World

Feature: Namibian cultural group tackles social issues, creating opportunities with traditional dance

WINDHOEK, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Adorned in animal-hide garments, a score of performers of the Black Melody Cultural Group (BMCG) delivered captivating performances showcasing the rich culture of Namibia's Batswana tribe as the art troupe celebrated its 32nd anniversary with dance and music in Windhoek, the Namibian capital, Friday night.

World

Israel suspects disappearance of Jewish religious emissary in UAE linked to terrorist act

JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli-Moldovan citizen, who serves as an emissary of the Jewish religious movement Chabad in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been missing since Thursday, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Saturday.

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Hong Kong celebrates 100 days of locally born panda twins

HONG KONG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Giant panda twins, born to Ying Ying, a giant panda gifted by the central government to Hong Kong, celebrated their 100th day on Saturday.

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Polish farmers block border crossing with Ukraine in Mercosur trade protest - report

WARSAW (Reuters) - Farmers blocked Poland's Medyka border crossing with Ukraine on Saturday, news agency PAP reported, in protest over the trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur , which they say will reduce their competitiveness.

World

Honors presentation ceremony held in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee on Saturday presented honors and awards to recipients for their outstanding performance at the 2024 Honors and Awards Presentation Ceremony.

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Russian strikes have damaged 321 Ukrainian port infrastructure facilities, Zelenskiy says

KYIV (Reuters) - Russian drone and missile attacks have damaged 321 Ukrainian port infrastructure facilities since July last year, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday.

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Israeli airstrike kills another journalist in Gaza, toll now at 189

GAZA CITY: Another Palestinian journalist has been killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, raising the number of media professionals killed since Oct 7, 2023, to 189, Gaza's media office reports.

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Ukraine has lost over 40% of the land it held in Russia's Kursk region, senior Kyiv military source says

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory in Russia's Kursk region that it rapidly seized in a surprise incursion in August as Russian forces have mounted waves of counter-assaults, a senior Ukrainian military source said.

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Storm Bert causes power outages, disrupts travel in UK and Ireland

LONDON/DUBLIN (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of homes, farms and businesses in Ireland suffered power outages due to Storm Bert on Saturday, while some rail lines and roads were closed in Britain due to what forecasters called a "multi-hazard event".

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At least 18 dead in retaliatory sectarian attacks in Pakistan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - At least 18 people were killed and 30 injured in further sectarian violence in northwestern Pakistan, officials said on Saturday, as tensions remained high following attacks on transport convoys that killed dozens of civilians this week.

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Modi's BJP, allies to win election rebound in India's richest state, Maharashtra

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and its allies were set to return to power in the nation's richest state, television channels reported on Saturday, a boost for the Hindu-nationalist leader after a disappointing general election.

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NATO boss Rutte held talks with Trump in Florida, alliance says

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, a spokesperson for the transatlantic military alliance said on Saturday.

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Turkey replaces pro-Kurdish mayors with state officials in two eastern cities

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey stripped two elected pro-Kurdish mayors of their posts in eastern cities on Friday, for convictions on terrorism-related offences, the interior ministry said, temporarily appointing state officials in their places instead.

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Cyprus says Moody's A3 upgrade vote of confidence in economy

NICOSIA (Reuters) - A two-notch upgrade of Cyprus' debt by Moody's is a vote of confidence in the island's economy, the country's president said on Saturday.

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Indonesia agrees to transfer remaining Bali Nine to Australia

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia has agreed to return to Australia the five remaining members of the so-called Bali Nine drug smuggling ring who are currently serving life sentences in the Southeast Asian country, an Indonesia minister said on Saturday.

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Australian police arrest three at climate protest at coal port

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian police said they arrested three climate change activists on Saturday when protesters tried to disrupt the movement of vessels at the country's biggest coal port.

World

COP29 clinches $300 billion climate finance deal

BAKU (Reuters) -Countries agreed on Sunday to an annual finance target of $300 billion to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments, according to a hard fought deal clinched at the COP29 conference in Baku.

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Philippines boosts security after VP's assassination threat against president

MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine security agencies stepped up safety protocols on Saturday after Vice President Sara Duterte said she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed.

World

Russia's claim of emissions in annexed Ukraine regions draws protests at COP29

BAKU, Azerbaijan (Reuters) - Russia has included the territories it occupies in Ukraine in its recent greenhouse gas inventory report to the United Nations, drawing protests from Ukrainian officials and activists at the COP29 climate summit this week.

World

World leaders split as ICC issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Paris (AFP) - Israel and its allies denounced the International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even as Turkey -- and rights groups - welcomed the move.