US Congress strikes deal to prevent shutdown

US Congress strikes deal to prevent shutdown

United States lawmakers have struck a bipartisan deal to keep the government functioning by pushing a funding deadline to March. The year-end package — the last major legislation Congress will clear this year — includes a bill to restrict American investment in China, and more than $100 billion in emergency aid for natural disasters. Benji Hyer reports. v

December 18, 2024 7

Environment

India landslide toll hits 150 as rain hampers rescue work

By Aishwarya Kumar Relentless downpours and howling winds hampered Wednesday's search for survivors of landslides that struck Indian tea plantations and killed at least 150 people, most believed to be labourers and their families. Days of torrential monsoon rains have battered the southern coastal state of Kerala, with blocked roads into the Wayanad district disaster area complicating relief efforts. With the only bridge connecting the […]

July 31, 2024 16

Africa

More than half of Zimbabwean population needs food aid

Zimbabwe’s cabinet has revealed that more than half of the nation’s population of about 15 million people will immediately need food aid until March next year, as the country reels from the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon that’s already slashed corn output and led to a national state of disaster being declared. Bloomberg reports that the southern African nation’s rural areas are the most affected with 6 million […]

May 16, 2024 11

Environment

UN assessment teams deployed to flood affected areas in Afghanistan

Rescue efforts continue in Afghanistan following deadly flash floods in three northeastern provinces this past weekend. The Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme, Stephen Rodriques, told UN News that 180 deaths were confirmed and nearly 9,000 homes have been damaged. The UN has deployed just over 20 teams to the region to conduct a joint assessment alongside partners and the de-facto authorities.

May 14, 2024 34

Africa

Kenyan schools reopen after devastating floods

Schools in Kenya have reopened after flooding in the country killed more than 250 people. Kenya and other parts of East Africa have been battered by torrential rains, claiming lives and destroying property. Human Rights Watch says that Kenyan authorities have not responded adequately to flash floods resulting from heavy rains. The floods have left at least over 200, 000 people displaced, destroyed infrastructure, and livelihoods across the country; and […]

May 14, 2024 46

Environment

Heavy rainstorm destroys homes in Oshikoto and Ohangwena region

Heavy rainstorms have destroyed homes in Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions. According to councillor Ferdinand Shifidi of Endola constituency on Sunday, heavy storms coupled with rain and wind affected about 200 houses in Onepandaulo village, in the Ohangwena region, where the roofs of most structures were ripped off. Separately, Iikokola village headman I-Ben Nashandi says the storm uprooted homes, schools, and trees, a situation which left the residents in the Oshikoto […]

February 12, 2024 33

Africa

Heavy rains cause devastating floods in Dar es Salaam

Floods have damaged houses and roads and killed an unspecified number of people after heavy rains pounded Tanzania's commercial city of Dar es Salaam for two days. According to the BBC, many houses near rivers were seen collapsed and roads and bridges destroyed, making it difficult to navigate through the city. The Tanzania Meteorological Agency has warned of heavy rains for the rest of this month.

January 22, 2024 53

World

China Earthquake: Cold weather challenges search for survivors

In China, cold weather is hampering the search for survivors of an earthquake. The 6.2 magnitude shock struck a poor mountainous area about seven hundred miles or eleven hundred kilometres west of Beijing on Monday.

December 20, 2023 21

World

Magnitude 6.2 earthquake kills hundred in China

Reports say an earthquake has killed at least one hundred and eleven people in a mountainous part of China. Seismologists say it registered a magnitude of six-point-two, and there were at least nine aftershocks of magnitude three or above. Here's Andrew Wood in Hong Kong.

December 19, 2023 16