World News

Trump urges Republicans to back McCarthy as US House deadlocked

Donald Trump on Wednesday called for far-right Republicans to end their blocking of the party's candidate to become US House speaker, after a damaging split prevented Kevin McCarthy from securing the key role.. - Trump loyalty test - The House was adjourned on Tuesday and was expected to hold further ballots on Wednesday until someone emerges with a majority -- and it is not out of the question that a new candidate could come to the fore.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Airlines slam 'ineffective' Covid tests for China travellers

The global airline association criticised on Wednesday decisions by governments to impose Covid tests and other measures on travellers from China as ineffective "knee-jerk" reactions.. "It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years," Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, said in a statement.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Swede director Ostlund wants viewers to join the show

Swedish director Ruben Ostlund is aiming to get his famously straight-faced compatriots out of their seats with a special screening of Palme d'Or-winning satire "Triangle of Sadness".. "Triangle of Sadness", a sharp satire about class conflict, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Nine killed in central Somalia car bombings claimed by Al-Shabaab

At least nine people were killed and several wounded in two simultaneous car bombings in a town in central Somalia on Wednesday, security officials and witnesses said.. On October 29, 121 people in the capital Mogadishu were killed in two car bomb explosions at the education ministry, in the deadliest attack in the troubled Horn of Africa nation in five years.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Ditching concrete for earth to build a cleaner future

It was used to build the Great Wall of China and Spain's mediaeval Alhambra Palace -- and now earth is back in vogue as a building material.. Known as rammed earth construction, the practice dates at least as far back as the Neolithic era.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 3 mins read

World News

Bankrupt Sri Lanka to hold first polls since crisis

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka Wednesday announced its first nationwide elections since its president fled and resigned in the face of widespread protests, in what will be a test of popularity for his successor.. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who replaced his deposed predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa, faces potential embarrassment in the vote, as he was his party's sole representative in parliament.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Ukraine garage turns beat-up cars into battlefield assets

An auto garage in Kyiv is giving beat-up cars a second life as battle-ready vehicles for Ukraine's military, trying to plug a supply gap as the war with Russia grinds on.. The work has provided an informal military education to garage owner Ruslan Kulagin, who previously did not have to consider such factors. 

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Myanmar military trumpets white elephant as sign of right to rule

Though it is a pariah on the world stage and battling fierce domestic opposition to its rule, Myanmar's junta has found grounds for optimism -– the birth of a rare albino elephant.. But the birth of the elephant -- more milky-grey than white -- in western Rahkine state last year is being portrayed by junta-controlled media as fortuitous.

Wed, Jan 4, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Myanmar junta marks Independence Day with show of force

Myanmar troops and weaponry paraded through the military-built capital Naypyidaw to mark Independence Day Wednesday, days after the junta increased democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi's jail term to 33 years.. Tanks, missile launchers and armoured cars rolled through the dawn air to a parade ground in the capital, AFP correspondents said, kicking off a military display marking 75 years since Myanmar gained independence from Britain.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Biden to receive Japan's PM Kishida on Jan. 13: White House

US President Joe Biden will host Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on January 13, the White House announced Tuesday.. "President Biden looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan to the White House on Friday, January 13th to further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and our people," the White House said in a statement.

Tue, Jan 3, 2023 1 mins read