Queensland floods: Towns isolated as supplies dwindle and rain eases

 By Tiffanie TurnbullBBC News, SydneyMajor flooding in northern Australia has begun to ease but many towns remain isolated in crocodile-infested waters as supplies dwindle.Extreme weather driven by ex-tropical cyclone Jasper has dumped a year's worth of rain on parts of Queensland.Some rivers have swollen to record levels, flooding homes, severing roads and power, and forcing people to flee houses in boats. One man is missing.Hundreds of people...

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LIVE >> Rescuers brave freezing temperatures as China quake kills more than 100

 Live ReportingEdited by Yvette TanPosted at 10:3110:31Rescue efforts carried out in sub-zero temperaturesIt's Tuesday morning now in Jishishan, and as we reported earlier, thousands of rescue workers are working in sub-zero temperatures.Firefighters, soldiers and police are searching for survivors as the temperature hits -13C (8.6F), even as authorities warned that more aftershocks may occur.Temperatures have plunged to well below freezing...

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Earthquake kills more than 100 in north-west China

 By Frances Mao & Christy CooneyBBC NewsAt least 116 people have been killed and another 220 injured following an earthquake on Monday night in north-west China, state media report.Chinese authorities said the 6.2 magnitude quake struck Gansu province around midnight (16:00 GMT) and also affected neighbouring Qinghai.Thousands of rescuers are braving freezing conditions to try and help people in the high-altitude area.A second quake struck...

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Commentary: The first debate unveils the character of Indonesia’s 2024 presidential campaign

The first debate among the three presidential candidates for 2024 underscores a shift in tenor in Indonesia’s politics. Whether this more amicable front lasts as campaign season wears on will depend on the ratings game, says ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s Made Supriatma.SINGAPORE: Indonesia’s 2024 election campaign is now at a pivotal stage: A series of five televised debates among the contenders.Until a week before the first round took...

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Israel Says its Armed Forces Mistakenly Killed 3 Hostages in Gaza

 Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. (Israel Defense Forces via Reuters)December 16, 2023 11:25 JST(Reuters) --The Israeli military mistakenly killed three hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas during an incident which is "under review," a military spokesperson said on Friday.The military said the hostages were killed during combat with militants in Gaza and expressed its condolences to the...

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Malaysia's Anwar Slams 'Hypocrisy' Over Gaza Crisis

 Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, pictured in Tokyo on Dec. 17, argues that some countries that promote democracy and human rights are engaging in "hypocrisy" when it comes to Gaza. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) NORMAN GOH, Nikkei staff writerDecember 17, 2023 22:28 JSTTOKYO -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday criticized what he termed international "hypocrisy" over the crisis in the Gaza Strip, urging the world...

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