At least 38 people have been killed and more than 92,000 left homeless since June in disastrous floods in Niger, the United Nations said Wednesday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the deaths, up from a previous government toll of 14, followed torrential rains in August. ... Read More »
Italy earthquake: Day of national mourning for victims
A day of national mourning has begun in Italy for the almost 300 people who died when a powerful earthquake hit mountainous central regions. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is due to attend state funerals for victims from Arquata, one of the worst-hit towns. A state of emergency has been declared ... Read More »
Canadian couple forced to live apart after 62 years
An elderly Canadian couple who have been married for 62 years have been forced to live in separate care homes. A photo of Wolfram Gottschalk, 83, and his wife, Anita, 81, went viral after their granddaughter shared their story. Ashley Baryik, 29 said her grandparents have been separated because there ... Read More »
Italy earthquake: four dead as buildings collapse after 6.2 magnitude quake
A strong earthquake brought down buildings in central Italy early on Wednesday, trapping residents and sending others fleeing into the streets, with at least six people believed killed. The worst hit towns were believed to be Accumoli, Amatrice, Posta and Arquata del Tronto, Fire department spokesman Luca Cari told Reuters, ... Read More »
In Iraq, Nigeria and now Turkey, child bombers strike
The boy looked scared and younger than 16 when Iraqi police grabbed him on the street in the northern city of Kirkuk. Pulling off his shirt, they found a two-kilogram bomb strapped to his skinny frame. That was last Sunday. Less than a day earlier, Turkey was less fortunate: a ... Read More »
Nicolas Sarkozy to seek French presidency again
Former French head of state Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he is a candidate to run again in next year’s presidential election. In order to stand, he must first win his centre-right Republicans party’s primary in November. Mr Sarkozy said he “felt he had the strength to lead the combat ... Read More »
Omran: ‘the real face’ of Syria’s war
for those who do not know the meaning of the word “humane”, its the quality or state of being human. When radio reporter Herb Morrison saw the airship Hindenberg burst into flames in 1937, he blurted “Oh, the humanity!” meaning something like “what terrible human suffering!” Writers who use this ... Read More »
Russia to Support Weekly 48-Hour Humanitarian Ceasefires in Aleppo
The Russian Ministry of Defense backed a proposal from the UN Syria envoy to organize 48-hour weekly ceasefires to supply humanitarian relief to Aleppo citizens. The first truce could be organized as early as next week. The proposal – which was originally voiced last week by the UN Syria envoy ... Read More »
Qatar plane makes emergency landing in Turkey
Turkey’s state-run news agency says a Qatari plane has made an emergency landing at Istanbul’s main airport shortly after take-off. In a statement released on its Twitter account, Qatar Airways said flight QR240, headed for Doha, was forced to return to Ataturk Airport after being hit by a bird. All ... Read More »
Donald Trump defends Milwaukee police shooting
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said initial evidence suggests the shooting of a black man by police in Milwaukee was justified. The killing of Sylville Smith in a predominantly African-American part of the city on Saturday led to protests. “We have to obey the laws or we don’t ... Read More »