Top Stories



Sting finds fractured modern music scene 'quite odd'

AFP - 3h ago

British singer-songwriting legend Sting finds the multiple genres and streaming platforms of the modern music scene …

Google to invest $15 bn in India, build largest AI hub outside US

AFP - 3h ago

Google said Tuesday it will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years, as it announced a giant data centre …

Myanmar scam cities booming despite crackdown -- using Musk's Starlink

AFP - 5h ago

They said they had smashed them. But fraud factories in Myanmar blamed for scamming Chinese and American victims out of …

Trump tariffs on timber, furniture take effect

AFP - 6h ago

US President Donald Trump's fresh tariffs on imported wood, furniture and kitchen cabinets took effect Tuesday, a …

Purrno Noir? New Zealand company sells non-alcoholic wine for pets

AFP - 6h ago

After a long day patrolling the neighbourhood or protecting the house, pets in New Zealand have a new way to unwind -- …

US threats cast doubt on shipping emissions deal

AFP - 8h ago

An ambitious plan by the UN's shipping agency to cut maritime emissions could be scuttled at the last minute after the …

Venezuelan Nobel winner says Maduro will leave power 'with or without' talks

AFP - 8h ago

Nicolas Maduro's time is up but he can still leave power peacefully, Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina …

Trump hails 'tremendous day for Middle East' as leaders sign Gaza declaration

AFP - 9h ago

US President Donald Trump hailed a "tremendous day for the Middle East" as he and regional leaders signed a declaration …

Cape Verde erupts in celebration after first World Cup qualification

AFP - 10h ago

A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde's capital Praia on Monday after the tiny archipelago …

Nobel economist warns of AI dangers

AFP - 3h ago

A winner of this year’s Nobel prize in economics warned Monday that artificial intelligence offers "amazing …

France held in Iceland as Germany and Belgium close on 2026 World Cup

AFP - 10h ago

Injury-hit France were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in …

At least 64 dead, 65 missing in Mexico floods

AFP - 6h ago

Rescuers scrambled Monday to reach people cut off by devastating floods that have claimed 64 lives in central and …

Global goal to end deforestation nowhere near being met: experts

AFP - 7h ago

Deforestation "has not meaningfully declined" despite a global pledge to halt forest destruction, but next month's UN …

Madagascar's cornered president ignores calls to resign

Oct 13 2025

Madagascar's embattled President Andry Rajoelina said Monday he was sheltering in a "safe place" following an attempt on …

Embattled French PM faces clutch day in parliament

Oct 13 2025

Embattled French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu will give a high-stakes speech Tuesday to a deeply divided parliament, …

Madagascar on edge as embattled president's address delayed

Oct 13 2025

A keenly awaited national address by Madagascar's cornered President Andry Rajoelina, who went missing as calls grew for …

Embattled Madagascar president delays national address, again

Oct 13 2025

Madagascar's besieged President Andry Rajoelina on Monday twice pushed back his long-awaited national address, deepening …

Celebrations in Madagascar streets ahead of embattled president's address

Oct 13 2025

Soldiers and security forces joined hundreds celebrating in Madagascar's capital Monday, with the whereabouts of …

Macron slams French opposition for fuelling political 'chaos'

Oct 13 2025

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday blamed opponents for political "chaos" as his embattled prime minister, Sebastien …

Freed Israeli hostages hug loved ones in tears of joy

Oct 13 2025

Freed Israeli hostages and their family and friends bounded into one another’s arms Monday, beaming and crying with joy …

Trio wins economics Nobel for work on tech-driven growth

Oct 13 2025

The Nobel prize in economics was awarded on Monday to American-Israeli Joel Mokyr, France's Philippe Aghion and Canada's …

Trump says 'nightmare' for Israelis, Palestinians over

Oct 13 2025

Donald Trump hailed an end to a "painful nightmare" in a speech to Israel's parliament Monday, as the last surviving …

Israel welcomes last 20 surviving hostages

Oct 13 2025

Israel said the last 20 surviving hostages returned home on Monday after two years in captivity in Gaza, as US President …

Hundreds celebrate in Madagascar as president due to address nation

Oct 13 2025

Soldiers and security forces joined hundreds celebrating in Madagascar's capital on Monday, hours before President Andry …

Hamas hands over surviving Israeli hostages

Oct 13 2025

Hamas handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages on Monday under a ceasefire agreement, as US President Donald Trump …

Hamas begins handing over Israeli hostages

Oct 13 2025

Hamas handed over the first seven of 20 surviving Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Gaza on Monday, with …

Tears, joy in Israel as Hamas hands over first hostages

Oct 13 2025

Hundreds of people gathered on Tel Aviv's Hostages Square erupted in joy, tears and song as news broke that Hamas had …

Hamas and Israel set for hostage and prisoner exchanges

Oct 13 2025

Hamas was set to release all surviving hostages on Monday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, as US …

'I know it's immoral': Child workers still common in Pakistan

Oct 13 2025

From the age of 10, Amina has been scrubbing, sweeping and cooking in a middle-class home in Pakistan's megacity of …

Not nothing, not enough: is the Paris Agreement working?

Oct 13 2025

Climate cooperation is facing a reckoning. Ten years after the landmark Paris Agreement, major polluters are wavering on …

AI tools 'exploited' for racist European city videos

Oct 13 2025

Daubed in Arabic-looking graffiti, London's Big Ben is shown smouldering above piles of rubbish and crowds dressed in …

In minutes, Mexico's rains swept away homes and people

Oct 13 2025

Standing near the lifeless body of her sister, Rosalia Ortega was grateful to have found her in the river of mud that …

Nutty? Security stepped up at World Conker Championships

Oct 13 2025

Competitors at the UK-based World Conker Championships were subject to "airport-style" security after last year's event …

Scotland stay in contention for 2026 World Cup, Dutch move closer

Oct 13 2025

Scotland ground out a 2-1 home win over Belarus on Sunday to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 …

World's coral reefs crossing survival limit: global experts

Oct 13 2025

The world's tropical coral reefs have almost certainly crossed a point of no return as oceans warm beyond a level most …

'War is over' in Gaza, Trump says on way to Middle East

Oct 12 2025

US President Donald Trump declared Sunday that the "war is over in Gaza" as he headed on a high-stakes peace trip to …

France unveils new government in political crisis

Oct 12 2025

France's President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new government on Sunday, after marathon talks to cobble together a …

Trump declares Gaza war 'over,' hostages due home

Oct 12 2025

US President Donald Trump declared the Gaza war "over" on Sunday as he headed to the region to host a peace summit, …

Israel declares victory as hostages due home

Oct 12 2025

Israel declared victory on Sunday in its war with Hamas as the militant group prepared to release its surviving …

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton dead at 79

Oct 12 2025

Actress Diane Keaton, known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977's "Annie Hall" and her role in "The Godfather" …

Hamas says Israeli hostages to be freed from Gaza before Trump peace summit

Oct 11 2025

Hamas will begin releasing Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Monday morning, a top official from the Palestinian militant …

Palestinians find Gaza City in ruins, Hamas to start releasing hostages Monday

Oct 11 2025

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City on Saturday, as Hamas said it would start …

Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton dead at 79: report

Oct 11 2025

Actress Diane Keaton, known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1977's "Annie Hall" and her role in "The Godfather" …

Palestinians find Gaza City in ruins as Hamas warns tough talks ahead

Oct 11 2025

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City on Saturday, as Hamas warned the next stage in …

French PM races to form government before budget deadline

Oct 11 2025

France's newly reappointed Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Saturday scrambled to get an austerity budget approved, …

Zelensky urges Trump to end Ukraine war like in 'the Middle East'

Oct 11 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to broker peace in Ukraine like in "the Middle East" during a …

Eighteen presumed dead after blast at US explosives factory

Oct 11 2025

Eighteen people are presumed dead after a huge blast at an explosives factory in Tennessee, officials said Saturday.

Hamas ready to fight if Gaza war resumes, official tells AFP

Oct 11 2025

Hamas stands ready to fight if war resumes in Gaza and rejects proposals to leave the territory under US President …

Madagascar soldiers join protestors as thousands gather in Antananarivo

Oct 11 2025

Soldiers joined thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Madagascar on Saturday, calling on security forces to …

Pro-Palestinian march, actions at Israel v Norway match

Oct 11 2025

Several hundred people demonstrated and expressed support for the Palestinian cause in Oslo on Saturday as Israel faced …

Palestinians return to devastated Gaza City as truce holds

Oct 11 2025

Hundreds of thousands of war-weary Palestinians returned to a devastated Gaza City on Saturday, with families picking …

Reappointed French PM scrambles to form government

Oct 11 2025

Pressure mounted Saturday on France's newly reappointed premier Sebastien Lecornu to get an austerity budget approved, …

White House says 'substantial' shutdown layoffs have begun

Oct 11 2025

The White House said Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal workers as President Donald Trump sought to amp up …

Israel ceases fire and Gazans start returning home

Oct 10 2025

Israel declared a ceasefire in Gaza and began to pull back its forces on Friday, as tens of thousands of exhausted …

Trump announces new 100 percent China tariff, threatens to scrap Xi talks

Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump announced an additional 100 percent tariff on China Friday and threatened to cancel a summit …

Macron reappoints Sebastien Lecornu as France's PM

Oct 10 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday reappointed his outgoing prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, back into that …

Trump threatens to scrap Xi talks and hit China with 'massive' tariffs

Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to cancel an upcoming summit with Xi Jinping and hit China with "massive" …

Russian attack batters Ukraine energy grid, kills 7-year-old

Oct 10 2025

Russian drones and missiles pummelled Ukraine's struggling energy infrastructure early Friday, cutting power to …

Peru ousts unpopular president blamed for failing to end violent crime

Oct 10 2025

Lawmakers in Peru removed the country's immensely unpopular president Dina Boluarte from office on Friday, ending a …

French politicians dispirited as Macron set to name new PM

Oct 10 2025

French left-wing political leaders left a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron disappointed Friday, just hours before …

Venezuela's Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize for 'civilian courage'

Oct 10 2025

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who accepted the accolade …

Peru ousts unpopular president blamed for failing to stem crime

Oct 10 2025

Lawmakers in Peru removed the country's immensely unpopular president Dina Boluarte from office on Friday, ending a …

Trump says no reason to meet Xi, threatens 'massive' China tariffs

Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump said Friday he no longer feels a summit is necessary with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this …

Maria Corina Machado: the face and fire of Venezuela's opposition

Oct 10 2025

Maria Corina Machado, a fearless activist with rock-star appeal, is the face of opposition to Venezuelan President …

Peru ousts president blamed for failing to stem crime

Oct 10 2025

Lawmakers in Peru removed president Dina Boluarte from office just after midnight on Friday, ending a stint in office …

Eight killed as strong quakes strike southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

Two powerful quakes struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least eight people and triggering tsunami …

Seven killed as strong quakes strike southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

Two powerful quakes struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least seven people and triggering tsunami …

Israel ceases fire and Gazans start to trek home

Oct 10 2025

Israel declared a ceasefire and started pulling back troops in Gaza on Friday, as thousands of displaced Palestinians …

Six killed as strong quakes strike southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

Two powerful quakes struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least six people and triggering tsunami …

France's Macron to name PM to end political gridlock

Oct 10 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron was on Friday due to pick a head of government to lift the country out of political …

Venezuela's 'libertadora' Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

Oct 10 2025

The Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to Venezuela's opposition leader and democracy activist Maria Corina …

'Full of sorrow': Gazans trek home as truce begins

Oct 10 2025

Full of grief after two years of war but glad to be going home, thousands of displaced Palestinians set off across the …

Six killed as major quake strikes southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least six people and …

'Cynical' Russian attack batters Ukraine energy grid, kills 7-year-old

Oct 10 2025

Russian drones and missiles pummelled Ukraine's struggling energy infrastructure early Friday, cutting power to …

Israel begins Gaza pullback as thousands head home

Oct 10 2025

Israeli forces declared a ceasefire and withdrew from some positions in Gaza on Friday, as thousands of displaced …

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

Oct 10 2025

The Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to Venezuela's opposition leader and democracy activist Maria Corina …

Japan in political crisis as coalition collapses

Oct 10 2025

Japan's ruling coalition collapsed Friday as junior partner Komeito quit the alliance, putting in peril Sanae Takaichi's …

Two killed as major quake strikes southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, leaving at least two people dead and …

One killed as major quake strikes southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least one person and …

'Time runs away': Japan's city with a two-hour cap on phone use

Oct 10 2025

Police won't be rounding up people glued to phones in Japan's Toyoake, but the mayor believes his two-hour limit can …

France's Macron to name PM to end political crisis

Oct 10 2025

France's Emmanuel Macron was on Friday due to pick a head of government tasked with pulling the country out of a …

Unstoppable Pogacar targets more history at season-ending Il Lombardia

Oct 10 2025

Tadej Pogacar is red-hot favourite to match a feat only ever achieved by cycling icon Eddy Merckx as the Slovenian …

'Backyard fireworks' of WWII bombs still litter Solomon Islands

Oct 10 2025

Solomon Islander Dennis Phillip was ploughing his soil by hand when he heard an unusual clunk -- one of the countless …

Major quake strikes off southern Philippines

Oct 10 2025

A powerful magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, triggering tsunami warnings in the …

'Massive attack' cuts power in Ukrainian capital

Oct 10 2025

The Ukrainian capital was plunged into darkness early Friday by what the air force called a "massive attack", as Russia …

Israel government approves Gaza hostage release deal

Oct 10 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday that the government had "approved the framework" of a …

Fear and fury at ICE facility protest near Chicago

Oct 10 2025

The language was foul, the rage abundant: Thursday's scene outside an ICE facility near Chicago reflected the anguish …

Arc de Trump? New monument model sits on US president's desk

Oct 10 2025

US President Donald Trump is no stranger to ambitious construction projects but could he be eyeing one of his biggest …

Tuchel slams 'silent' England fans

Oct 10 2025

Thomas Tuchel blasted England's "silent" fans for failing to back his team loudly enough during their 3-0 friendly win …

Judge halts Trump's Chicago troop deployment as Portland decision looms

Oct 09 2025

A federal judge on Thursday ordered a temporary halt to President Donald Trump's deployment of hundreds of National …

Israel says 'all parties' signed phase one of Gaza deal

Oct 09 2025

Israel said Thursday all parties have signed the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, adding that …

Troops deploy in Chicago as US courts hears challenges

Oct 09 2025

Five hundred US troops deployed in the Chicago area on Thursday as courts heard challenges to the use of the National …

France awaits new PM to end political crisis

Oct 09 2025

France on Thursday awaited in suspense over who would be its next prime minister as a deadline ticked down for President …

What we know about the new Gaza deal

Oct 09 2025

Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed a ceasefire deal to free hostages held in Gaza in exchange for hundreds of …

Hungary's 'master of the apocalypse' Krasznahorkai wins literature Nobel

Oct 09 2025

The Nobel Prize for Literature was on Thursday awarded to Laszlo Krasznahorkai considered by many as Hungary's most …

Police clash with protesters as thousands rally in Madagascar

Oct 09 2025

Several thousand anti-government demonstrators marched on Thursday through Madagascar's capital, several of them injured …

Police clash with protesters as thousands rally in Madgascar

Oct 09 2025

Several thousand anti-government demonstrators marched on Thursday through Madagascar's capital, several of them injured …

French court ups jail term for man in Pelicot rape case appeal

Oct 09 2025

A French appeals court Thursday handed a man a 10-year prison term for raping Gisele Pelicot, increasing his original …

Ukraine's Zelensky says Russia seeking 'chaos' with new energy strikes

Oct 09 2025

President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of sowing "chaos" with fresh strikes on Ukraine's energy grid, while …

Police meet fresh 1,000-strong protest in Madagascar with tear gas

Oct 09 2025

At least 1,000 anti-government demonstrators marched on Thursday through Madagascar's capital, where police fired tear …

500 US troops deploy in Chicago ahead of court hearing

Oct 09 2025

Five hundred US troops deployed in the Chicago area on Thursday as part of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration …

'They're coming back': Israelis await return of Gaza hostages

Oct 09 2025

Thousands of jubilant Israelis gathered in a Tel Aviv square Thursday, hopeful for the return of hostages held in Gaza, …