deliver troops and provisions to a Philippine navy ship grounded atop the Second Thomas Shoal. China […]

Russian cruise missile breaches Polish airspace: army

WARSAW, March 24, 2024 (AFP) – A Russian cruise missile fired at towns in western Ukraine breached Polish airspace, Poland’s army said Sunday. For about 40 seconds, “Polish airspace was breached by one of the cruise missiles fired in the night by the air forces… of the Russian Federation,” the army wrote on social media platform X. “The object flew through Polish airspace above the village of Oserdow (Lublin province) and stayed for 39 seconds,” […]

McDonald’s stores shut in Sri Lanka over poor hygiene case

COLOMBO, March 24, 2024 (AFP) – McDonald’s stores across Sri Lanka shut Sunday after the US fast-food giant launched a legal battle with its local franchise holder over allegations of poor hygiene, court officials said. The Commercial High Court of Colombo ordered the closures until April 4, after the parent company accused the local franchise holder of failing to meet international hygiene standards. “The closure was ordered pending an investigation,” a court official said. He […]

More than 130 kidnapped Nigerian schoolchildren released

By Laurie CHURCHMAN ABUJA, March 24, 2024 (AFP) – More than 130 schoolchildren seized by gunmen in a mass kidnapping in northwestern Nigeria earlier this month were released unharmed on Sunday, officials and the army said. The kidnapping in Kuriga, Kaduna state on March 7 was one of the biggest such attacks in years and prompted a national outcry over insecurity. Teachers and residents previously said around 280 pupils were kidnapped, but the army said […]