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Deadly blast rocks Iran as leaders attend rally in show of defiance

AFP - 5m ago

Deadly explosions rocked Tehran close to a pro-government rally attended by top officials on Friday, as Israel and Iran …

War in the Middle East: latest developments

AFP - 57m ago

Here are the latest events in the Middle East war on Friday:

Middle East war: global economic fallout

AFP - 1h ago

Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war on Friday:

Fresh wave of Israeli strikes on Iran, Gulf nations also hit

AFP - 3h ago

Fresh strikes rocked Iran and several Gulf countries Friday, as Israel and the Islamic republic unleashed a new wave of …

South Sudan models dominate global catwalks but visas a problem

AFP - 4h ago

Heels click on cracked paving stones as fantastically long-limbed men and women practice moves they hope will whisk them …

Strikes target Gulf as French soldier killed in Iraq

AFP - 1h ago

New waves of attacks struck Iran and Gulf nations on Friday after Tehran renewed its threats on oil facilities, while …

Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questions

AFP - 6h ago

Thousands of Chinese fishing boats have been massing in geometric formations in the East China Sea, in coordinated …

French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan

AFP - 7h ago

A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on …

Assailant dead after ramming vehicle into Michigan synagogue

AFP - 7h ago

A 41-year-old man was killed Thursday after ramming his pickup truck into a synagogue on the outskirts of Detroit, …

Saudi forces down drones, French soldier killed in Iraq

AFP - 2h ago

Saudi forces intercepted more than two dozen drones on Friday after renewed Iranian threats against oil facilities, as …

'Say a prayer and send it': Paralympic alpine skiers tackle fear

AFP - 8h ago

What does it take to rocket down an icy sheet of Dolomite rock at over 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) when missing a …

Trump says Iran shouldn't come to World Cup for 'own life and safety'

AFP - 8h ago

US President Donald Trump warned Iran's football team Thursday their "life and safety" would be at risk if they took …

Fantastic Mr Stowaway: fox sails from Britain to New York port

AFP - 4h ago

A red fox that managed to slip onto a US-bound ship in Britain was discovered by customs officers in the Port of New …

Spurs search for salvation, Arsenal ready for title charge

AFP - 8h ago

Troubled Tottenham head to Liverpool on Sunday searching for salvation in their increasingly desperate fight against …

Saudi forces down drones after Iran vows to target oil resources

AFP - 3h ago

Saudi forces intercepted more than two dozen drones Friday after Iran vowed to attack oil resources in the Middle East …

US jury to begin deliberations in social media addiction trial

Mar 12 2026

Jury deliberations are set to begin Friday in a landmark social media addiction trial accusing Meta and YouTube of …

Iran says will make US regret war as oil prices soar

Mar 12 2026

Iran vowed Thursday to make the United States regret attacking the Islamic republic and said it would keep up a …

Iran vows unrelenting war as oil prices soar

Mar 12 2026

Iran vowed Thursday to make the United States regret attacking the Islamic republic, and said it would keep up a …

Assailant dead after ramming car into Michigan synagogue

Mar 12 2026

An unidentified assailant is dead after ramming his car on Thursday into a synagogue on the outskirts of Detroit, …

Noma's star chef quits after claims that he hit and bullied staff

Mar 12 2026

Danish superchef Rene Redzepi -- whose Noma restaurant was long regarded as the world's best -- said he was stepping …

New Iranian leader vows revenge, keeps oil shipping route shut

Mar 12 2026

Iran's new supreme leader ordered his forces to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane shut on Thursday, as …

US military 'not ready' to escort tankers through Hormuz Strait: energy secretary

Mar 12 2026

The US military is currently "not ready" to escort tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz because all its assets …

New Iranian supreme leader calls for defiance, keeps key waterway shut

Mar 12 2026

Iran's new supreme leader ordered the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane to remain closed on Thursday, while US …

Russia jails 15 for life over IS-claimed 2024 concert hall attack

Mar 12 2026

A Russian court on Thursday handed life sentences to four gunmen from Tajikistan, and 11 others it said were their …

War creating 'largest' oil shock in history as Iran hits new Gulf targets

Mar 12 2026

The Middle East war is creating the biggest oil supply shock in history, the International Energy Agency warned …

Mideast oil shock 'largest' in history as Iran hits new Gulf targets

Mar 12 2026

The Middle East war has caused the biggest oil supply shock in history, the International Energy Agency warned Thursday, …

Russia jails 15 for life over 2024 concert hall attack

Mar 12 2026

Russia on Thursday sentenced 15 men -- including four gunmen -- to life in prison over the Crocus concert hall attack …

China approves 'ethnic unity' law condemned by rights groups

Mar 12 2026

China approved what it called an "ethnic unity" law on Thursday, which rights advocates warn could further marginalise …

North Korea vow no more protests in Women's Asian Cup

Mar 12 2026

North Korea pledged Thursday there will be no more sideline protests during their Women's Asian Cup quarter-final with …

Djokovic ousted by Draper at Indian Wells as Alcaraz marches on

Mar 12 2026

Novak Djokovic was dumped out by Jack Draper in a slugfest Wednesday as the defending champion won 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) …

China to approve 'ethnic unity' law condemned by rights groups

Mar 12 2026

China was set to approve Thursday what it called an "ethnic unity" law, which rights advocates warn could further …

Checkpoints, air strikes and hope: a Tehran resident tells her story

Mar 12 2026

Torn between hope and fear, a Tehran resident in her 30s agrees to share her thoughts with AFP about the ongoing war and …

Iran targets fuel facilities, sending oil soaring again

Mar 12 2026

Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets on Thursday, hours after two oil tankers were hit, …

Three crew 'believed trapped' aboard Thai ship attacked in Gulf: firm

Mar 12 2026

Three crew members believed to be trapped aboard a Thai bulk carrier hit by projectiles while travelling through the …

Fear, boredom for Philippine sailors stuck in Hormuz strait

Mar 12 2026

Filipino sailor George Miranda was racing to help a stricken vessel aboard the tugboat Mussafah 2 when he last spoke to …

North Korea unveils image of leader's daughter firing pistol

Mar 12 2026

North Korea released an image on Thursday of leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter firing a pistol, weeks after photos …

One surprise after another? Oscars night set to be unpredictable

Mar 12 2026

With "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" neck-and-neck for best picture and several acting races far too close to …

Iran threatens prolonged war as Trump says it is near defeat

Mar 12 2026

Iran warned it could wage a prolonged war with the United States and Israel that would "destroy" the world economy, even …

War disrupts fertiliser supplies, puts food security at risk

Mar 12 2026

With production in the Gulf countries at a standstill and gas prices rising, the war in the Middle East is disrupting …

All-conquering Mullins lands Champion Chase with Il Etait Temps

Mar 12 2026

Irish trainer Willie Mullins's juggernaut motored on as Il Etait Temps won the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature …

Despite reputation, bonobos are aggressive, particularly toward males: study

Mar 12 2026

Historically considered a more peaceful species than their chimpanzee cousins, bonobos are actually just as aggressive …

Three brothers arrested over US embassy blast in Oslo

Mar 12 2026

Norwegian police said Wednesday three brothers had been arrested on suspicion of a "terrorist bombing" over a weekend …

Real Madrid batter Man City as PSG sink Chelsea in Champions League

Mar 11 2026

Federico Valverde scored an unlikely hat-trick as Real Madrid trounced Manchester City 3-0 in the first leg of their …

US takes first steps towards new global trade penalties

Mar 11 2026

The United States announced new investigations Wednesday into what it considers unfair trade practices by dozens of …

Iran says war could destroy global economy, Trump vows to 'finish' job

Mar 11 2026

Iran warned it could wage a prolonged war with the United States and Israel that would "destroy" the world economy, even …

Senegal parliament doubles penalty for same-sex relations

Mar 11 2026

Senegal's parliament on Wednesday passed legislation doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them …

Real Madrid run riot as Valverde treble stuns Man City

Mar 11 2026

Federico Valverde's superb first-half hat-trick helped Real Madrid demolish Manchester City 3-0 in a surprise Champions …

'Happy (and safe) shooting!': Study says AI chatbots help plot attacks

Mar 11 2026

From school shootings to synagogue bombings, leading AI chatbots helped researchers plot violent attacks, according to a …

Oil prices jump despite strategic reserve release

Mar 11 2026

The International Energy Agency's announcement Wednesday of a record release of oil from strategic reserves failed to …

Iran warns of long war that would 'destroy' world economy

Mar 11 2026

Iran warned Wednesday it could wage a long war with the US and Israel that would "destroy" the world economy, as it …

French aid worker killed in DR Congo air strike

Mar 11 2026

A French aid worker for the UN children's agency has been killed in an air strike in the eastern Democratic Republic of …

Hard-right Chile leader sworn in on promise of change

Mar 11 2026

Chile's most right-wing president in over three decades, Jose Antonio Kast, was sworn in Wednesday on a promise to …

Chile's Kast, most right-wing president since Pinochet, takes office

Mar 11 2026

Chile's most right-wing president in over three decades, Jose Antonio Kast, was sworn in Wednesday on a promise to …

Arctic sea ice among lowest on record: AFP review of US data

Mar 11 2026

Arctic sea ice is headed for one of its smallest winter peaks on record, an AFP review of US data showed Wednesday, as …

IEA to launch largest-ever release of oil reserves

Mar 11 2026

The International Energy Agency said on Wednesday its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from …

North America 'heat dome' left winners and losers: study

Mar 11 2026

Billions of mussels scorched and baby birds dropping from sweltering nests: North America's 2021 heatwave caused a …

Iran warns ready for long war that would 'destroy' world economy

Mar 11 2026

Iran said Wednesday it was ready for a long war of attrition that would "destroy" the world economy, after firing on two …

Man set himself alight in fatal Swiss bus fire: prosecutor

Mar 11 2026

An inferno on a Swiss bus that killed six people was seemingly started by a "disturbed" man on board who set himself …

IEA says members to release 400 mn barrels from oil reserves

Mar 11 2026

The International Energy Agency said Wednesday its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their …

Trump's 'racist hate speech' fuelling rights abuses: UN watchdog

Mar 11 2026

A UN watchdog warned on Wednesday that racist hate speech by US President Donald Trump and other political leaders …

Oil jumps, stocks drop as Mideast war prolongs market volatility

Mar 11 2026

Oil prices rallied and equities largely dropped Wednesday as traders assessed the latest impact for global markets from …

Iran hits ships in Gulf chokepoint as G7 dips into oil reserves

Mar 11 2026

Iran fired on two commercial ships in the Gulf on Wednesday, setting at least one vessel on fire, as it pressed its …

Iran women footballers evacuate from safe house in Australia

Mar 11 2026

Iranian women footballers claiming asylum in Australia evacuated from their safe house on Wednesday after one team …

Trade ships hit as Iran threatens Gulf oil chokepoint

Mar 11 2026

New attacks hit three commercial ships in the Gulf on Wednesday, setting at least one vessel on fire, as Iran pressed …

Germany, Japan to unblock oil reserves as G7 stands 'ready' to act

Mar 11 2026

Japan and Germany said Wednesday they would tap into their oil reserves to tackle the rise in crude prices due to the …

Trump said Iran 'welcome to compete' in World Cup, says Infantino

Mar 11 2026

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran is "welcome" to participate at the upcoming World Cup in North America, …

UK govt to release first batch of Mandelson files

Mar 11 2026

Britain's government was due Wednesday to publish the first tranche of documents relating to Prime Minister Keir …

G7 inches closer to tapping oil reserves to tackle price rise

Mar 11 2026

The Group of Seven advanced economies inched closer Wednesday to tapping strategic oil reserves to tackle the rise in …

Iran's new supreme leader injured but 'safe', says president's son

Mar 11 2026

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is injured but "safe and sound", the son of the president said Wednesday, …

Poland starts human trafficking probe into Epstein ring

Mar 11 2026

Polish prosecutors said Wednesday they were investigating human trafficking tied to Jeffrey Epstein they suspect took …

Cargo vessels hit as Iran threatens to close Gulf oil chokepoint

Mar 11 2026

Three commercial ships took fire in the Gulf on Wednesday as Iran launched strikes against its oil-exporting neighbours, …

Italy stun USA to leave hosts on brink at World Baseball Classic

Mar 11 2026

Italy pulled off a stunning 8-6 upset over the United States in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, leaving the …

Shabby beauty: Inside Japan's oldest, defiant student dorm

Mar 11 2026

Graffiti defaces tattered clay walls and trash piles up in Japan's oldest student dormitory, but Masako Ueda is …

Seoul says can deter threats from North if US weapons shifted to Mideast

Mar 11 2026

South Korea said Wednesday it could deter threats from the North even if the United States relocated some of its …

Italy stun United States 8-6 in World Baseball Classic

Mar 11 2026

Italy pulled off a stunning 8-6 upset over the United States in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, leaving the …

New wave of Iran attacks as oil reserve release weighed

Mar 11 2026

Iran unleashed a wave of attacks against Israel and Gulf nations on Wednesday, including targeting a Saudi oilfield, as …

Trump-Infantino 'bromance' tested by Middle East war

Mar 11 2026

The US-Israeli war on Iran represents a serious challenge to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's relationship with President …

Kharg Island: Iran's vital oil hub in the crosshairs?

Mar 11 2026

Kharg Island, a scrubby stretch of land in the northern Gulf, handles almost all of Iran's crude exports and any attempt …

'Stealth hit' Pokemon game sends Nintendo shares soaring

Mar 11 2026

Fan buzz around life-simulation game "Pokemon Pokopia" sent Nintendo shares soaring on Wednesday, with some hailing the …

Bangladesh sari weaving tradition hangs by a thread

Mar 11 2026

Bangladesh's Tangail sari is fighting for survival as weavers warn that automation and economic pressures are pushing …

New wave of Iran attacks as IEA weighs oil reserve release

Mar 11 2026

Iran unleashed early Wednesday defiant new strikes around the region including drones targeting a Saudi oilfield, as the …

'Put our faith in God': Tehran residents adapt to wartime

Mar 11 2026

With daily attacks shaking the city, schools shuttered for days and many shops closed, Tehran residents are trying to …

Yamal denies Newcastle, Liverpool lose and Atletico thrash Spurs in Champions League

Mar 11 2026

Lamine Yamal's last-gasp penalty earned Barcelona a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions …

US says wouldn't be 'happy' if Russia giving Iran intel

Mar 11 2026

The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump would not be "happy" if Russia is sharing intelligence with …

US targets Iran mine-laying as war causes oil market havoc

Mar 11 2026

The United States said Tuesday it was striking Iranian ships capable of mining the crucial Strait of Hormuz and …

Will Trump blink on Iran as pressure mounts?

Mar 10 2026

US President Donald Trump has built a potential off-ramp by suggesting the Iran war could end soon, but the world is …

At least five Iran women footballers take asylum in Australia

Mar 10 2026

At least five players from Iran's visiting women's football team claimed asylum in Australia on Tuesday, seeking …

White House says US Navy has not escorted tanker through Strait of Hormuz

Mar 10 2026

The United States has not escorted any oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, the White House said Tuesday, after the …

Iran not seeking ceasefire as Trump steps up threats

Mar 10 2026

Iran remained defiant as fresh explosions thundered out in Tehran on Tuesday, insisting it was not seeking a ceasefire …

Liverpool rocked by Galatasaray defeat in last 16 first leg

Mar 10 2026

Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday as Mario …

Ukraine says hit 'key' Russian military factory in missile strike

Mar 10 2026

Ukraine hit a "key" military factory in a missile strike Tuesday on Russia's western city of Bryansk, Ukrainian …

Blasts rock Tehran as US says strikes to intensify

Mar 10 2026

Explosions thundered out in Tehran on Tuesday after the Pentagon chief warned US strikes on Iran would reach their …

US energy secretary's post saying US escorted tanker in Hormuz deleted

Mar 10 2026

A post by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright saying that the US Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of …

UAE closes biggest oil refinery as Iran vows to choke off crude exports

Mar 10 2026

The UAE's largest oil refinery closed on Tuesday after a drone attack, as Iran defiantly vowed that no crude exports …

Russia committed 'crimes against humanity' in deporting Ukrainian children: UN inquiry

Mar 10 2026

Moscow's deportation and forcible transfer of thousands of children from Ukraine to Russia amounts to a crime against …

Defiant Iran vows to block Gulf oil until US-Israel bombing stops

Mar 10 2026

Iran vowed on Tuesday that not one litre of oil would be exported from the Gulf while the United States and Israel …

Italy buys rare Caravaggio portrait for 30 million euros

Mar 10 2026

Italy has paid 30 million euros for a Caravaggio painting of the future pope Urban VIII, the culture ministry said …

Five Iran women footballers take asylum in Australia

Mar 10 2026

Five players from Iran's visiting women's football team claimed asylum in Australia on Tuesday, seeking protection after …

Iran vows to fight on and block all Gulf oil

Mar 10 2026

Iran vowed on Tuesday that not one litre of oil would be exported from the Gulf while its war with the United States and …

Trump says will waive some oil sanctions as Iran war roils markets

Mar 10 2026

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he will waive some sanctions on oil to boost supply and bring down prices, …

Iran vows to fight 'as long as needed' as Trump says war will end 'soon'

Mar 10 2026

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday his country would keep fighting as long as necessary, casting doubt …

Arsenal favourites against Leverkusen in Champions League last 16

Mar 10 2026

Wednesday's Champions League action sees Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea meet for the first time since last year's Club …