Death toll from boat capsize in Philippines reaches 26

Manila (IANS) The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said the death toll due to the capsize of an overcrowded passenger boat on Laguna de Bay off Rizal province has increased to 26.

The PCG said the boat, which has a maximum capacity of…

Niger soldiers declare coup, hold President hostage

Niamey (IANS) Soldiers in Niger announced a coup on national TV, adding that President Mohamed Bazoum was being held hostage with his wife at his residence in the capital Niamey after negotiations with the head of the presidential guard stalled.

US Fed raises interest rates for the 11th time in 16 months

Washington (IANS) The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point Wednesday, making it the 11th in the last 16 months in its continuing efforts to tame inflation.

The new hike, which was announced after a two-day…

11 missing after tugboat capsizes in Philippines

Manila (IANS) The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said that at least 11 people were missing after a tugboat capsized off Cagayan province.

According to the PCG, the tugboat with seven crew onboard went missing on Wednesday while typhoon…

UN transfers oil from decaying tanker to avert environmental disaster

Aden (IANS) A UN emergency team has started transferring crude oil from the decaying super oil tanker FSO Safer moored off Yemen's western coast as part of an urgent mission to avert a potential environmental catastrophe.

Safer, originally…

Japanese population falls in all 47 prefectures for 1st time

Tokyo (IANS) The population of Japanese nationals totaled 122,423,038 across the country in 2022, down by 801,000, marking the biggest drop and the first time all 47 of the country's prefectures have seen a decline, government data showed Wednesday.

Death toll from Algeria wildfires rises to 34

Algiers (IANS) The death toll from the raging wildfires in Algeria has increased to 34, including 10 soldiers, the Interior Ministry said in an update.

The Ministry said some 8,000 people were battling the blazes across 11 provinces, supported…

Intense heat grips Japan

Tokyo (IANS) The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) on Tuesday that intense extreme heat is expected to spread across wide areas from western to northern regions of the country.

The JMA said a high-pressure system from the Pacific is covering…

Norway to shut down SL mission, shift operations to New Delhi

Colombo (IANS) Norwegian government has announced that it will shut down its embassy in Sri Lanka on July 31, and from August 1, its New Delhi-based diplomatic mission would be responsible for the country’s bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and…

11 dead in arson attack in Mexico, accused arrested

Mexico City (IANS) At least 11 people were killed and six others injured after a man who was removed from a bar for disrespecting women, returned and threw a lit object in San Luis Rio Colorado city in Mexico's Sonora state, said local authorities.