Jan 18 Watchdog warned of Afghan air force collapse ahead of U.S. pullout By Kathy Gannon, Associated Press A year-old report by Washington's Afghanistan watchdog has now been declassified and shows that it warned back in early 2021 that the Afghan air force would collapse without critical U.S. aid and training. Continue reading
Jan 18 Three dead in volcano eruption aftermath, but Tonga appears to avoid major destruction By Nick Perry, Associated Press Despite sitting almost on top of the volcano that erupted so violently, the Pacific nation of Tonga appears to have avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared. Continue reading
Jan 18 Hong Kong to euthanize thousands of small animals after several test positive for coronavirus at pet store By Zen Soo, Associated Press Hong Kong authorities say they will kill about 2,000 small animals, including hamsters, after several tested positive for the coronavirus at a pet store where an employee was also infected. Continue reading
Jan 17 Watch 1:57 The latest on the state of Tonga after volcanic eruption, tsunami swept islands By Nick Schifrin Australia and New Zealand sent out surveillance flights to Tonga Monday, in the wake of an enormous undersea volcano eruption on Saturday. Communication with the South Pacific island chain remains largely cut off, but there is word of significant damage. Continue watching
Jan 17 Sudanese forces open fire on anti-coup protesters, killing 7 By Samy Magdy, Associated Press The military takeover has scuttled hopes of a peaceful transition to democracy in Sudan, more than two years after a popular uprising forced the removal of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Continue reading
Jan 17 Omicron slamming South American hospitals as workers fall ill By Débora Álvares, Almudena Calatrava, Associated Press The coronavirus' omicron variant is barreling across South America and pressuring hospitals whose employees are getting infected and taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19's third wave. Continue reading
Jan 17 Novak Djokovic returns to Serbia after Australia bars entry, French Open may do the same By Darko Bandic, Dusan Stojanovic, Associated Press A plane carrying Djokovic touched down in his native Serbia on Monday. That closed at least the first chapter in a dizzying drama that has resonance in the world of elite sports, Australian pandemic politics and the polarized debate over… Continue reading
Jan 17 555.55-carat black diamond believed to be from outer space shown off in Dubai By Associated Press Auction house Sotheby's Dubai has unveiled a diamond that's literally from out of this world. Sotheby's calls the 555.55-carat black diamond believed to have come from outer space "The Enigma."… Continue reading
Jan 17 Beijing to limit Olympic tickets to ‘selected’ spectators By Associated Press Organizers of the Beijing Olympics say they will only offer event tickets to "selected" spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Jan 17 Flights sent to assess damage after Tonga volcanic eruption By Nick Perry, Associated Press New Zealand and Australia have sent military surveillance flights to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption caused in Tonga. Continue reading