Hong Kong mourns - Indonesian Migrant Workers Union holds prayer for victims of deadly apartment blaze

Hong Kong mourns - Indonesian Migrant Workers Union holds prayer for victims of deadly apartment blaze

"Hundreds of members of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union gathered on Sunday to mourn at least seven compatriots killed in the blaze, which destroyed Wang Fuk Court residential complex on Wednesday. Footage shows migrant workers holding prayers and bringing flowers and toys to the makeshift memorial, commemorating the victims. Spokesperson for the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union urged authorities to support survivors who lost their documents in the blaze. "They need a waiver of fees for any replacement of their data," she said. "They are not only working in Hong Kong, but they really sacrificed their lives." "I feel very sad […] many Indonesian friends are lost, their families are lost, and many have not been found," said another mourner. Union leaders called on the Hong Kong government to allow survivors to remain in the city to regain employment. "They are the backbone of their families," said Sahlan, a representative of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union. The death toll from Hong Kong's deadly high-rise fire has risen to 146, with at least 79 injured, including 12 firefighters, after police completed searches of four of the seven affected buildings. Authorities say a full search of the remaining blocks could take three to four weeks. The blaze, the city's deadliest since 1946, tore through the Wang Fuk Court complex on Wednesday. Eleven suspects have been detained on manslaughter and related charges as investigations into the cause and response continue."

Hong Kong mourns - Indonesian Migrant Workers Union holds prayer for victims of deadly apartment blaze

Hong Kong mourns - Indonesian Migrant Workers Union holds prayer for victims of deadly apartment blaze

"Hundreds of members of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union gathered on Sunday to mourn at least seven compatriots killed in the blaze, which destroyed Wang Fuk Court residential complex on Wednesday. Footage shows migrant workers holding prayers and bringing flowers and toys to the makeshift memorial, commemorating the victims. Spokesperson for the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union urged authorities to support survivors who lost their documents in the blaze. "They need a waiver of fees for any replacement of their data," she said. "They are not only working in Hong Kong, but they really sacrificed their lives." "I feel very sad […] many Indonesian friends are lost, their families are lost, and many have not been found," said another mourner. Union leaders called on the Hong Kong government to allow survivors to remain in the city to regain employment. "They are the backbone of their families," said Sahlan, a representative of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union. The death toll from Hong Kong's deadly high-rise fire has risen to 146, with at least 79 injured, including 12 firefighters, after police completed searches of four of the seven affected buildings. Authorities say a full search of the remaining blocks could take three to four weeks. The blaze, the city's deadliest since 1946, tore through the Wang Fuk Court complex on Wednesday. Eleven suspects have been detained on manslaughter and related charges as investigations into the cause and response continue."

'US actions in Caribbean violate all laws!' - Venezuela urges investigation into alleged 'extrajudicial executions,' blasts ICC for 'silence'

'US actions in Caribbean violate all laws!' - Venezuela urges investigation into alleged 'extrajudicial executions,' blasts ICC for 'silence'

"Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced plans to convene an extraordinary session on Monday to push for a commission investigating what he called 'extrajudicial executions' linked to US military operations in the Caribbean. "We will call an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, for the purpose of proposing the formation of a commission of deputies, a special commission to investigate the serious events that led to the killing of Venezuelans in the waters of the Caribbean Sea," Rodriguez said on Sunday during a press conference in Caracas. "What is happening since September 2 in the Caribbean Sea is clearly illegal, is clearly illegitimate and violates international humanitarian law," he added. Rodriguez also said he met with relatives of the attacks' victims, who have reportedly faced intimidation to keep the events under wraps. "We have safeguarded the identities of these relatives, since they have been receiving threats from sectors and individuals who have a strong interest in preventing them from telling the truth," he added. Rodriguez also slammed the International Criminal Court and other global bodies for their inaction in investigating the deaths of crew members from vessels attacked in Caribbean waters. "The International Criminal Court is ostensibly meant to uphold justice, yet in practice it often targets independent nations that defy the agendas of powerful states. When grave violations occur - trampling international law, including rights to free navigation, commerce, and economic freedom - the Court remains conspicuously silent. In the case of the fishermen, well, the International Criminal Court is nowhere to be seen," he said. Tensions between the two nations escalated when Washington significantly bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean in September, in what it says is an effort to curb drug trafficking towards US shores.   Since September till the middle of November, the US has targeted at least 22 vessels, with 11 strikes reported in the Caribbean Sea and 11 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The strikes resulted in at least 83 fatalities. Critics, including UN officials and human rights organisations, warn that any military action could constitute an unlawful use of force under international law.   Caracas repeatedly denied the allegations and urged Washington to halt its military actions in the Caribbean. On Saturday, Donald Trump urged international airlines via social media to 'consider that the airspace "over Venezuela and its surroundings will remain completely closed," a move that drew sharp criticism from Maduro's government. "

'US actions in Caribbean violate all laws!' - Venezuela urges investigation into alleged 'extrajudicial executions,' blasts ICC for 'silence'

'US actions in Caribbean violate all laws!' - Venezuela urges investigation into alleged 'extrajudicial executions,' blasts ICC for 'silence'

"Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced plans to convene an extraordinary session on Monday to push for a commission investigating what he called 'extrajudicial executions' linked to US military operations in the Caribbean. "We will call an extraordinary session of the National Assembly, for the purpose of proposing the formation of a commission of deputies, a special commission to investigate the serious events that led to the killing of Venezuelans in the waters of the Caribbean Sea," Rodriguez said on Sunday during a press conference in Caracas. "What is happening since September 2 in the Caribbean Sea is clearly illegal, is clearly illegitimate and violates international humanitarian law," he added. Rodriguez also said he met with relatives of the attacks' victims, who have reportedly faced intimidation to keep the events under wraps. "We have safeguarded the identities of these relatives, since they have been receiving threats from sectors and individuals who have a strong interest in preventing them from telling the truth," he added. Rodriguez also slammed the International Criminal Court and other global bodies for their inaction in investigating the deaths of crew members from vessels attacked in Caribbean waters. "The International Criminal Court is ostensibly meant to uphold justice, yet in practice it often targets independent nations that defy the agendas of powerful states. When grave violations occur - trampling international law, including rights to free navigation, commerce, and economic freedom - the Court remains conspicuously silent. In the case of the fishermen, well, the International Criminal Court is nowhere to be seen," he said. Tensions between the two nations escalated when Washington significantly bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean in September, in what it says is an effort to curb drug trafficking towards US shores.   Since September till the middle of November, the US has targeted at least 22 vessels, with 11 strikes reported in the Caribbean Sea and 11 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The strikes resulted in at least 83 fatalities. Critics, including UN officials and human rights organisations, warn that any military action could constitute an unlawful use of force under international law.   Caracas repeatedly denied the allegations and urged Washington to halt its military actions in the Caribbean. On Saturday, Donald Trump urged international airlines via social media to 'consider that the airspace "over Venezuela and its surroundings will remain completely closed," a move that drew sharp criticism from Maduro's government. "

'He intends to seize country's vast oil reserves!' - VP Rodriguez urges OPEC to stop US 'campaign of harassment' against Venezuela

'He intends to seize country's vast oil reserves!' - VP Rodriguez urges OPEC to stop US 'campaign of harassment' against Venezuela

"Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez accused the United States of plotting to seize the country's massive oil reserves, warning that Washington may resort to force. Speaking at OPEC's second ministerial conference on Sunday, Rodriguez also claimed that President Donald Trump is deliberately escalating tensions with Caracas. "The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has been carrying out a campaign of harassment and threats against Venezuela that clearly endangers peace, security and regional stability," Rodriguez said while reading a statement signed by President Nicolas Maduro. The Venezuelan Minister of Petroleum added that this so-called 'harassment' campaign is evident in the US military presence in the Caribbean and over 20 reported bombings of small vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Rodriguez also reiterated Maduro's appeal to OPEC to intervene against what he described as escalating threats from the US - the actions that, he warned, could undermine both economic stability and the balance of the global oil market for producers and consumers alike. Tensions further spiked on Saturday after Donald Trump urged international airlines via social media to 'consider that the airspace "over Venezuela and its surroundings will remain completely closed," a move that drew sharp criticism from Maduro's government. Washington has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean since September, in what it says is an effort to curb drug trafficking towards US shores.  Critics, including UN officials and human rights organisations, warn that any military action could constitute an unlawful use of force under international law.  Caracas repeatedly denied the allegations and urged Washington to halt its military actions in the Caribbean."

'He intends to seize country's vast oil reserves!' - VP Rodriguez urges OPEC to stop US 'campaign of harassment' against Venezuela

'He intends to seize country's vast oil reserves!' - VP Rodriguez urges OPEC to stop US 'campaign of harassment' against Venezuela

"Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez accused the United States of plotting to seize the country's massive oil reserves, warning that Washington may resort to force. Speaking at OPEC's second ministerial conference on Sunday, Rodriguez also claimed that President Donald Trump is deliberately escalating tensions with Caracas. "The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has been carrying out a campaign of harassment and threats against Venezuela that clearly endangers peace, security and regional stability," Rodriguez said while reading a statement signed by President Nicolas Maduro. The Venezuelan Minister of Petroleum added that this so-called 'harassment' campaign is evident in the US military presence in the Caribbean and over 20 reported bombings of small vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Rodriguez also reiterated Maduro's appeal to OPEC to intervene against what he described as escalating threats from the US - the actions that, he warned, could undermine both economic stability and the balance of the global oil market for producers and consumers alike. Tensions further spiked on Saturday after Donald Trump urged international airlines via social media to 'consider that the airspace "over Venezuela and its surroundings will remain completely closed," a move that drew sharp criticism from Maduro's government. Washington has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean since September, in what it says is an effort to curb drug trafficking towards US shores.  Critics, including UN officials and human rights organisations, warn that any military action could constitute an unlawful use of force under international law.  Caracas repeatedly denied the allegations and urged Washington to halt its military actions in the Caribbean."