An Italian mayor has apologised to the family of opera star Luciano Pavarotti after the town of Pesaro encased a statue honouring the late singer within a Christmas ice rink.
The singer’s widow, Nicoletta Mantovani, told local media that she was “angry and upset” at what she called the decision to “ridicule” her late husband. The temporary ice rink was constructed in the centre of the town’s piazza, leaving Pavrotti’s statue knee-deep in ice and surrounded by perspex walls. In response, Biancini said that he... Read More
Options narrow for Maduro as Trump rejected most of his requests during call, sources say” Venezuela’s
President Nicolas Maduro is running out of options to step down and leave his country under US-guaranteed safe passage, following a short call with US President Donald Trump last month where Trump refused a series of requests from the Venezuelan leader, according to four sources briefed on the call. Maduro and his government have always... Read More
Honduras election: presidential candidates locked in ‘technical tie’, official says”
The two leading candidates to be president of Honduras were locked in a “technical tie” on Monday, with a razor-thin margin separating them. As of Monday afternoon, there were just 515 votes separating right-wing candidate Nasry Asfura from his nearest challenger, Salvador Nasralla, a former TV host standing for the country’s centrist party. The head... Read More
Residents of a Hong Kong apartment complex that suffered a deadly blaze last week say authorities didn’t address their concerns about the use of flammable materials in renovation work.
The fire swept through seven high-rise buildings in the complex, killing at least 151 people. More than 30 others are still unaccounted for. The complex had been undergoing renovation work since last year. Authorities said the fire appears to have started in protective netting covering the scaffolding erected around the buildings. They said flammable foam... Read More
US authorised second Venezuela boat strike, White House says”
A top US Navy commander ordered a second round of military strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, the White House has confirmed. “Admiral (Frank) Bradley worked well within his authority and the law” in ordering the additional strike, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. Leavitt confirmed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised... Read More
Nigeria’s defense minister resigns amid security crisis
Mohammed Badaru Abubakar’s resignation comes as Nigeria scrambles to respond to a wave of mass kidnappings. Nigeria’s defense minister resigns amid security crisis Mohammed Badaru Abubakar’s resignation comes as Nigeria scrambles to respond to a wave of mass kidnappings. Nigerian soldiers holding weapons sit at the back of of a pickupNigeria’s defense minister has stepped... Read More
Peru: 12 dead as landslide hits boats in Amazon region riverFelix Tamsut with AFP, Reuters
Rescue teams are looking for survivors after a landslide in Peru’s Amazon region sank two boats on the Ucayali River, according to local media reports. Peru: 12 dead as landslide hits boats in Amazon region river Rescue teams are looking for survivors after a landslide in Peru’s Amazon region sank two boats on the Ucayali... Read More
UK : Sir Keir Starmer has warned China poses “real national security threats to the United Kingdom”.
But the prime minister also described China as a “nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity” and a “defining force in technology, trade and global governance”.Describing the absence of engagement with China – the world’s second-biggest economy – as “staggering” and “a dereliction of duty”, Sir Keir said: “This is not a question of balancing... Read More
Witkoff holds additional talks with Ukraine— and without Rubio — ahead of Moscow trip
Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff held a second round of talks — without Secretary of State Marco Rubio — with a top Ukrainian negotiator who previously led Witkoff to believe Kyiv was willing to accept a peace proposal highly favorable to Russia.A revised 19-point plan developed by Ukraine and the US in Geneva last week... Read More
South African radio host accused of recruiting for Russia
A radio presenter appeared in court, accused of recruiting men to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter is facing similar allegations in a separate A radio presenter appeared in court, accused of recruiting men to fight for Russia in Ukraine. Former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter is facing similar allegations in a... Read More