The death toll in Israeli strikes launched on Thursday in central Beirut rose to 22, the Lebanese Ministry of Health has said. One hundred and seventeen others were injured, the ministry added. The attack was the third to hit central Beirut since Israel started a military campaign in Lebanon last month targeting the Iranian-allied Hezbollah...
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EU countries clear the way for €35 billion loan for Ukraine
EU ambassadors in Brussels cleared the way for €35 billion ($39 billion) in loans for Ukraine secured by windfall profits from frozen Russian assets on Wednesday. The Council of the European Union – the EU body representing the 27 member states – publicized the decision. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the loan...
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Hundreds feared dead after ship sinks in Congo, rescue ongoing
At least 126 people have died after a boat sank in Lake Kivu in Congo, authorities said on Thursday. Initially, more than 450 people were believed to have been aboard the ferry en route to the eastern city of Goma, but official Venant Rugusha Descartes later spoke of 700 passengers. Forty-five people have been rescued...
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Hurricane Helene death toll passes 180 as Biden sends in the army
US President Joe Biden is sending up to 1,000 soldiers to help in areas hit by Hurricane Helene, the White House said on Wednesday. The soldiers, stationed in North Carolina, are to help provide food, water and other essential goods in the affected region, the statement said. At least 180 people have died, according to...
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EU’s von der Leyen urges protection of civilians in Middle East
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Wednesday of further escalation after Iran had launched a missile attack on Israel. “Such actions threaten regional stability and escalate tensions in an already extremely volatile situation,” von der Leyen said, adding “I urge all parties to protect the life of innocent civilians.” Von der Leyen...
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Assange speaks in public for the first time since release from jail
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has spoken in public for the first time since being released from prison after he struck a deal with the United States. He travelled from Australia to Strasbourg to address a human rights committee (Pace) of the Council of Europe, which has said in a report that he was a political...
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Germany’s Baerbock calls for first female UN secretary general
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is calling for the first woman to lead the United Nations, urging the international body to elect a female secretary general after nearly 80 years of male leadership. Women make up 50% of every country, Baerbock said at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, “but in 80...
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‘Stop this crime,’ Palestinian President Abbas tells UN in New York
In an appeal to the UN General Assembly in New York, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday urged the international community to halt the violence in Gaza and stop supplying weapons to Israel. “We will not leave, we will not leave, we will not leave. Palestine is our homeland. It is the land of our...
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EU Commission to provide Ukraine with new €35 billion loan
The European Commission plans to provide Ukraine with up to €35 billion ($39 billion) in loans, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday in Kiev. “Russia’s relentless attacks mean further support is necessary,” von der Leyen said, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The loan is to be “backed by the windfall...
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EU Commission calls for more smoke-free zones to fight cancer
The European Commission on Tuesday called for more smoke-free areas to protect people from second-hand smoke and to reduce cancer deaths. “Every year in the EU, 700,000 persons lose their lives due to tobacco consumption, among which tens of thousands are due to second-hand smoke,” said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. “We have a duty...