Sydney (AFP) – Crews of more than 100 yachts set sail Thursday on a “boat-breaking” Sydney-Hobart yacht race, with gale-force winds and high seas forecast for the gruelling bluewater classic.
Sydney
Key public service makes quiet return in Gaza
Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – The quiet resumption of operations at a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip last month marked a small but significant step toward restoring public services in the Palestinian territory ravaged by more than 14 months of war.
Fearless Konstas slams 60 as Australia take upper hand against India
Melbourne (AFP) – Fearless young opener Sam Konstas slammed an entertaining 60 on debut for Australia on Thursday, showing little respect for the Indian pace bowlers in the opening session of the fourth Test.
Hungry Sabalenka ready for more Slam success
Brisbane (Australia) (AFP) – World number one Aryna Sabalenka says she is “fresh and ready to go” in her bid for a third straight Australian Open title, warning she has plenty of room for improvement.
Mass jailbreak in Mozambique amid post
Maputo (AFP) – More than 1,500 prisoners escaped from a Maputo prison Wednesday, taking advantage of the third day of unrest triggered by the controversial confirmation of the long-ruling Frelimo party as the winner of recent elections.
Bridges outduels Wembanyama, Celtics lose again
New York (AFP) – Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks edged Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a Christmas Day thriller at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami: what to know 20 years on
Banda Aceh (Indonesia) (AFP) – Survivors and victims’ relatives will this week mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed more than 220,000 people across more than a dozen countries.
Tsunami memorials begin as Asia mourns disaster 20 years on
Banda Aceh (Indonesia) (AFP) – Emotional ceremonies began across Asia on Thursday to remember the 220,000 people who died two decades ago when a tsunami devastated coastal areas around the Indian Ocean, in one of the worst natural disasters in human history.
Hamas, Israel trade blame over Gaza truce delay
Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Hamas and Israel traded accusations on Wednesday over delays in finalising a ceasefire and hostage release deal, after both had reported progress in the latest round of Gaza truce talks.
Russian state owner says cargo ship blast was 'terrorist attack'
Moscow (AFP) – A “terrorist act” sank the cargo ship that went down in international waters in the Mediterranean this week, the Russian state-owned company that owns the vessel said Wednesday.
