COPENHAGEN, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – A record amount of precipitation fell in Denmark in 2023, meteorologists said Wednesday, noting that more increases could be expected as a result of climate change. The annual tally of snow and rainfall as of Wednesday was over 907 millimeters (35.7 inches), national meteorological institute DMI said with over a week left in the year. The previous record since measurements started in 1874 was 905 mm, a level reached […]
Other News
Japan begins on-site inspection to Toyota unit Daihatsu
TOKYO, Dec 21, 2023 (AFP) – Japanese officials on Thursday started an on-site inspection at the headquarters of Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu, the transport ministry said, after an investigation found it had rigged safety tests and was forced to suspend all shipments of its vehicles. The independent probe found the malpractice dated back to 1989 and led Toyota to express its “sincere apologies” and pledge to carry out “a fundamental reform”. The panel was set up […]
US and Venezuela swap prisoners, ‘Fat Leonard’ as tensions ease
By Danny Kemp with Javier Tovar in Caracas WASHINGTON, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – The United States released an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for 10 American detainees and a fugitive dubbed “Fat Leonard” in a sweeping prisoner swap deal between the rival governments Wednesday. US President Joe Biden made the “extremely difficult decision” to free Alex Saab, the onetime confidant of socialist leader Maduro, who is accused by the United States […]
Trump cases thrust Supreme Court into US election fray
By Chris Lefkow and Selim Saheb EttabaWASHINGTON, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – The US Supreme Court played a critical role in deciding the 2000 presidential election when it halted a vote recount in Florida with Republican George W. Bush holding a razor-thin edge over Democrat Al Gore. The stage is set for the nation’s highest court to figure prominently again in a White House race as it mulls a pair of cases involving Donald Trump, […]
Surfing tower will be built, says Paris Games chief
By François BENEYTOU PARIS, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – The controversial building of a tower to judge the surfing event at the Paris Olympics will go ahead despite the sport’s federation saying it is not required, chief organiser Tony Estanguet said on Wednesday. A proposal made by the International Surf Association (ISA) to Paris 2024 organisers and the Polynesian government suggested the use of “live images shot from land, water and drones” to judge events […]
China warns Manila to ‘act with caution’ after maritime clashes
BEIJING, Dec 21, 2023 (AFP) – China has warned the Philippines that it “must act with caution”, Beijing’s foreign ministry said, following a string of incidents in the disputed South China Sea as Manila increasingly stands up to Chinese assertiveness in the region. Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed Chinese ships blasting water cannon at Philippine boats this month and there was also a collision between vessels from the two countries during tense […]
N. Korea’s Kim warns of ‘nuclear attack’ if ‘provoked’ with nukes
SEOUL, Dec 21, 2023 (AFP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned Pyongyang will not hesitate to launch a nuclear attack if “provoked with nukes”, state media said Thursday, while Seoul and its allies called for “dialogue without preconditions”. Kim’s warning follows a meeting between South Korea and the United States last week in Washington, where they discussed nuclear deterrence in the event of conflict with the North. The meeting’s agenda included “nuclear and […]
Northeast monsoon affecting Northern Luzon
Eastern sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao also affected by easterlies (Eagle News)–The northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the easterlies are also affecting the eastern sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. As a result, PAGASA said Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora and Quezon will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos […]
Icelandic volcano eruption eases as evacuated village remains off limits
REYKJAVIK, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – A volcanic eruption that rocked Iceland this week diminished in intensity for a second day Wednesday, though media reports said a nearby evacuated fishing village would remain off limits for at least another week. The eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula has produced spectacular lava flows, though they were now constrained to two craters, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in a statement Wednesday morning, down from three earlier. “The […]
Hospital doctors in England start longest strike yet over pay
By Nicholas McAVANEY, Rashid BAXTER LONDON, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – Hospital doctors in England hit out Wednesday at a perceived “brain drain” from the country’s state-funded National Health Service (NHS), as they began their longest strike action yet in a protracted pay battle. Junior doctors — those below specialist, consultant level — started joining picket lines from 0700 GMT, as part of an initial 72-hour walkout to be followed by a further six-day strike […]
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Full broadcast: December 20, 2023
Malaysia bans Israeli-flagged ships in response to Gaza war
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – Malaysia banned on Wednesday Israeli-flagged cargo ships from docking at its ports in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, which it said ignores “basic humanitarian principles”. Ships on their way to Israel will also be barred from loading cargo at any port in the largely Muslim Southeast Asian nation with immediate effect, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement. Anwar singled out Israel’s biggest shipping firm ZIM. […]





