DR Congo, Rwanda peace talks cancelled on December 16, 2024Talks due Sunday between the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to end conflict in the eastern DRC were called off after negotiations deadlocked, officials said. Since 2021 a Rwanda-backed rebel militia has seized swathes of the eastern DRC, displacing thousands and triggering a humanitarian crisis. There had been high hopes that […]
‘Bali Nine’ drug ring prisoners fly home to Australia on December 16, 2024The five remaining members of the Australian “Bali Nine” drug ring flew home Sunday after 19 years in jail in Indonesia, ending a saga that had frayed relations between the two countries. Indonesian police arrested nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the […]
Afghan coal mine collapse traps 32: provincial official on December 16, 2024A coal mine collapsed in northern Afghanistan trapping 32 miners, a provincial official told AFP on Sunday, adding rescuers had been working for hours to reach the men. The mine in Dara-i Sof Payin district of Samangan province collapsed late Saturday, Samangan governor spokesman, Esmat Muradi, told AFP. “Thirty-two people are trapped and it’s not […]
Iran sandstorm forces school closures, flight cancellations on December 16, 2024A sand and dust storm hit southwestern Iran on Sunday, resulting in the closure of schools and public buildings and the cancellation of flights due to poor visibility, state media reported. A thick yellow fog shrouded the oil-rich provinces of Khuzestan and Bushehr, which border Iraq and are more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) from […]
South Korean lawmakers impeach President Yoon over martial law bid on December 15, 2024South Korean lawmakers on Saturday impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, with the opposition declaring a “victory of the people”. The vote took place as hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Seoul in rival rallies for and against Yoon, who launched a failed attempt to impose martial law […]
England fight back on even opening day of third NZ Test on December 15, 2024New Zealand failed to capitalise on a rock-steady start to reach 315-9 on day one of the third and final Test against England in Hamilton on Saturday. Led by seamers Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson, the tourists fought back with the ball after openers Tom Latham (63) and Will Young (42) put on 105 for […]
‘Pain-free’ ski great Vonn confirms World Cup return next week on December 15, 2024Rejuvenated US ski great Lindsey Vonn said Friday she hopes to redefine the parameters of what is possible after confirming she will make her World Cup comeback in St. Moritz next week, nearly six years after retiring from the sport. The 40-year-old former Olympic and world champion said she had decided to return to skiing […]
Brazil ex-defense minister arrested in coup plot investigation on December 15, 2024Brazilian authorities on Saturday arrested Braga Netto, a former defense minister and close ally of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, on suspicion of obstructing an investigation into an alleged coup attempt in 2022, a police source told AFP. Brazil’s Federal Police said it had detained “people who would be obstructing” the investigation. “Braga Netto was arrested in […]
FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host on December 12, 2024FIFA on Wednesday confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, underlining the Gulf kingdom’s growing influence in world sport despite criticism of the country’s human rights record. At the same time, a virtual Congress of world football’s governing body confirmed that Morocco, Spain and Portugal will be joint hosts of the 2030 […]
‘Once-in-a-lifetime’: fans revel in Singapore chess showdown on December 12, 2024In a large room separated from spectators by a one-way glass panel, two combatants Wednesday faced each other in a silent battle of cunning, calculation and patience. World chess champion Ding Liren, 32, from China, is defending his crown against 18-year-old Indian prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju, who is seeking to make history by becoming the youngest […]