World News

S.Africa's ruling party votes in tightening race for new leader

Voting to elect a new leader of South Africa's ruling party got underway late Sunday, with the race tightening between President Cyril Ramaphosa and his former health minister Zweli Mkhize  Ramaphosa, 70, is expected to be confirmed in the role that would open the way to his being head of state for a second term, despite a damaging cash-heist scandal and vociferous internal opposition.. But the race looked closer than previously expected Sunday, with reports of party delegates from several provinces shifting support to Mkhize, who Ramaphosa replaced at the peak of the pandemic for alleged malfeasance involving Covid funds.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 3 mins read

World News

Brussels urges Belgians to quit Iran over arrest risk

Belgium's government called Sunday for Belgians in Iran to leave the country, mired in a violent crackdown on nationwide protests, because of the risk of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.. "All Belgian visitors, including (dual) nationals, are at high risk of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trial.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 2 mins read

World News

19 killed as oil tanker catches fire in Afghanistan's Salang pass

An oil tanker overturned and caught fire in Afghanistan's high-altitude Salang pass, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens, officials said on Sunday.. "An oil tanker overturned and caught fire in the Salang tunnel, which then set several other vehicles on fire," Hamidullah Misbah, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works had earlier told AFP. Abdullah Afghan Mal, a senior health official in Parwan, said many of the dead included women and children who were badly burned.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 1 mins read

World News

Ukraine Jews mark 'Festival of Lights' amid blackouts

War-weary Ukrainian Jews gathered on Sunday for prayer and candle-lighting ceremonies to kick off Hannukah, the so-called Festival of Lights, vowing to overcome blackouts caused by persistent Russian bombardment. . In Independence Square, Volodymir Pankoff, a Ukrainian Jew who turned out for the menorah-lighting ceremony, said it gave him hope for a Ukrainian victory. 

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 2 mins read

World News

Memorial as Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon flown home

United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon took part in a memorial service Sunday as the body of their slain Irish comrade was repatriated, days after being shot dead in an attack.. Dozens of peacekeepers wearing blue berets as well as Lebanese soldiers paid respects as Rooney's coffin -- draped in both Irish and UN flags -- was carried onto a plane by comrades in the capital Beirut.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 1 mins read

World News

Tunisia opposition calls for Saied to quit after voters shun election

Tunisia plunged into political uncertainty Sunday as its main opposition alliance called on President Kais Saied to "leave immediately", a day after voters overwhelming snubbed elections for a neutered parliament.. Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, president of the National Salvation Front alliance, said Saied had "lost all legal legitimacy".

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 2 mins read

World News

France slams Israel's expulsion of French-Palestinian lawyer

French-Palestinian human rights lawyer Salah Hamouri, held without charge in Israeli prisons since March accused of security offences, arrived in Paris on Sunday following his expulsion from Israel condemned by Paris.. An Israeli military court sentenced Hamouri, who holds French citizenship, to administrative detention in March, accusing him of being a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and said he "endangers security in the region".

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 3 mins read

World News

Putin's invasion of Ukraine opened 'gates of hell': Anglican leader

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on Sunday said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had "opened the gates of hell" unleashing "every evil" force worldwide from murder and rape in occupied territory to famine and debt in Africa and Europe.. When Ukraine was invaded at the decision of President (Vladimir) Putin, the gates of hell were opened and every evil force came out across the world," he told BBC television.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 1 mins read

World News

Voting for S.Africa's ruling party leader to get underway

Voting to elect a new leader of South Africa's ruling party was to get underway on Sunday, with President Cyril Ramaphosa squaring off against his former health minister Zweli Mkhize.. As health minister, he was lauded for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, but his two-year spell ended abruptly when Ramaphosa replaced him in August 2021.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 2 mins read

World News

EU reaches deal on major carbon market reform

EU member states and parliamentarians on Sunday announced an agreement for a major reform to the bloc's carbon market, the central plank of its ambitions to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly technologies.. The commission first proposed the carbon market reform in July 2021 as part of plans to reduce the bloc's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

Sun, Dec 18, 2022 3 mins read