- French govt ready for budget concessions to avoid financial 'storm'
- Hong Kong airport third runway takes off
- In Bosnia, the path to renewables runs through its coal mines
- China probes top military official for corruption
- Syria war monitor says more than 130 dead in army-jihadist clashes
- China says top military official Miao Hua under investigation
- Taiwan president's plan to stop over in Hawaii, Guam angers Beijing
- Russian attacks leave one million Ukrainians without power
- Markets mixed after subdued pre-holiday shift on Wall St
- What would an ICC arrest warrant for Myanmar's junta chief mean?
- China says top military official Miao Hua suspended, under investigation
- Taiwan's Lai to stop over in Hawaii, Guam during Pacific trip
- Namibia extends voting after logistical issues
- LIV Golf's Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back
- Despair in Sweden as gangs recruit kids as contract killers
- Russia launches massive aerial attack on Ukraine's energy sector
- Peru scientists unveil crocodile fossil up to 12 million years old
- At plastic treaty talks, no united front for industry
- Williamson falls for 93 as England fight back in first Test
- South Korea officials say three dead in heavy snowfall
- High-flying Fiorentina face test of Scudetto credentials with Inter visit
- Verstappen switches focus to re-boot defence of F1 teams' title
- UK filmmaker Richard Curtis makes first foray into animation
- Countrywide air alert in Ukraine due to missile threat
- China's military corruption crackdown explained
- Primark boss defends practices as budget fashion brand eyes expansion
- Williamson eyes ton as New Zealand take control against England
- Norway faces WWF in court over deep sea mining
- Trump, Sheinbaum discuss migration in Mexico amid tariff threat
- Asian markets mixed after subdued pre-holiday shift on Wall St
- Orban's soft power shines as Hungary hosts Israeli match
- 'Retaliate': Trump tariff talk spurs global jitters, preparations
- 'Anti-woke' Americans hail death of DEI as another domino topples
- Trump hails migration talks with Mexico president
- Truckers strike accusing Wagner of driver death in Central African Republic
- London police say 90 victims identified in new Al-Fayed probe
- Air pollution from fires linked to 1.5 million deaths a year
- Latham falls for 47 as New Zealand 104-2 in first England Test
- US tells Ukraine to lower conscription age to 18
- Judge denies Sean Combs bail: court order
- Suarez extends Inter Miami stay with new deal
- Perfect Liverpool on top of Champions League, Dortmund also among winners
- Liverpool more 'up for it' than beaten Madrid, concedes Bellingham
- Aston Villa denied late winner against Juventus
- Mexico president hails 'excellent' Trump talks after US tariff threat
- Leicester set to appoint Van Nistelrooy - reports
- Coffee price heats up on tight Brazil crop fears
- Maeda salvages Celtic draw against Club Brugge
- Villa denied late winner against Juventus
- Dortmund beat Zagreb to climb into Champions League top four
Evacuation alert after volcano erupts in southern Japan
Dozens of people were urged to evacuate their homes after a fiery volcanic eruption in southern Japan on Sunday as the national weather agency issued its top-level alert for the mountain.
Television footage showed lava and dark plumes of ash exploding from Sakurajima in Kagoshima, which erupted just after 8 pm (1100 GMT).
The volcano frequently spits out smoke and ash, and is a major tourist attraction.
Sunday's blast propelled large cinders about 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) from the crater, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement.
The agency raised its alert for Sakurajima to level five, the top level, which urges evacuations. Before the eruption it was at level three, which bans entry to the mountain.
"Residential areas of Arimura town and Furusato town within three kilometres of the summit crater... of Sakurajima should be on high alert," the JMA said.
According to Kagoshima City, there are 77 residents in the two towns.
There were no immediate reports of damage, according to public broadcaster NHK.
Japan has scores of active volcanoes and sits on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire" where a large proportion of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded.
Sakurajima was formerly an island, but due to previous eruptions is now attached to a peninsula.
Japan last issued the top evacuation alert for a volcano when Kuchinoerabu island, also in Kagoshima, erupted in 2015.
Y.Bouchard--BTB