UK’s Blair Distances Himself From Trump’s $1 Billion Peace Board Fee
LONDON – Mr Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister who has been appointed to the executive panel of Mr Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”, distanced himself from the President’s demand that countries pay US$1 billion (S$1.29 billion) for permanent membership. Mr Blair declined to endorse the request for the funds, which is part of a draft charter... Read More
Spain’s transport minister says the death toll from Sunday’s crash involving high-speed trains in the country’s south has risen to 39.
Multiple media outlets say more than 150 others have been injured. The accident occurred in suburban Cordoba in the region of Andalusia on Sunday night. A high-speed train traveling from Malaga to the capital Madrid derailed and hit another train traveling in the opposite direction on an adjacent track. The Spanish newspaper El Pais reported... Read More
Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap more than 160 in church attacks”
Armed gangs with “sophisticated weapons” kidnapped worshipers from at least two churches in Kaduna state. Nigeria faces several internal conflicts that have affected both Christians and Muslims — often indiscriminately.CrimeNigeria Armed gangs with “sophisticated weapons” kidnapped worshipers from at least two churches in Kaduna state. Nigeria faces several internal conflicts that have affected both Christians... Read More
Pakistan: A mall fire in Karachi claimed at least 24 lives. 63 are still missing-
A mall in Pakistan’s Karachi was on fire for more than 24 hours. At least 24 people have been killed while over 60 are still missing.Gul Plaza inferno death toll rises to 23; Karachi mayor says 65 people remain missing – Pakistan – remain missing. Firefighters extinguished the blaze at the multistory plaza late Sunday,... Read More
At least seven killed in Kabul hotel blast” .
An explosion tore through a hotel in a heavily guarded part of central Kabul on Monday, killing seven people and injuring several others, authorities in the Afghan capital said Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said the hotel was in the commercial Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood that includes large office buildings, shopping complexes and embassies. The district is... Read More
Italian fashion great Valentino Garavani dead at 93 –
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died, his foundation said on Monday. Usually known only by his first name, Valentino was 93, and had retired in 2008. Founder of the eponymous brand, Valentino scaled the heights of haute couture, created a business empire and introduced a new colour to the fashion world, the so-called ‘Valentino... Read More
The chief executive of Irancell, Iran’s second-largest mobile phone operator, was dismissed for failing to comply with the government’s decision to shut down the internet amid mounting anti-regime protests, Iran’s Fars news agency reports.
Iran cut off all communications on January 8 without warning, as calls intensified for the anti-government protests, which were initially sparked by an economic crisis. Access to the internet has been virtually impossible in Iran since then, although restrictions began to ease today for some foreign websites, such as Google. L.
Japan : PM Takaichi announces snap election for Feb. 8
Reporters also pressed her on claims made by some opposition parties, who say Japan appears to be shifting to the right on the political spectrum. She has promised to speed up efforts to remove the consumption tax from food products for two years. Takaichi said a country’s ultimate mission is to protect its people’s lives... Read More
WEF says Iran’s FM will not attend Davos, ‘not right’ after deadly protests”
Iran’s foreign minister will not be attending the Davos summit in Switzerland this week, the organizers said Monday, stressing it would not be “right” after the recent deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran. For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. Abbas Araghchi had been scheduled to speak... Read More
Pakistan:Karachi Gul Plaza blaze still burning as 56 remain missing, death toll rises to six. The government’s delayed response is blamed.
Fire could have been contained sooner, but delayed response and limited resources from the authorities allowed the blaze to rage unchecked for hours. Traders and area residents said that timely action from the Saddar Fire Station, other civic bodies, and local officials could have saved lives and livelihoods, yet the firefighting operation only picked up... Read More