JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — A panel of Israeli lawmakers on Tuesday approved draft legislation to dissolve parliament, a key legislative step that pushes Israel closer towards its fifth election in less than four years. Members of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s outgoing coalition and the opposition led by ex-premier Benjamin Netanyahu have been sparring in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, since last week over a dissolution bill. The coalition said it wanted quick approval of the law […]
International
Russia fails to pay debt but denies default
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russia said Monday that two of its debt payments were blocked from reaching creditors, pushing the country closer to its first foreign default in a century due to sanctions over the Ukraine offensive. The announcement came on the 124th day of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, with Western sanctions so far failing to force the Kremlin to change its course. The Western economic penalties have largely severed the country from the […]
AU urges probe into deaths of Africans at Spain-Morocco border
NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP) — The African Union Commission chief has voiced shock at the “violent and degrading” treatment of African migrants trying to cross from Morocco into Spain after 23 people died, and called for an investigation into the incident. About 2,000 migrants stormed the heavily fortified border between the Moroccan region of Nador and the Spanish enclave of Melilla on Friday. At least 23 migrants died and 140 police officers were wounded in the […]
One dead as rare tornado tears through Dutch city
by Julie Capelle Agence France-Presse ZIERIKZEE, Netherlands (AFP) — A tornado ripped through a southwestern Dutch city on Monday, killing a woman and injuring nine others in the first fatal twister to hit the country for three decades. The whirlwind left a trail of destruction through the seaside city of Zierikzee, ripping the roofs off homes and toppling trees onto cars, an AFP journalist at the scene said. Images on social media showed debris rotating […]
G7 denounces ‘war crime’ as Russian strike kills shoppers
by Blaise Gauquelin with Michelle Fitzpatrick and Valerie Leroux in Elmau Castle, Germany Agence France-Presse KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — A Russian missile strike on a crowded mall in central Ukraine killed at least 16 people Monday in what Group of Seven leaders branded “a war crime” at a meeting in Germany where they looked to step up sanctions on Moscow. The leaders vowed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and those responsible would be held to […]
Putin guarantees supply of fertilizers to Brazil
BRASÍLIA, Brazil (AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday promised his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro that Russia “is committed” to maintaining its delivery of much-needed fertilizers to the South American agricultural giant. Speaking in Brasilia, Bolsonaro said the two leaders had discussed by telephone “food security” and “energy insecurity,” without giving more details. In its own statement on the conversation, the Kremlin said Putin “stressed that Russia is committed to carry out its obligations […]
16 killed, 59 wounded in missile strike on Ukraine mall: emergency services
KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — The toll from a Russian missile strike on a shopping mall in the central city of Kremenchuk has risen to 16 dead and 59 wounded, the head of Ukraine’s emergency services said early Tuesday. “As of now, we know of 16 dead and 59 wounded, 25 of them hospitalized. The information is being updated,” Sergiy Kruk said on Telegram. He said the main tasks were “rescue works, debris removal, and elimination […]
Turkish firm gifts drones to Ukraine
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — Turkish drone-manufacturer Baykar, which has President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son-in-law as one of its directors, offered three of its drones to the Ukrainian army on Monday. In a statement posted on Twitter, the company noted that a crowdfunding campaign had raised enough money to buy several of its TB2 UAVs “for Ukrainians to use in defense of their Homeland”. “Baykar will not accept payment for the TB2s, and will send 3 […]
Three dead, multiple injuries in US train derailment
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) –Three people died Monday when a long-distance train collided with a dump truck in the US state of Missouri, leaving multiple injuries among its more than 200 passengers, local officials said. Seven of the Amtrak train’s approximately eight cars derailed on a route from Los Angeles to Chicago when the train struck the truck at a rail crossing near Mendon, Missouri. “The investigation is in its preliminary stages and as more […]
INC London holds ‘Aloha my Brethren’ community event
From social distancing to social connection, INC volunteers in Heathrow held an open community event, inspired by Hawaiian culture and food. Invited guests were able to enjoy free live musical performances, interactive family friendly games and booths, Hawaiian cuisine and beverages; an event inspiring social bonds within the community. Erianne Celestino – UK bureau
Peru facing fourth wave of Covid-19: government
LIMA, Peru (AFP) — Peru’s government on Sunday declared that a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections had begun to hit the country, which has one of the highest mortality rates from the virus in the world. “We are currently in a fourth wave, as we have seen the increase (of cases)… in different provinces of our country, such as Junin, Arequipa, Cusco and the capital,” Health Minister Jorge Lopez told local broadcaster RPP radio. According […]
Japan swelters as heatwave prompts power crunch warning
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s government warned Monday of a power crunch as extreme heat hits the country, with temperature records toppling and Tokyo’s rainy season declared over at the earliest date on record. Residents in and around the capital have been asked to conserve energy, particularly in the early evening. Temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) are forecast in Tokyo throughout Monday, and the mercury is not expected to drop below […]





