(Al Jazeera Media Network) A months-long standoff between South African authorities and illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine in the town of Stilfontein ended this week with at least 78 people killed – likely from starvation, rights groups say.
On Thursday, South African police confirmed it ended a rescue operation launched on Monday following a court order. Authorities said there were no more survivors or bodies in the deep, multilevel mine, according to cameras...
(BBC News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized Zyn nicotine pouches to be sold as a tool to quit smoking cigarettes.
Thursday's decision allows 10 Zyn flavours, including mint, coffee, cinnamon and menthol, to remain on the market.
The pouches, which are made by tobacco giant Phillip Morris, have been on the market for US adults for more than a decade as the FDA reviewed whether to formally allow them.
Nicotine pouches do not...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) Russia appeared to ready itself for talks on the future of Ukraine with United States President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his swearing-in on Monday.
“No special conditions are needed for this. What is required is the mutual intent and political will to have a dialogue,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday.
But Russia expressed its parameters very quickly.
Putin aide Nikolai Patrushev told Russian news outlet KP that a Ukraine settlement...
(BBC News) This outline of the six-week ceasefire and hostage release has been widely leaked – and it involves several phases.
Phase one is an initial six-week ceasefire. During that period, Hamas will release 33 of the hostages that it seized in the October 7 attack. It is not clear how many of those 33 are still alive.
In return for each hostage released, Israel will release dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel will pull its soldiers out...
(BBC News) South Korea's Constitutional Court has held its first hearing to decide if suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol should be removed from office after his shock martial law attempt last month.
The hearing ended within four minutes because of Yoon's absence – his lawyers had earlier said he would not attend for his own safety, as there is a warrant out for his arrest on separate charges of insurrection.
In December, Yoon was suspended after...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) Russia has accused the United States of seeking to sabotage TurkStream, the last pipeline carrying Russian gas exports into Europe.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged at a news conference on Tuesday that Washington is encouraging “terrorist” attacks on his country’s energy infrastructure, and claimed there are plans to target TurkStream.
“The US does not tolerate competition in any sphere, including energy. They are recklessly endorsing terrorist activities aimed at undermining the...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) When the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021, then-Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan famously said the Afghan group had “broken the shackles of slavery” as they returned to power for the first time since 2001.
Taliban’s ascension was seen as a boost to the regional influence of Pakistan, long regarded as the patron of the Afghan group in pursuit of “strategic depth” for Islamabad.
This doctrine reflected Pakistan’s military interest in...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) Officials are warning that more strong winds in the forecast for southern California could fuel devastating wildfires still burning in and around Los Angeles.
Authorities say progress is being made to contain the major Palisades and Eaton fires, but LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone tells residents to be ready to heed any possible evacuation orders.
The blazes have killed at least 24 people in what California Governor Gavin Newsom says could be the most devastating...
(Al Jazeera Media Network) The Sudanese military and allied armed groups have entered Wad Madani and were pushing out the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary from the strategic city in Gezira state, according to the army.
In a statement on Saturday, the armed forces “congratulated” the Sudanese people on “our forces entering the city of Wad Madani this morning” after more than a year of RSF control.
“They are now working to clean up the...
(BBC News) Firefighters are making an all-out assault to prevent the largest of the deadly wildfires that is threatening Los Angeles from spreading into one of the city's most exclusive neighbourhoods.
Aerial crews have been bombarding the flaming hills with water and fire retardant to hold back the Palisades fire, which has expanded an additional 1,000 acres and is now menacing Brentwood.
Officials have been on the defensive amid mounting anger at how hydrants ran dry as...
