World News

Climate activists block holes on Spanish golf courses over water use

Climate activists said Sunday they had plugged the holes on 10 golf courses across Spain to protest at the sport's excessive water usage as Europe lives through a severe drought. . Activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) filled in the holes under cover of darkness in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, the Basque Country, Navarra and the Balearic Island of Ibiza to denounce "the waste of water during one of the worst droughts Europe has ever suffered". 

Kenya's Ruto lifts six-year logging ban

Kenyan President William Ruto announced Sunday the lifting of a near six-year ban on logging, despite the concerns of environmental campaigners.. "Since the Kenyan government imposed the ban on logging six years ago, significant progress has been made in forest protection and with combatting the climate crisis," it said. 

Biden to travel to UK, NATO summit, Finland: White House

US President Joe Biden has scheduled a diplomatic trip to Europe this month with stops in the United Kingdom, at the NATO summit in Lithuania and to attend meetings in Finland, the White House said Sunday.. Top diplomats from Turkey and Sweden will meet on Thursday, the day after Kristersson's White House visit, at NATO headquarters in Brussels for talks on Stockholm's bid to join the alliance.

Zulu king's entourage denies rumours he is ill

Uncertainty reigned on Sunday over the health of South Africa's Zulu king, the head of the country's most influential traditional monarchy, with his spokesman denying reports he had been hospitalised.. However, Zulu's spokesman denied later on Sunday that the sovereign was undergoing any hospital treatment.

Fighting shakes Khartoum as displaced battle disease

Fierce fighting between the forces of rival generals shook the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Sunday as disease and malnutrition threatened the rising number of displaced.. In Nyala, capital of South Darfur, at least 25 "conflict-related sexual assaults" were recorded, in addition to 21 in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur, and 42 in Khartoum.

Israel approves buying 25 new F-35 stealth fighter jets: ministry

Israel has approved buying a third squadron of advanced F-35 fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin in a $3-billion deal, the defence ministry said on Sunday.. The deal to purchase 25 F-35 jets -- expected to be signed in coming months -- will expand the country's fleet of the aircraft to 75, a ministry statement said.

Neglected elephant boards jumbo flight home to Thailand

A Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago was flown back to its birth country on Sunday after a diplomatic spat over the animal's alleged mistreatment.. Thai authorities had gifted the 29-year-old Muthu Raja -- also known back in its birthplace as Sak Surin -- to Sri Lanka in 2001.

Ukraine war 'corrosive' for Putin, CIA 'opportunity': spy chief

Russia's war in Ukraine has had a "corrosive" effect on Russian President Vladimir Putin, CIA Director William Burns said Saturday, with discontent over the conflict creating a "once-in-a generation opportunity" for the spy agency.. That disaffection creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us at CIA," he said.

UN chief calls on world to make troubled Haiti 'top priority'

On a visit to spotlight violence and chaos in Haiti, the UN secretary-general on Saturday called for a robust international effort to help the beleaguered national police in fighting rampant criminal gangs.. In October, he relayed Henry's request for a non-UN force to support police overwhelmed by ever-increasing gang violence.