World 'not on track' to meet biodiversity goals ahead of UN talks

The world is not on track to meet its commitments to protect nature, the UN's biodiversity chief warned on Thursday, just weeks before the Armenia conference.

By Afp 1 day ago

Japan protests Putin's first visit to disputed islands

"The Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory, both historically and under international law," Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters.

By Afp 1 day ago

Paramilitary launches drones, ground attacks across Sudan

Drones and anti-aircraft missiles were seen over Khartoum on Thursday for the second day in a row, as army and paramilitary sources reported RSF attacks across the country.

By Afp 1 day ago

Taiwan chokes mobile internet speeds in drill for Chinese attack

Millions of people in Taiwan were forced indoors and mobile internet speeds slowed for 30 minutes on Thursday during a simulation of a Chinese attack on the island democracy.

By Afp 2 days ago

Colombia enters 'final phase' of quake search as toll hits 265

Rescuers in Colombia were making last-ditch efforts to locate earthquake survivors early Thursday, as the critical 72-hour window for rescue operations neared its end.

By Afp 2 days ago

US ambassador denounces settler siege as Israel dispatches troops

Israeli forces moved against rogue settlers who have besieged Palestinians amid unusually strong US criticism, even as Israel inaugurated a major settlement elsewhere in the West Bank.

By Afp 2 days ago

UK economy slows amid political unrest, Mideast war

Britain's economy slowed in the second quarter, the national statistics office reported Thursday, saying that output remained "robust"

By Afp 2 days ago

Solar eclipse darkens Arctic Russia on course for Spain

Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, has not seen a total solar eclipse since 1433.

By Afp 2 days ago

Messi says not certain to play "much longer" after father's death

"I don't know what I'll do without you, I don't know how to go on," Messi wrote

By Afp 2 days ago

Paramilitary force launches drone attacks across Sudan

The capital Khartoum, which was recaptured by the army last year, has been targeted by drone strikes before but enjoyed relative calm for months.

By Afp 2 days ago

Zimbabwe ferry capsizes killing 44 passengers on board

The ferry "with 90 people and five crew members has capsized in Lake Kariba", police said.

By Afp 2 days ago

Rising Kenyan lakes push crocodiles closer to homes

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced to higher ground, according to official data, yet many victims say the lakes keep following them.

By Afp 2 days ago

Passengers rescued as second ferry in days catches fire in Indonesia

A navy vessel and other ships rushed in Wednesday to rescue over 100 people from a ferry on fire off the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, officials said, in the second such incident in days.

By Afp 3 days ago

Meta meets its own 'tobacco' moment in court

Meta will defend itself against allegations of harming children in a new trial in the United States this week, which experts describe as social media's big tobacco moment.

By Afp 3 days ago

New Zealand PM survives leadership challenge months from election

New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon said he had the "full support" of his ruling National Party after surviving a leadership challenge called with less than three months until a general election.

By Afp 3 days ago

Myanmar escalating aerial attacks on civilians: UN probe

The Myanmar military has escalated its aerial attacks against civilians, with the conflict ravaging the country showing no signs of abating, UN investigators said Tuesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

US rights groups sue Trump over ICC sanctions

Rights groups on Tuesday sued US President Donald Trump over his sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court, saying the measures block victims of war crimes from pursuing justice.

By Afp 3 days ago

US existing home sales drop in July as mortgage rates weigh on buying

Sales of previously owned homes in the United States dropped in July, industry data released on Tuesday showed, as high mortgage rates -- and fears of further rate hikes -- weighed on activity.

By Afp 3 days ago

18 killed including children in Egypt workers' pick-up crash

Egypt's health ministry had earlier said there were 47 casualties, including some 30 injured in the crash.

By Afp 3 days ago

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo kills more than 2,000

The case fatality rate of the current outbreak is estimated by Congolese health authorities to be 45.9 percent.

By Afp 3 days ago

Somali referee denied World Cup 'proud' to oversee UEFA Super Cup

Somalian referee Omar Artan, who was denied refereeing at the World Cup after being refused entry to the USA, will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa

By Afp 3 days ago

Syria sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over atrocities

More than half a million people were killed and millions displaced, while tens of thousands of people disappeared, many into the country's brutal prison system.

By Afp 3 days ago

Oil prices jump further as hopes for Hormuz deal fade

Donald Trump said he would seek conflict compensation from Iran as part of any peace negotiations

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump says would be 'terrible mistake' to oust embattled Infantino

US President Trump says it would be "a terrible mistake" to replace Gianni Infantino, the embattled FIFA president who tried, and failed, to sell off part of the World Cup to private investors.

By Afp 4 days ago

Schools closed as Indonesia battles wildfires

Dozens of Indonesian schools were closed for a second day amid the spreading haze of wildfires plaguing the archipelago at the start of a long and intense dry season worsened by El Nino.

By Afp 4 days ago

Russian barrage on Ukraine kills 9, wounds dozens

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine people overnight and wounded dozens, after Kyiv warned that Moscow had received more ballistic missiles from North Korea.

By Afp 4 days ago

Colombia declares state of emergency after quake kills 111

"The government is maintaining all its capacities deployed to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid to every area that needs it," said President Abelardo de la Espriella.

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump's ex-personal attorney takes over as top US law enforcement officer

Blance had been serving as acting attorney general since Trump fired Pam Bondi in April, in part for failing to successfully prosecute several of his political enemies.

By Afp 4 days ago

Tanzania's Tundu Lissu treason trial resumes

Lissu, whose party Chadema was disqualified from participating in last year's elections, was detained in April 2025 and charged with treason, which carries a potential death penalty.

By Afp 4 days ago

S.Sudan graft whistleblower abducted in Kenya freed after two months

"We are very happy that Gaddhaffy has been returned to us after being abducted from Kenya and held in detention in Juba for almost two months," his family said.

By Afp 4 days ago

Major quake rocks Colombia and neighbors, 18 confirmed dead

The early-morning quake was also felt in Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela -- itself hit by a devastating quake in late June -- and prompted building evacuations in the Colombian capital Bogota.

By Afp 4 days ago

Europe braces for another summer heatwave

Next to no rain was forecast for impacted areas this week.

By Afp 4 days ago

Embattled FIFA boss Infantino target of letter from UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has come under renewed fire as a joint letter from three confederations: UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC have declared football "belongs to no individual"

By Afp 5 days ago

Arteta backs Guimaraes to 'ignite something different' at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has backed Bruno Guimaraes to "ignite something different" in Premier League champions Arsenal.

By Afp 5 days ago

Outsiders Malawi reach WAFCON semi-finals and World Cup

Rank outsiders Malawi qualified for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and the World Cup by coming from behind to beat Ghana 2-1 in Morocco on Sunday.

By Afp 5 days ago

One woman confirmed dead in western Canada wildfire

Indian students marched towards the state assembly in Jharkhand on Monday, escalating protests over alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations.

By Afp 5 days ago

Energy transition threatens to wipe Dutch village from map

Residents of Moerdijk who survived WWII bombing and subsequent flooding, are facing a new existential challenge: the threat of being bulldozed in the name of clean energy.

By Afp 5 days ago

Russia downs 456 Ukrainian drones in deadly overnight attack

The attack, still underway at 0530 GMT, "is being carried out against both industrial and civilian sites.

By Afp 5 days ago

NBA champion player and historic coach Nelson dead at 86

Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a five-time champion as a player with the Boston Celtics, died on Sunday, his family announced.

By Afp 5 days ago

Five dead in new Russia, Ukraine strikes

Russian strikes killed two people and wounded dozens across Ukraine overnight Saturday and Sunday.

By Afp 5 days ago