World

International affairs, events, and conflicts

World
No sign of relief as Canadian wildfires continue to grow
Saskatchewan wildfires in Canada are expected to continue growing aggressively over the next few days due to high temperatures, winds and dry conditions. According to the latest update from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) there seems to be no sign of relief. "This will drastically impact our ability to contain some of these fires and will actually cause some of these fires to grow in size over the next period of time," Steve Roberts, SPSA vice-president of operations, said at a news conference Sunday. Smoke from the wildfires covered most of the eastern and central United States on Monday and will linger through Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), according to AccuWeather meteorologists. For those in the U.S., air quality is unlikely to impact public health due to smoke remaining high in the atmosphere. However, air quality remains poor to unhealthy in areas closer to the fire in northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. "Shower and thunderstorms in the Upper Midwest this afternoon and evening will help cleanse the air and help improve air quality," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alexander Duffus said. Around 17,000 residents have been evacuated and as of Sunday afternoon, 15 fires were burning. This is down fro
World
Mt Etna erupts in Italy, 5km ash cloud spews into sky
Mount Etna in Italy has exploded, marking one of its largest eruptions since 2014, despite being one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Located on the island of Sicily, the mountain is one of Europe’s largest volcanoes. The eruption took place on Monday local time and sent ash plumes as far as five kilometres into the air. CNN reports that there were as many as 40 people on the volcano at the time of the eruption, according to a tourism company guide. No injuries have been reported. Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said there were “strombolian explosions of increasing intensity”, with Strombolian eruptions being considered milder for volcanoes. It added that the "amplitude values of volcanic tremors are currently high" and were "showing a tendency to increase".
World
Ukraine launches major drone attack on Russian jets
Ukraine has launched a major drone attack to destroy Russian warplanes in Siberia, as the war ramps up shortly before a new round of peace talks. The 117 Ukrainian drones hit 41 Russian bombers, with Ukraine’s security service saying it had eliminated 34% of Russia’s air missile carrier force in the targeted areas. Russian officials said the strikes reached areas across Siberia, including Irkutsk and Murmansk, as well as western regions like Ivanovo. “One year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution. Our most long-range operation. Our people involved in preparing the operation were withdrawn from Russian territory in time,,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Zelenskyy, “34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers at the airfields were hit. Our people were operating in different Russian regions – in three time zones. And our people were withdrawn from the territory of Russia on the eve of the operation, and now they are safe – those who helped us.” The Russian planes hit included nuclear bombers, fast-attack strike bombers, and command-and-control jets. Russia also launched 472 drones and seven missiles at Ukraine overnight, its largest overnight drone at
World
'Targeted': Protestors injured in Colorado terror attack
Multiple people have been injured in Boulder, Colorado after someone used a weapon to set people on fire during a demonstration. The demonstrations, held by Run for Their Lives, are regularly scheduled, saying they are looking to continue awareness of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Boulder's Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said a suspect was already custody, after using a "makeshift flamethrower" and incendiary device, but required hospitalisation for minor injuries. The suspect has now been named as 45 year old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Redfearn also called on people to stay away from the area while police investigate a vehicle possibly linked to the attack and confirmed that K-9 and hazmat teams are working to clear the area for devices. “The area is not safe yet,” he said. Redfearn also confirmed that the intention behind the attack was unclear at this stage, whether it was targeted or random violence. “It’s way too early to speculate motive." However, FBI Director Kash Patel labelled the incident a “a targeted terror attack” and that agents were assisting police on the scene. “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. Our agents and local law enforcement are o
World
Drewry's World Container Index rose 10% to $2,508
Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) surged 10% this week, reaching US$2,508 (A$3,855.73) per 40-foot (12.192-metre) container on 29 May. This marks a 21% increase over the past three weeks, driven by United States President Donald Trump’s temporary suspension of import tariffs, which revived transpacific shipping volumes after a prior collapse.Credit: DrewryFreight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles jumped 17% in the past week to $3,738 per container, reflecting a 38% increase since 8 May. Similarly, spot rates to New York climbed 14% in the past week and 42% over three weeks, while rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Genoa rose 6% and 3%, respectively. This double-digit rise in the composite index is the first since July 2024, reversing the downward trend that began in January. Short-term strengthening in global container shipping’s supply-demand balance has been fueled by renewed U.S.-bound traffic, but underlying market conditions remain volatile. Drewry’s Container Forecaster anticipates a weakening supply-demand balance in the second half of 2025, which is expected to drive spot rates lower. The trajectory of freight rates will depend on legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and uncertainties surrounding U.S

World
Swiss village partially destroyed by a chunk of glacier
A Swiss village has been partially destroyed after a huge chunk of glacier crashed down into the valley. The village of Blatten had been evacuated some days before due to fears of the Birch glacier disintegrating, however, one person has been reported missing, and many homes were completely flattened. Local authorities have requested support from the Swiss army’s disaster relief unit. Members of the Swiss government are also on their way to the scene and have promised funding to make sure residents can stay either in the village or nearby.Credit: Johannes Löw (WP.de: Mo4jolo), CC BY-SA 2.5 / via Wikimedia CommonsThe 300 inhabitants of the village initially had to evacuate on 19 May after geologists monitoring the area warned that the glacier was unstable. Many of the residents may never be able to return. "We have lost our village, but not our heart. We will support each other and console each other. After a long night, it will be morning again,” the village's mayor, Matthias Bellwald, said. Natural Hazards head of regional office, Raphaël Mayoraz said further evacuations of areas close to Blatten may be necessary as climate change intensifies. The most recent report on the condition of Switzerland’s glaciers sug
World
Future Queen of Norway will study in Australia
Future queen of Norway, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will study at the University of Sydney, according to the Norwegian royal family. The princess is set to move to New South Wales to complete her studies in August, when she will commence a Bachelor of Arts degree. "She has chosen a three-year degree with a focus on international relations and political economy," a Royal House of Norway spokesperson said in a statement. "The princess will be studying full-time and reside in a student residence on campus. "Her royal highness looks forward to dedicating herself to her studies in the years to come." Princess Alexandra is second in line for the Norwegian throne behind her father, Crown Prince Haakon. Her grandfather is the current King. The 21-year-old’s enrolment at the University of Sydney comes after her military graduation in April, where she completed 15 months of military service with the Engineer Battalion in Brigade North. The princess, who only recently started making public appearances, will have to step back from official duties during her time abroad as she splits her time between Australia and Europe.
World
Indonesia bolsters military with Chinese, Russian jets
Four months after officially joining the BRICS, Indonesia is understood to be kicking the tyres on second hand fighter aircraft from the two dictatorships that bookend the alliance: China and Russia. An online report suggests Indonesia's upcoming military procurement could include 42 J-10 fighters modified in China, plus the purchase of Su-35 fighters from Russia. Alert-5 website says an announcement could be made in Jakarta next month during the Indo Defence Expo and Forum from 11-14 June. The pending transactions have not yet been confirmed by Indonesia nor its suppliers, China and Russia. However, Indonesia's imminent decision to modernise its air force with second-hand fighter aircraft from China and Russia marks a major pivot from the country’s recent preoccupation with acquiring mostly western military equipment. Within its diversified aviation combat fleet, Indonesia has typically maintained and operated fighter aircraft from multiple suppliers including American F-16s, Russian Su-27/30s, and British Aerospace Hawks. The country abandoned initial plans to buy Russian Su-35s following the threat of United States sanctions in 2021. Under the initial agreement, Indonesia had planned to buy 11 Su-35 fighter
World
Car ploughs into fans at Liverpool FC victory parade
A 53 year-old British man has been arrested after the car he was in ploughed into football fans celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title victory. Reports from The Guardian say up to 47 people were injured including four children - one who remains in a critical condition. Emergency services swarmed to Water Street in the city centre after receiving calls just after 6pm local time as the parade was coming to a close. The driver, a caucasian 53-year-old man from the Liverpool area, was arrested by police at the scene. Authorities have stated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism as investigations continue into the man's motives or condition. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged people to “give the police the space they need to investigate”. “The scenes in Liverpool are appalling – my thoughts are with all those injured or affected,” Starmer said in a statement.MayhemHundreds of thousands of people had turned out in torrential rain for the jubilant celebrations to see the Red side of Liverpool’s victory parade, with players driven around on an open-topped bus with fireworks. The bus carrying the team had passed by Water Street just minutes before the car ran into the crowd, witnesses told med