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At least 19 dead, dozens missing as heavy rains trigger widespread destruction in South Africa

At least 19 dead, dozens missing as heavy rains trigger widespread destruction in South Africa

"At least 19 people lost their lives in South Africa as catastrophic floods swept through several northern provinces, following weeks of relentless heavy rainfall. Footage captured in Mpumalanga on Friday shows rivers in full flow and bridges submerged, with several roads closed. Official reports stated that the powerful floods caused extensive damage, isolating entire villages and destroying hundreds of homes. "It is very tough to access food because we have to travel to the towns, and the roads and bridges are flooding," a local resident said. "That is extremely dangerous to our lives." "What I am afraid of is that if the rain continues, most of us in the community are going to lose our households," he added. The floods also affected Kruger National Park, one of the country’s top tourist destinations. "The infrastructure, specifically the tar roads, has been heavily affected. Bridges, especially low-lying bridges, have been impacted," said Reynold Thakhuli, the park’s General Manager of Communications. He noted that wildlife instinctively moves to higher ground but issued a warning to nearby communities, calling on them to remain cautious. "Because the rivers are running very fast, as you can see behind me, some species, such as crocodiles, might be moving with the river and end up in areas adjacent to or outside the Kruger National Park," Thakhuli explained. South Africa's weather service has issued a Level 10 Red Alert - the highest warning - particularly for the northern and eastern regions. With severe weather expected to persist, authorities have warned of a potential rise in fatalities as search and rescue operations continue for those still missing."

Southeast Asia’s biggest oil find in 20 years marks ‘turning point’ for Vietnam’s energy security - Hanoi expert

Southeast Asia’s biggest oil find in 20 years marks ‘turning point’ for Vietnam’s energy security - Hanoi expert

"Dr Nguyen Minh Phong, former head of the Economic Research Division at the Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies, said the recent confirmation of Southeast Asia’s largest offshore oil discovery in two decades - at the Hai Su Vang field off Vietnam’s coast - marked a “turning point” for the country’s energy security after years of declining crude output. "It will help reverse the continuous downward trend in Vietnam's oil production, which has fallen from 360,000 barrels per day to around 120,000 barrels per day in recent times," said Dr Nguyen. Nguyen noted that the discovery will bolster Vietnam’s crude oil self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on imported materials, and potentially increase export capacity. "Vietnamese oil is generally considered to be of good quality. Therefore, it helps increase government revenue, boost trade turnover, and enhance Vietnam's position in the regional and global oil landscape," he said. Despite the domestic impact, Nguyen emphasised that the discovery will not affect global oil markets, as “Vietnam's potential production is very small, accounting for less than 1 percent of the world's reserves.” Nguyen added that Vietnam is also investing in a diversified energy portfolio, including hydropower, renewable energy, and, eventually, nuclear sources, to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. "The most important thing in this is, firstly, to master energy technology to maintain domestic energy sources and exploit their potential, and secondly, to implement economic measures to ensure a balance of interests and avoid being placed under political pressure from powerful groups," he concluded. The Hai Su Vang field lies offshore southern Vietnam and is operated by US firm Murphy Oil Corporation alongside PetroVietnam. "

'Everyone was panicking' - Flash flood wreaks havoc across Australia's Victorian coast following severe thunderstorms

'Everyone was panicking' - Flash flood wreaks havoc across Australia's Victorian coast following severe thunderstorms

"Flash flood triggered by thumping thunderstorms caused severe damaged along the coast of Australia's Victoria state, prompting authorities to issue an emergency warning in multiple towns and leaving thousands devastated. Footage filmed on Friday shows the aftermath of the inundation, with tree branches scattering across a local campsite while various roads and bridges were restricted. Emergency workers began cleaning the streets and clearing the branches on cranes. "We got back in knee-high water and we're just going through the campsite trying to get whatever we can, rushing out. People screaming, going up the hill, down the side here, just trying to get out of the water," said a camper. "It was still mud up to my ankles, up near my knees, in the tent. It's havoc. Everyone was panicking and crying and screaming," another added. The campers specifically criticised the local authorities for the late warning, with one noting that they only got informed about the calamity 'pretty last minute'. "I think they might, should have been able to do a better job, especially with today's technology and all those things like that," he said. Up to 6,500 homes suffered a power blackout due to the disaster, while around 300 locals and visitors were also forced to evacuate or displaced, according to local media. Towns lying along the Great Ocean Road were issued the emergency warning, while a section of the destination was restricted due to the flood. It comes just days after large bushfires reportedly burned over 410,000 hectares of forest and devastated roughly 900 structures in Victoria."

Xi's the only one I want! - Carney gets his 'canola relief' as China's pres promises 'new chapter' amid Canada-US trade tensions

Xi's the only one I want! - Carney gets his 'canola relief' as China's pres promises 'new chapter' amid Canada-US trade tensions

"Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, with both leaders pledging to tear down trade barriers and deepen ties after nearly a decade of strained relations between the two nations. Carney, becoming the first Canadian prime minister to visit China in eight years, called the partnership 'a new opportunity,' saying it would deepen bilateral ties and help strengthen the multilateral system for the benefit of the world. "Together we can build on the best of what this relationship has been in the past to create a new one, adapted to new global realities that will deliver stability, security, and prosperity to our peoples on both sides of the Pacific," said Carney as he spoke in the Great Hall of the People. Xi told Carney he is 'pleased' by the progress the two sides have made since their last meeting, stating that those talks have 'opened a new chapter' of improvement and positive momentum for China-Canada relations. "The sound and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of our two countries and contributes to global peace, stability, and development. I'm willing to work together with you to promote China-Canada relations onto a path of healthy, stable, and sustainable development," said Xi. During the meeting, China and Canada reached a wide-ranging agreement to lower trade barriers, including a reduction in tariffs for Canadian canola seed and Chinese electric vehicles, as both countries seek to improve ties and diversify trade from the US. Canada will initially allow imports of up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles at a national tariff rate of 6.1 per cent. Relations between Canada and China have faced crises after the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., Meng Wanzhou, was detained in Canada in 2018 at the request of the US. In 2024, Ottawa supported US tariffs against Beijing, also imposing a 100 per cent rate on EVs and 25 per cent on steel and aluminium from China.  The visit comes as Canada moves to offset trade tensions with the US after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on some Canadian goods and suggested the long-time ally could become the country's '51st state' - which Canada has condemned. China has also been hit by US tariffs but saw huge wins following Xi-Trump talks and is also seeking to form broader ties around the world."

'Not one inch to terrorism or extremism' - AfD demands Antifa ban after Berlin blackout as coalition, others block bid

'Not one inch to terrorism or extremism' - AfD demands Antifa ban after Berlin blackout as coalition, others block bid

"Lawmakers clashed in the German Bundestag on Thursday over the Alternative for Germany's (AfD) proposed ban on the ‘Antifa’ movement to tackle 'left-wing terrorism' - following the latest blackout in Berlin. "The Alternative for Germany is very clear on this, without No ifs or buts, not an inch for extremism and terrorism," said AfD's Stephan Brandner. "Since 2011, about a dozen attacks by these... groups, hundreds of thousands of victims since 2011. I personally always wonder whether all of you on the far left and also from the Greens, do you have alibis for the evenings?" he asked. The chair later interjected to condemn the 'insinuations' made against members of the Bundestag. The ban itself failed to pass, with the governing CDU/CSU and SPD, as well as the Alliance 90/The Greens and The Left voting to adopt the Internal Affairs Committee's recommendation to block it. Ferat Kocak from Die Linke accused the AfD of 'exploiting fear' while Grune MP Lamya Kaddor said the proposal was ideologically lopsided. "Ultimately, this motion wants a Germany without left-wing extremism, but while simultaneously opening the door wide to right-wing extremism," Kaddor stated. "The latter, ladies and gentlemen, we will not allow." The debate came after an arson attack on Berlin’s power grid on 3 January, which left thousands of residents without heating. The left-wing Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group) claimed responsibility for the attack on the Lichterfelde cable bridge, causing Berlin’s longest blackout since World War II. "

Female nurses win employment case over NHS changing-room use by trans colleague

Female nurses win employment case over NHS changing-room use by trans colleague

Judge finds Durham trust violated nurses’ dignity and created intimidating environment by allowing use of single-sex space A group of nurses who complained about a trans colleague using single-sex changing rooms at work suffered harassment, an employment tribunal judge has ruled. The judge found the nurses’ dignity was violated and they encountered “a hostile, intimidating, humiliating and degrading environment” at work. Continue reading...