Australia orders evacuation of fire-ravaged towns before heatwave

SYDNEY (AFP) -- Australia authorised the forced evacuation of residents Thursday amid a mass exodus of tourists from fire-ravaged coastal communities, as the country braces for a weekend heatwave expected to fan deadly bushfires.Catastrophic blazes ripped through the country's south-east on New Year's Eve, killing at least eight people and stranding holidaymakers.New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven-day state of emergency that allows for forced evacuations beginning Friday

World NewsJan. 2, 2020

Massive Hong Kong pro-democracy rally ends in police clashes

HONG KONG (AFP) -- A huge New Year's Day pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong ended in mass arrests and clashes between police and hardcore protesters, as demonstrators sought to carry their movement's momentum into 2020.Hong Kong has been battered by nearly seven months of unrest -- its biggest political crisis in decades -- which has seen millions come out on the streets demanding greater democratic freedoms.Organisers claimed more than a million people gathered for Wednesday's rally, which had ap

World NewsJan. 2, 2020

Pro-Iran protesters leave US embassy in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (AFP) -- Pro-Iran demonstrators left the besieged US embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday after the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force ordered them to withdraw a day after their dramatic incursion.Thousands of Iraqi supporters of the largely Iranian-trained Hashed had encircled and vandalised the embassy compound Tuesday, outraged by US air strikes that killed 25 Hashed fighters over the weekend.They marched unimpeded through the checkpoints of the usually high-security Green Zone to the emb

World NewsJan. 2, 2020

Bailed tycoon Ghosn 'escapes' to Lebanon from 'rigged' Japan

BEIRUT/TOKYO (AFP) -- Former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn said Tuesday he had fled to Lebanon to escape injustice in Japan, where he was on bail awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges.The auto tycoon's abrupt departure was the latest twist in a rollercoaster journey that saw him fall from boardroom to detention centre and it sparked questions over an embarrassing security lapse in Japan.In a statement, the 65-year-old tycoon said he would "no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese

World NewsDec. 31, 2019

Iraq warns US ties at stake after deadly strikes

BAGHDAD (AFP) -- Iraq's government warned Monday that its relations with the United States were at risk after deadly American air strikes against a pro-Iran group sparked anger on the streets, with protesters torching US flags.Baghdad said it would summon the US ambassador while Washington responded by accusing Iraqi authorities of having failed to "protect" US interests.At least 25 fighters were killed in Sunday night's attacks, which saw US planes hit several bases belonging to the H

World NewsDec. 31, 2019

Microsoft seizes web domains used by North Korean hackers

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Microsoft said Monday it obtained a court order allowing it to seize web domains used by North Korean hacking groups to launch cyberattacks on human rights activists, researchers and others.The US technology giant said a federal court allowed it to take control of 50 domains operated by a group dubbed Thallium, which tricked online users by fraudulently using Microsoft brands and trademarks."This network was used to target victims and then compromise their online account

World NewsDec. 31, 2019

[Graphic News] Top 10 records in 2019

 　The hottest month, the fastest marathon, the wildest auction prices ... here is a look back at 10 new records in 2019.　1. Record temperatures　Temperatures in July 2019 were the hottest ever recorded globally at an average of 16.75 degrees Celsius for the planet, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced.　A heat wave in Europe the same month reset several record highs: 42.6 degrees for Paris, 41.5 degrees for Germany and 38.7 degrees in Britain.　2. Facebook fine　Face

World NewsDec. 29, 2019

Biden leaves it unclear if he would honor Senate subpoena

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Joe Biden sought Saturday to clarify his assertion that if the Senate subpoenas him to testify in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, he will defy the order. But he did not clear up what he would do.A day earlier, the Democratic presidential contender told The Des Moines Register he stood by his position that he would defy the Republican-controlled Senate if it ordered him to be a witness in the proceedings."Correct," he said when asked if that was still his

World NewsDec. 29, 2019

Almaty airport says 9 killed in Kazakhstan plane crash

MOSCOW (AP) -- Almaty International Airport said nine people died on Friday in the crash of a Bek Air plane in Kazakhstan. The aircraft had 100 passengers and crew abroad, and hit a concrete fence and a two-story building shortly after takeoff. The airport said the plane lost attitude at 7:22 a.m. (0122 GMT). In a statement on its Facebook page, the airport said there was no fire and a rescue operation got underway immediately following the crash. The plane was flying to Nur-Sultan, the cou

World NewsDec. 27, 2019

Elephants in Thailand 'broken' for lucrative animal tourism

BAN TA KLANG (AFP) -- Separated from their mothers, jabbed with metal hooks, and sometimes deprived of food -- many Thai elephants are tamed by force before being sold to lucrative tourism sites increasingly advertised as "sanctuaries" to cruelty-conscious travellers.Balanced precariously on hind legs, two-year-old Ploy holds a ball in her trunk and flings it towards a hoop, one of many tricks she is learning in Ban Ta Klang, a traditional training village in the east.Here young elepha

World NewsDec. 27, 2019

[Weekender] Top 10 International news

US-China trade dealOn Dec. 13, the US and China reached a partial deal to end their trade war.Both countries have agreed on the terms of a “phase one” trade deal, with expectations for China to boost imports of US agricultural goods while Washington eases massive tariffs on Chinese products. They are expected to sign a deal in early January.Trump impeachment bid On Dec. 18, the Democratic-led US House of Representatives approved two impeachment charges against Trump over his pre

World NewsDec. 27, 2019

Police, protesters clash as Hong Kong celebrates Christmas

HONG KONG (AFP) -- Hong Kong's Christmas celebrations were marred by sporadic clashes between police and pro-democracy activists on Wednesday as the city's pro-Beijing leader said the festive season was being "ruined" by demonstrators.Police used pepper spray and tear gas as activists held small flashmob protests in malls and multiple districts across the city.In Mong Kok, an area that has seen frequent clashes over the last six months, police fired multiple rounds of tear gas to dispe

World NewsDec. 26, 2019

Pope's Christmas message appeals for peace in global flashpoints

VATICAN CITY (AFP) -- Christmas was celebrated all around the world on Wednesday, with Pope Francis appealing for peace in many of the world's hotspots while festivities were muted for Filipinos battered by a typhoon, as well as in strike-bound France."May Christ bring his light to the many children suffering from war and conflicts in the Middle East and in various countries of the world," Francis said in his traditional Christmas message at the Vatican, singling out the crises in Vene

World NewsDec. 26, 2019

[Graphic News] South Korea is world’s 4th-largest customer of US arms: data

　South Korea is the fourth-largest buyer of US weapons over the past 10 years, government data showed.　According to the global defense market yearbook published by South Korea’s Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, the United States exported weapons worth $93.1 billion between 2009 and 2018 to the outside world. 　Of the total, South Korea bought $6.28 billion, standing at the fourth spot.　Saudi Arabia was the No. 1 customer by purchasing US arms worth $13.47 billion, followed by Aust

World NewsDec. 25, 2019

White-bearded 'Merry Christmas' bank robber throws cash at passers-by

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- A white-bearded man robbed a bank two days before Christmas, but threw the stolen cash in the air and wished passers-by a merry Christmas, US media reported.Colorado police confirmed in a statement an "older white male" robbed the Academy Bank in Colorado Springs after threatening workers with an unidentified weapon and leaving with an unknown amount of money around midday Monday. "He started throwing money out of the bag and then said, 'Merry Christmas!"

World NewsDec. 25, 2019

Hong Kong clashes resume in shopping centers, streets

HONG KONG (AP) -- Clashes resumed in Hong Kong on Tuesday between police and anti-government protesters, some of them donned in Santa Claus hats, as the more than 6-month-long demonstrations look set to move into the new year. Black-clad protesters smashed shop windows, while police responded with tear gas and the arrest of a number of demonstrators.  The protests demanding greater democratic rights show no sign of ending despite the overwhelming victory by anti-establishment candidates in

World NewsDec. 25, 2019

[Graphic News] India leads world in pollution-linked deaths: study

　India leads the world in pollution-linked deaths followed by China and Nigeria, according to a report that estimated the global impact of contaminants in the air, water and workplace.　The report by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution found pollution to be the largest environmental cause of premature death on the planet, causing 15 percent of all deaths, amounting to some 8.3 million people.　Among the 10 countries with the most pollution deaths in 2017, the latest year for which data was

World NewsDec. 22, 2019

Trump slams 'unfair' Pelosi delay, rallies conservatives

WEST PALM BEACH (AP) -- President Donald Trump complained Saturday about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's delayed transmission of the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which may delay a trial in the GOP-controlled chamber."It's so unfair," Trump said, days after he was impeached by the House, as he spoke at a conservative student conference organized by the group Turning Point USA. "They are violating the Constitution," he added. Pelosi has refused so far to send the article

World NewsDec. 22, 2019

Trump touts 'very good' Xi phone call

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump touted a "very good talk" Friday with Xi Jinping on a deal to resolve their trade war, while Chinese media said Xi had complained about US interference in Hong Kong and elsewhere.Trump tweeted that China "already started large scale" increases in purchases of US farm goods, in line with the deal.However, he did not give a date for when the so-called "phase one" agreement will actually be signed. "Formal signing being arrange

World NewsDec. 21, 2019

Impeachment trial plans in disarray as Congress heads home

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress has headed home for the holidays leaving plans and a possible timeline for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in disarray.Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that Senate Republicans must provide details on witnesses and testimony before she would send over the charges for Trump's trial. No deal, replied Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after meeting with his Senate Democratic counterpart."We remain at an impasse," he sa

World NewsDec. 20, 2019