Latest world news News: Today’s Live Updates 02-Dec-2023

A tsunami alert has been issued for the western coast of Japan following a major earthquake in the Philippines. The Japan Meteorological Agency has estimated that the tsunami, which is expected to be 1 metre high, will reach Japan as early as 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. The alert has prompted warnings to residents in affected areas to evacuate to higher ground. The situation is still developing and updates are expected.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to issue an "unreserved apology" at the Covid public inquiry next week, but will also defend his decisions during the pandemic. In his written testimony, Johnson will admit to some mistakes but argue that the three UK lockdowns came at the right time and prevented health services from being overwhelmed. References to Rishi Sunak, former UK chancellor, will be largely absent from Johnson's testimony. The inquiry has been taking place amid public anger over allegations of parties in Downing Street during lockdown. Johnson will deny claims that he wasn't fully engaged during the early stages of the pandemic.

The death toll from the Israeli offensive in Gaza has risen to over 15,200, with 70% of those killed being women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The previous toll given by the ministry was over 13,300. More than 40,000 people have been wounded. Israel intensified its offensive following a weeklong truce with Hamas, leading to concerns about civilian casualties. The US has urged Israel to do everything possible to protect civilians. Many of Israel's attacks on Saturday were focused on the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza, where the military said it had struck more than 50 Hamas targets.

Two members of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Syria, according to a report on the Guard's news portal. The report did not provide details about their rank or the area where they were killed. Syrian state media said Israeli airstrikes hit several areas on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, resulting in "material losses". The strikes reportedly hit the southern Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, where there are military forces working with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. This incident is likely to further increase tensions between Israel and Iran.

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on Saturday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake had a depth of 63 km (39 miles). The US tsunami warning system issued a warning after the earthquake occurred.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an increase in the number of troops by nearly 170,000, bringing the total to 1.32 million, as military action in Ukraine continues. This is the second expansion of the army since 2018, with the previous boost adding 137,000 troops. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the increase would be gradual and achieved by recruiting more volunteers, rather than through significant conscription. The ministry cited the ongoing military operation in Ukraine and the expansion of NATO as the reasons for the increase. Russia's military casualties in Ukraine remain uncertain, with the West estimating much higher numbers than officially confirmed.

Ukraine has stated that two power lines connecting its electricity grid to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were cut overnight, putting the plant at risk of an "accident". The plant has been at the centre of fighting since it was captured by Russian forces last year. This is the eighth time the plant has been cut off from external power since the conflict began. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned that the most recent power outage is another reminder of the precarious nuclear safety and security situation at the plant. The IAEA continues to monitor the safety of the plant and has called on all parties to not take any action that could further endanger the plant.

Pope Francis, who is suffering from a lung inflammation, will read his Sunday message indoors from his residence in order to avoid exposing himself to temperature changes, the Vatican said. The 86-year-old pontiff's health is improving and he has no fever, according to a statement. Francis was recently forced to cancel a planned trip to Dubai to address the U.N. climate summit, with the Vatican's number two, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, reading the speech on his behalf.

A team from Israel's Mossad intelligence services visited Doha on Saturday for talks with Qatari mediators regarding another pause in the fighting in Gaza. The talks focused on the potential release of new categories of Israeli hostages and the parameters of a truce. The truce, which began on Nov. 24, saw Hamas release Israeli women and children taken hostage on Oct. 7 in exchange for the release of Palestinians, including women, held in Israeli prisons. The truce collapsed on Friday, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the breakdown.

Vice President Kamala Harris announced at the UN's COP28 conference that the United States will contribute $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This is the first pledge to the fund by the US since 2014. The money, which still needs approval from Congress, will be used to support adaptation and mitigation projects in developing countries. Prior to the US announcement, $13.5 billion had been pledged to the GCF. The contribution comes as developing countries are seeking support from wealthier nations to cope with the impacts of climate change and transition to cleaner energy sources.

The Garisenda Tower in Bologna, Italy, is at risk of collapsing due to excessive leaning, according to media reports. The tower, which is over 150 feet tall and was built in the 12th century, has been steady for almost 1,000 years. However, sensor readings in October 2023 triggered alarms, leading to the urgent shutdown of the area around the tower. The city council has now decided to erect a protective metal cordon to contain any debris from a possible collapse and reduce the vulnerability of surrounding buildings. Authorities are monitoring the tower's movements closely and have raised a "yellow" alert as a precaution.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by US Representative Pramila Jayapal along with Rep. Rich McCormick and Rep. Raja Krishnamo, have introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would eliminate the per-country caps on employment-based green cards and increase the family-based green card limit. The bill, called the HR6542 Act, aims to address the long-standing backlog of green card applicants, especially from countries like India and China, who face decades of waiting to obtain permanent residency in the United States. The bill has received support from various immigration advocacy groups and has a better chance of passing in the current Congress.

China's National Health Commission has reported that no new infectious diseases have been found in investigations of respiratory illness. This comes as China is experiencing a rise in respiratory illnesses as it enters its first full winter season since lifting COVID-19 restrictions. The country has been monitoring respiratory illness cases closely to ensure that no new infectious diseases emerge. The announcement provides some reassurance that there are currently no major public health threats in China related to respiratory illnesses. However, ongoing surveillance and monitoring will be necessary to detect any potential new infectious diseases in the future.

Supporters of the Khalistan movement have been sentenced for the attempted murder of a radio host in Auckland, New Zealand. Sarvjeet Sidhu pleaded guilty to attempted murder, while Sukhpreet Singh was found guilty of being an accessory. The attack, which occurred in December 2020, left the radio host with over 40 stab wounds. The judge emphasized the need for community protection and deterrence against religious fanaticism. The mastermind behind the attack received a sentence of 13-and-a-half years, while Sidhu was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison. Two other individuals await sentencing for their involvement in the attack.

A senior Hamas leader's comment about not knowing how many hostages were still alive in Gaza and that the number was not important has prompted a sharp reaction from the Israeli government. The Hamas leader, Ghazi Hamad, made the comment in an interview with CBS news. The Israeli government spokesman, Eylon Levy, responded by saying that Hamas worships death while Israelis value life. Levy also claimed in a social media post that Hamas was currently holding 137 hostages in Gaza. Over the past week, Hamas has released 110 captives as part of a truce agreement.