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China megacity mass-tests, cancels flights after suspected Covid case

AFP - 2m ago

The Chinese megacity of Guangzhou cancelled hundreds of flights Thursday and launched mass testing of 5.6 million people …

EU defies gas 'blackmail' as Russia pushes deeper into Ukraine

AFP - 24m ago

The European Union has warned Russia it will not bend to "blackmail" over its support for Kyiv after the Kremlin cut off …

Turkish court jails Erdogan critic Kavala for life

Apr 26 2022

A Turkish court on Monday sentenced leading activist Osman Kavala to life in prison on controversial charges of trying …

Coal still top threat to global climate goals: report

Apr 26 2022

The number of coal-fired power plants in the pipeline worldwide declined in 2021, according to research released …

Report calls out rising extremism in Canada military

Apr 26 2022

The number of white supremacists and other violent extremists within Canada's military is growing at an "alarming rate" …

Mickelson seeks PGA release for Saudi-backed series opener

Apr 26 2022

Phil Mickelson sparked intrigue about his possible return to golf on Monday after applying for a release to play in the …

Gotta bounce: Some spiders catapult away after sex to avoid death

Apr 26 2022

Sometimes there are pretty valid reasons for leaving right after sex.

Independent regulator to oversee football in England

Apr 26 2022

The British government on Monday set out plans to radically reform the governance of football, pledging to establish an …

Russia warns of WWIII after top US officials visit Kyiv

Apr 25 2022

Russia on Monday warned the Ukraine conflict risked escalating into a third world war and accused Kyiv of playing at …

Oil prices slide on China fears; Twitter rises on Musk deal

Apr 25 2022

Oil prices tumbled Monday along with equities in Europe and Asia on worries over a worsening Covid-19 outbreak in China, …

US ships artillery to Ukraine to destroy Russian firepower

Apr 25 2022

The push by the United States to send artillery to Ukraine aims to degrade Russian forces -- not only on the immediate …

Texas court stays execution of mother of 14: lawyers

Apr 25 2022

A court in Texas on Monday stayed the execution of Melissa Lucio, a mother of 14, who was due to be put to death on …

Elon Musk reaches deal to buy Twitter for $44 bn

Apr 25 2022

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, struck a deal Monday to buy Twitter for $44 billion, capping a saga complete with …

Macron seeks to heal French divisions after re-election

Apr 25 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron faced the daunting challenge of uniting a deeply divided nation Monday after winning …

US sees Ukraine victory over Russia with 'right equipment'

Apr 25 2022

The United States believes Kyiv can win the war against Russia if it has the "right equipment", Pentagon chief Lloyd …

Twitter shares rise on reports it will accept Musk takeover bid

Apr 25 2022

Twitter shares rose Monday following reports the company is poised to accept Elon Musk's takeover offer, a dramatic …

'The war will end, I made a wish': voices of Kharkiv's children

Apr 25 2022

Since the war began two months ago, Alina, Alex, Daniel, Kiril and Lilia, all aged between eight and 14, have been …

US sees Ukraine beating Russia with 'right equipment'

Apr 25 2022

The United States believes Kyiv can win the war against Russia if it has the "right equipment", Pentagon chief Lloyd …

US believes Ukraine can beat Russia with 'right equipment'

Apr 25 2022

The United States believes Ukraine can win the war against Russia if it has the "right equipment", Pentagon chief Lloyd …

Gambian on trial in Germany over AFP reporter murder

Apr 25 2022

A Gambian man went on trial in Germany Monday, accused of belonging to a death squad that assassinated opponents of …

A divided nation: Five takeaways from France's election

Apr 25 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron has won re-election with a relatively comfortable majority, but his battle with …

Beijing Covid spike prompts mass testing, panic buying

Apr 25 2022

Fears of a hard Covid lockdown sparked panic buying in Beijing on Monday, as long queues for compulsory mass testing …

Sri Lanka shares plunge as Buddhist leaders ask govt to resign

Apr 25 2022

Sri Lanka's stock market halted trading after a nearly 13 percent plunge Monday as the island nation's beleaguered …

Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers killed in Indonesia

Apr 25 2022

Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers were found dead in western Indonesia on Sunday after being ensnared by …

The quest for a universal coronavirus vaccine

Apr 25 2022

As vaccine makers rush to stamp out new Covid-19 variants, some scientists have set their sights higher, aiming for a …

Gambian faces trial in Germany over AFP reporter murder

Apr 25 2022

The trial began in Germany on Monday of a Gambian man accused of being part of a death squad that assassinated opponents …

World's oldest person dies in Japan at 119

Apr 25 2022

A Japanese woman certified the world's oldest person has died at the age of 119, local officials said Monday.

Macron sets out to heal French divisions after re-election

Apr 25 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron was Monday to launch efforts to unite a deeply divided nation after winning re-election …

El Salvador extends state of emergency to curb gang violence

Apr 25 2022

El Salvador's lawmakers on Sunday extended a state of emergency for another month at the request of President Nayib …

Sri Lanka exchange halts again after 13% plunge

Apr 25 2022

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka's stock exchange halted again Monday after a nearly 13 percent plunge, derailing the bourse's …

Crowds join Anzac Day services for Australia, NZ forces

Apr 25 2022

Crowds of Australians and New Zealanders joined Anzac Day services at dawn on Monday to honour their armed forces as the …

US diplomats to return to Ukraine as Washington pledges $700m in military aid

Apr 25 2022

United States diplomats will begin a gradual return to Ukraine this week, Washington's secretary of state and defence …

All in the family: Philippine dynasties tighten grip on power

Apr 25 2022

If the son of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos wins the May 9 presidential election, he will not be the only …

Gambian to face trial in Germany over AFP reporter murder

Apr 25 2022

The trial begins in Germany on Monday of a Gambian man accused of being part of a death squad that assassinated …

Spanish challenge stands in way of Man City-Liverpool final showdown

Apr 25 2022

Real Madrid and Villarreal stand in the way of Manchester City and Liverpool taking their battle for domestic honours to …

Top US officials visit Kyiv as Mariupol 'on the brink'

Apr 25 2022

The United States' top diplomat and defence chief were in Ukraine's capital Sunday, Kyiv said, making the first …

France's Macron wins new term after far-right battle

Apr 25 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin efforts to unite a deeply divided nation after winning re-election on …

Nuggets avoid NBA playoff sweep as Bucks, Heat take 3-1 leads

Apr 25 2022

Nikola Jokic scored 37 points and the Denver Nuggets avoided being swept out of the NBA playoffs on Sunday, holding off …

Crew of first private flight to ISS head back to Earth

Apr 25 2022

The crew of the first fully private mission to the International Space Station departed the orbiting laboratory on …

Wimbledon's Russia ban faces battle of wills

Apr 25 2022

WTA president Steve Simon warned Wimbledon that they face "strong reactions" to their decision to ban Russian and …

Marseille edge Reims as Rennes regain third in Champions League race

Apr 25 2022

Gerson struck a late winner as Marseille beat Reims 1-0 away in Ligue 1 on Sunday, while Rennes shrugged off …

Nuggets avoid NBA playoff sweep while Bucks push Bulls to the brink

Apr 25 2022

Nikola Jokic scored 37 points and the Denver Nuggets avoided being swept out of the NBA playoffs on Sunday, holding off …

No 'significant' harm from Galapagos diesel spill: reserve

Apr 25 2022

A diesel spill off one of Ecuador's ecologically sensitive Galapagos islands caused no "significant" damage, the …

'Fresh wound': S.Africa flood survivors bury loved ones

Apr 25 2022

Betraying no sign of emotion, Ayanda Jileka emerges from the ruins of his family home in South Africa with some wood …

Relief, not joy, at low-key Macron election party

Apr 25 2022

At Emmanuel Macron's election party Sunday in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, the atmosphere was restrained, the victory …

Military spending reaches record levels: report

Apr 25 2022

Global military spending rose again in 2021, setting new records as Russia continued to beef up its military prior to …

Top US officials visit Kyiv as war casts pall over Orthodox Easter

Apr 24 2022

The United States' top diplomat and defence chief were in Kyiv Sunday, Ukraine's presidency said, making the first …

Liberals defeat Slovenian PM Jansa in divisive elections

Apr 24 2022

Political newcomer liberal Robert Golob defeated Slovenia's three-time Prime Minister conservative Janez Jansa in …

Liberals surge ahead of Slovenian PM Jansa in divisive elections

Apr 24 2022

A small liberal party headed by political newcomer Robert Golob was surging ahead of Slovenia's three-time Prime …

10 dead, 16 missing in Japan sightseeing boat accident

Apr 24 2022

At least 10 people were confirmed dead Sunday after a sightseeing boat sank in frigid waters off Japan's northeast, the …

War in Ukraine: Latest developments

Apr 24 2022

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

Top US officials to visit Kyiv as war casts pall over Orthodox Easter

Apr 24 2022

The United States' top diplomat and defence chief were set on Sunday to make their first wartime visits to Kyiv since …

Nigerian oil blast kills 110

Apr 24 2022

The death toll from an explosion at an illegal refinery in southern Nigeria rose to 110 on Sunday, the emergency …

Macron: abrasive reformer with chance to leave mark on France

Apr 24 2022

Young, pro-European and unfailingly ambitious, Emmanuel Macron is the first French president to serve a second term in …

Marine Le Pen, a fighter suffering another big defeat

Apr 24 2022

Marine Le Pen, who on Sunday lost the second round of France's presidential election to Emmanuel Macron, had fought hard …

Macron defeats far-right Le Pen in French election: projections

Apr 24 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday defeated his rival Marine Le Pen in presidential elections, projections …

Top US officials to visit Kyiv as Orthodox Easter marked by war

Apr 24 2022

The United States' top diplomat and defence chief were Sunday set to make their first war-time visits to Kyiv since …

France votes in showdown for Macron and Le Pen

Apr 24 2022

French voters headed to the polls Sunday for the presidential run-off between centrist incumbent Emmanuel Macron and his …

Almost 5.2 million Ukrainians flee war: UN

Apr 24 2022

The number of Ukrainians who have fled the country since Russia's invasion two months ago is approaching 5.2 million, …

Cake and Kalashnikovs: Ukraine marks grim Orthodox Easter

Apr 24 2022

Ukrainians on Sunday marked a sombre Orthodox Easter two months into Russia's invasion, with many braving bombardment …

Macron battles far-right Le Pen for French presidency

Apr 24 2022

French voters headed to the polls Sunday for the presidential run-off between centrist incumbent Emmanuel Macron and his …

Top US officials to meet Zelensky on first wartime visit to Kyiv

Apr 24 2022

The United States' top diplomat and defence chief were Sunday set to make their first wartime visits to Kyiv since …

Mexican bishop aims to tame drug violence with dialogue

Apr 24 2022

A Mexican bishop who served in conflict-torn areas abroad and survived an attack by drug traffickers in his own country …

Slovenian PM Jansa risks defeat in tight vote

Apr 24 2022

Slovenians go to the polls on Sunday for parliamentary elections expected to be a tight race between conservative Prime …

Has 'Gypsy King' Tyson Fury exited the ring for the last time?

Apr 24 2022

Tyson Fury says he can walk away from boxing after winning "every belt there is to win" following a moment of brutal …

S.Africa's deadly floods shine spotlight on housing crisis

Apr 23 2022

Thulisile Ntobela, once lived in an apartment, but when her rent went up 25 percent, the unemployed mother of five could …

France braces for Le Pen-Macron election showdown

Apr 23 2022

France on Saturday prepared to choose between centrist President Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen …

Kyiv says top US officials to visit, Odessa attack kills eight

Apr 23 2022

Kyiv prepared on Saturday for its first wartime visit from two top US officials, as Ukraine accused Russia of killing …

Bayern's Bundesliga dominance sparks reform calls

Apr 23 2022

Bayern Munich's decade of dominance in the Bundesliga has fuelled calls for reforms to make the German top flight more …

Jerusalem church glows in 'Holy Fire' ritual attended by thousands

Apr 23 2022

Thousands on Saturday celebrated the traditional "Holy Fire" ceremony of blazing candles at Christianity's holiest site …

Routine Russian bombardment terrifies Kharkiv

Apr 23 2022

"Close the window, smoke is getting in," a policeman yells. Vyacheslav Pavlov and his elderly mother live on the ninth …

EU agrees deal to tame internet 'Wild West'

Apr 23 2022

The European Union on Saturday finalised new legislation to require Big Tech to remove harmful content, the bloc's …

Ukraine says Mariupol evacuation thwarted, six killed in Odessa

Apr 23 2022

Ukrainian officials Saturday accused Russia of thwarting a fresh attempt to evacuate civilians from Mariupol and killing …

Four-goal Jesus stretches Man City lead, Arsenal inflict more misery on Man Utd

Apr 23 2022

Gabriel Jesus scored four goals as Manchester City thrashed Watford 5-1 to open up a four-point lead in the Premier …

'Fierce' fighting rages in eastern Ukraine as Russia presses campaign

Apr 23 2022

"Fierce battles" raged in eastern Ukraine on Saturday all but killing hopes of an Easter truce as officials said they …

Nearly 5.2 million Ukrainians flee war: UN

Apr 23 2022

The number of Ukrainians who have fled the country since Russia's invasion is approaching 5.2 million, the UN refugee …

France braces for Le Pen-Macron showdown

Apr 23 2022

France on Saturday prepared to choose between centrist President Emmanuel Macron and far-right challenger Marine Le Pen …

Ukraine aims to evacuate civilians from Mariupol as Russia presses campaign

Apr 23 2022

Ukraine said it would make a fresh attempt on Saturday to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, the devastated port city …

'So much joy': Brazil holds first carnival since Covid

Apr 23 2022

Rio de Janeiro's carnival, a glittering, sequin-studded festival of the flesh, exploded back to life Friday with the …

Hopes wane for Ukraine Easter truce as Russia presses campaign

Apr 23 2022

Hopes for a weekend truce in Ukraine to celebrate the Orthodox Easter faded with talks between Moscow and Kyiv stalled …

Iraq exhibits restored art pillaged after 2003 invasion

Apr 23 2022

Verdant landscapes, stylised portraits of peasant women, curved sculptures -- an exhibition in Baghdad is allowing art …

In north Donbas, denial and fatalism face Russian onslaught

Apr 23 2022

After two months of sustained Russian artillery fire, the hamlet of Lysychansk, located just 14 kilometres (nine miles) …

Prettier in pink: the push to remake Japan's cherry blossom season

Apr 23 2022

Japan's famed cherry blossom season blankets the country in the delicate white flowers of the prized and popular …

Russia vows to win 'full control' of east, south Ukraine

Apr 22 2022

Russia said Friday it would fight to take control over all east and south of Ukraine but Kyiv pledged to save the …

Russia vows bigger Ukraine assault as UN documents killings

Apr 22 2022

Russia said Friday it intended a full-bore assault to carve out a sizeable slice of Ukraine, but Kyiv pledged to fight …

Mosque blast kills 33 in Afghanistan

Apr 22 2022

A bomb blast ripped through a mosque during Friday prayers in northern Afghanistan, killing 33 people including …

UN documents 'unlawful' killings in Ukraine as Russia vows bigger campaign

Apr 22 2022

Russia said Friday it intended a full-bore assault to carve out a sizeable slice of Ukraine, but Kyiv said the invaders …

Crunch time for Macron, Le Pen ahead of presidential vote

Apr 22 2022

French presidential hopefuls Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen threw themselves into a final flurry of campaigning …

Shrapnel: The terrible fragments of war

Apr 22 2022

They differ in size and colour and some still have skin attached: the shrapnel extracted from the wounded at a military …

Japan says disputed islands 'illegally occupied' by Russia

Apr 22 2022

Japan described four disputed islands as "illegally occupied" by Russia for the first time in nearly two decades on …

French prosecutors issue international arrest warrant for Ghosn

Apr 22 2022

French authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn, the disgraced auto tycoon who jumped …

New clashes at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound

Apr 22 2022

New clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters broke out on Friday at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque …

Gabon counts on visitors to help preserve great apes

Apr 22 2022

Around a bend on a narrow trail that runs deep into the forest of Gabon's Loango national park, Kamaya comes into view. …

Will Twitter's 'poison pill' be too tough for Elon Musk to swallow?

Apr 22 2022

The so-called "poison pill" Twitter has proposed to use against Elon Musk's potential hostile takeover is a mechanism …

Mariupol 'continues to resist', Ukrainian president says

Apr 22 2022

The devastated city of Mariupol "continues to resist" despite Russian claims to have captured it, Ukrainian President …

Australia primed for 'unparalleled' decade of major sporting events

Apr 22 2022

Australia will over the next decade host a bumper schedule of major international sporting events as part of a long-term …

China axes 15 coal plants abroad after Xi pledge, but loopholes remain: study

Apr 22 2022

More than a dozen Chinese coal power projects overseas were cancelled after a ban last year on funding such plants, but …

Tuft Love: Young Chinese weave away stress with crafts

Apr 22 2022

Using a craft gun to shoot yarn through a fabric screen, Nora Peng puts the finishing touches on a rug in the shape of a …

'Long live the samba!': Brazil holds first carnival since Covid

Apr 22 2022

After two long years without its frenetic festival of sparkling sequins, sultry samba and towering floats, Rio de …

Fury's legacy on the line in front of record British boxing crowd

Apr 22 2022

Tyson Fury will defend his WBC heavyweight title in front of a British record boxing crowd of 94,000 at Wembley on …

Man City, Liverpool locked in title battle as Arsenal eye top four bid

Apr 22 2022

Premier League leaders Manchester City and their relentless challengers Liverpool will expect to stay neck and neck in …

Musk says he has financing to take Twitter buyout bid to investors

Apr 22 2022

Elon Musk has lined up $46.5 billion in financing for a possible hostile takeover of Twitter and is "exploring" a direct …