World
- Worlddpa international
Putin holds annual press conference and televised call-in show
Russian President Vladimir Putin is to hold his annual end-of-year press conference and televised call-in show on Thursday. The question-and-answer session for journalists is combined with the television programme "Results of the Year," where citizens can put their own questions to the president. The two formats were merged for the first time in 2020 and definitively in 2023, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov citing the president's lack of time as justification for the move. Putin cancelled t
1 min read - WorldBBC
Harland & Wolff set to be saved in deal with Spanish firm
Spain's state-owned shipbuilder is expected to confirm on Thursday that it is buying Harland and Wolff.
3 min read - NewsWETM Elmira
We’re dreaming of a wet Christmas
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – A rain/snow mix will keep it wet in our overnight. Thursday we have a small window to dry out from this latest area of low pressure. However, there is another one that will drag along with it an Arctic cold frontal that will first bring in some rain and eventually a […]
1 min read - CelebrityPeople
'Hot Purple Wiggle' Is a Dad! John Pearce Announces Birth of First Baby with Wife and Reveals His Son's Name
The former 'Australia's Got Talent' winner and 'The Wiggles' star announced he and his wife were expecting in June
2 min read - WorldBBC
Eighteen in court after pro-Palestine protest
The 18 were in court after protests against the war in Gaza in the Welsh capital in June.
1 min read - USdpa international
Germany investigates suspected espionage after breach at naval base
Investigators in Germany's northern state of Schleswig-Holstein are looking into a potential case of espionage after a Chinese national breached a naval base earlier this month. The incident occurred on December 9, a spokeswoman for the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) said in Kiel on Wednesday. The man is said to have gained access to the naval base in Kiel and took photographs. The Flensburg public prosecutor's office, which is responsible for state security matters, is the lead agency in th
1 min read - Worlddpa international
Israelis hit Beit Lahia in Gaza Strip again, health ministry says
At least 10 people have died in attacks mounted by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Residential blocks and the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia in the north had come under fire, the health authority said. Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya told the Palestinian news agency WAFA that the intensive care unit had been hit and set alight. While the patients had been saved, the situation was catastrophic, he said. The Israel Defense For
1 min read - Worlddpa international
Poland issues European arrest warrant for former deputy minister
Poland has issued a European arrest warrant for a deputy minister in the last Law and Justice (PiS) government, a spokesman for Warsaw prosecutors said on Wednesday. The subject of the warrant, former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski, was thought to be in another European Union country, the spokesman said. Romanowski is being investigated in connection with 11 cases, including suspected membership of a criminal organization. He is alleged to have funnelled large amounts from a fund for
1 min read - WorldBBC
Embattled Liberian speaker questioned by police over parliament fire
A huge fire breaks out at Liberia's Capitol building a day after it was the scene of a bitter dispute.
2 min read - WorldBBC
Ghana's Supreme Court dismisses challenges to anti-LGBT bill
The new bill includes a three-year prison sentence on anyone who identifies as LGBT.
3 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Sarkozy's court defeat: a look at the legal cases involving France's former president
France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose conviction in a corruption case was made definitive by France's highest court Wednesday, has been involved in a series of legal proceedings in recent years. Another trial is to open next month over alleged Libya financing for his 2007 presidential campaign. Sarkozy, 69, who was France's president from 2007 to 2012, has denied any wrongdoing.
3 min read - WorldBBC
Tens of thousands without water in Mayotte as curfew brought in
Rescuers race to find missing people and survivors in the French territory devastated by Cyclone Chido.
5 min read - WorldWorld Construction Network
China building world’s largest artificial-island airport in Dalian
Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport is set to become the first artificial-island airport on mainland China's coast.
1 min read - WorldAFP
UniCredit ups pressure on Commerzbank, fuelling German anger
Italian bank UniCredit said Wednesday it had boosted its stake in Germany's Commerzbank, intensifying takeover speculation and sparking condemnation from Berlin of an "unfriendly" move at a time the country is in political limbo. - 'Political vacuum' - The latest move from the Italians comes despite UniCredit Chief Executive Andrea Orcel having stressed last month he did not believe exploiting the political turbulence with a takeover bid would be the "right thing to do".
3 min read - Entertainmentthem
Squid Game Creator Says it Was “Near Impossible” to Cast a Trans Actor For Season 2
Speaking to TV Guide, Hwang Dong-hyuk said it was difficult to cast a trans actor because South Korea’s LGBTQ+ community “is rather still marginalized and more neglected."
2 min read - LifestyleAssociated Press
Not quite the 'Girl from Ipanema', a fur seal's rare appearance on Rio's famous beach turns heads
Short, and dark, and young, and tired, the seal on Ipanema was basking ... The animal is often spotted along Brazil's coastline during winter and spring, but rarely is it seen this time of year, a few days before the start of the Southern Hemisphere's summer, said Suelen Santiago, a biologist who works at the company that monitors the beach. Among the curious onlookers was Jordana Halpern, 29.
1 min read - Worlddpa international
Moscow: Suspect in general's assassination admits recruitment by Kiev
An Uzbek man detained by Russia's FSB domestic intelligence agency has admitted being recruited by Ukraine to assassinate Igor Kirillov, the Russian general killed in a Moscow bomb blast, the FSB said on Wednesday. The suspect had admitted being recruited by Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency and provided with explosives by the SBU, the FSB said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the progress made by the investigators. "Not a lot of time has passed, but a lot is already known," he said, acc
3 min read - WorldCNN Business
Poland is selling its frozen butter reserves to curb soaring prices
Poland is selling up to 1,000 metric tons (1,102 tons) of its frozen butter reserves to bring down surging prices ahead of presidential elections in May.
3 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Nigerians press for solar jobs and electricity, with little success
In sun-drenched Nigeria, 14 new solar farms were supposed to jumpstart a meager solar industry and generate huge amounts of power, about one-fifth as much as the country’s entire electric grid offers on a good day. “We were very excited because we were pioneers,” said Najim Animashaun, managing director of Nova Solar Power, who was working on one of the projects in 2016. It's not that demand is low for clean power — the smallest solar systems for homes have exploded in popularity and created j
6 min read - Worlddpa international
Top French court orders Sarkozy to wear ankle monitor for one year
France's highest court ruled on Wednesday that former president Nicolas Sarkozy must serve a one-year sentence at home wearing an electronic ankle monitor. The Court of Cassation rejected the conservative politician's appeal of a lower court's conviction for corruption and influence-peddling. The lower court had given him a three-year sentence, with two years suspended. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, is to wear an electronic tag instead of going to prison for the last year.
2 min read - WorldWorld Politics Review Articles
Chad’s Deby Is Taking a Big Risk in Kicking France Out
The withdrawal of France's military from Chad may be popular, but it comes at the risk of regime security for Deby. The post Chad's Deby Is Taking a Big Risk in Kicking France Out appeared first on World Politics Review.
7 min read - BusinessSemafor
China wins $202M excavation contract in Riyadh as Saudi construction booms
A real estate consultancy projects Saudi Arabia’s construction market will become the world’s largest by 2028 as the kingdom diversifies away from oil.
1 min read - WorldAFP
After long delay, French nuclear plant coming on stream
France's flagship nuclear reactor at Flamanville in Normandy will finally enter service on Friday after a dozen years of delay, operator EDF said Wednesday.The energy operator said the coupling to the network of the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor "is planned for December 20, 2024," but added that operation "will be marked by different power levels through to the summer of 2025" in a months long testing phase.
2 min read - WorldBBC
Russia detains Uzbek man over general's killing in Moscow
A 29-year-old Uzbekistan citizen has been detained over the death of Kirillov and his assistant, state media says.
3 min read - TechnologyTom's Hardware
Russia plans EUV chipmaking tools that it says will be cheaper and easier to build than ASML's — country outlines new roadmap to smaller chips
Russia to develop lithography systems that could compete against ASML's Twinscan NXE EUV systems.
3 min read - WorldINSIDER
Ukraine says it busted a Russian spy ring that was gathering information about its F-16s
A network of spies working for Russia's military intelligence was trying to find the location of airfields used to keep its F-16s, Ukraine said.
3 min read - Worlddpa international
EU Commission warns of Germany's worrying economic situation
The poor economic situation in Germany and nine other European Union countries could have negative consequences for the entire bloc, the European Commission warned in a report published on Wednesday. The "macroeconomic imbalances" in these countries raised concerns in the so-called Alert Mechanism Report and will now be analysed in greater depth, the commission announced in Strasbourg, France. "The EU is confronted with serious structural challenges which threaten our long-term prosperity," said
1 min read - BusinessSemafor
ADNOC Distribution eyes non-fuel growth
The UAE’s fuel market leader plans to expand in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, boost retail operations, and adapt existing gas stations for an electric vehicle future.
1 min read - WorldPeople
Injured Caver Who Was Trapped Underground for Over 3 Days Is Freed: 'She's Exhausted'
Ottavia Piana was rescued from a cave in Northern Italy in the early hours of Wednesday, Dec. 18, according to multiple reports
2 min read - Worlddpa international
Germany's Scholz to represent France's Macron at EU summit
President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday and will be represented by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Élysée Palace announced on Wednesday. Macron is to travel to the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte to inspect damage caused by Cyclone Chido over the past weekend. Hundreds of people are believed to have died in the devastation. Having Germany represent France was established practice in circumstances like these, Macron's office said. Re
1 min read - WorldBBC
Nigerian man promised pardon after 10 years on death row for stealing hens
The sentencing sparked an outcry in Nigeria - his family have been campaigning for his release ever since.
2 min read - WorldThe Conversation en Español
Why is Israel attacking Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad?
Israel is taking a “better safe than sorry” approach to Syria’s new government.
4 min read - WorldSouth China Morning Post
China and India agree on six-point consensus as they resume high-level border talks
China and India reached a six-point consensus following border talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and India's national security adviser Ajit Doval in Beijing on Wednesday. They agreed to "continue to take measures to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations", according to a statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry. The top diplomats "reaffirmed their commitment to continue seeking a fair, reasona
4 min read - WorldSouth China Morning Post
China's food delivery platforms enforce breaks for riders clocking more gig economy hours
China's two major on-demand delivery service providers, Meituan and Ele.me, have introduced new features that alert or forcibly log out couriers who work excessively long hours, aiming to prevent rider fatigue. In a similar system imposed on China's long-haul truck drivers, Meituan has been piloting a "fatigue management" system in select cities. This system detects prolonged working hours through the courier app, prompting riders to take a break after a certain amount of time, typically longer
3 min read - BusinessSouth China Morning Post
China must harness cutting-edge AI to transform its finance sector: former PBOC official
A former deputy governor of China's central bank has called on the country's finance sector to embrace the game-changing potential of emerging artificial intelligence technology, as Beijing seeks to cultivate "new quality productive forces" to revitalise the economy. "AI technology has played a positive role in transforming traditional financial services such as customer support, investment and risk management," Li Dongrong, former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, said at an indust
3 min read - USAssociated Press
Injured spelunker carried to safety in northern Italy after being trapped for 75 hours
An injured cave explorer in northern Italy was carried to safety Wednesday, 75 hours after she fell while attempting to map an unexplored branch of the Bueno Fonteno cave, alpine rescuers said. The last leg of the rescue operation proceeded more smoothly than expected, and workers carrying 32-year-old Ottavia Piana strapped into a stretcher reached the cave’s mouth in the early morning hours. The Bueno Fonteno cave is located some 500 meters (yards) below ground, with the mapped area reaching
1 min read - WorldBBC
The city where shopkeepers fear their CCTV cameras could get them killed
Businessmen in Somalia's capital say jihadists have threatened to kill them if they install cameras.
6 min read - WorldAFP
France mass rape trial triggers soul-searching in Spain
France's notorious mass rape trial has generated an enormous echo in Spain, a pioneer in the fight against gender-based violence, and highlighted the often overlooked scourge of domestic sexual violence.Spain passed Europe's first law specifically aimed at gender-based violence in 2004, and in 2022 it reformed the criminal code to define all non-consensual sex as rape.
3 min read - WorldAFP
Image of exiled Bangladesh leader Sheikh Hasina 'receiving Hindu blessing' was altered from old photo
Bangladesh's Hindu minority were seen as disproportionate supporters of autocratic former premier Sheikh Hasina's government, but a photo circulating on social media purportedly showing her receiving a blessing from Hindu priests while exiled in neighbouring India is doctored. Hasina's image was superimposed over a photo of Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who was interacting with the priests at a religious site in September 2022.
3 min read - WorldBBC
'Wrapathon' event sees 25,000 gifts go to Ukraine
The gifts are being distributed to families in Ukraine ahead of Christmas, organisers say.
2 min read - WorldBBC
Pope assassination plot foiled by UK intelligence
Pope Francis reveals in his new book that he was targeted by suicide bombers during a 2021 trip to Iraq.
2 min read - Businessdpa international
Report: Honda and Nissan to begin merger talks
Japanese auto giants Nissan and Honda are reportedly discussing a possible merger in an effort to bolster their competitiveness in the electric car sector, according to a media report on Wednesday. The merger, which would also incorporate Mitsubishi Motors, would make the companies more competitive against Tesla and Chinese electric vehicle makers, Nikkei Asia reported. Together, they would form the world's third-largest car company with sales of more than 8 million vehicles, edging closer to To
1 min read - Worlddpa international
S Korea's Yoon fails to appear for questioning over martial law
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to appear before law enforcement authorities on Wednesday for questioning over his attempt to impose martial law. A joint investigation team, consisting of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the defence ministry's investigation unit, sought Yoon's presence for questioning, the Yonhap news agency reported. Attempts to deliver the summons to Yoon failed this week after his office refused to accept it or sent
1 min read - WorldAFP
Old video of Pakistan temple attack falsely linked to anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh
Religious tensions soared in Bangladesh in the chaotic aftermath of autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina's toppling, with Hindus targeted in attacks based on the minority faith's perceived support for her party. A video shared online, however, does not show a Hindu temple vandalised in the Muslim-majority country, as social media posts claimed. The clip has circulated since August 2021 in reports about a mob ransacking a temple in Pakistan.
3 min read - NewsWETM Elmira
Above average Wednesday, but Arctic air is back
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – A brief brush with an area of high pressure will partially clear the skies for the rest of the overnight. However, waiting in the wings is yet an another of low pressure that will drag along with it an Arctic cold front that will first bring in some rain and eventually […]
1 min read - WorldBBC
Apple accused of using conflict minerals
The tech giant says it "strongly disputes" the claims and it is "deeply committed to responsible sourcing" of minerals.
2 min read - LifestyleSURFER Magazine
Does South Africa Have Surfing’s Best Road Trips?
It’s one of the planet’s largest migrations and is fittingly described as the Greatest Shoal on Earth. South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal sardine run is a wondrous phenomenon that happens in the southern hemisphere winter. It’s estimated hundreds of millions of sardines (along with a healthy number of ...
2 min read - USLiveNow Fox
Storm topples 184-foot floating Christmas tree near Rio de Janeiro, killing 1
A 184-foot-tall floating Christmas tree collapsed during a sudden storm near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 16, killing a 21-year-old worker and injuring two others.
1 min read - WorldExplorersWeb
Great Green Wall of China Completed Through the 'Sea of Death'
China has finished building a 3,046km green wall around the Taklimakan Desert. It is part of a much larger project to keep blowing sand at bay across China.
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Four police officers killed in Mexico's most violent state
Gunmen in northern Mexico attacked a police patrol and killed four officers in a shooting that also left four people wounded, authorities said Tuesday. The attack took place Monday in the north-central state of Guanajuato, which has Mexico’s highest number of homicide s. It has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between rival cartels, and the state has long been among the most deadly for police in Mexico. The industrial and agricultural state of Guanajuato has for years been the scene
1 min read
