Ukraine forces raise national flag in Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia region
Reuters Ukrainian forces have raised the national flag in the settlement of Robotyne in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, Kyiv’s military said on Wednesday, though it was not clear whether the entire community had been liberated from Russian forces. “A historic day! Soldiers of the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade set up the flag of Ukraine in […]
At least 26 killed as railway bridge collapses in India
Guwahati, India Reuters A railway bridge being built in India collapsed on Wednesday killing at least 26 workers and injuring two, police said, as the state-run railway authority opened an investigation. A view shows a collapsed under-construction railway bridge in Sairang, Mizoram, India, on 23rd August, 2023, posted on messaging platform X, formerly known as […]
Scorched Europe battles deadly fires, Turkey shuts shipping lane
Athens, Greece/Asagiokcular Reuters Searing temperatures fuelled wildfires and prompted health warnings across Europe on Wednesday, as a blaze in Turkey forced the closure of the Dardanelles shipping lane and winds fanned the flames in Greece where 20 people have already been killed. France, which widened its heatwave red alert in the south of the country, […]
Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lands on the Moon in “victory cry of a new India”
Bengalaru, India Reuters An Indian spacecraft became the first to land on the rugged, unexplored south pole of the Moon on Wednesday in a mission seen as crucial to lunar exploration and India’s standing as a space power, just days after a similar Russian lander crashed. “This moment is unforgettable. It is phenomenal. This is […]
Zimbabweans vote but hopes of ending economic freefall appear dim
Harare, Zimbabwe Reuters Zimbabweans voted on Wednesday with many citizens desperate for change after two decades of relentless economic chaos but sceptical that the ruling ZANU-PF party will allow a credible election or any loosening of its stranglehold on power. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking re-election after a first term during which runaway inflation, currency […]
Australia to unveil Indigenous referendum voting date next week
Sydney, AustraliaReuters The Australian Government said it would announce the voting date for a landmark referendum to constitutionally recognise the country’s Indigenous people next Wednesday as it battles a dip in support for the proposal in recent months. Australians will be asked to vote either in October or November on whether they support altering the […]
Hawaii officials seek families help in identifying remains of wildfire victims
Lahaina, Hawaii, USReuters Officials in Hawaii on Tuesday implored residents to submit DNA samples to help in the identification of human remains found in the ashes of a fast-moving wildfire on the island of Maui that killed at least 115 people earlier this month. At the same time, investigators acknowledged that it’s possible not all […]
StrangeSights: Biggest Loch Ness hunt in 50 years; Gaza’s first cat cafe; and, a question mark in space?
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Prayers, parties, student shows planned in India for moon landing
New Delhi, IndiaReuters Excitement rose in India on Tuesday on the eve of a much-anticipated moon landing, with prayers held for its success, schools marshalling students to watch a live telecast of the event and space enthusiasts organising parties to celebrate. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to land on the lunar […]
UN says over 200 former Afghan military, officials killed since Taliban takeover
Reuters More than 200 members of Afghanistan’s former military, law enforcement and government have been killed since the Taliban took over, the UN mission in Afghanistan said on Tuesday, despite a “general amnesty” for old enemies. The mission said in a report it had recorded at least 218 extrajudicial killings with links to the Taliban […]