World News Stories
Jacob Zuma election ban: How does it affect South Africa’s election?
South Africa’s election authorities have barred former President Jacob Zuma from standing in the country’s May election, heightening political tensions as the vote approaches in a nation that many analysts believe could see its most competitive electoral contest since the end of apartheid and the...
photo: AP / Shiraaz Mohamed
Supreme Court abortion case brings 19th century chastity law to the forefront
References from conservative justices to a long-dormant chastity law during the Supreme Court’s arguments in a major abortion pill case this week are bringing new attention to the 19th century statute, which prohibits the mailing of drugs used for abortions among other “obscene, lewd, lascivious” or...
photo: AP / Jose Luis Magana
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old is the only survivor
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A bus carrying worshippers on a long-distance trip from Botswana to an Easter weekend church gathering in South Africa plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass Thursday and burst into flames as it hit the rocky ground below, killing at least 45 people, authorities said....
photo: AP / Themba Hadebe
Russian missile attacks damage Ukrainian power facilities
Russian missile and drone attacks hit thermal and hydropower plants in central and western Ukraine, power grid operator Ukrenergo said on Friday, the latest assault on the already damaged power infrastructure. "During the night, the Russians struck again at energy facilities in a massive and...
photo: AP / Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP
Israeli strike kills dozens in Syria, says war monitor
An Israeli air strike on Syria's Aleppo province has killed at least 36 Syrian soldiers this morning, according to a war monitor, which added that Hezbollah weapons' depots were located in the area. The Israeli attack targeted an area "near rockets’ depots belonging to Lebanese group Hezbollah,"...
photo: AP / SANA via AP
Japan to resume funding to UNRWA, following Sweden, Finland and Canada
Japan is planning to resume funding to the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees after suspending assistance over Israeli claims that some of its staff participated in Hamas’s October 7 attacks. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini in Tokyo on...
photo: AP / Mohammed Zaatari
‘Soul of the king’: Can India’s coming election be rigged?
New Delhi, India – As he launched the main Indian opposition alliance’s election campaign in the middle of March, Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at two targets: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as the “king”, and the electronic voting machines (EVMs) that the country uses...
photo: AP / Rajanish Kakade
Russia blocks renewal of UN panel monitoring N Korea sanction compliance
Russia has vetoed the United Nations’ renewal of a panel of UN experts monitoring North Korea’s compliance with international sanctions. The Russian move follows accusations from the United States, South Korea and others that Pyongyang is supplying Moscow with weapons to use in its war in...
photo: UN / Loey Felipe
Saudi Arabia to chair UN forum on women’s rights and gender equality
A decision by the United Nations to appoint Saudi Arabia as the chair of a gender equality forum has been criticized by women’s rights advocates. The UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia to chair its 69th session in 2025, according to the Saudi Arabia...
photo: AP / Amr Nabil
Amid legal woes, Brazil’s Bolsonaro seeks passport return for Israel trip
Brazil’s embattled former President Jair Bolsonaro has requested the return of his passport in order to visit Israel, fuelling speculation that he could be seeking respite abroad from his domestic legal troubles. Defence lawyer and Bolsonaro spokesperson Fabio Wajngarten addressed his request in a...
photo: AP / Gustavo Morteno

photo photo