Australia’s ‘columns of fire’ force mass evacuation, claim ninth life
A volunteer firefighter was killed battling Australian bushfires on Monday as “columns” of flames generating their own dangerous weather systems bore down on a tourist region, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
China bans imports of pigs from Indonesia due to African swine fever
China’s customs said it has banned imports of pigs, wild boars and related products from Indonesia due to African swine fever.
Croatian court finds head of Hungary’s MOL, Croatia’s ex-PM guilty of bribery
A Croatian court ruled on Monday that the head of Hungarian energy group MOL and Croatia’s former prime minister were guilty in a corruption case, opening a new chapter in a legal saga that has dragged on for almost a decade.
Top Iraqi militia leader warns of strong response to U.S. air strikes
A top Iraqi militia leader warned of a strong response against U.S. forces in Iraq following air strikes in Iraq and Syria overnight that hit several bases of his Iranian-backed group and killed at least 25 people.
More than 150 flights canceled in Germany as Lufthansa’s Germanwings hit by strikes
Around 180 flights in Germany were canceled on Monday due to cabin crew strikes at Lufthansa’s budget airline Germanwings, in a bid to put pressure on management in wage talks.
One firefighter dies, two injured in Australian bushfire
An Australian volunteer firefighter died on Monday and two others suffered burns after their truck rolled over when it was hit by extreme winds amid raging bushfires.
U.S. military says Somalia air strikes killed four al Shabaab militants
Four al Shabaab militants were killed on Sunday in three U.S. air strikes in two locations in Somalia, the U.S. military said on Monday.
Iran condemns U.S. attacks on Iranian-allied militia in Iraq
Iran on Monday condemned U.S. air strikes in Iraq and Syria against the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia.
Turkey arrests 70 Islamic State suspects ahead of New Year: Anadolu
Turkish police detained 70 people suspected of ties to Islamic State in nationwide raids early on Monday, ahead of New Year celebrations, state media said two months after the killing of the group’s leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Cyprus court rules ‘gang rape’ Briton guilty of lying
A Cyprus court on Monday found a British woman guilty of lying about being gang raped by Israeli youths six months ago.
