Insured Disaster Losses To Again Top $100 Bn: Swiss Re
Insured losses from natural catastrophes will pass the $100-billion threshold for the fourth year running in 2023, reinsurance giant Swiss Re said Thursday.
Ukraine 'Very Concerned' Over Russian Olympics Call: Sports Minister
The Ukrainian government is "very concerned" by the call from sports federations and National Olympic Committees to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at next year's Paris Olympics, its acting sports minister has told AFP.
Matviy Bidnyi said Kyiv was concerned that the move gave the impression that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) "does not want to demonstrate the necessary leadership in the matter of Olympic fairness and justice."
Dozens Injured In Seychelles Blast At Explosives Depot
A huge blast at an explosives depot in Seychelles on Thursday injured 66 people and brought down buildings, prompting the country's "shocked" president to declare a state of emergency.
High Speed Rail In US West Gets $6bn Boost
Proposed high-speed rail lines in the western United States moved a step closer to reality Tuesday with the announcement of $6 billion in government grants.
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Gazans Living In 'Utter, Deepening Horror': UN
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are living in "utter, deepening horror", the UN human rights chief said Wednesday, as he pleaded for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
UK Announces New Sanctions Targeting 'Putin's War Machine' In Ukraine
Britain on Wednesday announced a fresh round of sanctions against Russia's "war machine" in Ukraine, as David Cameron headed to Washington for his first visit as foreign secretary.
Guyana Says Will Approach UN If Venezuela Moves On Disputed Region
Guyana said Tuesday it will approach the UN Security Council for help if Venezuela makes any moves on a disputed oil-rich region following a referendum Caracas says bolstered its claim to it.
US Facing Growing Middle East Crisis Tied To Israel-Hamas War
Washington is facing an increasingly complex and dangerous crisis resulting from the Israel-Hamas war, which has sparked repeated militant attacks and drawn US military attention and assets back to the Middle East.
Planet Tipping Points Pose 'Unprecedented' Threat To Humanity: Report
Humanity faces an "unprecedented" risk from tipping points that could unleash a domino effect of irreversible catastrophes across the planet, researchers warned Wednesday.
Canada's Public Broadcaster To Cut 10% Of Workforce
Canada's public broadcaster on Monday announced it would cut 600 jobs, or 10 percent of its workforce, as it confronts financial challenges sparked by a drop in television ad revenues and competition from digital news outlets.
Indonesia Volcano Death Toll Rises To 22 As Search Nears End
The death toll from a volcano eruption in Indonesia has risen to 22 after nine more bodies were discovered, a search and rescue agency official said Tuesday.
Record More Than 2,000 Fossil Fuel Lobbyists At COP28 Talks: NGOs
A record almost 2,500 fossil fuel lobbyists have been accredited for UN climate talks in Dubai, as negotiators wrestle with calls to end all new oil, gas and coal projects to curb global warming, campaign groups said Tuesday.
Eight Dead As Cyclone Batters India's Southeast Coast
Chest-high water surged down the streets of India's southern city Chennai on Tuesday, with eight people killed in intense floods as Cyclone Michaung made landfall on the southeast coast.
Dozens Killed After Nigerian Army Drone Strike Hits Villagers
A Nigerian army drone targeting armed groups killed at least 85 civilians by mistake in northwest Kaduna State, causing outrage over one of the country's deadliest military bombing accidents.
US YouTuber Who Staged Plane Crash Jailed For Six Months
A daredevil YouTuber who deliberately crashed his plane to boost the number of viewers on his channel and then lied about it to investigators has been jailed for six months after reaching a plea deal, US authorities said Monday.
White House Warns Putin Could Win If Ukraine Aid Dries Up
The White House issued a dire warning Monday that US aid for Ukraine will run out by the end of the year, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin could win the war if Congress fails to agree fresh funding.
World Could Breach 1.5C Warming Threshold In 7 Years: Study
The world may cross the crucial 1.5C global warming threshold in seven years as fossil fuel CO2 emissions continue to rise, scientists warned Tuesday, urging countries at the COP28 talks to "act now" on coal, oil and gas pollution.
11 Hikers Dead After Indonesia Volcano Erupts, Dozen Still Missing
Eleven hikers were found dead Monday and another 12 were missing after a volcano erupted in Indonesia, with rescuers racing to carry injured and burned survivors down the mountain on foot.
North Korean Smugglers Disguised Under Pacific Island Flags
North Korean "smuggling networks" are registering ships in Pacific nations to disguise themselves while trafficking oil, according to former United Nations sanctions experts and documents obtained by AFP.
With strict sanctions limiting Pyongyang's ability to import fuel, North Korean smugglers have adopted increasingly creative methods to deceive authorities and dodge scrutiny.
Rights Orgs Sue Netherlands Over F-35 Parts To Israel
A group of human rights organisations took the Dutch government to court on Monday, arguing its supply of parts for F-35 fighters contributes to violations of international law in Gaza.
COP28 Host UAE Choking From Its Own 'Toxic' Air Pollution: HRW
The United Arab Emirates is choking under "alarmingly high" air pollution levels fed by its fossil fuel industry, Human Rights Watch warned on Monday as the oil-rich country hosts the UN's COP28 climate talks in Dubai.
Rains Pound Southern India Ahead Of Cyclone
Rains lashed southern India's city of Chennai on Monday ahead of the landfall of a powerful cyclone, with a crocodile spotted swimming the streets and cars floating away.
Israeli Ground Forces Move Into Southern Gaza
Dozens of Israeli tanks rolled into southern Gaza on Monday, witnesses said, despite global concern over mounting civilian deaths and fears the war on Hamas will spread elsewhere in the Middle East.
Hong Kong's Largest Security Trial Closes, Activists Await Subversion Verdict
Hong Kong's largest national security case, in which 47 pro-democracy activists are accused of subversion, closed on Monday with a verdict expected in three or four months.
UK Has Record GBP16.9bn Shortfall In Defence Budget: Watchdog
The UK's defence department is facing a GBP16.9 billion ($21.4 billion) shortfall in its equipment budget due to inflation and demands from the government's updated strategy, the public spending watchdog said Monday.
Burkina, Niger To Quit G5 Anti-jihadist Force
The military leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger said Saturday they would quit the G5 anti-jihadist force in Africa's Sahel region, the latest blow to the fight against insurgents in one of the world's most troubled zones.
Russian Pleads Guilty In US To Role In Trickbot Malware Scheme
A Russian man pleaded guilty on Thursday to involvement in developing the Trickbot malware used to extort businesses, including hospitals during the Covid pandemic, the US Justice Department said.
Canadian Mining Firm Seeks To Suspend 7,000 Workers In Panama
Canadian firm First Quantum Minerals on Thursday asked Panama's government to suspend the contracts of some 7,000 workers at Central America's biggest copper mine, due to be closed under a court ruling.
New Zealand To Ban Cellphones In Schools
Cellphones will be banned in schools across New Zealand, conservative Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Friday, as his fledgling government looks to turn around the country's plummeting literacy rates.
COP28: Why Energy Efficiency Matters So Much
If we are to save the planet, we are going to have to use energy far more efficiently.
Gaza Death Toll Mounts As Israel Resumes Bombardment
Israel resumed its deadly bombardment of Gaza on Friday, vowing to destroy suspected Hamas positions in the densely-inhabited Palestinian territory after a week-long truce expired despite global calls for its extension.
Regional Tourism A Casualty In Israel-Hamas Conflict
Tourists are abandoning the Middle East region due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, putting at risk nations like Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt, whose economies depend heavily upon international tourism.
Europe's Defence Sector Seeks EU Clarity, Greater Efficiency
Europe is ploughing billions into its defence industry, with record sums being spent since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, but experts say the EU must make bolder moves to be battle ready.
Guinea-Bissau Army Says In Control After Gunfire, Clashes
Guinea-Bissau's army said Friday it was holding the leader of the security forces unit involved in overnight clashes in the capital and had the situation under control.
