TRIPOLI / BEIRUT: In twin incidents of boat sinking in the Mediterranean Sea within a span of 24 hours, 61 migrants were missing and presumed dead while 76 others were rescued. In the first incident, at least 61 migrants went missing and apparently drowned after their boat sank off Libya’s coast, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said. The two leaders vowed to stop migrant boat landings on their countries’ shores and to step up efforts to combat people smugglers. Another boat sinkingMeanwhile, Lebanese security forces on Sunday rescued more than 50 people, mostly Syrians, from a sinking migrant boat, off the coast of Tripoli. He is suspected of having piloted a boat carrying around 60 migrants, including children, a charge he denies.

Sphinx Glass, a leading float glass manufacturer headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, jointly announced with DFI today, the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement to introduce Diamon-Fusion® glass coating technology in Egypt and the Mediterranean North African region. Sphinx Glass was established in 2008 and is the only fully independent glass manufacturer in Egypt, with a sales network in over 40 countries, spanning across five (5) continents. We look forward to a long-lasting and fruitful partnership with Sphinx Glass”, added Guillermo Seta, Vice President of Global Business Development at DFI. DFI’s patented FuseCube™ glass coating machine applies Diamon-Fusion® through a proprietary chemical vapor deposition process, ensuring double-sided coverage, uniform application, and a higher-quality coating. For more information about Sphinx Glass or Diamon-Fusion International, please visit https://www.sphinxglass.com/ or http://www.dfisolutions.com/, respectively.

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea launched a possible intercontinental ballistic missile on Monday morning in what analysts said indicated the growing reliability of the reclusive state’s illegal weapons program. “While North Korea, like every country, has missile tests fail, it’s clear that the overall reliability of North Korea’s missiles is quite respectable,” Lewis said. A Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile is launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 13, 2023. The Hwasong-17 was unveiled in 2022, when North Korea held its first long-range missile test in more than four years. Monday’s launch was North Korea’s second of a ballistic missile in less than 24 hours.

Venture capital funding globally almost halved in the first six months of 2023, according to PitchBook data, which highlighted a lack of investor enthusiasm as well as falling demand amid rising interest rates. The lack of liquidity in the market, and the sudden difficulties startups used to regularly raising capital are now facing in convincing investors, has hit a certain type of African startup hard. ZumiKenyan B2B e-commerce startup Zumi announced in March it had closed down after failing to secure the necessary funding to continue operations. MarketForce has struggled to raise more capital, announced a bunch of layoffs, and recently turned to crowdfunding to get some cash in the bank. The company announced last month it had reduced its operations outside of Africa, cutting its workforce in Europe and Dubai.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Sunday fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea, South Korea said, in a possible display of defiance against the latest steps by Washington and Seoul to tighten their nuclear deterrence plans against North Korean threats. The South Korean military said it was sharing the launch information with the United States and Japan to further analyze the details while maintaining readiness against the possibility of additional North Korean military activities. It criticized the launch as a “clear violation” of U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban North Korea from using ballistic technologies. Last month, North Korea also launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which Kim described as a crucial for monitoring U.S. and South Korean military activities and enhancing the threat of his nuclear-capable missiles. Washington and its allies have also expressed concerns about a potential arms alignment between North Korea and Russia.

Getty ImagesUS policymakers should be concerned about a BRICS-led dedollarization, Thomas Hill wrote for the Atlantic Council. "Collectively, the expanded BRICS network via these trade organization connections now eclipses 90 countries." "By including Egypt, BRICS can influence Algerian and Tunisian de-dollarization through Egyptian leadership inside existing trade regimes. "Collectively, the expanded BRICS network via these trade organization connections now eclipses 90 countries." "For US policymakers, the BRICS de-dollarization effort should cause concern," he said, adding that the federal government needs an interagency process with backing from lawmakers.

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The year-to-date (January–November) global surface temperature ranked as the warmest such period on record. Parts of northern North America, northern and central South America, Africa and eastern and southern Asia experienced record-warm temperatures this month. Seasonal Global TemperatureThe September–November 2023 global surface temperature was 2.54°F (1.41°C) above the 20th-century average of 57.1°F (14.0°C). The September–November 2023 global surface temperature departure from average also marks the highest seasonal temperature anomaly on record. For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see the NOAA November 2023 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.

Russian-flagged bulk carrier SV Nikolay is unloaded at Izmir port in Turkey June 25, 2022. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik/File PhotoBy Ebru Tuncay and Alexander CornwellISTANBUL (Reuters) -Abu Dhabi is set to buy a stake in a key Turkish port, according to four sources aware of the deal, in a further sign of a rapprochement between the once bitter geopolitical rivals. The port, owned by Turkey's sovereign wealth fund, is an important gateway that is in need of new investment.An official for the Turkey Wealth Fund declined to comment. AD Ports didn't immediately respond to a request for comment while ADQ, the emirate's sovereign wealth fund and majority owner of the ports group, wasn't available for comment. The Dubai state-owned port operating giant DP World bought a majority stake in a Turkish port earlier this year.

Seoul (AFP) – North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, Seoul's military said, as the United States and South Korea warned any nuclear attack would lead to the end of Pyongyang's regime. The missile flew around 570 kilometres (354 miles) before landing in the East Sea, it said, adding that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have "closely shared information regarding North Korea's ballistic missile." Japan's defence ministry also said North Korea launched "what appears to be a ballistic missile", with its coastguard adding that it seemed to have already fallen. The missile launch also comes as Pyongyang marks the anniversary of the death of leader Kim Jong Un's father and predecessor Kim Jong Il who died on December 17, 2011. The UN Security Council has adopted many resolutions calling on North Korea to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes since it first conducted a nuclear test in 2006.

“The United States fully supports UN Personal Envoy de Mistura in facilitating the negotiations process to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution for the Sahara,” the statement points out. The visit to Rabat of Deputy Assistant Secretary Joshua Harris will also focus on the means to further strengthen the U.S.-Morocco partnership in addition to a range of regional security priorities, the statement stresses. In choosing Algeria as an interlocutor on the Sahara issue, the US sends a clear message that Algiers is the real party to the conflict, vindicating Morocco’s position that no political solution is fathomable without the active involvement of Algeria, the paymaster, protector and donor of the Polisario militias. “We are serious about using our influence to enable a successful UN political process,” said Harris in his interview. The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory in 2020 and backed the autonomy plan.

“First of all, congratulations to North Dakota State,” Hauck said. It was also the second overtime this postseason for North Dakota State. The Bison beat Montana State 35-34 in the second round by blocking an extra point. North Dakota State answered that with Crosa’s 35-yard field goal on the last play of the half to trail 10-6. The Bison reached the title game 10 of the previous 12 seasons, winning nine before losing 45-21 to South Dakota State last year.

December 17, 2023 05:21 pm | Updated 06:39 pm IST - New DelhiScaling yet another peak in his ambitious journey, Kerala government employee Shaikh Hassan Khan has climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. This is the fifth highest peak that has been scaled by the 36-year-old Khan. Apart from Mount Vinson, Mr. Khan has climbed four other highest peaks -- Mount Everest (Asia), Mount Denali (North America), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), and Mount Elbrus (Europe). Mr. Khan has sustained frost bite on both hands and is now receiving treatment at the Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica. Mr. Khan, who is currently on leave from his government job, takes the help of his close friends for planning the trips.

People pose for a group photo in front of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Center at Mongi Slim Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia, on Dec 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]TUNIS -- A Traditional Chinese Medicine Center was unveiled on Friday in the Tunisian capital Tunis. A ceremony was held to mark the establishment of the center, which is located in Mongi Slim Hospital. Ben Nasr said "the traditional Chinese acupuncture has been welcomed here in Tunisia, and I hope the center will operate under better conditions and become a model for the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine in Tunis and other places." For years, Chinese doctors have provided acupuncture services at Mongi Slim Hospital to local people.

Colombian senators underlined the “great socio-economic development” and the security and tranquility prevailing in the southern provinces, and criticized the recognition by the current government in Bogota of the so-called SADR, an entity that “does not exist”. This came in a statement signed by three senators, “legitimate representatives of the Colombian people”, who have just visited the southern provinces. The three signatories of the statement, which was published on the Senate’s official website, are German Blanco Alvarez, President of the Colombia-Morocco Friendship Group in the Colombian Senate, and Paola Holguin Moreno and José Luis Pérez Oyuela, members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Similarly, “almost 40% of African countries have opened consulates there, expressing their firm support for Morocco’s sovereignty and unity,” they said. The Colombian senators added: “This visit has further confirmed what we have been expressing to all our country’s authorities.