Worldwide
South Africa: rescue operation at besieged illegal gold mine
A rescue operation is under way at a gold mine which has been under police siege since Aug as part of a government initiative targeting illegal mining, an industry valued at 60 billion rand a year.…
Los Angeles: winds lighten, but fires still burning
Winds in Los Angeles, which have exacerbated wildfires, were expected to intensify again on 15 January, but in fact weakened to much lighter gusts. At least 25 people have been killed and more than 12,000 structures…
Cuba: USA set to remove ‘terrorism’ designation
As Joe Biden nears the end of his term, he is set to remove Cuba’s designation as a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’. This decision comes after an assessment found no evidence supporting Cuba’s continued listing. However,…
Venezuela: opposition leader’s son-in-law kidnapped
Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has reported the kidnapping of his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, by hooded men in Caracas. He was intercepted while taking his children to school and remains missing. In the July 2024 presidential election,…
