Brazil’s Amazon rainforest fires in August reach 14-year high

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - The number of fires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest region for the month of August surged to the highest level since 2010, government data showed on Sunday, after a record drought that has been plaguing the biome.   Last year's rains came late and were weaker than usual because a weather pattern, known as...

Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Wednesday (Aug 28)

Malaysia * Second sinkhole appears on Jln Masjid India * KD Pendekar: Navy diver killed in operations to salvage vessel * Over 600 company directors stopped from leaving Msia due to unpaid EPF contributions * Full refunds for passengers delayed five hours or more from Sept 2, says Loke * Over 100 illegals detained in Immigration op in Keningau * Ringgit...

First activist to defend himself in landmark Hong Kong security trial says he has no remorse

HONG KONG (Reuters): The first Hong Kong activist to defend himself in person in a landmark national security trial against 47 pro-democracy campaigners said on Tuesday he had no remorse over the alleged conspiracy. Ng kin-wai, 28, was one of 47 activists arrested and charged in 2021 with "conspiracy to commit subversion to subvert the state...

6 cool destinations around the world for kiteboarding

Some adrenaline-thirsty travellers pursue fresh powder, and some seek the perfect surf break. Others strap themselves to a 10m-wide kite and skim across the waves, looking for a chance to catch a little air. “When I’m out on the water, I feel like a kid again,” said Jennine Cohen, 43, the founder of Wild Blue Retreats,...

Telegram CEO arrested over probe into child porn, drug trafficking on app

PARIS (Reuters) -Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder of messaging app Telegram, was arrested in France as part of an investigation into crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions on the platform, French prosecutors said on Monday. French President Emmanuel Macron, making the first official confirmation of Durov's arrest since he was detained at...

The twins have arrived: Giant panda and most loved Meng Meng gives birth to twins at Berlin zoo

BERLIN (Xinhua): Meng Meng, an 11-year-old female giant panda at Zoo Berlin, has given birth to twins, zoo authorities announced on Friday night. "The eagerly awaited second offspring of Meng Meng was born at 13:03 and 14:19 on Thursday in Zoo Berlin's Panda Garden," said the zoo in a press release. Both cubs, weighing 169g and 136g...

WHO boss Tedros calls for RM588mil to stop mpox outbreak

GENEVA (Reuters): The head of the World Health Organization called for global concerted action to control a new mpox outbreak, announcing a response plan that will require at least US$135 million (RM588 million) over the next six months. "Let me be clear: this new mpox outbreak can be controlled and can be stopped," Director-General Tedros Adhanom...

Joe Biden approved secret nuclear strategy focusing on ‘Chinese threat’: New York Times

The United States has updated a highly classified nuclear strategy to address China’s growing arsenal and its potential collaboration with Russia and other countries, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. The “Nuclear Employment Guidance,” typically revised every four years, is accessible only to a select group of administration officials because of its sensitive nature. Even...

Icelandic volcano eruption slows down, spa resort evacuated

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - A volcano in southwestern Iceland spewed lava and smoke for a second day on Friday, the country's meteorological office said, after the eruption forced the evacuation of a nearby luxury spa resort. Fountains of glowing molten rock could be seen shooting into the night sky after Thursday's eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, but...

Philippine police raid Chinese-run scam centre, arresting dozens including Malaysians

MANILA: Philippine police raided a Chinese-run scam centre in the capital Manila on Thursday (Aug 22), arresting dozens of Filipino and foreign workers who allegedly tricked people into investing in a "manipulated" trading platform. Police said the centre was operating in the guise of a licensed online gaming company, which President Ferdinand Marcos banned last month...