Top World News
‘What choice do we have?’: no end in sight for Ukraine’s war-weary frontline troops
As peace hopes falter, infantry soldiers face more long deployments risking their lives against Russian attacksFor almost all of their 62-day deployment on the frontline west of Pokrovske, Bohdan and Ivan hid – first in a village shop, then, after a deadly firefight with Russian soldiers, in a tiny basement where the infantrymen from Ukraine’s 31st Brigade had to survive seven more weeks.Food, water, cigarettes and other supplies were airlifted in by a friendly drone, their toilet was their 3 sq metre room, their nearest comrades 200 metres or so away. Their only hope was to remain underground, because they knew if they were detected a Russian drone could kill them all. Continue reading...
Tourists among at least 25 killed in Goa nightclub fire
Fire broke out at midnight in Arpora, North Goa district, according to reports, with victims mostly kitchen workers according to chief minister At least 25 people have been killed in a fire at a nightclub in Goa, an Indian state popular for its nightlife and tourism.Several tourists were among the 25 dead in the fire, which broke out at about midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular restaurant, cocktail bar and club in Arpora, a district north Goa. Continue reading...
Albanese warns of ‘difficult’ bushfire season ahead as cooler conditions bring relief to disaster-ravaged NSW
Most active fires contained on Sunday as disaster payments announced after at least 12 homes in Koolewong and four at Bulahdelah were destroyedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has warned of a “difficult” summer bushfire season ahead, as a natural disaster was declared in parts of New South Wales and crews battling more than 70 fires gained the upper hand on Sunday.The most destructive blaze – an out-of-control bushfire at Koolewong, not far from built-up areas of the Central Coast – destroyed more than 12 homes on Saturday. The threat had eased by midday on Sunday, as strong winds gave way to a cool change.Central CoastMid CoastUpper HunterMuswellbrookWarrumbungleDubbo Continue reading...
NSW Central Coast ‘not out of the woods yet’ as bushfire conditions ease – as it happened
This blog is now closed.Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlbanese has also defended a $100k expense for communications minister Anika Wells, a staffer and a public servant to join the prime minister and foreign minister Penny Wong in New York for a United Nations meeting.Anika Wells was doing her job as the communications minister who is in charge of this world-leading, world-leading legislation, passed with bipartisan support, to give credit to Peter Dutton when he was opposition leader. And it was an important event. And it wasn’t just the event there, it was then the follow-up of people wanting to have meetings, have discussions, how is this going to work? What can we do to get buy-in here? When you’ve got Australia, a middle power, taking on these global giants.There’s family reunion entitlements, all of the travel within guidelines.I’m saying it was within entitlements and Anika Wells was working on that trip as sports minister, participating the lifting up of para-sport.But we’ve said very clearly that this won’t be perfect. Just like chances last night was Saturday night, somewhere in Australia, somewhere under 18s got a drink in a pub. But it’s the right thing to do for society to express its views, its judgement about what is appropriate. Continue reading...
Ukraine war briefing: With no Miami breakthrough, Zelenskyy turns to European allies
Positive tone after Florida talks with Ukrainian president heading to London Street to see Starmer, Macron and Merz. What we know on day 1,383 Continue reading...
Fire at popular nightclub in India's Goa state kills at least 25, officials say
Officials say at least 25 people, including tourists, have been killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in India’s Goa state
Handloom weavers of iconic Tangail saree in Bangladesh seek UNESCO heritage status for their craft
The weavers’ neighborhood near Dhaka echoes with the constant clatter of the looms with rhythmic hand movements as the artisans use colorful silk and cotton threads to weave the iconic Tangail saree. The handloom saree is named after a central Bangladesh district that is home to hundreds of weaver families. The garment is seen as the country’s cultural symbol, showcased during festivals and wedding celebrations across the Indian subcontinent. The centuries-old traditional saree weaving art was nominated for inclusion in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity this year. Every garment is crafted with a fusion of tradition and craftsmanship, with aesthetic designs and intricate motifs rooted in local culture. The men usually color the yarn, weave the fabric and create designs on the looms. Women help with spinning threads on the wheels. The Tangail saree is not just a cultural icon, it also provides livelihood to hundreds of weaver families. With rising raw...
West Midlands police chief sorry for saying Jewish community supported Maccabi fan ban
Senior officer had told MPs some Jewish representatives did not want Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at Aston Villa game classified as high riskA senior police officer has apologised to Birmingham’s Jewish residents after he told MPs that some had expressed support for the exclusion of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending last month’s match against Aston Villa.The decision to ban supporters of the Israeli team from the Europa League game at Villa Park in Birmingham had triggered political uproar, including Keir Starmer saying he was “angered by the decision”. Continue reading...
Japan protests after Chinese military aircraft locks radar on Japanese jets
The countries' ties plunged recently over the Japanese leader’s Taiwan remarks.
Qatar and Egypt urge Israeli withdrawal to secure next step in Gaza peace deal
Mediators of delicate truce say troop removal and deployment of international force crucial to second phaseQatar and Egypt, the guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire, called on Saturday for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the deployment of an international stabilisation force as the necessary next steps in fully implementing the fragile agreement.The measures were spelt out in the US- and UN-backed peace plan that has largely halted fighting, though the warring parties have yet to agree on how to move forward from the deal’s first phase. Continue reading...
Indian Investigators Head To US Next Week To Share Black Box Data: Report
India is sending investigators to the US next week to go over data with the National Transportation Safety Board gathered so far on the deadly crash in June of an Air India flight.
US waives $11m fine for Southwest Airlines over 2022 holiday meltdown
White House decision is part of $140m settlement over flight chaos during busy December travel periodThe Trump administration said on Saturday it will waive an $11m fine imposed on Southwest Airlines as part of a $140m settlement over the carrier’s meltdown in December 2022 during a busy holiday travel period.Southwest in December 2023 agreed to pay a $35m cash fine over three years over the airline’s handling of the meltdown that stranded more than 2 million passengers. It also agreed to provide $90m in travel vouchers of $75 or more to passengers delayed at least three hours getting to final destinations because of an airline-caused issue or cancellation. Continue reading...
