The Iranian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence handed over to a Swedish-Iranian dissident who was convicted of leading an Arab separatist group accused of attacks, including the one on a military parade in 2018 that killed 25 people and injured nearly 250. According to the Mizan news agency on Sunday (March 12), Habib Farajollah Chaab was sentenced to death after several court sessions in the presence of his lawyer.&nbsp;

The death sentence of Habib Farajollah Chaab on charges of corruption on earth through the formation, management and leadership of a rebel group called Harakat al-Nidal, and the design and execution of numerous terrorist operations in Khuzestan province, was approved by the Supreme Court, the report said.&nbsp;

Chaab was arrested in 2020 and has been in Iran since then. He was found guilty on charges of "corruption on earth" and the formation of the group-Harakat al-Nidal, which Tehran calls a terrorist group. The Swedish-Iranian dissident was sentenced to death on December 6 last year.&nbsp;

His sentencing comes nearly a week after Iran sentenced to death six members of the rebel group. They were found guilty of armed operations between 2017 and 2019 that killed four people, including a soldier and two members of the Basij paramilitary force, local media reported on March 6.&nbsp;

The members were identified as&nbsp;Ali Mojadam, Mohammad Reza Moghadam, Moein Khanfari, Habib Deris, Adnan Ghobishavi and Salem Mousavi.

Iran has had tense relations with its ethnic minorities including Arabs, Kurds, Azeris and Baluch, accusing them of aligning with neighbouring countries. &nbsp;And as per Amnesty International, Iran executes more people every year than any other country except China. &nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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The Iranian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence handed over to a Swedish-Iranian dissident who was convicted of leading an Arab separatist group accused of attacks, including the one on a military parade in 2018 that killed 25 people and injured nearly 250.

The Iranian Supreme Court upheld the death sentence handed over to a Swedish-Iranian dissident who was convicted of leading an Arab separatist group accused of attacks, including the one on a military parade in 2018 that killed 25 people and injured nearly 250. According to the Mizan news agency on Sunday (March 12), Habib Farajollah Chaab was sentenced to death after several court sessions in the presence of his lawyer. The death sentence of Habib Farajollah Chaab on charges of corruption on earth through the formation, management and leadership of a rebel group called Harakat al-Nidal, and the design and execution of numerous terrorist operations in Khuzestan province, was approved by the Supreme Court, the report said. Chaab was arrested in 2020 and has been in Iran since then. He was found guilty on charges of "corruption on earth" and the formation of the group-Harakat al-Nidal, which Tehran calls a terrorist group. The Swedish-Iranian dissident was sentenced to death on December 6 last year. His sentencing comes nearly a week after Iran sentenced to death six members of the rebel group. They were found guilty of armed operations between 2017 and 2019 that killed four people, including a soldier and two members of the Basij paramilitary force, local media reported on March 6. The members were identified as Ali Mojadam, Mohammad Reza Moghadam, Moein Khanfari, Habib Deris, Adnan Ghobishavi and Salem Mousavi. Iran has had tense relations with its ethnic minorities including Arabs, Kurds, Azeris and Baluch, accusing them of aligning with neighbouring countries. And as per Amnesty International, Iran executes more people every year than any other country except China. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran's Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Swedish-Iranian dissident

The French Senate late Saturday (March 11) approved President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform plan despite massive protests opposing the policy. In the upper house of Parliament, 195 members voted for the text while 112 voted against it.

The French Senate late Saturday (March 11) approved President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform plan despite massive protests opposing the policy. In the upper house of Parliament, 195 members voted for the text while 112 voted against it. Taking to Twitter, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said, "After hundreds of hours of discussions, the Senate adopted the pension reform plan. It is a key step to make reform happen that will guarantee the future of our pension system." Borne said that she was committed to ensuring the text would be definitively adopted in the coming days. With the Senate adopting the bill, it will be reviewed by a joint committee of lower and upper house lawmakers, probably on Wednesday, according to a report by the news agency Reuters. If the committee agrees on the text, a final vote in both chambers is likely to take place the next day. However, the outcome of the vote seems uncertain in the lower chamber where President Macron's party needs allies' votes for a majority. If the government fears it would not have enough votes in the lower house, it is still possible for it to push the text through without a parliamentary vote, via a so-called 49:3 procedure. Protests intensify On Saturday, around 368,000 protesters marched in various cities of France to oppose the pension reform. As with the previous demonstrations, Saturday's protest did not see any major scuffles with the police. According to government figures, 1.28 million took to the streets on Tuesday (March 7), the highest turnout since the beginning of the protests. More nationwide strikes and protests have been planned for Wednesday (March 15). The pension reform plan's headline measure is the hike in the minimum age retirement to 64 from 62, seen by many as unfair to people who started working young. The reform would also increase the number of years people have to make contributions to receive a full pension. Speaking to the news agency AFP on Saturday, retired train driver Claude Jeanvoine said that he was protesting for "my colleagues and for our young people." "People shouldn't let the government get away with this, this is about the future of their children and grandchildren," Jeanvoine, 63, demonstrating in Strasbourg said. The protesters also pointed out that women, especially mothers, were at a disadvantage under the new reform. "If I'd known this was coming, I wouldn't have stopped working to look after my kids when they were small," said Sophie Merle, a 50-year-old childcare provider in the southern city of Marseille. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France: Senate approves Macron’s pension reform plan despite massive protests

A father from the US state of Minnesota has confessed to killing a 77-year-old sex offender he claimed stalked his daughter. Citing court documents, a report by Fox News on Saturday (March 11) said 27-year-old Levi Axtell walked into a police station in Minnesota on Wednesday covered in blood and told police he beat a man with a shovel 15 to 20 times and "finished him off" with a moose antler.&nbsp;

The elderly victim was identified as Lawrence V. Scully- who had been convicted of molesting a six-year-old girl in 1979. In 2014, Scullly filed as a candidate for the mayor of Grand Marais. During the campaign, many people called into question his past behaviour as a convicted sexual predator

On Friday, Levi Axtell was taken into custody and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge. He is being held in the Cook County jail on a $1 million bond. The 27-year-old father is next due in court on April 10.&nbsp;

Deputies from the Cook County Sheriff's Office found Scully in his Grand Marais home "obviously dead from the serious nature of his head wounds," according to the criminal complaint, the report said. The cause of Scully's death was blunt-force head injuries.&nbsp;

In 2018, Axtell accused Scully of stalking and attempting to groom his toddler daughter at her daycare by parking his van at the facility. Axtell sought a protective order against Scully on behalf of his daughter, a report by the WTIP on Friday said. The order was initially granted but dropped several weeks later.&nbsp;

The 27-year-old father told Cook Country authorities that he had known Scully for a long time, and believed him to have sexually offended children in the past, the report added. Axtell said he observed the 77-year-old parking in his vehicle at locations where children were present and believed he would re-offend. 
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A father from the US state of Minnesota has confessed to killing a 77-year-old sex offender he claimed stalked his daughter. Citing court documents, a report by Fox News on Saturday (March 11) said 27-year-old Levi Axtell walked into a police station in Minnesota on Wednesday covered in blood and told police he beat a man with a shovel 15 to 20 times and "finished him off" with a moose antler.

A father from the US state of Minnesota has confessed to killing a 77-year-old sex offender he claimed stalked his daughter. Citing court documents, a report by Fox News on Saturday (March 11) said 27-year-old Levi Axtell walked into a police station in Minnesota on Wednesday covered in blood and told police he beat a man with a shovel 15 to 20 times and "finished him off" with a moose antler. The elderly victim was identified as Lawrence V. Scully- who had been convicted of molesting a six-year-old girl in 1979. In 2014, Scullly filed as a candidate for the mayor of Grand Marais. During the campaign, many people called into question his past behaviour as a convicted sexual predator On Friday, Levi Axtell was taken into custody and arraigned on a second-degree murder charge. He is being held in the Cook County jail on a $1 million bond. The 27-year-old father is next due in court on April 10. Deputies from the Cook County Sheriff's Office found Scully in his Grand Marais home "obviously dead from the serious nature of his head wounds," according to the criminal complaint, the report said. The cause of Scully's death was blunt-force head injuries. In 2018, Axtell accused Scully of stalking and attempting to groom his toddler daughter at her daycare by parking his van at the facility. Axtell sought a protective order against Scully on behalf of his daughter, a report by the WTIP on Friday said. The order was initially granted but dropped several weeks later. The 27-year-old father told Cook Country authorities that he had known Scully for a long time, and believed him to have sexually offended children in the past, the report added. Axtell said he observed the 77-year-old parking in his vehicle at locations where children were present and believed he would re-offend. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Minnesota father kills 77-yr-old sex offender he claims was stalking daughter: Reports

The Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) paid out annual bonuses to eligible American employees on Friday (March 10), just hours before the bank was seized by the Joe Biden administration. According to a report by the Axios on Saturday, the bonuses were for the work done last year and were previously scheduled to be disbursed on Friday. However, the day coincided with the bank's takeover by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Bonuses&nbsp;for employees in some other countries were scheduled for later in the month, and haven't been paid.&nbsp;

The Axios report said that an unknown number of SVB employees were emailed by the FDIC on Friday, offering them employment with the remnant organisation for the next 45 days. These employees would be compensated 1.5 times their normal salaries. On the other hand, hourly workers would receive 2 times their normal wages for overtime.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/explained-how-silicon-valley-bank-crisis-unfolded-in-48-hours-570945">Explained: How Silicon Valley Bank crisis unfolded in 48 hours</a>

Speaking to the news website, a spokesperson from the insurance corporation said, "Without commenting on salaries, it’s our standard practice to ask retain [sic] bank employees to assist with an orderly transition as part of our resolution process."

On Friday, American authorities swooped in and seized the assets of the SVB, which had been a key lender to US startups since the 1980s, after a run on deposits made it no longer tenable for the bank to stay afloat on its own.&nbsp;

Given the bank's sudden collapse, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen convened an emergency meeting of the country's top banking regulators. Yellen expressed full confidence in banking regulators to take appropriate actions in response and noted that the banking system remained resilient and regulators have effective tools to address this type of event, a statement from the Treasury department said.&nbsp;

The collapse of the bank has left markets jittery over a potential sign of widespread turmoil. However, analysts only see a limited risk of financial contagion.&nbsp;

CFRA Research's Ken Leon said that the SVB's woes were the result of "idiosyncratic stresses and not one that we see as systemic that would affect the banking industry." Leon said that stricter US regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis have helped contain trouble, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday.&nbsp;

Analysts at Morgan Stanley, meanwhile said, "We want to be very clear here...we do not believe there is a liquidity crunch facing the banking industry, and most banks in our coverage have ample access to liquidity." 
 
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The Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) paid out annual bonuses to eligible American employees on Friday (March 10), just hours before the bank was seized by the Joe Biden administration.

The Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) paid out annual bonuses to eligible American employees on Friday (March 10), just hours before the bank was seized by the Joe Biden administration. According to a report by the Axios on Saturday, the bonuses were for the work done last year and were previously scheduled to be disbursed on Friday. However, the day coincided with the bank's takeover by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Bonuses for employees in some other countries were scheduled for later in the month, and haven't been paid. The Axios report said that an unknown number of SVB employees were emailed by the FDIC on Friday, offering them employment with the remnant organisation for the next 45 days. These employees would be compensated 1.5 times their normal salaries. On the other hand, hourly workers would receive 2 times their normal wages for overtime. ALSO READ | Explained: How Silicon Valley Bank crisis unfolded in 48 hours Speaking to the news website, a spokesperson from the insurance corporation said, "Without commenting on salaries, it’s our standard practice to ask retain [sic] bank employees to assist with an orderly transition as part of our resolution process." On Friday, American authorities swooped in and seized the assets of the SVB, which had been a key lender to US startups since the 1980s, after a run on deposits made it no longer tenable for the bank to stay afloat on its own. Given the bank's sudden collapse, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen convened an emergency meeting of the country's top banking regulators. Yellen expressed full confidence in banking regulators to take appropriate actions in response and noted that the banking system remained resilient and regulators have effective tools to address this type of event, a statement from the Treasury department said. The collapse of the bank has left markets jittery over a potential sign of widespread turmoil. However, analysts only see a limited risk of financial contagion. CFRA Research's Ken Leon said that the SVB's woes were the result of "idiosyncratic stresses and not one that we see as systemic that would affect the banking industry." Leon said that stricter US regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis have helped contain trouble, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday. Analysts at Morgan Stanley, meanwhile said, "We want to be very clear here...we do not believe there is a liquidity crunch facing the banking industry, and most banks in our coverage have ample access to liquidity." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Silicon Valley Bank paid out annual bonuses to US employees just hours before seizure: Report

The Verdi trade union in Germany has called for strikes on Monday (March 13) at the country's northern airports. The strikes are likely to cause longer queues for passengers and flight cancellations. In separate statements on Saturday, the relevant regional branches of the services sector union said the strikes will affect Berlin's international airport, as well as the smaller airports of Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen, the news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

At the Berlin airport, Verdi said it was calling security staff to strike because of disputes over pay for working nights, weekends, and bank holidays that had been going on for years. The strike at the airport would start in the early hours (of Monday) and finish at night.&nbsp;

The Hamburg branch of the trade union, meanwhile, said it was striking over the regular pay rise offered to public sector employees of two percent for the next 27 months and one-off payments of 1,500 and 1,000 euros, which it said was not enough given annual inflation running at around nine percent.&nbsp;

Monday's strikes in Germany <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-over-2000-of-flights-cancelled-as-staff-at-eight-airports-go-on-strike-563020">come nearly a month after workers at the country's eight airports</a> went on a strike to demand better pay. According to the airport association ADV, around 295,000 passengers were affected by the cancellation of 2,340 flights at Bremen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, and Leipzig airports on February 17.&nbsp;

This strike was also called by Verdi which said the walkout was expected to have a strong impact, especially on domestic air traffic. The trade union has been leading negotiations for public sector workers, airport ground crew, and aviation security staff, demanding better pay at a time when workers are seeing their incomes eroded by a higher cost of living.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Verdi trade union in Germany has called for strikes on Monday (March 13) at the country's northern airports. The strikes are likely to cause longer queues for passengers and flight cancellations.

The Verdi trade union in Germany has called for strikes on Monday (March 13) at the country's northern airports. The strikes are likely to cause longer queues for passengers and flight cancellations. In separate statements on Saturday, the relevant regional branches of the services sector union said the strikes will affect Berlin's international airport, as well as the smaller airports of Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen, the news agency Reuters reported. At the Berlin airport, Verdi said it was calling security staff to strike because of disputes over pay for working nights, weekends, and bank holidays that had been going on for years. The strike at the airport would start in the early hours (of Monday) and finish at night. The Hamburg branch of the trade union, meanwhile, said it was striking over the regular pay rise offered to public sector employees of two percent for the next 27 months and one-off payments of 1,500 and 1,000 euros, which it said was not enough given annual inflation running at around nine percent. Monday's strikes in Germany come nearly a month after workers at the country's eight airports went on a strike to demand better pay. According to the airport association ADV, around 295,000 passengers were affected by the cancellation of 2,340 flights at Bremen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, and Leipzig airports on February 17. This strike was also called by Verdi which said the walkout was expected to have a strong impact, especially on domestic air traffic. The trade union has been leading negotiations for public sector workers, airport ground crew, and aviation security staff, demanding better pay at a time when workers are seeing their incomes eroded by a higher cost of living. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German trade union calls for strikes at nation's northern airports on March 13

A man from Texas allegedly broke into the house of a woman in Washington and killed her and her husband early Friday (March 10), before dying by suicide. According to reports, the victims were identified as Zohreh Sadeghi, 33, and her husband Mohammed Naseri, 35. Sadeghi was a podcaster and the attacker&nbsp;Ramin Khodakaramrezaei, a 38-year-old trucker, listened to the podcast she hosted.&nbsp;

Police discovered the bodies of Sadeghi, Naseri, and Khodakaramrezaei following officers probing a call reporting shots fired within a home in Redmond, Washington, around 24 kilometres (15 miles) from Seattle.&nbsp;

Authorities said that Sadeghi's mother, who was at home at the time of the attack, escaped and called 911 from a neighbour's house at 1.45 am on Friday. In a statement, the Redmond Police said that first responders pulled Naseri out of the house and performed CPR on him but were unable to resuscitate him.&nbsp;

"Upon entering the home, officers discovered a male and female deceased inside from gunshot wounds. The stalking suspect, 38-year-old Ramin Khodakaramrezaei, was the deceased male inside the home," the police said.&nbsp;

It added Khodakaramrezaei had reportedly listened to Sadeghi's podcast and started communicating with her. "The victim and suspect became friends, but when things escalated, she filed a no-contact order against him," the Richmond Police further said.&nbsp;

Days before the attack, Sadeghi and her husband petitioned a Washington state judge for a protection order against Khodakaramrezaei. The attacker was facing stalking and harassment charges filed on March 2, a report by Fox News on Friday said.&nbsp;

Redmond officers and detectives were familiar with the victim and residence because of the ongoing stalking investigation. Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe, meanwhile, said that the investigation would continue.&nbsp;

"Our hearts go out to the victims' family and the Redmond community following this horrific tragedy. This is an incredibly sad situation and the worst possible outcome of a stalking case," Lowe said.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
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A man from Texas allegedly broke into the house of a woman in Washington and killed her and her husband early Friday (March 10), before dying by suicide. According to reports, the victims were identified as Zohreh Sadeghi, 33, and her husband Mohammed Naseri, 35.

A man from Texas allegedly broke into the house of a woman in Washington and killed her and her husband early Friday (March 10), before dying by suicide. According to reports, the victims were identified as Zohreh Sadeghi, 33, and her husband Mohammed Naseri, 35. Sadeghi was a podcaster and the attacker Ramin Khodakaramrezaei, a 38-year-old trucker, listened to the podcast she hosted. Police discovered the bodies of Sadeghi, Naseri, and Khodakaramrezaei following officers probing a call reporting shots fired within a home in Redmond, Washington, around 24 kilometres (15 miles) from Seattle. Authorities said that Sadeghi's mother, who was at home at the time of the attack, escaped and called 911 from a neighbour's house at 1.45 am on Friday. In a statement, the Redmond Police said that first responders pulled Naseri out of the house and performed CPR on him but were unable to resuscitate him. "Upon entering the home, officers discovered a male and female deceased inside from gunshot wounds. The stalking suspect, 38-year-old Ramin Khodakaramrezaei, was the deceased male inside the home," the police said. It added Khodakaramrezaei had reportedly listened to Sadeghi's podcast and started communicating with her. "The victim and suspect became friends, but when things escalated, she filed a no-contact order against him," the Richmond Police further said. Days before the attack, Sadeghi and her husband petitioned a Washington state judge for a protection order against Khodakaramrezaei. The attacker was facing stalking and harassment charges filed on March 2, a report by Fox News on Friday said. Redmond officers and detectives were familiar with the victim and residence because of the ongoing stalking investigation. Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe, meanwhile, said that the investigation would continue. "Our hearts go out to the victims' family and the Redmond community following this horrific tragedy. This is an incredibly sad situation and the worst possible outcome of a stalking case," Lowe said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Podcaster, husband killed allegedly by stalker in their Washington home, say reports

Over 1,000 migrants were brought to safety at two ports in Italy on Saturday (March 11) after the coastguard launched a major operation on Friday for three boats struggling in the rough seas off Calabria. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, one coastguard vessel brought 584 migrants to Reggio Calabria while another vessel with 487 migrants arrived at the port of Crotone, close to the scene of the February 26 shipwreck, which killed 74.

Speaking to the news agency, local officials said that further 200 migrants were picked up off the coast of Sicily and would be ferried to Catania later on Saturday.&nbsp;Since Wednesday, more than 4,000 people have reached Italy, compared to 1,300 people in all of March 2022.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-migrant-shipwreck-death-toll-likely-to-be-over-100-reports-suggest-566781">Italy migrant shipwreck death toll likely to be over 100, reports suggest</a>

The toll in the February 26 shipwreck has climbed to 74 after the body of a young girl was recovered on Saturday. Seventy-nine people migrants survived and 30 are still missing.&nbsp;

The tragedy has caused sharp criticism of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. Apart from being criticised for its failure to intervene in time to save the boat, the government is also struggling to contain the influx of migrants, despite promising repeatedly to stem the flow.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Prime Minister Meloni held a cabinet meeting at Cutro, near the disaster site, and announced a new decree that included stiffer prison sentences for human traffickers. The cabinet also promised to open up more channels for legal migration. However, no new measures were introduced to help save lives.&nbsp;

In recent times, Italy has seen a spike in the number of migrants attempting to reach its shores via the dangerous Mediterranean crossing. According to interior ministry figures, over 17,500 people arrived by sea so far this year -- almost three times the number for the same period last year, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Over 1,000 migrants were brought to safety at two ports in Italy on Saturday (March 11) after the coastguard launched a major operation on Friday for three boats struggling in the rough seas off Calabria.

Over 1,000 migrants were brought to safety at two ports in Italy on Saturday (March 11) after the coastguard launched a major operation on Friday for three boats struggling in the rough seas off Calabria. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, one coastguard vessel brought 584 migrants to Reggio Calabria while another vessel with 487 migrants arrived at the port of Crotone, close to the scene of the February 26 shipwreck, which killed 74. Speaking to the news agency, local officials said that further 200 migrants were picked up off the coast of Sicily and would be ferried to Catania later on Saturday. Since Wednesday, more than 4,000 people have reached Italy, compared to 1,300 people in all of March 2022. ALSO READ | Italy migrant shipwreck death toll likely to be over 100, reports suggest The toll in the February 26 shipwreck has climbed to 74 after the body of a young girl was recovered on Saturday. Seventy-nine people migrants survived and 30 are still missing. The tragedy has caused sharp criticism of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. Apart from being criticised for its failure to intervene in time to save the boat, the government is also struggling to contain the influx of migrants, despite promising repeatedly to stem the flow. On Thursday, Prime Minister Meloni held a cabinet meeting at Cutro, near the disaster site, and announced a new decree that included stiffer prison sentences for human traffickers. The cabinet also promised to open up more channels for legal migration. However, no new measures were introduced to help save lives. In recent times, Italy has seen a spike in the number of migrants attempting to reach its shores via the dangerous Mediterranean crossing. According to interior ministry figures, over 17,500 people arrived by sea so far this year -- almost three times the number for the same period last year, the news agency AFP reported on Saturday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over 1,000 migrants brought to safety at Italian ports

Residents in Australia's Queensland state were evacuated on Saturday (March 11) as record-breaking floods sparked by heavy rain lashing the region's northwest. The police said that 53 residents of the isolated Gulf of Carpentaria of Burketown had been evacuated since the floods earlier this week. Around 100 residents remained in Gulf Country town, with police urging a full evacuation on Saturday, as Australia's weather forecaster predicted river levels in the area to peak on Sunday, the news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Taking to Twitter, the police shared visuals of the flooding in Burketown and urged all remaining residents to leave.&nbsp;"Police are strongly urging all remaining residents to leave the community of Burketown as soon as possible. This is particularly relevant to the elderly and people with young children," the police tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Police have released vision of flooding in Burketown today. 
 
All remaining residents are being urged to leave. 
 
For up-to-date information, visit: <a href="https://t.co/5XobASxKXh">https://t.co/5XobASxKXh</a> <a href="https://t.co/nEsSQ0s766">pic.twitter.com/nEsSQ0s766</a>
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/QldPolice/status/1634406513442975744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The Burke Shire Council, meanwhile, issued a final alert on Saturday urging the residents to evacuate. "Waters are continuing to rise in the Burketown Community and surrounding shire. At the moment, the water movements are unpredictable and are rising at a rapid rate. The safety of our community members is paramount and we strongly encourage residents to leave," the council said.&nbsp;

It also warned residents that sewer and power services are expected to be cut from Saturday night, according to a report by news.com.au.&nbsp;

Australia has been lashed by heavy rain in the last two years, driven by back-to-back La Nina climate cycles over the Pacific. However, the country's meteorology bureau has predicted drier and warmer weather in the months ahead as La Nina nears its end. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Residents in Australia's Queensland state were evacuated on Saturday (March 11) as record-breaking floods sparked by heavy rain lashing the region's northwest. The police said that 53 residents of the isolated Gulf of Carpentaria of Burketown had been evacuated since the floods earlier this week.

Residents in Australia's Queensland state were evacuated on Saturday (March 11) as record-breaking floods sparked by heavy rain lashing the region's northwest. The police said that 53 residents of the isolated Gulf of Carpentaria of Burketown had been evacuated since the floods earlier this week. Around 100 residents remained in Gulf Country town, with police urging a full evacuation on Saturday, as Australia's weather forecaster predicted river levels in the area to peak on Sunday, the news agency Reuters reported. Taking to Twitter, the police shared visuals of the flooding in Burketown and urged all remaining residents to leave. "Police are strongly urging all remaining residents to leave the community of Burketown as soon as possible. This is particularly relevant to the elderly and people with young children," the police tweeted. Police have released vision of flooding in Burketown today. All remaining residents are being urged to leave. For up-to-date information, visit: https://t.co/5XobASxKXh pic.twitter.com/nEsSQ0s766 — Queensland Police (@QldPolice) March 11, 2023 × The Burke Shire Council, meanwhile, issued a final alert on Saturday urging the residents to evacuate. "Waters are continuing to rise in the Burketown Community and surrounding shire. At the moment, the water movements are unpredictable and are rising at a rapid rate. The safety of our community members is paramount and we strongly encourage residents to leave," the council said. It also warned residents that sewer and power services are expected to be cut from Saturday night, according to a report by news.com.au. Australia has been lashed by heavy rain in the last two years, driven by back-to-back La Nina climate cycles over the Pacific. However, the country's meteorology bureau has predicted drier and warmer weather in the months ahead as La Nina nears its end. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australia: Govt evacuates residents of Queensland amid record-breaking floods in region

On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin who is on a visit to Israel expressed concerns amid recent violence against Palestinians by Jewish settlers and warned that such acts&nbsp;could trigger more insecurity.&nbsp;

"I'm here as a friend who's deeply committed to the security of the State of Israel, but the United States also remains firmly opposed to any acts that could trigger more insecurity, including settlement expansion and inflammatory rhetoric," said the defence secretary.

Austin held talks in Israel as flaring violence&nbsp;killed three suspected Palestinian militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and thousands of demonstrators rallied against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government.

Austin earlier delayed his visit to Israel which is witnessing massive protests against the government's&nbsp;plan to overhaul the country's judicial system. He was supposed to arrive in Israel on Wednesday (March 8) after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. However, he arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday and is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant near the Ben Gurion Airport, according to a report by the Al-Monitor.&nbsp;

Earlier, a&nbsp;US official, who did not wish to be identified said, that Washington was concerned that escalating tensions in West Bank could distract Israel and US' attention from Iranian activities. "Secretary Austin is perfectly capable of having conversations about both issues (West Bank and Iran)," the official told the news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

However, the official said that Israel’s preoccupation with the West Bank "detracts from our ability to focus on what the strategic threat is right now and that is Iran's dangerous nuclear advances and continuing regional and global aggression."

"Austin is committed to Israel's security, but one of the dominant ways in which we've been able to work together and strengthen that relationship is because we're two democracies that share values," the official further told Reuters, adding, one of those values included the right to protest.

The US defence secretary's visit to Israel comes as three Palestinian men were shot dead by the Israeli forces in West Bank on Thursday. The men were shot in Jaba, near the flashpoint northern city of Jenin. The Palestinian health ministry identified them as Sufyan Fakhoury, 26, Ahmed Fashafsha, 22, and Nayef Malaysha, 25, the news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

This attack comes a day after the United Nations urged Israel and Palestine to "immediately" end violence. In a statement, UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland said on Wednesday, "We are in the midst of a cycle of violence that must be stopped immediately."

"The Security Council has spoken with one voice, calling on the parties to observe calm and restraint, and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric," Wennesland added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin who is on a visit to Israel expressed concerns amid recent violence against Palestinians by Jewish settlers and warned that such acts could trigger more insecurity.

On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin who is on a visit to Israel expressed concerns amid recent violence against Palestinians by Jewish settlers and warned that such acts could trigger more insecurity. "I'm here as a friend who's deeply committed to the security of the State of Israel, but the United States also remains firmly opposed to any acts that could trigger more insecurity, including settlement expansion and inflammatory rhetoric," said the defence secretary. Austin held talks in Israel as flaring violence killed three suspected Palestinian militants in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and thousands of demonstrators rallied against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government. Austin earlier delayed his visit to Israel which is witnessing massive protests against the government's plan to overhaul the country's judicial system. He was supposed to arrive in Israel on Wednesday (March 8) after meeting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. However, he arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday and is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant near the Ben Gurion Airport, according to a report by the Al-Monitor. Earlier, a US official, who did not wish to be identified said, that Washington was concerned that escalating tensions in West Bank could distract Israel and US' attention from Iranian activities. "Secretary Austin is perfectly capable of having conversations about both issues (West Bank and Iran)," the official told the news agency Reuters. However, the official said that Israel’s preoccupation with the West Bank "detracts from our ability to focus on what the strategic threat is right now and that is Iran's dangerous nuclear advances and continuing regional and global aggression." "Austin is committed to Israel's security, but one of the dominant ways in which we've been able to work together and strengthen that relationship is because we're two democracies that share values," the official further told Reuters, adding, one of those values included the right to protest. The US defence secretary's visit to Israel comes as three Palestinian men were shot dead by the Israeli forces in West Bank on Thursday. The men were shot in Jaba, near the flashpoint northern city of Jenin. The Palestinian health ministry identified them as Sufyan Fakhoury, 26, Ahmed Fashafsha, 22, and Nayef Malaysha, 25, the news agency AFP reported. This attack comes a day after the United Nations urged Israel and Palestine to "immediately" end violence. In a statement, UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland said on Wednesday, "We are in the midst of a cycle of violence that must be stopped immediately." "The Security Council has spoken with one voice, calling on the parties to observe calm and restraint, and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric," Wennesland added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

West Bank violence: US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin expresses concern, flags 'inflammatory rhetoric'

The Japanese government is considering exporting weapons to countries that are under invasion such as Ukraine, in a move which is expected to enhance Japan's credibility in the global security arena.

The Japanese government is considering exporting weapons to countries that are under invasion such as Ukraine, in a move which is expected to enhance Japan's credibility in the global security arena. The government would also consider exporting weapons to countries that cooperate with Japan on security. According to a report by Nikkie on Friday (March 10), the government has floated the idea of expanding the number of countries that are eligible for arms exports. The current rules say that Japan can only transfer warplanes, armoured vehicles and missiles to countries which jointly develop and produce the hardware. ALSO READ | Explained: As the war in Ukraine rages on, will 2023 be the year of defence companies? Last week, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called on lawmakers to amend the export rules. Kishida said that expanding military exports would become a key policy tool for assisting countries which suffered aggression in violation of international law, according to the report. Japan's push to amend export rules comes ahead of the country hosting the G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May. Japan's support to Ukraine Several countries have militarily aided Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian offensive on February 24 last year. Japan also offered help to Ukraine. But Tokyo has only sent bulletproof vests, helmets, and medical kits due to Tokyo's pacifist laws forbidding sending weapons to the war-torn country. This has raised concerns about Japan being in a poor position to lead diplomatic discussions, the report said, adding, that Prime Minister Kishida is the only G-7 leader who is yet to visit Ukraine. During the Gulf war in the early 1990s, Japan contributed $13 to the United States-led coalition. However, it did not dispatch the self-defence forces personnel, opening the government to criticism. A debate about weapons exports expected soon Masahisa Sato, a lawmaker of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), suggested sending multiple rocket launch systems to war-torn Ukraine. As Prime Minister Kishida has repeatedly warned about East Asia becoming the next Ukraine, Sato said that in the event of a Taiwan contingency or a Japan contingency, Tokyo would need to ask another country for weapons and ammunition or else it would not have nearly enough. Sato asked whether Japan would be able to ask for weapons when it is in a crisis if it doesn't give to other countries during their crises. ALSO READ | 'Why on earth...': Chinese FM quashes rumours of supplying weapons to Russia The Komeito party, a junior ruling coalition partner in Japan, is reluctant to open defence exports to weapons. Nikkie reported that Komeito lobbied to remove "as quickly as possible" from the amended National Security Strategy text calling for a revised weapons transfer policy. The Kishida government and the ruling coalition are expected to debate weapons exports after the local elections in April. Also, the proponents of such exports will face people who are against the idea. A poll published by Nikkie last week showed that only 16% of the respondents were in support of Japan sending arms to Ukraine and 76% were against it. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan considering exporting weapons to countries under invasion: Report

Job cuts by American companies over January and February this year hit the highest since 2009, with the technology sector accounting for more than a third of the over 180,000 job cuts announced.

Job cuts by American companies over January and February this year hit the highest since 2009, with the technology sector accounting for more than a third of the over 180,000 job cuts announced. According to a report by employment firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc on Thursday (March 9), US-based employers announced 77,770 job cuts in February, down 24% from the 102,943 cuts announced in January. "February’s total is the highest for the month since 2009 when 186,350 cuts were recorded. So far this year, employers announced plans to cut 180,713 jobs, up 427% from the 34,309 cuts announced in the first two months of 2022. It is the highest January-February total since 2009 when a total of 428,099 job cuts were announced in January and February," the report said. Andrew Challenger, Senior Vice President at Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc, said that employers are paying attention to rate increase plans from the Fed. "Many have been planning for a downturn for months, cutting costs elsewhere. If things continue to cool, layoffs are typically the last piece in company cost-cutting strategies," Challenger said in the report. He said that at present, the overwhelming bulk of cuts are occurring in technology, adding that retail and finance are also cutting jobs as consumer spending matches economic conditions. The sectors which are cutting jobs According to the Challenger report on Thursday, technology, healthcare, retail, financial and fintech, and media and news announced job cuts. Technology: The report said that the technology sector cut the most number of jobs in February with 21,387, 28% of all cuts announced last month. "The industry has cut a total of 63,216, up 33,705% from the 187 cuts announced in the same period last year. This sector has announced 35% of all job cuts in 2023," the report said. Healthcare: The healthcare sector- which includes hospitals and healthcare products manufacturers- announced the second most number of job cuts in February at 9,749 compared to 8,928 cuts during the same month last year. Andrew Challenger said on Thursday that while many hospitals are still struggling to retain and attract staff, others are cutting costs as economic conditions continue to soften. When it comes to healthcare product manufacturers, Challenger said that such establishments are dealing with increasing costs of doing business and cutting back staff. Retail, financial and fintech: Thursday's report said that retailers announced 17,456 job cuts so far this year, up 2,194% from the 761 job cuts announced in the sector during the same period last year. "Financial firms have cut 17,235, 1,401% higher than the 1,148 cuts announced in January and February last year," the report said. It added that in January and February this year, the fintech sector announced 4,675 job cuts, 45% of the 10,476 the industry cut in all of 2022. Media and news: Till now, the media industry announced to cut 9,738 jobs, compared to 3,774 cuts announced last year. "Of those, 906 occurred in digital, print, and broadcast News, which Challenger tracks as a subset of Media, 546 of which occurred in February. This is up 353% from the 200 News cuts which occurred through February 2022," Thursday's statement said. A downfall in hiring plans Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc said on Thursday that there has been a downfall in hiring plans. Companies announced plans to hire 28,830 workers last month, down 12% from 32,764 hires announced in January. In February last year, 215,127 hiring plans were announced. "So far this year, companies announced plans to hire 61,594 workers, the lowest January-February total since 2016, when employers planned to hire just 15,901 workers in the first two months of the year," the report said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Layoffs by US companies over Jan-Feb hit highest since 2009, says report

A gunman killed several people on Thursday (March 9) at Jehovah's Witness church in Germany's Hamburg city. The police said that the shooting took place at around 2000 GMT, adding, there were "one or more unknown" assailants. In China, Xi Jinping secured a third five-year term as the country's president. Following Xi's election, officials approved by him are set to be appointed or elected to fill top positions in the cabinet over the next two days. Meanwhile, job cuts by American companies over January and February this year hit the highest since 2009. A report by an employment firm said that technology, healthcare, retail, financial and fintech, and media and news announced job cuts.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/several-killed-in-hamburg-church-shootout-says-german-police-570410">Several killed in Hamburg church shooting, says German police'</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/10/337751-untitled-design-2023-03-10t083800139.png?imwidth=1920" />

Several people were killed in a shootout that took place in a church in Hamburg, said German police on Thursday. The police confirmed that the shooting took place at around 2000 GMT and added that there were "one or more unknown" assailants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-secures-third-term-as-chinas-president-570435">Xi Jinping secures historic third term as China's President</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/10/337758-untitled-design-2023-03-10t091110149.png?imwidth=1920" />

Xi Jinping has secured a third five-year term as China's president, tightening his grip as the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. He was re-elected as head of the country's Central Military Commission in a unanimous vote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/layoffs-by-us-companies-over-jan-feb-hit-highest-since-2009-says-report-570447">Layoffs by US companies over Jan-Feb hit highest since 2009, says report</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/10/337766-jobs-hiring.JPG?imwidth=1920" />

Job cuts by American companies over January and February this year hit the highest since 2009, with the technology sector accounting for more than a third of the over 180,000 job cuts announced.

WATCH | Netanyahu’s planned judicial overhaul divides Israeli military

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A gunman killed several people on Thursday (March 9) at Jehovah's Witness church in Germany's Hamburg city. The police said that the shooting took place at around 2000 GMT, adding, there were "one or more unknown" assailants.

A gunman killed several people on Thursday (March 9) at Jehovah's Witness church in Germany's Hamburg city. The police said that the shooting took place at around 2000 GMT, adding, there were "one or more unknown" assailants. In China, Xi Jinping secured a third five-year term as the country's president. Following Xi's election, officials approved by him are set to be appointed or elected to fill top positions in the cabinet over the next two days. Meanwhile, job cuts by American companies over January and February this year hit the highest since 2009. A report by an employment firm said that technology, healthcare, retail, financial and fintech, and media and news announced job cuts. Click on the headlines to read more: Several killed in Hamburg church shooting, says German police' Several people were killed in a shootout that took place in a church in Hamburg, said German police on Thursday. The police confirmed that the shooting took place at around 2000 GMT and added that there were "one or more unknown" assailants. Xi Jinping secures historic third term as China's President Xi Jinping has secured a third five-year term as China's president, tightening his grip as the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. He was re-elected as head of the country's Central Military Commission in a unanimous vote. Layoffs by US companies over Jan-Feb hit highest since 2009, says report Job cuts by American companies over January and February this year hit the highest since 2009, with the technology sector accounting for more than a third of the over 180,000 job cuts announced. WATCH | Netanyahu’s planned judicial overhaul divides Israeli military × WATCH | Joe Biden lays out budget plan, challenges Republicans to do same ×

Morning brief: Several killed in shooting in Germany church; Xi secures 3rd term as China's prez, & more

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