US soldier facing disciplinary action flees into North Korea
Seoul, South Korea/Washington DC, USReuters An American soldier facing disciplinary action fled across the inter-Korean border into North Korea on Tuesday and was believed to be in North Korean custody, US officials said, creating a fresh crisis for Washington in its dealings with the nuclear-armed state. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern for the soldier, […]
Wildfire rages north-west of Athens unabated, burns homes; Switzerland fights to contain fire near Italian border
Mandra, Greece Reuters A wildfire swept uncontrolled through a forest and towns north-west of Athens for a second day on Tuesday, forcing more residents to flee their homes as authorities fought to stop the flames reaching an area with oil refineries. The active fire front extended over eight kilometres, officials said, damaging homes around the […]
Heatwaves set records, trigger health warnings in US and Europe
New York, USReuters Heatwaves intensified across southern and eastern Europe, Asia, and much of the United States on Tuesday as the World Meteorological Organization warned of an increased risk of deaths due to the extreme weather. Across the United States, Americans grappled with a medley of extreme weather, from blazing heat to wildfire smoke-choked air […]
Russia strikes Ukraine grain ports after pulling out of export deal
Kyiv, UkraineReuters Russia struck Ukrainian ports on Tuesday, a day after pulling out of a UN-backed deal to let Kyiv export grain, and Moscow claimed gains on the ground in an area where Ukrainian officials said Russian forces were going back on the offensive. Russia said it hit fuel storage in Odesa and a plant […]
Australia debates Indigenous referendum as pamphlets launched
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Parties on both sides of a debate on whether to constitutionally recognise Australia’s Indigenous people released their official pamphlets on Tuesday, which will start being delivered to letterboxes across the country. Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum later this year on whether they support altering the constitution to include a […]
In the US, Roman Catholic diocese in northern New York announces bankruptcy filing amid sexual abuse lawsuits
Ogdensburg, New York, USAP The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg in northern New York said Monday that it was filing for bankruptcy protection as it faces more than 100 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse. The diocese, like others in the state, is dealing with lawsuits dating to when New York temporarily suspended the statute of limitations […]
Experimental drug works best for Alzheimer’s patients treated as early as possible
Reuters An experimental drug from Eli Lilly works best if Alzheimer’s patients are treated as early as possible, ideally before they develop symptoms of the brain-wasting disease, researchers said on Monday, in the latest promising development for treating the most common form of dementia. The drug, donanemab, has been shown to slow progression of memory […]
South Korea flood deaths cast doubt on work to prepare for extreme weather
Seoul, South KoreaReuters A year after South Korea vowed to step up readiness for extreme weather driven by climate change, experts say not enough work has been done even as greater volumes of sudden and torrential rains are expected in coming decades. Forty or more people have lost their lives in less than a week […]
Australian state of Victoria pulls out of hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games over costs concerns
Updated: 4:45pm (AEST)Melbourne, AustraliaReuters Australia’s state of Victoria will not host the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to projected cost overruns, placing the future of the quadrennial multi-sport gathering in doubt. Victoria state Premier Dan Andrews said the cost of the Games, which were to have been held in four regional hubs, could blow out to […]
No indication Afghan refugees in Pakistan have engaged in extremism – White House
Washingtin DC, USReuters There is no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along its border have engaged in acts of extremism, the White House said, after Pakistan’s army expressed concern that militants had found safe havens in Afghanistan. “We’ve seen no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along that border are guilty of […]