Air tankers fight Los Angeles fires from frantic skies
Calabasas (United States) (AFP) – In the skies above Los Angeles, air tankers and helicopters silhouetted by the setting California sun dart in and out of giant wildfire plumes, dropping much-needed flame retardant and precious water onto the angry fires below.
Right
Washington (AFP) – Months of dry weather and recent strong winds created optimal conditions for the deadly wildfires engulfing Los Angeles, but narratives on social media falsely single out “liberal” policies — including those to increase diversity in the city’s fire force — as the culprit.
Osaka to play Australian Open after 'devastating' injury pullout
Melbourne (AFP) – Naomi Osaka declared Friday that she would “for sure” play her first-round match at the Australian Open after suffering an abdominal injury last week.
UN humanitarian chief urges massive aid boost for Syria: AFP interview
Damascus (AFP) – Visiting UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Wednesday for a massive aid boost for Syria to respond to “this moment of hope” after the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad.
Barca beat Man City to top Women's Champions League group, Arsenal stun Bayern
Barcelona (AFP) – Holders Barcelona overcame Manchester City 3-0 in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday to pip their opponents to top spot in their group.
More stories
Cute carnivores: Bloodthirsty California squirrels go nuts for vole meat
Washington (AFP) – Squirrels might look like adorable, nut-hoarding furballs, but some are ruthless predators that hunt, tear apart, and devour voles.
More stories
Syria war monitor says 21 pro
Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) – A Syria war monitor said 21 pro-Turkey fighters were killed Wednesday after they attacked a Kurdish-held position near a flashpoint northern town despite a US-brokered ceasefire extension in the area.
More stories
Stone tablet engraved with Ten Commandments sells for $5 million
New York (AFP) – A stone tablet carrying engravings of the Ten Commandments sold for $5 million at auction on Wednesday, Sotheby’s announced.
More stories
UN humanitarian chief urges massive aid boost for Syria: AFP interview
Damascus (AFP) – Visiting UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Wednesday for a massive aid boost for Syria to respond to “this moment of hope” after the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad.
More stories
Perez leaves Red Bull after season of struggles
Paris (AFP) – Red Bull announced Wednesday that under-pressure Mexican driver Sergio Perez has departed the Formula One outfit after four seasons with Liam Lawson tipped to become world champion Max Verstappen’s new teammate.
More stories
13 dead after Indian navy speedboat rams ferry off Mumbai
Mumbai (AFP) – An Indian navy speedboat undergoing tests in the busy seas off the financial capital Mumbai lost control and slammed into a ferry, killing 13 people, the navy and government said Wednesday.
More stories
In Israeli
Trump Heights (AFP) – At the end of a winding road on a dusty hillside in the Israeli-annexed Golan, the yellow gates of Trump Heights slowly open for cars, passing a golden-lettered sign honouring the US president-elect.
More stories
US Supreme Court agrees to hear TikTok ban case
Washington (AFP) – The US Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to hear TikTok’s appeal of a law that would force its Chinese owner to sell the online video-sharing platform or shut it down.
