2 firefighters die, 3 hurt as wildfires ravage Australia

Two volunteer firefighters died Thursday while battling wildfires ravaging Australia’s most populous state, forcing Prime Minister Scott Morrison to cut short his family holiday as authorities braced for temperatures to soar in New South Wales at the weekend.

Amid citizenship law outcry, Indian authorities ban protest

Police banned public gatherings in parts of the Indian capital and other cities for a third day Friday and cut internet services to try to stop growing protests against a new citizenship law that have so far left eight people dead and more than 1,200 others detained.

Australia’s most populous state declares wildfire emergency

Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales declared a seven-day state of emergency Thursday as oppressive conditions fanned around 100 wildfires. Around 2,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, half of which remain uncontrolled, with the support of U.S. and Canadian backup teams and personnel from the Australian Defence Force.

Trump impeached on charges of abuse of power, obstruction

President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming only the third American chief executive to be formally charged under the Constitution’s ultimate remedy for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Indian police ban protests amid citizenship law outrage

Police detained several hundred protesters in some of India’s biggest cities Thursday as they defied a ban on assembly that authorities imposed to stop widespread demonstrations against a new citizenship law that opponents say threatens the country’s secular democracy.

India’s Supreme Court delays hearing citizenship law pleas

India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday postponed hearing pleas challenging the constitutionality of a new citizenship law that has sparked opposition and massive protests across the country. The court said it would consider the pleas on Jan. 22.

Cricket legend Tendulkar finds hotel worker who gave him batting advice

A hotel worker whose unsolicited advice helped the batting of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been located after the Indian superstar launched an appeal.

7 years after Delhi gang rape, brutal India attacks continue

The latest incidents come around the seventh anniversary of a gang rape on a moving bus in New Delhi that galvanized massive protests and inspired lawmakers to order the creation of fast-track courts dedicated to rape cases and stiffen penalties for those convicted of the crime.

China suspends planned tariffs on US goods

Beijing suspended additional tariffs on US products that had been due to kick in on Sunday, after Washington and Beijing announced a major thaw in their trade war Friday.    

Thunberg tells governments: ‘You are misleading’ on climate

“The real danger is when politicians and CEOs are making it look like real action is happening, when in fact almost nothing is being done, apart from clever accounting and creative PR,” the Swedish 16-year-old said Wednesday in a speech at the plenary of the ongoing U.N. climate talks in Madrid, or COP25.

Turkey hints it could bar US from using key air bases

Mevlut Cavusoglu comments came amid reports that U.S. lawmakers had agreed on a defense bill that also includes calls to sanction Turkey over its decision to proceed with the purchase and deployment of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems.

Two impeachment articles expected against Trump: reports

It added that the full House of Representatives will vote on the articles next week, ahead of a trial in the Senate.

Toxic bushfire haze blankets eastern Australia

A regional fire headquarters miles from the nearest blazes was reportedly evacuated, while mask-wearing commuters choked their way through thick acrid air and the organisers of a harbour yacht race said it was too dangerous to proceed.

5 dead, many more missing in eruption of New Zealand volcano

He said both New Zealanders and overseas tourists were among those who were dead, missing or injured. He said most of the 18 who survived were injured and some had suffered severe burns.

Sri Lankan gov't ready to cement friendship with China, says Rajapaksa

The two countries enjoy a strong, long-standing friendship, which has laid the foundation for practical cooperation, Rajapaksa, who assumed office on Nov. 21, told Xinhua in an interview during his visit to the Colombo Port City, a project jointly developed by the Sri Lankan government and China's CHEC Port City Colombo Ltd.

Devastating fire kills 43 in Indian capital

Firefighters had to fight the blaze from 100 meters (yards) away because it broke out in one of the area’s many alleyways, tangled in electrical wire and too narrow for vehicles to access, authorities said.

Saudi student opens fire at Florida Naval base, killing 3

The assault, which ended when a sheriff’s deputy killed the attacker, was the second fatal shooting at a U.S. Navy base this week and prompted a massive law enforcement response and base lockdown.

Indian police shoot 4 suspects in gang-rape case

The suspects were in police custody and had not been formally charged with any crime.

Pelosi OKs drafting of impeachment articles against Trump

’’Our democracy is what is at stake,” Pelosi said. “The president leaves us no choice but to act.”

New Zealand PM aims to limit spread of hate

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described how she made decisions after the March 15 attacks at two Christchurch mosques, including introducing sweeping gun reforms and starting a global discussion on keeping violent extremism from the internet.