Featured
Last news
UN report lists litany of rights abuses in China's Xinjiang
The United Nations released a bombshell report late Wednesday into serious human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region, saying torture allegations were credible and citing possible crimes against humanity.
Secret files 'likely concealed' at Trump home to block FBI probe
Top secret documents found at Donald Trump's Florida home were "likely concealed" to obstruct an FBI probe into the former president's potential mishandling of classified materials, the Department of Justice said in an explosive new court filing.
Pakistan floods highlight need for climate 'loss and damage' help
Rich carbon polluters should feel "moral pressure" to help fund climate-vulnerable nations wracked by weather extremes such as Pakistan, where monstrous flooding has caused devastation, diplomats and observers told AFP.
Spain's tomato food fight fiesta returns after pandemic
Thousands of revellers splattered each other with tomatoes on Wednesday in the Spanish town of Bunol celebrating the return of the annual "Tomatina" food fight after a two-year absence due to the Covid pandemic.
Secret files 'likely concealed' at Trump home to block probe: Justice Dept
Top secret documents found at Donald Trump's Florida home were "likely concealed" to obstruct an FBI probe into the former president's potential mishandling of classified materials, the Department of Justice said in an explosive new court filing.
Taliban mark anniversary of foreign troop exit with chants, military parade
The Taliban celebrated Wednesday the first anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan with victory chants and a military parade showcasing equipment left behind by foreign forces.
Chinese police rescue 150 cats headed for dinner tables
Nearly 150 cats bound for slaughterhouses have been rescued by police in eastern China, an international animal welfare organisation said.
Erdogan ally resigns after allegations from crime boss
A top member of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party has resigned following a string of corruption allegations levelled through social media by a fugitive crime boss.
Documents 'likely concealed' to obstruct Trump probe: Justice Dept
Documents at former US president Donald Trump's Florida home were "likely concealed" to obstruct an FBI probe into his potential mishandling of classified materials, the Justice Department said in a court filing Tuesday.
Welcome: Palestinians with disabilities out front at Bethlehem hotel
In the heart of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians with learning disabilities are front and centre at a new boutique hotel welcoming guests from across the globe.
Taliban celebrate anniversary of foreign troop withdrawal
The Taliban declared Wednesday a national holiday and lit up the capital with coloured lights to celebrate the first anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan after a brutal 20-year war.
Canada's Arcade Fire singer denies sexual misconduct allegations
Win Butler, the lead singer of Canadian band Arcade Fire, is denying allegations of sexual misconduct made against him by four people, the music magazine Pitchfork reported.
Madagascar police confirm killing 19 civilians after albino kidnap
Madagascar police confirmed Tuesday that officers killed 19 people and injured 21 others after opening fire on what was described as a lynch mob angered over the kidnapping of an albino child.
Giant 200-year-old cactus toppled by heavy rain in US
A giant Saguaro cactus that had lived for some 200 years was toppled by heavy rain in the southwestern US state of Arizona.
Outgoing UN rights chief Bachelet to be temporarily succeeded by deputy
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, whose term ends Wednesday, will be temporarily replaced by her deputy until her successor is named, the UN secretary-general's spokesperson said Tuesday.
Iran seizes, then releases US Navy drone vessel: Pentagon
An Iranian ship seized an American military unmanned research vessel in the Gulf but released it after a US Navy patrol boat and helicopter were deployed to the location, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
Singapore swimmer Joseph Schooling apologises for cannabis use
Singapore's former Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling apologised on Tuesday for taking cannabis while overseas, the city-state's defence ministry said, an offence that carries strict penalties in his home country.
Severe drought in Spain uncovers submerged monuments
A centuries-old church and a huge megalithic complex are among the underwater monuments that have resurfaced in Spain as a severe drought causes water levels in reservoirs to plunge.
UN ship arrives in Africa with grain for Ethiopia's hungry
A UN-chartered ship loaded with 23,000 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat destined for millions of hungry people in Ethiopia docked in neighbouring Djibouti on Tuesday.
Turkish cryptocurrency boss arrested in Albania
The founder of cryptocurrency exchange Thodex, suspected of having fled Turkey with the assets of his clients, has been arrested in Albania, the Turkish interior ministry said on Tuesday.
'Second life': helicopters rescue the stranded from Pakistan valleys
Up to 200,000 people are stranded in remote Pakistan valleys after the unrelenting floods of the past week -- with helicopters the only way of reaching them.
Indonesia arrests soldiers accused of killings, mutilations in Papua
Six Indonesian soldiers have been arrested after being accused of killing four indigenous Papuans and mutilating their bodies last week, authorities said on Tuesday.
Israel sentences World Vision ex-Gaza chief to 12 years for aiding Hamas
An Israeli court on Tuesday sentenced the former Gaza head of a major US-based aid agency to 12 years in prison for funnelling millions of dollars to Islamist group Hamas.
Pakistan floods fuel 'back-breaking' food inflation
Catastrophic monsoon floods in Pakistan have sent food prices skyrocketing, putting many staples out of the reach of the poor as the cash-strapped nation battles shortages.
Hong Kong court orders search of media tycoon Jimmy Lai's phones
Two phones owned by jailed pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai can be searched on national security grounds and are not protected by journalistic privilege, a senior judge ruled Tuesday in Hong Kong.
Ecuador investigates killing of four Galapagos giant tortoises
Prosecutors in Ecuador on Monday announced an investigation into the alleged hunting and killing of four giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, a unique and fragile ecosystem considered a world heritage site.
No choice: Colombia's ex-guerrillas revert to coca, crime
When he laid down arms at the end of Colombia's decades-long civil conflict, Eiber Andrade did not expect to ever return to a life of crime.
18 die as Madagascar police shoot at albino kidnap protesters: medic
Eighteen people died Monday after police in Madagascar opened fire on what they called a lynch mob angered at the kidnapping of an albino child, a senior doctor told AFP.
Russia struggles to recruit soldiers for Ukraine: Pentagon
Russia is struggling to find more soldiers to fight in Ukraine, even tapping prisons, and many new recruits are older, in poor shape and lacking training, a senior US defense official said Monday.
Death toll in Madagascar police shoot over albino kidnap protest rises to 18
Eighteen people died Monday after police in Madagascar opened fire on what they called a lynch mob angered at the kidnapping of an albino child, a senior doctor told AFP.
Musk subpoenas Twitter whistleblower in buyout battle
Elon Musk has formally subpoenaed a Twitter whistleblower to share information about spam accounts at the social network, as the billionaire fights in court to back out of a massive buyout deal.
A family conflict, extortion claims and a witch doctor -- what is the Paul Pogba affair?
A police investigation has been opened after claims by French football star Paul Pogba that he is the victim of a multi-million euro blackmail plot that includes his brother Mathias.
Pakistan floods a 'crisis of unimaginable proportions', says minister
A third of Pakistan is under water as a result of flooding caused by record monsoon rains, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said Monday, calling it a "crisis of unimaginable proportions".
S.Africa arrests ex-Transnet executives in high-profile graft case
South African prosecutors said on Monday they had arrested several former executives at public logistics company Transnet, a firm at the centre of a high-profile investigation into corruption during ex-president Jacob Zuma's tenure.
Huge relief operation under way as Pakistan flood death toll rises
A huge relief operation was under way Monday and international aid began trickling in as Pakistan struggled to deal with monsoon flooding that has affected more than 33 million people.
'Quiet quitting' raising a din in stressful US workplaces
They are drawing a line at the 40-hour work week, limiting after-hours calls and emails and generally, if softly, saying "no" more often -- some American workers are embracing the concept of "quiet quitting" as they push back against what some see as the stifling trap of constant connectivity.
Thousands of Orthodox Serbians march against EuroPride
Thousands of Orthodox Christians marched in Belgrade Sunday to warn against holding EuroPride, despite the Serbian authorities' decision to cancel the pan-European gathering of the LGBTQ community next month.
Longtime White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier dies at 78
Roland Mesnier, the French-born longtime pastry chef at the White House whose whimsical confections served five American presidents, has died at age 78, relatives told AFP Sunday.
Roland Mesnier, White House pastry chef for 25 years, dies at 78
Roland Mesnier, the French-born longtime pastry chef at the White House whose whimsical confections served five American presidents, has died at age 78, a historical association said.