(Eagle News)–Miss South Africa is the new Miss Universe. Zozibini Tunzi received the crown from Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray from the Philippines in ceremonies in Atlanta. Tunzi was declared the winner after this answer: “The most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time not because we don’t want to but because of what society […]
International
Hong Kongers mark half a year of protest with mammoth rally
by Jerome TAYLOR / Yan ZHAO HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Democracy protesters took part in the largest mass rally through Hong Kong’s streets in months on Sunday in a forceful display of support for the movement, with a leading activist warning the city’s pro-Beijing leaders they had a “last chance” to end the political crisis. Organizers estimated some 800,000 people snaked for hours through the financial hub’s main island as the protests marked six […]
Smoke haze settles over Australian capital as bushfires burn
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Smoke haze from bushfires raging in Australia spread to the capital Sunday, as firefighters raced to contain more than 140 blazes ahead of a heatwave forecast early this week. Australia is experiencing a horrific start to its fire season, which scientists say began earlier and is more extreme this year due to a prolonged drought and the effects of climate change. Residents of Canberra in the country’s southeast woke up to […]
Indian Ocean island Mayotte lifts cyclone red alert
MAMOUDZOU, France (AFP) — Officials on the small Indian Ocean island of Mayotte said Sunday they had lifted the red alert in place for Cyclone Belna, after it brushed past the French territory. Officials had told islanders to keep off the roads and stay indoors earlier as they declared a red alert in the expectation that the cyclone would hit the island. Island officials have not yet said how much damage the storm caused on […]
Trump warns Kim has ‘everything’ to lose through hostility
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump warned Sunday that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un had “everything” to lose through hostility towards the United States, after Pyongyang said it had carried out a major new weapons test. “Kim Jong Un is too smart and has far too much to lose, everything actually, if he acts in a hostile way,” Trump tweeted in response to the unspecified test at the Sohae space launch center. The […]
Indian Prime Minister expresses condolences to families of victims of deadly fire in Delhi
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed on Sunday condolences to the families of victims of the deadly fire that hit a factory in Delhi. The fire erupted in the factory in the Anaj Mandi area of Delhi in the morning. According to the Hindustan Times newspaper, the death toll has risen to 43 people, while over 50 people were hospitalized. “The fire in Delhi’s Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road is extremely […]
At least 43 killed in Delhi factory fire
NEW Delhi, India (AFP) — At least 43 people have died in a factory fire in India’s capital New Delhi, with the toll expected to rise, police told AFP. The blaze broke out in the early hours in the city’s old quarter, whose narrow and congested lanes are lined with many small manufacturing and storage units. “We… have since rescued at least 50 people,” Sunil Choudhary, New Delhi’s deputy chief fire officer, told AFP. […]
US has to keep up with Russia in terms of developing hypersonic weapons – Pentagon Chief
The US Department of Defense is investing in the development of hypersonic weapons to keep up with Russia, which is leading in this sphere, according to a Sputnik report quoting US Defense Secretary Mark Esper. “We took a pause on this technology some years ago, when we had a clear lead, and what we’re doing now is playing catch-up. So the [Defense] Department is investing every dollar we can, every dollar that we can, […]
White House rejects participation in ‘baseless’ impeachment probe
by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House blasted the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump as “completely baseless” Friday, signalling it would not seek to defend the president in Democratic-led hearings to draw up formal charges against him. But Republicans demanded that Joe Biden’s son Hunter, the lawmaker leading the impeachment probe Adam Schiff, and the whistleblower at the origin of the inquiry all testify next week before […]
Australia braces for heatwave as more than 100 fires burn
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Out of control bushfires forced residents in eastern Australia to flee their homes on Saturday, as other parts of the country braced for a heatwave due next week. Bushfires are common in the country but scientists say this year’s season has come earlier and with more intensity due to a prolonged drought and climatic conditions fuelled by global warming. Scorching temperatures have tipped above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) close […]
Acquiring citizenship helps immigrants in Switzerland boost earnings: study
by Ivan Couronne WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Immigrants to Switzerland who became naturalized citizens saw their earnings rise significantly compared to those who did not obtain the passport, a study showed Wednesday. Average annual earnings were 13.5 percent greater for immigrants 15 years after they narrowly won naturalization through a local referendum, equal to about 5,500 Swiss Francs ($5,500), against immigrants who lived in the country but were unable to obtain nationality. “These findings […]
Trudeau pushes tax cuts, climate in test for minority government
by Michel COMTE OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a legislative agenda on Thursday that touts tax cuts and tougher climate actions in the first test of his new minority government. After a nasty election fight and his rejection of a formal coalition, Trudeau must rely on the backing of opposition parties on a case-by-case basis to stay in power. That starts with garnering support for his agenda, which was outlined […]