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'Vampiric' water use leading to 'imminent' global crisis, UN warns

Humanity's "lifeblood" -- water -- is increasingly at risk around the world due to "vampiric overconsumption and overdevelopment," the UN warned in a report, published hours ahead of a major summit on the issue was set to begin Wednesday.. The world is "blindly travelling a dangerous path" as "unsustainable water use, pollution and unchecked global warming are draining humanity's lifeblood," United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a foreword to the report, released hours ahead of the first major UN meeting on water resources in nearly half a century.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 3 mins read

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Le Pen warns France at risk of 'social explosion' over pensions reform

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen warned Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was pushing the country to the verge of a "social explosion" with his highly contested pensions reform.. "Consciously the government is creating all the conditions for a social explosion, as if they were looking for that," Le Pen told AFP in an interview, adding that she would not help "extinguish the fire" of public anger over the legislation.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 2 mins read

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Strong quake has people fleeing homes in Afghanistan, Pakistan

A strong earthquake lasting for at least 30 seconds was felt across much of Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India Tuesday night, with the United States Geological Survey putting the magnitude at 6.5.. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, but the quake was felt strongly across much of Afghanistan, Pakistan and even further east in parts of India.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 2 mins read

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Spain govt faces no-confidence vote by far-right Vox

Spanish lawmakers on Tuesday began debating a no-confidence motion targeting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez brought by the far-right Vox party and fronted by an 89-year-old former communist. . It is the second such motion against Sanchez brought by Vox, with a previous attempt failing in September 2020.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 1 mins read

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'Inevitable' Ukraine victory to reshape region: Georgia's Saakashvili

Georgia's jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili told AFP on Tuesday Ukraine's victory in the war started by Russia was a foregone conclusion and would change forever a region long dominated by Moscow.. Now, Saakashvili told AFP on Tuesday, "the West has woken up and is united" against Putin's war on Ukraine.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 3 mins read

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Notre-Dame sued for English-only translations

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is being sued by French language purists for only translating its signs into English.. The Association for the Defence of the French Language claims that only translating signs into English helps increase the international dominance of that language. 

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 1 mins read

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UK's former PM Johnson accepts MPs misled over 'partygate'

Britain's former prime minister Boris Johnson admitted on Tuesday that he misled parliament by telling MPs that parties at his Downing Street office did not break Covid lockdown rules.. "I accept that the House of Commons was misled by my statements that the rules and guidance had been followed completely at No. 10 (Downing Street)," said Johnson.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 2 mins read

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Kenya says 238 arrested in day of violent protests

Kenyan police said Tuesday they had arrested 238 people during violent protests over the cost of living which also saw 31 police officers injured.. The inspector general of police, Japhet Koome, said in a statement that 213 people were arrested in Nairobi and 24 officers injured. 

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 2 mins read

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Macron to speak as anger smoulders over French pension reform

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to give a televised interview on Wednesday, with the 45-year-old seeking to calm public anger over his pension reform and tamp down spiralling protests and strikes.. Another round of strikes and protests organised by trade unions have been called on Thursday and are expected to again bring public transport to a standstill.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 3 mins read

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Nigeria's ruling party wins majority of states in local election

Nigeria's ruling party has won the majority of governorships contested in last weekend's elections, results showed Tuesday, following a ballot marred by violence, intimidation and vote buying.. Local and international observers said the latest poll was marked by apathy after disappointments in the presidential election but also by intimidation tactics, vote buying and violence.

Tue, Mar 21, 2023 2 mins read