Indonesia volcano: Residents flee as Mt Semeru spews huge ash cloud
Residents on the Indonesian island of Java have been fleeing a vast plume of ash as an active volcano erupted for the second time in months.
Witnesses said a thick rain of volcanic ash from Mt Semeru was blotting out the Sun in two local districts.
No casualties have yet been reported and evacuations are under way, officials said.
Meanwhile a monitoring body issued a warning to airlines of an ash cloud rising up to 15,000m (50,000 ft).
Residents on the Indonesian island of Java have been fleeing a vast plume of ash as an active volcano erupted for the second time in months.
Witnesses said a thick rain of volcanic ash from Mt Semeru was blotting out the Sun in two local districts.
No casualties have yet been reported and evacuations are under way, officials said.
Meanwhile a monitoring body issued a warning to airlines of an ash cloud rising up to 15,000m (50,000 ft).
Chris Cuomo: CNN fires presenter over help he gave politician brother
US anchor Chris Cuomo has been fired by CNN for help he gave his brother, ex-New York governor Andrew Cuomo, while he was battling harassment allegations.
The decision came after CNN said additional information had emerged over the extent of Chris Cuomo's involvement in his older brother's defence.
Andrew Cuomo resigned in August after prosecutors said he had harassed staff.
Chris Cuomo, 51, said in a statement that he was disappointed and it was "not how I want my time at CNN to end".
He had worked for the network since 2013 and became one of its most recognisable news presenters, most recently leading CNN's coverage of the 2020 US presidential election.
US anchor Chris Cuomo has been fired by CNN for help he gave his brother, ex-New York governor Andrew Cuomo, while he was battling harassment allegations.
The decision came after CNN said additional information had emerged over the extent of Chris Cuomo's involvement in his older brother's defence.
Andrew Cuomo resigned in August after prosecutors said he had harassed staff.
Chris Cuomo, 51, said in a statement that he was disappointed and it was "not how I want my time at CNN to end".
He had worked for the network since 2013 and became one of its most recognisable news presenters, most recently leading CNN's coverage of the 2020 US presidential election.
Military truck rams into group of Myanmar protesters in Yangon
Several people have been injured after a military truck rammed into a crowd of protesters in Myanmar's commercial capital, Yangon.
Eyewitnesses told local media that the soldiers then opened fire on some fleeing protesters, and beat others.
Since February's coup, more than 1,200 people have been killed during protests and thousands more imprisoned.
The military said it arrested 11 people at this latest protest. Three were injured - one is in critical condition.
The military did not confirm whether a truck had driven into the group, but said it had dispersed a "rioting" crowd.
Several people have been injured after a military truck rammed into a crowd of protesters in Myanmar's commercial capital, Yangon.
Eyewitnesses told local media that the soldiers then opened fire on some fleeing protesters, and beat others.
Since February's coup, more than 1,200 people have been killed during protests and thousands more imprisoned.
The military said it arrested 11 people at this latest protest. Three were injured - one is in critical condition.
The military did not confirm whether a truck had driven into the group, but said it had dispersed a "rioting" crowd.
Eric Zemmour: Far-right French presidential candidate grabbed at rally
Far-right French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour has been attacked at his first campaign rally.
As the 63-year-old moved through the crowd to the stage, a man briefly grabbed him by the neck before security officers intervened.
Local media report his wrist was injured and that his doctors have ordered nine days of rest.
The former journalist and pundit is known for his controversial views on migrants and World War Two.
In the past, the child of Jewish Algerian immigrants has claimed the French state protected Jews during the conflict, when in reality the collaborationist Vichy regime shipped thousands of French Jews to Nazi death camps.
Far-right French presidential candidate Eric Zemmour has been attacked at his first campaign rally.
As the 63-year-old moved through the crowd to the stage, a man briefly grabbed him by the neck before security officers intervened.
Local media report his wrist was injured and that his doctors have ordered nine days of rest.
The former journalist and pundit is known for his controversial views on migrants and World War Two.
In the past, the child of Jewish Algerian immigrants has claimed the French state protected Jews during the conflict, when in reality the collaborationist Vichy regime shipped thousands of French Jews to Nazi death camps.
US diplomats to boycott 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
The US has announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
The White House said no official delegation would be sent to the Games because of concerns about China's human rights record.
But it said US athletes could attend and would have the government's full support.
The US has announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
The White House said no official delegation would be sent to the Games because of concerns about China's human rights record.
But it said US athletes could attend and would have the government's full support.
Syria blames Israel for rare air strike on main port of Latakia
Israel carried out a rare air strike on Syria's main port of Latakia, destroying shipping containers and causing a fire, Syrian state media say.
A Syrian military source told Sana news agency that warplanes flying over the Mediterranean Sea fired several missiles at the port's container yard overnight. No casualties were reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitoring group said the target was an Iranian weapons shipment.
Israel carried out a rare air strike on Syria's main port of Latakia, destroying shipping containers and causing a fire, Syrian state media say.
A Syrian military source told Sana news agency that warplanes flying over the Mediterranean Sea fired several missiles at the port's container yard overnight. No casualties were reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitoring group said the target was an Iranian weapons shipment.
Biden warns Putin of 'strong measures' amid Ukraine invasion fears
The US says it is preparing "robust responses" over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, after President Biden's rare talks with Vladimir Putin.
In a video link, Mr Biden voiced deep concerns over Russian troop build-ups and threatened "strong economic and other measures", Washington said.
Russia says it will not attack Ukraine.
Mr Putin accused Kyiv of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward Nato expansion and deployment of offensive weapons close to Russia.
The US says it is preparing "robust responses" over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, after President Biden's rare talks with Vladimir Putin.
In a video link, Mr Biden voiced deep concerns over Russian troop build-ups and threatened "strong economic and other measures", Washington said.
Russia says it will not attack Ukraine.
Mr Putin accused Kyiv of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward Nato expansion and deployment of offensive weapons close to Russia.
Bipin Rawat: India's top general dies in helicopter crash
India's top military commander has died in a helicopter crash in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the air force says.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others were killed after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city.
One survivor is being treated for his injuries in hospital.
Gen Rawat, 63, was appointed India's first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.
The Indian Air Force said it had ordered an investigation into the accident. A cabinet security committee is to hold an emergency session, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India's top military commander has died in a helicopter crash in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the air force says.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others were killed after the Mi-17V5 helicopter came down in hills near Coonoor city.
One survivor is being treated for his injuries in hospital.
Gen Rawat, 63, was appointed India's first-ever Chief of Defence Staff in January 2019.
The Indian Air Force said it had ordered an investigation into the accident. A cabinet security committee is to hold an emergency session, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Russia Ukraine: Sending US troops not on table - Biden
US President Joe Biden has said that putting American troops on the ground in Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion is "not on the table".
But Mr Biden warned of severe consequences if Russia did invade.
He was speaking a day after two hours of talks by video link with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The virtual summit was aimed at reducing tensions in the region after a major Russian troop build-up along Ukraine's eastern border.
Russia has accused Ukraine of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward Nato expansion and deployment of weapons close to Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have said Moscow could be planning a military offensive at the end of January, although US officials say it is not yet clear whether President Putin has made a decision.
US President Joe Biden has said that putting American troops on the ground in Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion is "not on the table".
But Mr Biden warned of severe consequences if Russia did invade.
He was speaking a day after two hours of talks by video link with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The virtual summit was aimed at reducing tensions in the region after a major Russian troop build-up along Ukraine's eastern border.
Russia has accused Ukraine of provocation, and sought guarantees against eastward Nato expansion and deployment of weapons close to Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have said Moscow could be planning a military offensive at the end of January, although US officials say it is not yet clear whether President Putin has made a decision.
Delhi pollution: Indoor air worse than outside, says study
India's capital Delhi has alarmingly high levels of indoor air pollution, new research has found.
The study found that the levels of PM2.5, the lung-damaging tiny particles in the air, indoors were "substantially higher" than those found on the nearest outdoor government monitors.
But despite that, most households have been unwilling to adopt defence measures, the report added.
Delhi city routinely tops the list of "world's most polluted capitals".
The study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), conducted between 2018 and 2020, surveyed thousands of Delhi households across varying socio-economic backgrounds and found that rich and poor households were equally affected.
India's capital Delhi has alarmingly high levels of indoor air pollution, new research has found.
The study found that the levels of PM2.5, the lung-damaging tiny particles in the air, indoors were "substantially higher" than those found on the nearest outdoor government monitors.
But despite that, most households have been unwilling to adopt defence measures, the report added.
Delhi city routinely tops the list of "world's most polluted capitals".
The study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), conducted between 2018 and 2020, surveyed thousands of Delhi households across varying socio-economic backgrounds and found that rich and poor households were equally affected.
Ethiopia war: UN halts food aid in two towns after warehouses looted
The World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended distribution of food aid in two northern Ethiopian towns after gunmen looted its warehouses.
Looters from rebel Tigrayan forces held aid staff at gunpoint in the town of Kombolcha, the United Nations said.
They stole large quantities of essential food supplies - including some for malnourished children.
Northern Ethiopia is facing mass starvation amid an ongoing civil war between Tigrayan and government forces.
After more than a year of fighting, more than nine million people are in need of critical food supplies, the UN says.
A spokesman for the UN, which runs the WFP, said its staff there had faced "extreme intimidation" during days of looting.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended distribution of food aid in two northern Ethiopian towns after gunmen looted its warehouses.
Looters from rebel Tigrayan forces held aid staff at gunpoint in the town of Kombolcha, the United Nations said.
They stole large quantities of essential food supplies - including some for malnourished children.
Northern Ethiopia is facing mass starvation amid an ongoing civil war between Tigrayan and government forces.
After more than a year of fighting, more than nine million people are in need of critical food supplies, the UN says.
A spokesman for the UN, which runs the WFP, said its staff there had faced "extreme intimidation" during days of looting.
Woman fined €1,200 for causing Tour de France pile-up
A French woman has been fined €1,200 ($1,357; £1,028) for causing a huge crash at the Tour de France by waving a cardboard sign in the riders' path.
The peloton was 45km (28 miles) from the end of the first stage, when her sign clipped German rider Tony Martin.
He fell to the ground and caused dozens of other riders to follow suit, in one of the tournament's worst ever crashes.
The woman, 31, was also ordered to pay a symbolic one euro fine to France's professional cyclist association.
The identity of the woman, who was a spectator at the elite race, was withheld after she was targeted by a torrent of online abuse, the AFP news agency reported.
A French woman has been fined €1,200 ($1,357; £1,028) for causing a huge crash at the Tour de France by waving a cardboard sign in the riders' path.
The peloton was 45km (28 miles) from the end of the first stage, when her sign clipped German rider Tony Martin.
He fell to the ground and caused dozens of other riders to follow suit, in one of the tournament's worst ever crashes.
The woman, 31, was also ordered to pay a symbolic one euro fine to France's professional cyclist association.
The identity of the woman, who was a spectator at the elite race, was withheld after she was targeted by a torrent of online abuse, the AFP news agency reported.
Julian Assange can be extradited to the US, court rules
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited from the UK to the US, the High Court has ruled.
The US won its appeal against a January UK court ruling that he could not be extradited due to concerns over his mental health.
Judges were reassured by US promises to reduce the risk of suicide. His fiancee said they intended to appeal.
Mr Assange is wanted in the US over the publication of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011.
Senior judges found the lower judge had based her decision in January on the risk of Mr Assange being held in highly restrictive prison conditions if extradited.
However, the US authorities later gave assurances that he would not face those strictest measures unless he committed an act in the future that merited them.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange can be extradited from the UK to the US, the High Court has ruled.
The US won its appeal against a January UK court ruling that he could not be extradited due to concerns over his mental health.
Judges were reassured by US promises to reduce the risk of suicide. His fiancee said they intended to appeal.
Mr Assange is wanted in the US over the publication of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011.
Senior judges found the lower judge had based her decision in January on the risk of Mr Assange being held in highly restrictive prison conditions if extradited.
However, the US authorities later gave assurances that he would not face those strictest measures unless he committed an act in the future that merited them.
Russia faces consequences if Ukraine invaded - Truss
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has warned Russia it will face "severe economic consequences" if it invades Ukraine.
She said G7 foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool this weekend would put on a show of unity and make clear such a move would be a "strategic mistake".
Ms Truss said the UK and its allies had to "deter Russia from taking that course of action".
Tensions are growing as Moscow amasses troops on Ukraine's border - but the Kremlin has denied it plans to invade.
Reiterating previous warnings from the US and its allies, Ms Truss said the G7 "are going to absolutely be strong in our stance against aggression... with respect to Ukraine".
She added: "If Russia were to take that action, it would be a strategic mistake, and there will be severe consequences for Russia.
"And what we're doing this weekend is working with like-minded allies to spell that out."
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has warned Russia it will face "severe economic consequences" if it invades Ukraine.
She said G7 foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool this weekend would put on a show of unity and make clear such a move would be a "strategic mistake".
Ms Truss said the UK and its allies had to "deter Russia from taking that course of action".
Tensions are growing as Moscow amasses troops on Ukraine's border - but the Kremlin has denied it plans to invade.
Reiterating previous warnings from the US and its allies, Ms Truss said the G7 "are going to absolutely be strong in our stance against aggression... with respect to Ukraine".
She added: "If Russia were to take that action, it would be a strategic mistake, and there will be severe consequences for Russia.
"And what we're doing this weekend is working with like-minded allies to spell that out."
Mexico truck crash: Crackdown on people smugglers launched
Mexico has announced a working group to combat people-smuggling in the wake of the truck crash that resulted in the deaths of 54 people, the majority said to be Central American migrants.
Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the group would be made up of Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and the US.
Meanwhile, authorities are trying to identify the victims of the accident.
The injured are still recovering in hospitals.
More than 150 people were crammed into the truck's trailer. The vehicle was reportedly speeding when it flipped on a sharp bend and hit a pedestrian bridge on a main road leading to the Chiapas state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, on Thursday afternoon local time.
Mexico has announced a working group to combat people-smuggling in the wake of the truck crash that resulted in the deaths of 54 people, the majority said to be Central American migrants.
Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the group would be made up of Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and the US.
Meanwhile, authorities are trying to identify the victims of the accident.
The injured are still recovering in hospitals.
More than 150 people were crammed into the truck's trailer. The vehicle was reportedly speeding when it flipped on a sharp bend and hit a pedestrian bridge on a main road leading to the Chiapas state capital, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, on Thursday afternoon local time.
Kentucky tornadoes: Biden reaches out to affected US states
US President Joe Biden has said the government will do everything it possibly can to help central areas of the country devastated by tornadoes.
Mr Biden has signed a Federal Emergency Disaster Declaration, releasing funds for Kentucky, the worst affected state.
He said the storms were among the largest in US history.
More than 70 people died in Kentucky in Friday night's storms, including dozens in a candle factory, and the death toll is expected to rise above 100.
Emergency teams are searching through the rubble of the factory, in the town of Mayfield, which was hit directly.
More than 40 people have been rescued out of some 110 in the factory but Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said it would be a miracle if anyone else was found alive.
US President Joe Biden has said the government will do everything it possibly can to help central areas of the country devastated by tornadoes.
Mr Biden has signed a Federal Emergency Disaster Declaration, releasing funds for Kentucky, the worst affected state.
He said the storms were among the largest in US history.
More than 70 people died in Kentucky in Friday night's storms, including dozens in a candle factory, and the death toll is expected to rise above 100.
Emergency teams are searching through the rubble of the factory, in the town of Mayfield, which was hit directly.
More than 40 people have been rescued out of some 110 in the factory but Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said it would be a miracle if anyone else was found alive.
Italian church apologises after bishop tells children 'Santa does not exist'
A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily has apologised to parents after its bishop reportedly told a group of children that Santa Claus did not exist.
At a religious event last week, Bishop Antonio Staglianò also said Santa's red costume had been chosen by Coca-Cola for publicity, Italian media report.
The comments infuriated parents.
In an apology, Rev Alessandro Paolino, from the diocese of Noto, said the bishop had tried to underline the true meaning of Christmas.
He also said the comments had been aimed at highlighting the story of Saint Nicholas, the initial inspiration for the figure of Santa Claus and known for giving gifts to the poor.
A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily has apologised to parents after its bishop reportedly told a group of children that Santa Claus did not exist.
At a religious event last week, Bishop Antonio Staglianò also said Santa's red costume had been chosen by Coca-Cola for publicity, Italian media report.
The comments infuriated parents.
In an apology, Rev Alessandro Paolino, from the diocese of Noto, said the bishop had tried to underline the true meaning of Christmas.
He also said the comments had been aimed at highlighting the story of Saint Nicholas, the initial inspiration for the figure of Santa Claus and known for giving gifts to the poor.
Indian PM Modi's Twitter hacked with bitcoin tweet
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Twitter account was hacked with a message saying India had adopted bitcoin as legal tender and would distribute it to all citizens.
The tweet was swiftly deleted and his office said the account had been very briefly compromised.
It is the second time Mr Modi's Twitter account has been hacked.
He's a prolific tweeter and has more than 70 million followers - the most of any world leader.
The deleted tweet from his main @narendramodi handle said the Indian government had officially bought 500 bitcoin and was "and distributing them to all residents of the country".
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Twitter account was hacked with a message saying India had adopted bitcoin as legal tender and would distribute it to all citizens.
The tweet was swiftly deleted and his office said the account had been very briefly compromised.
It is the second time Mr Modi's Twitter account has been hacked.
He's a prolific tweeter and has more than 70 million followers - the most of any world leader.
The deleted tweet from his main @narendramodi handle said the Indian government had officially bought 500 bitcoin and was "and distributing them to all residents of the country".
France resists US challenge to its values
Six months ago, if asked what they understood by "woke", most French people would have assumed it had something to do with Chinese cooking. And yet today in Paris, the notion of "le wokisme" is suddenly all the rage.
The government warns of a new cultural totalitarianism creeping in from the "Anglosphere". The education minister has set up a Laboratory of the Republic, dubbed an "anti-woke think tank", to co-ordinate the fightback.
And everywhere the precursors of what might be to come are being reported in the media: a new gender-neutral pronoun, a threatened statue of a dead statesman or a meeting on campus only for black students.
For the French, these signifiers of what critics in the UK and US have termed "woke" are all very new and unfamiliar.
Six months ago, if asked what they understood by "woke", most French people would have assumed it had something to do with Chinese cooking. And yet today in Paris, the notion of "le wokisme" is suddenly all the rage.
The government warns of a new cultural totalitarianism creeping in from the "Anglosphere". The education minister has set up a Laboratory of the Republic, dubbed an "anti-woke think tank", to co-ordinate the fightback.
And everywhere the precursors of what might be to come are being reported in the media: a new gender-neutral pronoun, a threatened statue of a dead statesman or a meeting on campus only for black students.
For the French, these signifiers of what critics in the UK and US have termed "woke" are all very new and unfamiliar.
Canada offers up to $40bn to compensate indigenous children
Canada has pledged up to C$40bn ($31bn; £23.6bn) in compensation for indigenous children and families who suffered discrimination while in foster care.
In September, a top court upheld a 2016 ruling that the government underfunded First Nations services compared with those for non-indigenous children.
It ordered C$40,000 ($31,350; £23,340) payouts to each child who was in the on-reserve welfare system after 2006.
The government initially said it would appeal the verdict.
But it has come under intense public scrutiny after the discovery of over 1,100 unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools.
Until as recently as 1996, Canada's residential school system separated indigenous children from their families and sent them to boarding schools where many were malnourished, beaten and sexually abused.
Canada has pledged up to C$40bn ($31bn; £23.6bn) in compensation for indigenous children and families who suffered discrimination while in foster care.
In September, a top court upheld a 2016 ruling that the government underfunded First Nations services compared with those for non-indigenous children.
It ordered C$40,000 ($31,350; £23,340) payouts to each child who was in the on-reserve welfare system after 2006.
The government initially said it would appeal the verdict.
But it has come under intense public scrutiny after the discovery of over 1,100 unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools.
Until as recently as 1996, Canada's residential school system separated indigenous children from their families and sent them to boarding schools where many were malnourished, beaten and sexually abused.
Alibaba fires woman who claimed sexual assault
Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba has fired a woman who said a colleague and a client had sexually assaulted her.
The dismissal letter said she had spread falsehoods that had damaged the company's reputation.
The employee went public with her allegations in August because she said Alibaba had failed to take action. She said the assaults took place during a business trip.
The colleague was then sacked, but a criminal case against him was dropped.
The client is still thought to be under police investigation.
The well-publicised case has highlighted the harassment faced by women in the workplace in China.
The employee told government-backed newspaper Dahe Daily that she was fired late last month. It published a copy of what she said was her termination letter.
The letter said she had spread false information about the assault and about the company not handling the case.
Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba has fired a woman who said a colleague and a client had sexually assaulted her.
The dismissal letter said she had spread falsehoods that had damaged the company's reputation.
The employee went public with her allegations in August because she said Alibaba had failed to take action. She said the assaults took place during a business trip.
The colleague was then sacked, but a criminal case against him was dropped.
The client is still thought to be under police investigation.
The well-publicised case has highlighted the harassment faced by women in the workplace in China.
The employee told government-backed newspaper Dahe Daily that she was fired late last month. It published a copy of what she said was her termination letter.
The letter said she had spread false information about the assault and about the company not handling the case.