UNICEF: Flooding puts Gaza tent communities on brink of catastrophe

UNICEF warns of ‘catastrophe’ as heavy rains flood Gaza displacement camps, children left soaked and sick Severe rains have flooded makeshift encampments across Gaza, creating a “catastrophe” for thousands of displaced families living under tarps and plastic sheeting, UNICEF said, warning that existing supplies are “completely insufficient” to protect children from cold, illness and contaminated water. Jonathan Crickx, UNICEF’s spokesperson in Palestine, said the agency has documented widespread flooding and worsening…

Swiss yodeling added to UNESCO’s global intangible cultural heritage list

Yodelling, the echoing call-and-response singing long associated with Swiss herders and alpine choirs, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Switzerland’s culture ministry said after a UNESCO meeting in New Delhi. “As the emblematic song of Switzerland, yodelling encompasses a wide variety of artistic expressions and is deeply rooted in the population,” the ministry noted, welcoming the recognition as validation of a living tradition passed down in families, clubs…

Britain’s King Charles set to deliver new health update

King Charles will deliver a televised update on his health in a pre-recorded message airing at 8 p.m. on Channel 4 on Friday, part of the broadcaster’s Stand Up to Cancer campaign with Cancer Research UK. The 77-year-old monarch is expected to emphasize the importance of screening programs and early diagnosis. The king disclosed in February 2024 that cancer had been detected during surgery, though the palace has not specified the type. He temporarily paused public duties and returned in April, with doctors saying they were…

Reddit mounts legal battle to block Australia’s social media ban

Reddit sues Australia in High Court to overturn child social media ban, citing free political communication Reddit has filed a lawsuit in Australia’s High Court seeking to strike down the country’s new nationwide ban on social media access for people under 16, calling the measure an unconstitutional intrusion on political discourse and a threat to online privacy. The San Francisco-based platform, which counts Australia among its major markets, asked the court to declare the law invalid on grounds that it interferes with the…

Trump says ground strikes on Venezuelan drug shipments are imminent

U.S. to expand anti-narcotics operations from Venezuela to land routes as tanker seizure stokes tensions WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said the United States will “start on land pretty soon” to interdict narcotics shipments moving overland from Venezuela, signaling an expansion of operations as U.S. forces prepare to bring a seized Venezuelan-linked oil tanker to an American port. “They’ve treated us badly,” Trump told reporters at the White House, claiming maritime drug traffic is “down 92%” and adding, “We’ll sort…

Reddit challenges Australia’s social media ban in court

Reddit has filed a legal challenge to Australia’s sweeping new social media ban on under-16s, moving just days after the landmark laws took effect and set the stage for fines against noncompliant tech platforms. The US-based discussion site is contesting the general validity of the legislation and argues it should not be included on the government’s list of services barred to users under 16, according to court filings. Australia this week became the first country to prohibit under-age access to a raft of popular platforms —…

Trump says U.S. ground strikes on Venezuela could begin soon

The United States will soon begin strikes to interdict narcotics shipments moving overland from Venezuela to the U.S., President Donald Trump said at the White House, escalating a fast-moving confrontation that already includes the seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker by American forces. The announcement comes as the White House confirmed the seized tanker will be brought to a U.S. port and that Washington intends to confiscate its cargo. “The vessel will go to a U.S. port and the United States does intend to seize the…

Thailand’s Prime Minister Dissolves Parliament Following Royal Decree

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament after just three months in office, a royal decree published in the Royal Gazette showed, clearing the way for a general election amid renewed violence on the Cambodia border. “The House of Representatives is dissolved to hold a new general election for members of the House,” the decree said. The move came earlier than expected. Anutin had been widely anticipated to wait until after Christmas before sending voters back to the polls. In a report cited by the…

U.S. towing seized tanker from Venezuela to port, will confiscate oil cargo

U.S. seizes Venezuelan oil tanker in helicopter raid, to bring ship to American port as tensions spike with Maduro U.S. forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela in a helicopter-borne operation and will bring the vessel to a U.S. port to confiscate its cargo, the White House said, escalating a fast-moving standoff with President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The dramatic interdiction—described by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as aimed at the “regime” in Caracas—was captured in video released by U.S.…

Nobel winner Machado pledges to return the honor home to Venezuela

Oslo — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado vowed to return her Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuela “at the correct moment” after slipping out of the country under a decade-old travel ban and arriving in Norway hours after Friday’s ceremony. Machado, 58, reached Oslo early Saturday following a clandestine journey that her camp says began by boat from Venezuela to Curaçao and continued by private plane to Norway. She missed the prize ceremony, where her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, accepted the award and…