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熊本地震 災害関連死の疑い含め38人死亡 避難所に6630人避難

熊本県内では今回の地震で、7日午後6時の時点で災害関連死の疑いがある人などを含めて38人が死亡し、避難所には6630人が避難しています。

The world that made Confucius – and the China he made

“Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.” This famous 11th thesis from Karl Marx’s Theses on Feuerbach is engraved on his tombstone in Highgate Cemetery in London. It was meant to be a refutation of another famous saying, by G.W.F. Hegel: “The owl of Minerva takes flight only when darkness falls.” This poetic but enigmatic remark is from ...

Iran’s grip on trade is a potent weapon, but it has an expiry date

Iran can exploit dependence on Hormuz today, but prolonged disruption will erode that leverage

Ukraine's Zelenskyy to make first visit to Russia-friendly Serbia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit Serbia on Saturday for the first time

Pope Leo to meet with clergy abuse survivors during upcoming trip to France

Pope Leo XIV plans to meet with survivors of clergy abuse during a four-day trip to France next month

Argentina and Mexico join Africa in backing FIFA’s Infantino: What to know

How does FIFA presidency stand? Norway wants resignation, but Argentina and Mexico join Africa in Gianni Infantino camp.

MacKenzie Scott gave Native Forward $50 mn; organisation reveals how it will spend it

Native Forward Scholars Fund has revealed how it will use the entire $50 million unrestricted donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. The organisation will spend $10 million over the next five years to expand scholarships for Native students, while placing the remaining $40 million into a permanent endowment to provide long-term support. The gift, the largest in the organisation's 57-year hi...

New Jersey police officer disguised as a roadside tree catch 74 distracted drivers

A New Jersey police department used an officer in a ghillie suit resembling a tree. This unusual tactic aimed to raise awareness about distracted driving dangers. Later, plainclothes officers conducted an operation and cited seventy-four drivers. These citations were for using mobile phones while operating vehicles. The campaign sought to reduce preventable crashes caused by inattentive drivers.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign defense pact

Progressive Democrats are hoping to build momentum after left-wing candidate Abdul El-Sayed narrowly defeated an establishment-backed rival in Michigan’s US Senate primary. The race was seen as a test of the party’s future direction, with El-Sayed campaigning on universal healthcare, campaign finance reform and an end to unconditional US military aid to Israel. France 24 International Affairs edit...

At least 7 dead in student gunman shooting in Thailand, officials say

Five school staff members, including teachers and administrators, died in the shooting around 10 a.m. at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi province northwest of Bangkok.

Spain to introduce retaliatory border checks on travellers from Italy

Rome had earlier said it "does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control."

Italy says it has no plans to review border controls with Spain until 15 August

"Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control," the Italian government said in a statement on Friday.

Spain gives Italy two days to lift border checks on Spanish travellers after Ceuta migrant rush

The government believes Italy's checks on travellers from Spain breach the spirit of Schengen and has given Rome until Sunday to lift them before taking "proportionate measures."

Scientists create first AI-designed viruses to fight drug-resistant superbugs

Researchers in the United States have used artificial intelligence to create viruses, opening pathways for new drug development and raising biosecurity fears.

First Thing: Soaring oil profits from US-Iran conflict drive calls for windfall tax

Environmentalists and activists furious as Trump’s policies raise costs for US families. Plus, the undiscovered masterpiece that was left lying in museum storageGood morning. Donald Trump’s statement that oil companies have made “too much money” from the Iran war has angered environmentalists, who say his policies were designed to benefit those very corporations.American families have paid more th...

Archaeologists uncover ancient Roman structure near the Colosseum

In a remarkable discovery, archaeologists have unearthed a second-century building adjacent to the iconic Colosseum in Rome. This newly found structure boasts intricate mosaics and elaborately painted ceilings, hinting at its significant role in ancient society. While it bears resemblance to known firefighters' barracks from that era, some experts speculate it could also have been a luxurious Roma...

New Zealand’s rare woollyhead rises again with 250 new seedlings

William Orbit, pop producer for Madonna, All Saints and more, dies aged 69

Musician’s projects included Madonna’s Ray of Light, Blur’s 13 and All Saints’ chart-topping singles Pure Shores and Black CoffeeWilliam Orbit, the British music producer whose dreamy yet propulsive style invigorated work by Madonna, Blur, All Saints, U2 and more, has died aged 69.A statement on his social media, attributed to family and friends, said he died at home on 23 July. “He will be greatl...

Murkowski won’t vote for Trump’s nomination of Blanche as attorney general

Alaska Republican is concerned that proposed fund to compensate January 6 rioters will proceed even though Blanche confirmed it was deadUS politics live – latest updatesLisa Murkowski, Alaska’s moderate Republican senator, announced early on Friday that she will not vote for Donald Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche as US attorney general, leaving his elevation from “acting” to official confirmati...

US cities expand cooling centers but struggle to get people inside

More air-conditioned spaces are open during extreme heat, but distance, stigma and risk perception keep many awayResponding to an uptick in extreme heat waves this summer, US cities have increased their efforts to establish cooling centers to keep people safe but continue to encounter a problem: actually getting people to enter the public air-conditioned spaces.Lower-income people, who often do no...

Where do China-Israel ties stand after closure of consulate in Chengdu?

In a sign of fraying ties amid the Middle East conflict, Israel’s consulate general in Chengdu has closed with its consul general leaving his post, two years after a controversy stoked backlash among Chinese netizens. Nevertheless, an analyst has downplayed the impact of the news, saying bilateral relations in recent years had already been strained. In a letter published on Wednesday, Gadi Harpaz ...

Weather tracker: central and western Europe brace for more sweltering heat

High 30s celsius forecast for France, Spain and Italy next week, before affecting Germany, Poland and CzechiaAnother pulse of heat is expected to affect central and western Europe next week. The latest forecast models show daily maximum temperatures well into the high 30s celsius widely across France, Spain and Italy during the first half of the week, while Germany, Poland and Czechia will experie...

Bus driver kicked explosive drone out of the air at German airport

A bus driver knocked an explosive-laden drone out of the air, potentially preventing an attack this week at a German airport that serves as a major Nato and cargo logistics hub, a senior lawmaker said ‌on Friday. The man spotted the drone flying low while he was working at Leipzig/Halle airport late on Tuesday, then kicked out at it in what Detlef Seif described as a courageous but dangerous act. ...

Divers find 162-year-old Guinness bottle off UK coast, scientists hope to recreate historic beer

Anger in Malaysia as Liow’s money-laundering charges dropped after US$2.4 million fine

The revelation that an alleged Malaysian scam kingpin was released after paying 10 million ringgit (US$2.4 million) fine has sparked public outrage over claims of preferential treatment for a man at the centre of a controversial photo-op with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Liow Soon Hee – better known as Nicky Liow – was cleared of all 26 money-laundering charges involving more than 36 million ring...