Pope halts speech saying he has “a touch of bronchitis”
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis was unable to complete a speech on Friday, complaining of “a touch of bronchitis” during an address to a group of French religious communications experts at the Vatican. The 87-year-old pontiff suffered from an acute lung infection in November which caused him to cancel a planned trip to the COP28 […]
Myanmar rebel alliance agrees to ceasefire with ruling military
Reuters A rebel alliance in northern Myanmar has agreed to a ceasefire with the ruling military during China-mediated talks, according to some of the parties involved, after a months-long coordinated offensive that threatened to weaken the junta’s grip on power. The military, which overthrew an elected government in 2021, has been battling an alliance of […]
Israeli air strike kills 11 in Gaza; UN says Israel blocks aid to north
Gaza/Doha, Qatar Reuters Israel’s latest attacks on Gaza have killed at least 151 people, including 11 in a single house, Palestinian health officials said on Friday, while the UN humanitarian office accused Israel of blocking its efforts to send aid to the north. Residents reported continued aerial and ground fire across the territory from Israel, […]
US and Britain strike Yemen in reprisal for Houthi attacks on shipping
Last updated: 7:25am, 13th January (AEDT) Washington DC, US Reuters US and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched dozens of air strikes across Yemen in retaliation against Houthi forces for months of attacks on Red Sea shipping that the Iran-backed fighters cast as a response to the war in Gaza. Witnesses confirmed explosions at military […]
EU lawmakers consider stronger plastic pollution law after spill hits Spain
Brussels, BelgiumReuters Some European Union lawmakers are pushing to strengthen a planned law on microplastics pollution, after millions of plastic pellets washed up on the coast of Spain’s north-western Galicia region. Tiny plastic pellets are used to manufacture everyday items from water bottles to shopping bags. They are also an environmental menace, adding to the […]
Ukraine builds barricades, digs trenches as focus shifts to defence
Near Kupiansk, Ukraine Reuters Rows of white concrete barricades and coils of razor wire stretch across an open field for more than a kilometre. Trenches with rudimentary living quarters are being dug under cover of darkness. Artillery rumbles not far away. New defensive lines visited by Reuters near the north-eastern city of Kupiansk on 28th […]
North Korea poised to admit first known tourists since 2020
Seoul, South KoreaReuters A group from Russia is poised to be the first known tourists allowed into North Korea since anti-pandemic border lockdowns began in early 2020, according to a post from Russian provincial authorities and a Western tour guide. North Korea imposed some of the strictest border controls in the world during the spread […]
Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria sign deal to clear floating Black Sea mines
Istanbul, TurkeyReuters Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria signed an agreement this week on a joint plan to clear mines floating in the Black Sea as a result of the war in Ukraine, following months of talks between the NATO allies. Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler, his Romanian counterpart Angel Tilvar and Bulgaria’s Deputy Defence Minister Atanas […]
“Waiting for this day to end”: Dangerous stasis on Israel’s northern border leaves evacuees in limbo
ESTELLE SHIRBON, of Reuters, reports from Israel’s northern border…
Who are Denmark’s royal power couple, about to be throned King and Queen?
Copenhagen, Denmark Reuters Denmark’s soon-to-be King and Queen have sought to balance their royal jobs with a modern family life and an engagement in progressive causes, helping keep the monarchy relevant and popular in the Nordic country. Crown Prince Frederik, 55, will take the throne on Sunday, following his mother Queen Margrethe II’s surprise announcement […]