Other News

N. Korea tests most advanced ICBM, reaching US within range

By Sunghee Hwang SEOUL, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – North Korea on Monday test-fired its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile that has the potential to reach the United States, extending a record-breaking number of weapons tests this year and triggering further international condemnation. South Korea said the North fired an ICBM that used solid fuel, which makes missiles easier to transport and faster to fire than liquid-fuelled versions. Monday’s launch was the third time the […]

Israel army says biggest Hamas tunnel found

By Adel Zaanoun with Laurie Churchman in Jerusalem GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, Dec 17, 2023 (AFP) – Israel’s army said Sunday it had found a vast Hamas tunnel as it pressed its offensive in Gaza despite growing international calls for a ceasefire and pleas from relatives to bring home the remaining hostages. The bloodiest ever Gaza war began with unprecedented Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 and has devastated much of the Palestinian […]

Thousands flee as storm hits southern Philippines

Thousands of people in the Philippines were sheltering in evacuation centres Monday as Tropical Storm Jelawat smashed across the large southern island of Mindanao, threatening to unleash floods and landslides. The storm, with modest sustained winds of 65 kilometres (40 miles) an hour, made landfall on Monday morning, the state weather service said. Rescue agencies in the region said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, but 11,729 residents had been evacuated from […]

Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin headed back into space after accident

By Lucie AUBOURG WASHINGTON, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – The American company Blue Origin plans to launch its rocket Big Shepard Monday for the first time since an accident more than a year ago, as the firm founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos heads back into space. The launch window from the pad in west Texas opens at 8:30 am local time (14H30 GMT), said Blue Origin, which plans to live stream the event. This mission […]

Hundreds evacuated as flood disaster unfolds in northeastern Australia

CAIRNS, Australia, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – Stranded residents sheltered on a hospital roof as flash floods swamped northeastern Australia on Monday, with raging waters severing roads and flushing crocodiles into towns. Rescue teams evacuated more than 300 people overnight, police said, and military helicopters were dispatched to help inundated areas cut off by the floods. Damage was reported along an expanse of coastline that stretched about 400 kilometres (250 miles) across northern Queensland. With […]

Back-to-back missile launches by North Korea spark concerns

By Sunghee Hwang SEOUL, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – North Korea fired another internationally banned “long-range ballistic missile” on Monday, the South’s military said, after Pyongyang voiced outrage over deeper nuclear cooperation between Seoul and Washington. The ballistic launch followed firing overnight Sunday by the North of a short-range missile, extending a record-breaking number of weapons tests this year that have been condemned by the West. The back-to-back launches also come after another bout of […]

More areas under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression “Kabayan” maintains its strength

(Eagle News)–More areas are under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression “Kabayan” maintained its strength while moving east of Mindanao on Sunday, Dec. 17. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the following areas are under the tropical cyclone wind signal: Southern Leyte; Leyte; the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Santa Rita, Marabut, Talalora, Villareal, Pinabacdao); the southern portion of Eastern Samar (Maydolong, City of Borongan, Quinapondan, Guiuan, Lawaan, Balangiga, Llorente, Giporlos, Salcedo, […]

N.Korea nuclear attack on US would spell end of Kim regime: White House

WASHINGTON  (AFP) – Washington on Saturday reiterated its warning to North Korea that any nuclear attack on the United States would result “in the end of the Kim regime.” A joint statement by the US-South Korean Nuclear Consultative Group also reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by Pyongyang on South Korea “will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response.” “The United States reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK (Republic […]

Myanmar ethnic minority fighters seize town from military

BANGKOK (AFP) – Ethnic minority fighters battling Myanmar’s junta said Saturday they seized a trading hub in Shan state, days after China said it had mediated a temporary ceasefire. Clashes have raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state since the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a joint offensive late October. The three allied groups — known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance — say […]

Ottawa youth accused in terror plot against Jewish people

OTTAWA, Dec 16, 2023 (AFP) – Canadian federal police on Saturday charged an Ottawa youth with directing terrorist activities against Jewish people, and giving instructions on explosives. The accused, because of their young age, cannot be identified under Canadian law. No details were released. In a statement, police said they were monitoring a “concerning trend of violent extremism and terrorist use of the Internet.” Global News reported that an explosives team was sent to the […]

Warriors hold off Nets, Thunder stun NBA champion Nuggets

LOS ANGELES, Dec 17, 2023 (AFP) – Stephen Curry scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter as the Golden State Warriors held on for a much-needed 124-120 NBA victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. Curry made seven of seven attempts in the final period and Klay Thompson made a pair of key three-pointers in the last four minutes as the Warriors — who had led by as many as 18 points […]

Northeastern Australia hit by ‘life-threatening’ flooding

SYDNEY, Dec 17, 2023 (AFP) – Near-record rain levels in north Queensland have caused “life-threatening” flooding, Australian authorities said Sunday, forcing the closure of Cairns airport. Emergency services said major flooding had particularly hit the northeastern city of Cairns, a tourist hub and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The region’s rivers were already saturated after a tropical cyclone battered the region this week, submerging highways and uprooting trees. Amid the wild weather, a 10-year-old […]