World
- USNavy Times
Navy fires commander of biomedical research lab
Capt. Abigail Y. Marter took command of the Peru-based command less than a year before her firing Friday.
1 min read - WorldBBC
Johnny Mercer given deadline to challenge order to hand over names to Afghan inquiry
The MP, who served in Afghanistan, has until 8 May to give his reasons for protecting whistleblower sources.
2 min read - WorldBusiness Insider
Ukraine says Russian drones have dropped grenades packed with chemical agents hundreds of times in the last month
Ukraine reports a systemic issue with Russian drones dropping chemical grenades, noting the health risks and breaches of warfare laws.
2 min read - WorldAFP
Dated footage does not show buildings leveled by Taiwan earthquake
A video of b uildings toppling is shared on social media with the claim it depicts the earthquake that shook Taiwan on April 3, 2024. This is false; the clip shows a controlled demolition of high-rises in China from 2021.
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Moldova's breakaway Transnistria region claims that a drone attacked a military unit
State security services in Moldova’s Russia-backed breakaway region of Transnistria said Friday that a drone attacked a military unit close to the border with Ukraine, causing minor damage to a radar station but no casualties. The incident occurred in the region of Rabnita, about 6 kilometers (about 4 miles) from the Ukraine border, the region’s state security ministry said, adding that a criminal investigation has been opened. Moldova’s Bureau for Reintegration Policies responded by saying th
2 min read - Worlddpa international
UN chief demands change of Israeli strategy after aid worker deaths
UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for a fundamental change in strategy by the Israeli military following the attack that killed seven international humanitarian aid workers in the Gaza Strip. He acknowledged that Israel had admitted its responsibility for the deaths and announced some disciplinary measures. "But the essential problem is not who made the mistakes, it is the military strategy and procedures in place that allow for those mistakes to multiply time and time again," he
1 min read - WorldReuters
Colombia seeks to join Gaza genocide case against Israel at World Court
Colombia has asked the International Court of Justice to allow the country to intervene in South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip, the court said Friday. In its application, Colombia called on the court to ensure "the safety and, indeed, the very existence of the Palestinian people". The ICJ, the highest U.N. court, can allow states to intervene and give their views.
1 min read - WorldKSWB articles
Mexico considers lowering work week to 40 hours
Mexico's Congress has been considering the change since 2022 and is reportedly on the verge of shortening the work week for workers in Mexico.
1 min read - WorldReuters
Israel's Justice Ministry reviewing 'cyber incident' after hacktivists' claim breach
Israel's Justice Ministry said it was looking into a "cyber incident" on Friday after activist hackers protesting against the war in Gaza said they managed to breach the ministry's servers and retrieve hundreds of gigabytes of data. A group called Anonymous for Justice claimed responsibility for the breach, which it said included the retrieval of nearly 300 gigabytes of data. On its website, the group said it would continue attacking Israel "until the war in Gaza stops".
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
UN chief appoints former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop as UN special envoy for Myanmar
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Friday as his special envoy for Myanmar, a post that has been vacant for 10 months as the country’s conflict escalated into the worst violence since the military takeover in 2021. Bishop will replace Noeleen Heyzer, a former U.N. undersecretary-general for Singapore who left after 20 months at the end of her contract in June 2023. In a grim assessment to the U.N. General Assembly before leaving
2 min read - WorldAFP
Photo of old submarine misrepresented as being en route to Uganda
A truck transporting a large cargo from the Kenyan port of Mombasa sparked public curiosity, drawing crowds as it travelled through towns and villages in March. Kenya's state-owned power company revealed on social media that the mystery freight was a ship headed for Uganda. Soon after, online users shared an image alleging it showed another truck, this time transporting a submarine to landlocked Uganda. But this claim is false: the photos feature an old U-17 submarine travelling through Germany
3 min read - Worlddpa international
Nasrallah: Iran response for Israeli consulate strike 'is coming'
The leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said on Friday that the Iranian retaliation for the attack on its consulate in Damascus "is coming inevitably." Nasrallah, during a rally to mark Jerusalem Day, described the alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus earlier this week as a “turning point” with consequences. On Monday, two brigadier generals and five other members of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were
2 min read - USAccuWeather
Mysterious rings rise above Mount Etna
They're not UFOs, angel halos, a bit of Gandalf wizardry or a "giant smoking and blowing rings," as one commenter joked. The series of otherworldly photos Maria Liotta took from her home in Bronte, Sicily, Italy, on April 5, 2024, show a bizarre phenomenon known as "volcanic smoke rings." Smoke rings over Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy, on April 5, 2024. (Maria Liotta) The rings arose from Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano. Etna rises 11,000 feet above the island of Sicily in the middle of the M
1 min read - WorldAssociated Press
First UN food supplies arrive in Sudan's Darfur after months but millions face acute hunger
The United Nations said Friday it has begun distributing food in Sudan’s restive western Darfur region for the first time in months, following two successful cross-border deliveries in March, but the population still faces widespread hunger unless more help arrives. The yearlong conflict between military and paramilitary forces in Sudan is causing one of the world's worst hunger crisis. About a third of the country's population, or 18 million people, face acute hunger, the U.N. food agency say
3 min read - Worlddpa international
Arbitration for German airport security staff begins amid strikes
After several rounds of strikes at Germany's airports, arbitration for private aviation security staff began on Friday at a secret location. Former Bremen state councillor Hans-Henning Lühr was tasked with reconciling the differing positions of the trade union Verdi and the the employers' association BDLS. The parties have initially set themselves a deadline of midnight (2200 GMT) on Sunday. Verdi has undertaken not to call for any further work stoppages by the approximately 25,000 employees of
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Incendiary device thrown at German synagogue door, but damage minor and no injuries
An incendiary device was thrown at a door of a synagogue in northwestern Germany on Friday but caused only minor damage, police said. Police chief Andreas Sagehorn condemned the “cowardly act” and said in a statement that “we will take this attack as grounds to raise the security measures at the Oldenburg synagogue immediately” while the investigation is ongoing.
1 min read - WorldBBC
Hamas hostages: Stories of the people taken from Israel
It is thought more than 100 Israelis are still being held hostage in Gaza after the 7 October attacks.
23 min read - Worlddpa international
Eight Muslims held in Jerusalem over expressing support for terrorism
Eight Muslim worshippers were arrested in Jerusalem on Friday after morning prayers at the Noble Sanctuary, also known as the Temple Mount, Israeli police said. The Israeli citizens are suspected of expressing support for terrorism and terrorist organizations. The suspects are four residents from the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem and four people from the north of Israel. Arab Israelis make up around 20% of Israel's almost 10 million inhabitants. The police statement said it was regret
1 min read - BusinessAutoblog
Special-edition Toyota Crown Landscape is ready to go off-roading
Unveiled in Japan, the Toyota Crown Landscape gains off-road-inspired design updates and an additional inch of ground clearance.
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Israeli ambassador, summoned by Poland in protest, apologizes for death of Polish aid worker
Poland’s deputy foreign minister handed a diplomatic note on Friday to Israel’s ambassador protesting the killing of a Polish aid worker in an attack earlier this week on a convoy of aid workers in Gaza. After the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna told reporters in Warsaw that he handed the protest note to Ambassador Yacov Livne after he was summoned because of the deaths of the World Central Kitchen workers.
2 min read - Worlddpa international
Israeli army set to dismiss officers involved in Gaza aid convoy hit
The Israeli military plans to remove two officers from their posts following the fatal attack on employees of the aid organization World Central Kitchen in the Gaza Strip. Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi has decided to dismiss a responsible commander and the chief of staff of the responsible brigade, the military announced on Friday. Media reports said other commanders had been given a warning. An army investigation published on Friday came to the conclusion that the incident on Monday was a
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Turkey arrests two more people suspected of spying for Israel
Turkish authorities have arrested two people suspected of providing information to the Israeli spy agency, a top official said Friday, in the latest in a series of such arrests in Turkey. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the suspects allegedly gathered information about people and companies of interest to Israel and passed on the data and documents to Israeli intelligence officials. Six other people who were also detained in the operation, codenamed “Mole-3,” were released following questi
1 min read - Worlddpa international
UN Human Rights Council calls for end to arms exports to Israel
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday called for an end to arms exports to Israel in a resolution that made no mention of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and its attack on the country last autumn. The step is necessary to "prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights," according to the text adopted by the body in Geneva. Germany was one of the six countries that voted against the resolution, which as well a
1 min read - WorldThe Week
Have we entered the age of AI warfare?
Israeli military used AI to create 'kill lists' of suspected Hamas militants, say local media
4 min read - WorldBBC
Israel-Gaza: Inside IDF's detailed briefing on aid convoy attack
Israel's military gives its account of how mistakes led to the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza.
4 min read - WorldReuters
Indonesia reviews import rules after business group complaints
Indonesia is evaluating regulations designed to curb imports of more than 3,000 products, a senior trade ministry official said on Friday, following industry concerns the rules could disrupt the domestic supply chain and disrupt exports. Southeast Asia's biggest economy issued a regulation late last year to tighten monitoring for many imported goods, from food ingredients to hand tools to chemicals. Authorities said they were responding to complaints from business associations about the impact
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
India's opposition makes its election case, calling Modi an autocrat and promising aid to the poor
India’s main opposition party vowed to boost social spending and reverse what it views as a slide into autocracy as it laid out its campaign promises on Friday, two weeks before the start of a weeks-long, multi-phase general election. Most polls have predicted a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party for a third straight five-year term. Modi is broadly popular in India, where he’s considered a champion of the country’s Hindu majority and has o
4 min read - WorldBusiness Insider
McDonald's is reclaiming all its Israeli restaurants, exposing the cracks in its global-franchise model
After McDonald's Israel franchisee gave free meals to IDF soldiers fighting in Gaza, the corporation yanked back all 225 franchise restaurants.
3 min read - Worlddpa international
Over 1,000 German right-wing extremists hold gun licence
More than 1,000 suspected right-wing extremists in Germany were known to hold a firearms permit at the end of 2022, according information from the government. A total of 1,051 suspected right-wing extremists, some 400 far-right Reichsbürger (Reich Citizens) and others who reject the legitimacy of the German state were known to hold at least one gun licence, according to an answer by the government to a question from the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) party seen by dpa on Friday. The Reich Citize
2 min read - LifestyleCNN
Water fights, cultural traditions and new beginnings: A guide to Songkran, Thailand’s annual New Year festival
Thailand’s Songkran festival, famous for the massive nationwide water fights, offers the perfect mix of tradition and fun. Here’s what visitors can expect in 2024.
8 min read - Worlddpa international
EU's Jourová thinks Russian influence affair is 'tip of the iceberg'
European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová is expecting further allegations with regard to possible covert payments from Russia to European politicians as part of a disinformation campaign. Czech newspaper Denik N has reported that far-right politician Petr Bystron, an Alternative for Germany (AfD) member of the German parliament, was suspected of having contact with pro-Russian internet platform Voice of Europe (VoE) and may have accepted money. The Prague Cabinet recently placed the site
2 min read - WorldBBC
Africa's week in pictures: 29 March - 4 April 2024
A selection of the best photos from across the African continent this week.
2 min read - WorldAFP
Picture shows Ethiopia running event, not India protest after opposition politician's arrest
A picture of a mass running event in Ethiopia was misrepresented online as a rally in India's capital staged by supporters of a jailed opposition leader in March 2024. The image surfaced with the false claim as thousands took to the streets of Delhi to protest the detention of Arvind Kejriwal, a key leader in an alliance formed to compete against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India's upcoming national elections.
3 min read - WorldBusiness Insider
Russia's former president is calling for a 'maximum reward' bounty to be put on the heads of any NATO troops sent to Ukraine
In a social-media outburst on Thursday, Medvedev advocated for a "no prisoners taken" approach with NATO troops if any were to be deployed in Ukraine.
5 min read - WorldThe Hill
Iran executions reach 8-year high in 2023, with more than half for drug-related crimes: Report
Iran executed 853 people in 2023 — the highest number on record since 2015, according to a report in Amnesty International. The surge in executions comes as Iran continues what Amnesty calls a “war on drugs.” In 2023, more than half — 481 — of the total executions were for drug-related offenses. The mass deployment…
2 min read - WorldTime
Why China Offered Earthquake Aid to Taiwan—and Why Taiwan Quickly Rejected It
“It’s not real kindness,” one expert tells TIME of China’s offer to assist Taiwan with recovery from a massive, deadly earthquake.
4 min read - BusinessThe Hill
McDonald’s to buy back all franchises in Israel
McDonald’s announced Thursday that Omri Padan, the CEO and owner of Alonyal Limited, would be selling its franchises in Israel back to the corporation. Alonyal began its McDonald’s operations in Israel more than 30 years ago and now has “grown the business to 225 restaurants and more than 5,000 employees.” The employees and restaurant operations…
2 min read - WorldAFP
Hindu priest handstand video passed off as 'Indian PM Modi in his youth'
As India geared up for key elections in April 2024, social media posts viewed hundreds of times falsely claimed a video of a Hindu priest doing a handstand walk around a revered north Indian temple showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his mid-twenties. The priest seen in the clip told AFP that he performed the stunt in June 2021.
2 min read - WorldBBC
Brother of aid worker killed in Gaza criticises arming Israel
The family of James Henderson say weapons sold to Israel "may in turn be used to kill our fellow citizens."
6 min read - Worlddpa international
Zelensky calls western hesitation about aid to Ukraine unacceptable
Following the deaths of rescue workers in a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the West's hesitation in providing military aid to the country as completely unacceptable. "A new air defence system could fundamentally change the situation," Zelensky said in his evening video message broadcast in Kiev on Thursday. He said he was grateful to every country that was looking for ways to help Ukraine. At the same time, he said: "It is completely unacceptable
2 min read - USModern Car Collector
13-Year-Old Totals Lamborghini Huracan in Rainy Vancouver
A 13-year-old driver's joyride in a Lamborghini Huracan turned into a nightmare on Vancouver's rainy streets. The vivid orange supercar, a symbol of automotive opulence, met a tragic fate on March 25 when it veered off the Trans Canada Highway and landed in a ditch, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Responding to the scene, officers from the West Vancouver Police Department were met with a scene of devastation, with the Arancio Xanto-colored Huracan lying totaled in the ditch. Despite
1 min read - ScienceSpace
China putting finishing touches on seaside spaceport for commercial launches (video)
China is making progress on two new pads for commercial space launches from the island of Hainan.
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Brazil's federal police arrest 2 fugitives from maximum-security prison after 50-day manhunt
Brazil’s federal police said Thursday that they arrested two fugitives who escaped a maximum-security prison in northeastern Brazil, bringing a 50-day manhunt to an end. In February, Rogério Mendonça and Deibson Nascimento became the first inmates to ever escape from Brazil’s federal penitentiary system, a source of embarrassment for both the justice ministry and the police. The two were were arrested earlier on Thursday in the Amazon city of Maraba, more than 1,600 kilometers (995 miles) west
3 min read - LifestyleConde Nast Traveler
This European Country Gives Retirees Discounted Vacations
Spain is the first country in the EU to offer subsidized trips to retirees through a program that promotes “active aging.”
5 min read - WorldBBC
Somalia expels Ethiopian ambassador amid row over Somaliland port deal
The two countries have been at loggerheads since January in a dispute over Ethiopia's access to the sea.
2 min read - WorldBBC
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula: South Africa parliament speaker charged with 12 counts of corruption
The speaker denies soliciting bribes in return for contracts during her time as defence minister.
2 min read - WorldThe Hill
Deadly Israeli strike on residential building ‘apparent war crime’: Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch said Thursday that an Israeli strike on an apartment building in Gaza City last October was an “apparent war crime,” citing no military rationale behind the attack after a months-long investigation. The Oct. 31 strike killed at least 106 civilians, including 54 children, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in its report. The…
3 min read - BusinessCNN Business
McDonald’s buys all of its Israeli franchise restaurants amid damage from Middle East turmoil
McDonald’s will buy 225 of its franchise restaurants in Israel, it announced Thursday, just weeks after saying that the Israel-Hamas war was hurting its business.
2 min read - Worlddpa international
Far-right German lawmaker denies receiving Russian payments
A lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Petr Bystron, has denied allegations connecting him with Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns. "At no time have I received any payments or cryptocurrencies from an employee of VoE (or any Russian)," he wrote on Thursday in a statement to the party leadership made available to dpa. He was referring to the pro-Russian propaganda platform Voice of Europe, which has alleged ties to Russian intelligence agencies. The Czech newspa
3 min read - WorldBBC
Paris 2024: Russia seeking to undermine Games, says Emmanuel Macron
The French President claims Russia is running a disinformation campaign to damage this summer's games.
3 min read
