World

At the outskirts of a South Korean industrial city, workers at a sprawling weapons factory were conducting final-stage testing for a newly built surface-to-air defence system that could, eventually, head to Ukraine.Longstanding domestic policy bars Seoul from sending weapons into active conflict zones, but ever since its spy agency accused the nuclear-armed North last month …

Inside the South Korean weapons factory that could supply Kyiv Read More »

Plastic pollution litters our seas, our air and even our bodies, but negotiators face an uphill battle next week to agree on the world’s first treaty aimed at ending the problem.Countries will have a week in South Korea’s Busan from Monday to round off two years of negotiations.They remain deeply divided on whether the deal …

‘Moment of truth’ for world-first plastic pollution treaty Read More »

A group of chemical compounds used to disinfect water for one-third of the US population and millions of others globally produces a potentially toxic byproduct, according to new research published Thursday, sparking calls for an “immediate” investigation into possible health impacts.Inorganic chloramines have been used for decades to remove pathogens from public water supplies. Though chlorine …

Common water disinfectant creates potentially toxic byproduct: study Read More »

Brazilian police on Thursday called for the indictment of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro over a 2022 “coup” plot to prevent current leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office.A police statement said its investigators concluded that Bolsonaro and 36 others planned the “violent overthrow of the democratic state.” “Federal police concluded on Thursday the investigation into …

Brazil police urge Bolsonaro’s indictment for 2022 ‘coup’ plot Read More »

Uruguayans go to the polls Sunday with the leftist alliance of celebrated ex-president Jose Mujica hoping to reclaim the country’s top job five years after a right-wing victory based on concerns over crime and taxes.Former history teacher Yamandu Orsi of the leftist Frente Amplio (Broad Front) will go head-to-head with ex-veterinarian Alvaro Delgado of the …

Uruguay readies for polls with left hoping for comeback Read More »

The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.The unprecedented move drew a furious reaction from Netanyahu, who denounced it as anti-Semitic and the court’s accusations “absurd and false”.Israel’s closest allies, including the United States, also …

ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif Read More »

US President-elect Donald Trump tapped Pam Bondi, a staunch ally who helped defend the ex-leader against impeachment, as US attorney general on Thursday following firebrand Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from the running.Gaetz’s retreat amid sexual misconduct allegations signaled limits to Trump’s power, even as the president-elect prepares to retake the White House with his Republican Party …

Trump taps loyalist Pam Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws Read More »

French President Emmanuel Macron accused Haiti’s transitional council of being “total morons” for dismissing the country’s prime minister, according to a video shot at the G20 summit in Brazil this week and shared on social media Thursday.In the footage, the French leader is speaking on the sidelines of the G20 in Rio with an individual …

Macron calls Haitian officials ‘total morons’ over PM sacking Read More »

The UN nuclear watchdog’s board of governors passed a resolution chiding Iran’s poor cooperation with the agency after hours of heated exchanges, diplomats told AFP late on Thursday, a move Tehran called “politically motivated”.The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation board follows a …

UN nuclear watchdog board passes resolution chiding Iran Read More »

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the conflict in Ukraine had characteristics of a “global” war and did not rule out strikes on Western countries.The Kremlin strongman spoke out after a day of frayed nerves, with Russia test-firing a new generation intermediate-range missile at Ukraine — which Putin hinted was capable of unleashing a …

Putin hints at strikes on West in ‘global’ Ukraine war Read More »