Green activists in S. Korea demand tough action on plastic waste at UN talks By Reuters

By Minwoo Park and Daewoung Kim BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) – Hundreds of environmental campaigners marched on Saturday in the South Korean city of Busan to demand stronger global commitments to fight plastic waste at U.N. talks in the city next week. About a thousand people, including members of indigenous groups, young people and informal … Read more

The best discounts on Echo speakers, Ring doorbells and Kindles worth shopping right now

There are two (well, technically, three) optimal times of the year to pick up Echo speakers, Kindle ereaders and other Amazon devices: Amazon Prime Day (now multiple days) and Black Friday. While Amazon likes to save its steepest discounts for its members-only shopping event, it’s a safe bet that we’ll see the same deals (or … Read more

11 dead after Israeli airstrike destroys residential building in central Beirut

A powerful airstrike killed 11 people in central Beirut on Saturday, the Lebanese civil defence said, shaking the capital as Israel pressed its offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. The attack destroyed an eight-storey building and caused a large number of fatalities and injuries, Lebanon’s National News Agency said. Footage broadcast by Lebanon’s Al Jadeed station showed … Read more

Israel fights Hizbollah at Lebanese crusader castle as forces push north

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. The Israeli military and Hizbollah are locked in fierce fighting around a strategically positioned 12th century crusader castle in one of Israel’s northernmost advances into Lebanon since launching its ground invasion in September. Hizbollah militants … Read more

Laos pledges justice after suspected tainted alcohol kills tourists | News

Australia presses Laotian authorities for a full and transparent probe after the deaths of two 19-year-old backpackers. The Laos government has pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice following the deaths of several foreign tourists from consuming tainted alcohol. An investigation was under way into the suspected methanol poisoning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said … Read more