Posts by Riah Stelmack
Germany investigates suspected espionage after breach at naval base
Investigators in Germany’s northern state of Schleswig-Holstein are looking into a potential case of espionage after a Chinese national breached a naval base earlier this month. The incident occurred on December 9, a spokeswoman for the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) said in Kiel on Wednesday. The man is said to have gained access to…
Read MorePoland issues European arrest warrant for former deputy minister
Poland has issued a European arrest warrant for a deputy minister in the last Law and Justice (PiS) government, a spokesman for Warsaw prosecutors said on Wednesday. The subject of the warrant, former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski, was thought to be in another European Union country, the spokesman said. Romanowski is being investigated in…
Read MoreIsraelis hit Beit Lahia in Gaza Strip again, health ministry says
At least 10 people have died in attacks mounted by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Residential blocks and the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia in the north had come under fire, the health authority said. Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya told the Palestinian news agency…
Read MoreEmbattled Liberian speaker questioned by police over parliament fire
The embattled speaker of Liberia’s House of Representatives has been questioned by the police after a huge fire at the West African nation’s legislature. Residents of the capital Monrovia woke up on Wednesday morning to see thick black smoke and flames rising from the Capitol building. The flames destroyed the entire joint chambers of the…
Read MoreGhana’s Supreme Court dismisses challenges to anti-LGBT bill
Ghana’s Supreme Court has unanimously decided to dismiss two legal challenges to new anti-LGBT legislation that has been criticised by rights groups. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a bill imposing three years in prison for people identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT groups. Fear and uncertainty has gripped Ghana’s LGBT…
Read MoreChina building world’s largest artificial-island airport in Dalian
China is constructing what is claimed to be the world’s largest artificial-island airport to bolster Dalian, a north-eastern city and transport hub. As per the Liaoning provincial government’s website, Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport will span an island covering 20km², reported South China Morning Post (SCMP). This size surpasses both Hong Kong International Airport, which covers…
Read MoreTens of thousands without water in Mayotte as curfew brought in
Tens of thousands of people are still without access to water in Mayotte after the French Indian Ocean territory was devastated by Cyclone Chido, as rescuers race to find missing people. Preliminary figures from France’s interior ministry report 22 people have died, but Mayotte’s prefect has warned the toll could rise to thousands. Health workers…
Read MoreMayotte families express helplessness after Cyclone Chido rips through French island territory
MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte (AP) — Relatives of families struggling after Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness Wednesday, a day before France’s president and another 180 tons of aid were expected to arrive. Some survivors and aid groups have described hasty burials, the stench of bodies and the devastation of precarious…
Read MoreAfter long delay, French nuclear plant coming on stream
France’s flagship nuclear reactor at Flamanville in Normandy will finally enter service on Friday after a dozen years of delay, operator EDF said Wednesday. The energy operator said the coupling to the network of the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor “is planned for December 20, 2024,” but added that operation “will be marked by different power…
Read MoreInjured Caver Who Was Trapped Underground for Over 3 Days Is Freed: ‘She’s Exhausted’
A caver who was trapped underground for over three days has been freed. According to U.K. newspaper The Times, Ottavia Piana was rescued from a cave in Northern Italy at 3 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Dec. 18, after being trapped since Saturday, Dec. 14. The outlet reports that the 32-year-old had been exploring the…
Read MoreGermany’s Scholz to represent France’s Macron at EU summit
President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday and will be represented by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Élysée Palace announced on Wednesday. Macron is to travel to the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte to inspect damage caused by Cyclone Chido over the past weekend. Hundreds of people…
Read MoreNigerian man promised pardon after 10 years on death row for stealing hens
A Nigerian man who has spent 10 years on death row for stealing some hens and eggs has been promised a pardon by the governor of the south-western Osun state. Segun Olowookere was 17 years old in 2010 when he was arrested along with his accomplice, Morakinyo Sunday. They were said to have attacked the…
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