Today: September 24, 2024
Today: September 24, 2024

World

World

Russian missile attack on Lviv, Ukraine, kills 3 people and wounds more, mayor says

A Russian missile attack in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killed three people and wounded eight, the mayor said Thursday. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said around 60 apartments and 50 cars in the area of strike were damaged. Emergency service workers are searching in the debris for more people trapped. Sadovyi addressed residents in a video message, saying the attack was the largest on Lviv’s civilian infrastructure since the beginning of the full-scale invasion last year. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian war refugees have sought safety in Lviv from other areas to the east.

July 06, 2023
Russian missile attack on Lviv, Ukraine, kills 3 people and wounds more, mayor says
World

Relatives of El Paso Walmart shooting victims seek justice, saying they're down but not out

A brother who traveled more than 1,000 miles to confront his sister’s killer. An uncle of an orphaned 4-year-old whose parents died while shielding the boy from the spray of bullets. A wife whose husband was gunned down at her side while their 9-year-old granddaughter looked on. Nearly four years after a white gunman killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso in a racist attack that targeted Hispanic shoppers, relatives of the victims are packing a courtroom near the U.S.-Mexico border this week to see Patrick Crusius punished for one of the nation’s

July 06, 2023
Relatives of El Paso Walmart shooting victims seek justice, saying they're down but not out
World

Hearing underway for first of 2 Iowa teens who pleaded guilty in 2021 beating death of teacher

A sentencing hearing for the first of two Iowa teenagers who pleaded guilty to beating their high school Spanish teacher to death with a baseball bat was underway Thursday with details about the investigation into the killing. Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale pleaded guilty in April to the Nov. 2, 2021, attack on Nohema Graber in a park in Fairfield, Iowa, where the 66-year-old teacher regularly walked after school. Prosecutors said the teens, who were 16 at the time, were angry at Graber because of a bad grade she had given Miller. Miller will be

July 06, 2023
Hearing underway for first of 2 Iowa teens who pleaded guilty in 2021 beating death of teacher
World

FIA not interested in early renegotiations of bedrock Formula One agreement, president tells AP

The head of the FIA says the motorsports governing body has no interest in signing an early renewal of its contract with Liberty Media and the 10 Formula One teams, who have stated their wish to sweeten the deal while the series is basking in global popularity. The eighth and current Concorde Agreement — which sets the rules and regulations for F1 as well as how television revenue and prize money is distributed — began in 2021 and runs through the 2025 season. In a May conference call with Wall Street analysts, the CEO of Liberty Media, which holds the

July 06, 2023
FIA not interested in early renegotiations of bedrock Formula One agreement, president tells AP
World

Rights group reports allegations of dozens of abuses in critical minerals supply chains

A human rights advocacy group says it found allegations of dozens of labor and environmental abuses by Chinese-invested companies involved in mining or processing minerals used in renewable energy. The report released Thursday by the Business and Human Rights Resource Center in London says it found 102 cases of alleged abuses in all phases of using such minerals: from initial explorations and licensing to mining and processing. The report studied supply chains for nine minerals — cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese, nickel, zinc, aluminum, chromium and the so-called rare earth elements. All are vital for high-tech products

July 06, 2023
Rights group reports allegations of dozens of abuses in critical minerals supply chains
World

An EU mission in Gaza once represented hope. Today, it is a symbol of a sputtering Western vision

It’s been 16 years since the borders of the Gaza Strip slammed shut after Hamas militants seized control of the territory. The takeover forced the European Union to withdraw monitors who had been deployed at a Gaza border crossing to help the Palestinians prepare for independence. Yet the EU has regularly renewed funding for the unit since then, most recently late last month. The continued existence of the unit known as EUBAM is an extreme example of the West’s willingness to keep pumping hundreds of millions of dollars a year into the moribund vision of a two-state

July 06, 2023
An EU mission in Gaza once represented hope. Today, it is a symbol of a sputtering Western vision
World

Hong Kong changes law to slash directly elected council seats, undermining democratic challenges

Hong Kong lawmakers on Thursday passed an amendment to a law to eliminate most directly elected seats on local district councils, the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public, shutting down further democratic challenges in the city. The changes include slashing the proportion of directly elected seats in the municipal-level organization being from some 90% currently to just about 20% — even lower than the level when these bodies were first set up in the 1980s, when Hong Kong was ruled by Britain. The rest of the 470 seats will be filled by members

July 06, 2023
Hong Kong changes law to slash directly elected council seats, undermining democratic challenges
World

Stock market today: Asian markets extend losses after Wall Street drifts lower

Shares slipped in Asia on Thursday after Wall Street drifted downward following a rally that sent it roaring 16% higher for the year so far. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 3% on heavy selling of Chinese banks shares after Goldman Sachs downgraded them citing concerns about the slowing economy and lenders’ exposures to debt. Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.7%. U.S. futures declined and oil prices were mixed. Share prices had soared recently amid signs the U.S. economy is stronger than had been feared, fending off recession so far despite high interest rates. Minutes from the Federal

July 06, 2023
Stock market today: Asian markets extend losses after Wall Street drifts lower
World

French justice is working overtime and the mood is stern after thousands of teen arrests

At 19, he was the oldest of the group of teens accused of lobbing Molotov cocktails at the police station of their suburban hometown. “Why?” the judge asked Riad, who was taken into custody after he was identified in video surveillance images of the group from June 29, the second night of nationwide unrest following the police shooting of another suburban teenager outside Paris. “For justice for Nahel,” Riad said. Slumped and slightly disheveled after five nights in jail, he said he didn’t know about the peaceful march organized by Nahel Merzouk’s family. He explained the

July 06, 2023
French justice is working overtime and the mood is stern after thousands of teen arrests
World

Top officials from Turkey and Sweden head to NATO to try to overcome membership concerns

Senior officials from Sweden and Turkey will gather at NATO headquarters on Thursday to examine Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s objections to the Nordic country joining the military alliance and to see what more, if anything, can be done to break the deadlock. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will lead the meeting, which will involve the countries’ foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs and national security advisers. Top officials from Finland, which joined NATO in April after itself addressing Turkish concerns, will also take part. Fearing for their security, Sweden and neighboring Finland ended their longstanding policy of military nonalignment

July 06, 2023
Top officials from Turkey and Sweden head to NATO to try to overcome membership concerns
World

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama celebrates 88th birthday

The Dalai Lama celebrated his 88th birthday on Thursday, as hundreds of his supporters and exiled Tibetans thronged his hillside Indian headquarters in Dharamsala. Artists played traditional welcome tunes as the Tibetan spiritual leader arrived in his open mobile van to preside over the celebrations in the courtyard of the Tsuglakhang Temple, which was festooned with Tibetan and Buddhist flags and portraits. “We are celebrating my 88th birthday but look at me, I look barely 50,” the Dalai Lama said, smiling. He has made the hillside town of Dharmsala his headquarters since fleeing from Tibet after

July 06, 2023
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama celebrates 88th birthday
World

Australian government distances itself from Donald Trump Jr.'s postponed tour

Australia’s center-left government distanced itself Thursday from the postponement of Donald Trump Jr.’s speaking tour in Australia. His promoters said the eldest son of the former U.S. president was deferring visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane because his Australian visa was only approved on Wednesday, 24 hours before he was to board a flight. “It seems America isn’t the only country that makes it difficult for the Trumps,” said Turning Point Australia, a local version of the U.S. conservative political organization. Some conservatives accuse Australia’s Labor Party administration of delaying Trump Jr.’s visa process. But Prime

July 06, 2023
Australian government distances itself from Donald Trump Jr.'s postponed tour
World

Wagner chief Prigozhin is in Russia, president of Belarus says

Russia’s mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is in St. Petersburg and his Wagner troops have remained at the camps where they had stayed before an abortive mutiny, the president of Belarus said Thursday. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko helped broker a deal for Prigozhin to his rebellion on June 24 in exchange for security guarantees for himself and his soldiers and permission to move to Belarus. After saying last week that Prigozhin was in Belarus, Lukashenko told international reporters Thursday that the mercenary chief is in St. Petersburg and Wagner troops still were at their camps. He did

July 06, 2023
Wagner chief Prigozhin is in Russia, president of Belarus says
World

Israeli forces shell southern Lebanon border village after rocket lands near disputed territory

Israeli forces shelled a southern Lebanese border village on Thursday after several explosions were heard in a disputed area where the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel meet. Tensions continue to flare in the border area over two tents erected by the militant group Hezbollah and Israel’s building of a wall around the Lebanese part of a village that Israeli troops captured during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. A Lebanese military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of not being cleared to provide information to journalists said one rocket was fired toward Israel from the

July 06, 2023
Israeli forces shell southern Lebanon border village after rocket lands near disputed territory
World

Nigeria triggers national response plan for annual deadly floods; 14 states on alert

Nigeria’s government activated its national response plan ahead of what is expected to be another round of annual flooding related to climate change, putting several states on alert, authorities told The Associated Press on Thursday. Following floods last year that killed more than 600 people, the National Emergency Management Agency said it was preparing for another dangerous deluge. The agency requested support from the country’s air force and activated its offices to be ready to respond quickly across the country, spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel said. “As it is, the (flooding) outlook is still very gloomy, and we

July 06, 2023
Nigeria triggers national response plan for annual deadly floods; 14 states on alert
World

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits China as part of efforts to sooth strained relations

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing on Thursday for meetings with Chinese leaders as part of efforts to revive relations that are strained by disputes about security, technology and other irritants. Yellen planned to focus on stabilizing the global economy and challenging Chinese support of Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, Treasury officials in Washington told reporters ahead of the trip. The secretary was due to meet with Chinese officials, American businesspeople and members of the public, according to Treasury officials. They gave no details, but said Yellen wouldn’t meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Yellen follows

July 06, 2023
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits China as part of efforts to sooth strained relations
World

Climate talks chief urges oil producing states to slash emissions

The president of this year’s United Nations’ climate talks urged the oil and gas industry Thursday to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by or before 2050 in a speech to oil producing states. Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna, Sultan al-Jaber urged members to invest heavily in renewables and work toward reducing planet-warming emissions from third parties, such as those released by suppliers or customers. He also encouraged nations to reach net zero methane emissions by 2030. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide

July 06, 2023
Climate talks chief urges oil producing states to slash emissions
World

Glitches in Japan's unpopular MyNumber digital ID cards draw a flood of complaints

The minister charged with an overhaul of Japan’s digitized system to assign a number to everyone living in the country has apologized, as doctors protested glitches with health insurance and local governments begged Thursday for clarity on how to handle the problems. The MyNumber, or “MaiNa” for short, system has clearly gone afoul. The government has ordered a total rechecking of MyNumber data, one by one, “mechanically,” as the digital agency put it. The goal is to complete it by the fall, which could be anytime from September to November. Local governments have to deal with much

July 06, 2023
Glitches in Japan's unpopular MyNumber digital ID cards draw a flood of complaints
World

UAE pledges $15 million to help rebuild occupied West Bank camp hard hit by Israeli offensive

The United Arab Emirates pledged Thursday to give $15 million to help rebuild the Jenin refugee camp after the most intense Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank in nearly two decades. The funding promise comes after the two-day offensive destroyed the camp’s narrow roads and alleyways. The operation, meant to crack down on Palestinian militants after a series of recent attacks on Israelis, sent thousands of people fleeing their homes. Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the fighting. The UAE’s state-run WAM news agency reported that the money would be

July 06, 2023
UAE pledges $15 million to help rebuild occupied West Bank camp hard hit by Israeli offensive
World

2 New Jersey firefighters died battling a blaze deep in a ship carrying 5,000 cars

Two firefighters were killed battling a blaze that began when cars caught fire deep inside a cargo ship carrying 5,000 cars at a New Jersey port, Newark’s fire chief said Thursday. Five other firefighters were injured but were expected to recover. Responding firefighters found five to seven vehicles already on fire when they reached the 10th floor of the cargo ship at Port Newark around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The blaze quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors, and as firefighters were pushed back by the intense heat, two of them were lost, Fire Chief

July 06, 2023
2 New Jersey firefighters died battling a blaze deep in a ship carrying 5,000 cars
World

Shell CEO calls it 'irresponsible' to cut oil production now

The head of global energy giant Shell says it would be “irresponsible” to cut oil and gas production at a time when the world economy is still dependent on fossil fuels. In an interview with the BBC released Thursday, Shell CEO Wael Sawan also refused to rule out moving the company’s headquarters and stock market listing from Britain to the United States. “The reality is, the energy system of today continues to desperately need oil and gas,” Sawan said. “And before we are able to let go of that, we need to make sure that we have

July 06, 2023
Shell CEO calls it 'irresponsible' to cut oil production now
World

7 children, 2 adults hurt after car crashes into school in Wimbledon, not far from tennis tournament

London police say seven children and two adults were injured Thursday when a car crashed into an elementary school on a very narrow road in Wimbledon, in southwest London. The Metropolitan Police said the incident was not being treated as a possible extremist attack. Police were called to The Study Preparatory School, a private all-girls school, at 9:54 a.m., along with paramedics in ground and air ambulances. The driver of the vehicle, believed to be a Land Rover, stopped at the scene, the London police force said. No arrests were made. “There are a number of people

July 06, 2023
7 children, 2 adults hurt after car crashes into school in Wimbledon, not far from tennis tournament
World

Thousands party in Spain's Pamplona city as firework blast begins San Fermin bull-running festival

Tens of thousands of people packed the town hall square in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona on Thursday to celebrate the traditional “chupinazo” firework blast that starts the San Fermín bull-running festival. Nearly everyone, including many tourists, was dressed in the traditional garb of white trousers and shirt with red sash and neckerchief as they sang and shouted. As the rocket was fired, many doused each other with red or sparkling wine. The highlight of the nine-day festival is the early morning “encierros,” or bull runs, starting on Friday, when thousands of daredevils race to

July 06, 2023
Thousands party in Spain's Pamplona city as firework blast begins San Fermin bull-running festival
World

United Methodists lose one-fifth of US churches in schism driven by growing defiance of LGBTQ bans

More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations — a fifth of the U.S. total — have now received permission to leave the denomination amid a schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination. Those figures emerge following the close of regular meetings in June for the denomination’s regional bodies, known as annual conferences. The departures began with a trickle in 2019 — when the church created a four-year window of opportunity for U.S. congregations to depart over LGBTQ-related issues — and cascaded to its highest level this year. Church law forbids the marriage or

July 06, 2023
United Methodists lose one-fifth of US churches in schism driven by growing defiance of LGBTQ bans
World

Israeli court acquits border police officer charged with killing autistic Palestinian man

An Israeli court on Thursday acquitted a border police officer who was charged with reckless manslaughter in the deadly shooting of an autistic Palestinian man in Jerusalem’s Old City three years ago. The Jerusalem district court ruled that the officer was acting in self defense when he shot and killed 32-year old Eyad Hallaq. The case has drawn comparisons to the police killing of George Floyd in the United States. The court described the incident as a tragic mistake, noting that the officer made a split-second decision in dangerous situation. Taking risks, the court said, “is an

July 06, 2023
Israeli court acquits border police officer charged with killing autistic Palestinian man

Follow