Author: Justin M. Larson

At least 160 people were killed in the blaze at the Wang Fung Court complex, Tai Po district, which was undergoing renovations.Mr. Türk expressed solidarity with the victims and called for civic space to be ensured. Answers and accountability“At a tragic time like this, the space for discussion and debate on issues of major public interest and concern is more important than ever,” he said.“The people of Hong Kong understandably want answers and accountability, so that the hundreds of victims are properly compensated and to avoid such a tragedy occurring again.”. Mr. Türk noted that the authorities appointed an independent review committee and initiated criminal and anti-corruption investigations into the fire – but have so far…

Aksonethip Somvorachit spoke to UN News about the challenges she has faced as a staff focal point for PSEA.“Early in my UN career, I took on the responsibility of serving as the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) focal point. I acted as the confidential contact for anyone raising a concern—providing a safe space to be heard and helping them access assistance, even when immediate action might feel distant.At first, I was proud to take on the role. I believed I could make a difference. But soon, the reality struck me. A young female colleague approached me: ‘I don’t want…

Officials initially weighed sending survivors of U.S. attacks on boats suspected of drug smuggling to a notorious prison in El Salvador, to keep them away from American courts. Source link

People walk along the Huguosi street, Xicheng district, a dedicated food street in Beijing on August 23, 2024. Adek Berry | AFP | Getty ImagesChina’s consumer inflation accelerated in November to the highest level in nearly two years while producer price deflation worsened, underscoring the challenge policymakers face in reviving domestic demand amid persistent trade tensions.Consumer prices edged up 0.7% from a year earlier, its highest level since February last year, National Bureau of Statistics data showed Wednesday. The increase followed a 0.2% rise in October and matched the 0.7% gain expected in a Reuters poll of economists. Factory-gate prices fell…

Kirsten Hillman, who came to Washington during the first Trump administration, had already extended her tenure once. Source link

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appears at an event with tech CEOs and senior officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the East Room of the White House in Washington on June 22, 2023.Chris Kleponis | CNP | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMicrosoft on Tuesday announced it would invest $17.5 billion in India’s cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, making it the U.S. tech giant’s largest investment in Asia. The company said that the investments, aimed at expanding hyperscale infrastructure, embedding AI into national platforms, and advancing workforce readiness, will be spread over 4 years, building on its $3 billion pledge made in…

Do you suffer from ringing in your ears? For millions of people in the UK who do, researchers say they may have found a solution.Experts are hopeful that a new sound therapy for tinnitus could one day be available as a smartphone app. The therapy involves patients listening to modified sounds in an effort to disrupt patterns of activity in their brains and quieten the ringing.The trial, led by Newcastle University and part-funded by RNID, the national charity for deaf people, included 77 patients with tinnitus, which can be caused by hearing loss, certain medications or depression and anxiety.Tinnitis leaves…

The two countries, which criminalize homosexuality and impose severe punishments for it, were picked to play on a day celebrating L.G.B.T.Q. communities. Source link

Even for a region used to heavy rain, this week’s system has forecasters on edge. The heaviest rain is expected into Wednesday. Source link

María Corina Machado is being honored for her push for democracy even as she backs President Trump’s military buildup and aggressive campaign against Venezuela. Source link

The government says it will fast-track immigration for U.S. H1-B visa holders and spend more than $1 billion to attract researchers from the United States and the rest of the world. Source link

The measure is one of the most sweeping efforts in the world to safeguard children from the harms of the platforms. Source link

The trouble with the scientific evidence behind the social media ban in Australia is that there is not more of it.This feels wrong on every level. We have all heard the stories – there are so many, you can hardly avoid them. And everyone who’s ever used social media knows it can be frustrating, to put it mildly. Sure, it has its benefits. But it often feels empty, addictive or actively undermining. And that’s even before you get to its more dangerous side, in particular for children – sexual predators, say, or disturbing and inappropriate content. Image: File pic: iStock…

Israel’s top court gave the government further reprieve on a long-stalled petition seeking free access to Gaza. Critics say barring journalists denies the world a full picture of conditions there. Source link

Only 16 at the time, she saw armed men attacking her village and killing people – her grandfather and uncle among them. Girls were raped or taken.“Nahed managed to escape but said it was terrifying,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell who described Nahed’s story on Tuesday. “The chilling memories remain.”Sudan is in the midst of the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis, since the conflict erupted 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which now controls North Darfur’s devastated capital, El Fasher, after more than 500 days of siege.Ms. Russell called for urgent action to safeguard children…

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Recently, you may have received alarming emails like the one below from “sharfharef” titled “Wallet Verification Required” that uses the MetaMask logo and branding.These messages warn you to verify your wallet by following a link, but scammers use emails like this to steal your crypto information.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.FBI WARNS EMAIL USERS AS HOLIDAY SCAMS SURGE…

The United States’ history in the region includes several about-faces, contradictions and missteps. Source link

ReutersFrench Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu faces a crucial test on Tuesday as the country’s divided parliament prepares to vote on a 2026 budget bill.If Lecornu fails to win a majority in the National Assembly for his social security budget, it bodes ill for the main budget bill which follows and which needs to be voted through by the end of the year.It could also pose awkward questions over his authority to lead the government, though for the moment there is little expectation he will resign.Appointed in September by President Emmanuel Macron, Lecornu has devoted himself exclusively to the uphill task…

Born into an aristocratic British family, he turned his knowledge of the world’s largest land mammals to the cause of saving them from poachers. Source link

The Lithuanian government has declared a “nationwide emergency situation” in response to a series of incursions from neighbouring Belarus by weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes.Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene condemned the balloon incursions as a “hybrid attack” by Belarus that posed a real risk to national security and civil aviation.This year alone, officials say about 600 balloons linked to smuggling and almost 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace, leading to the repeated closure of Vilnius airport.Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko denies being behind the incursions, alleging the issue has been “politicised” by Lithuania, which is a member of both the EU and…

REUTERS/Leonel EstradaThe atmosphere has been tense as the lead changed hands several times The centrist candidate in Honduras’s knife-edge presidential election, Salvador Nasralla, has accused “corrupt people” of manipulating the vote count in the Central American nation. Nine days after the election, the electoral council has still not declared a winner but the latest results suggest that Nasry “Tito” Asfura, the conservative candidate backed by US President Donald Trump, has a narrow lead. Nasralla, who had been leading earlier on in the count before dropping into second place, declared on social media: “This is theft.”The left-wing candidate who is trailing…

Two armed men have stolen at least 13 paintings from a library in São Paulo, Brazil, including eight engravings by famed French artist Henri Matisse.Authorities said on Monday that they had found the “escape vehicle” and one of the suspects had been arrested.Local authorities are working with Interpol to recover the works before they are taken out of the country.BBC Brasil’s André Biernath explains what we know about the heist and what CCTV footage shows us about how it unfolded.Video edited by Marina Costa Source link

As the group’s singer and principal songwriter, he brought an expansive, Latin-inflected sound that breathed new life into country music. Source link

The UN on Monday hailed the determination of Syrians working to rebuild their country but cautioned that sustained international engagement is essential to keep the transition from the chaos of a year ago on track – amid ongoing security and humanitarian challenges.“Syrians astonished the world by overcoming years of authoritarian rule – marking the first real chance in generations to reshape their country’s future after decades of conflict, unfathomable brutality and profound human suffering,” said UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi.She said Syrians have shown “remarkable courage” over the past year despite hardship and uncertainty.Justice and accountabilitySignificant progress…