World

Rampaging wildfires around Los Angeles have killed at least two people and caused a “significant number” of serious injuries, officials tackling the terrifying blazes said Wednesday.More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America’s second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes.Hurricane-force winds have whipped up …

Two dead, significant injuries in Los Angeles blazes Read More »

The United Nations voiced alarm Wednesday at a recent surge in alleged Russian executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, saying it had verified 68 cases since the start of the war.”I call on the Russian authorities to halt the summary executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war,” Nada Al-Nashif, the deputy UN rights chief told the …

UN denounces spike in Russian executions of Ukrainian PoWs Read More »

Joe Biden thinks he could have won reelection if he had stayed in the White House race, he said in an interview published Wednesday — while conceding he was unsure if he would have served another full term.The 82-year-old Democrat, who leaves office on January 20, was asked by USA Today if he believed victory over …

Biden says he could have defeated Trump Read More »

Tens of thousands of people fled their homes near Los Angeles on Wednesday as three out-of-control wildfires fuelled by hurricane-force winds tore through the city’s suburbs, destroying dozens of houses.At least one firefighter was injured battling a blaze near the upmarket Pacific Palisades neighborhood, US media said, with reports of several other people having suffered burns.Vicious …

Thousands flee as Los Angeles wildfires burn out of control Read More »

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that fascism could return as X owner Elon Musk, an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, “openly attacks our institutions” and “stirs up hatred”.Musk, who is set for a role in Trump’s administration, has provoked fury across Europe with a string of attacks on the continent’s leaders, including …

Spanish PM says Musk ‘stirs up hatred’, warns against fascism Read More »

Lebanese political heavyweights held talks Wednesday a day ahead of a parliamentary session to elect a president, but even with key player Hezbollah weakened by war, there is no guarantee of consensus.The tiny Mediterranean country, already deep in economic and political crisis, has been without a president for more than two years amid bitter divisions …

Lebanon leaders in talks for new bid to elect president Read More »

Facing charges of “censorship” from both Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, the EU will need its full legal arsenal — and political will aplenty — to stand up to US Big Tech once Donald Trump is back.Days before Trump’s inauguration as US president, Meta chief Zuckerberg set the tone Tuesday by abruptly ending his firm’s …

Can EU stand up to belligerent Big Tech in new Trump era? Read More »

Hundreds of supporters of South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rallied outside his residence Wednesday as investigators prepared a fresh attempt to arrest him.Yoon has refused questioning and resisted arrest since his bungled December 3 martial law decree plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.Investigators secured a new arrest warrant Tuesday …

Hundreds rally for South Korea’s Yoon as new arrest bid beckons Read More »

Visitors to the UK from dozens of countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, must now pay to enter Britain after a new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday.The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme — similar to the ESTA system in the United States — requires visitors who do not need a visa …

US, Canadian and Australian travellers now face UK entry fee Read More »

Firefighters on Wednesday battled a ferocious wildfire in Los Angeles suburbs, home to many Hollywood celebrities, which devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations as hurricane-force winds fuelled rapid blaze growth.Frightened residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the 3,000-acre …

Wildfire sparks panicked evacuations in Los Angeles suburbs Read More »