German govt okays plan to legalize recreational cannabis
The German government approved a draft law Wednesday legalizing the purchase and possession of small amounts of cannabis for recreational...
Month: August 2023
TotalEnergies says gas exploration rig arrives off Lebanon
French firm TotalEnergies said Wednesday that a drilling rig had reach Lebanese waters ahead of exploration for offshore gas reserves,...
Al-Qaeda-linked group claims Mali attack on UN troops
An al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group has claimed responsibility for an attack that wounded members of the UN's peacekeeping force in Mali,...
South Africa to send below-strength Test team to New Zealand
South Africa will send an understrength team to New Zealand for two World Test Championship matches in February, following the...
Trump indicted for racketeering over 2020 election interference
Donald Trump was indicted Monday on charges of racketeering and a string of election crimes after a sprawling, two-year probe...
Father, son on hunger strike in Iran prison, outside White House
An Iranian immigrant to the United States who was jailed in Tehran and his son camping outside the White House...
Afghanistan’s Taliban govt marks two years since return to power
Afghanistan's Taliban government on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of their return to power with celebrations and a public holiday,...
Boks inspire Soweto surge in South African rugby
When Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Tokyo in 2019, he inspired a nation. It was South Africa's...
Boks inspire Soweto surge in South African rugby
When Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Tokyo in 2019, he inspired a nation. It was South Africa's...
China stops releasing youth jobs data as economic figures disappoint
China stopped publishing data on its rising youth unemployment rate on Tuesday, as it released a raft of disappointing figures...
S. Korean president calls Japan ‘partner’ on Liberation Day
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday called former colonial ruler Japan a "partner" that shares his country's values...
Japanese economic growth smashes expectations
Quarterly growth data for Japan smashed expectations on Tuesday as car exports rebounded and tourists flooded back, but economists cautioned...
Search for survivors after Indian floods, landslides kill 65
Rescuers searched Tuesday for people feared missing in floods and landslides that have killed at least 65 in India, including...
Three killed in air strikes on western Ukraine
Russian missiles killed three people in the Ukrainian city of Lutsk early Tuesday, the latest deadly strike on the west...
Scent of luxury: India’s jasmine infuses global perfume
Heady scents fill the air as skilled pickers in India pluck white jasmine before the still fresh buds are rushed...
India’s Modi says working to end ethnic violence in Manipur
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that his government was working to end ethnic clashes in the country's remote...
35 dead after blast at Russian fuel station
At least 35 people were killed in an explosion that created a huge fire ball at a fuel station in...
Spain’s parliament opens under cloud of uncertainty
Just over three weeks after Spain's inconclusive snap election, parliament reconvenes on Thursday under a cloud of political uncertainty which...
Clashes in Libyan capital bring airport to standstill
Libya's capital has been rocked by heavy fighting between the two main armed groups linked to the Tripoli-based government, forcing...
W.Africa military chiefs to discuss Niger crisis this week
Military chiefs from the West African bloc ECOWAS will meet in Ghana this week to discuss possible intervention in Niger,...
Regional diplomacy in Niger crisis sheds light on cross-border ties
Religious leaders and politicians in northern Nigeria have opened back-door channels in a frantic attempt to stave off military intervention...
Malian Afropop star Salif Keita named advisor to junta chief
Malian music star Salif Keita has been appointed a "special advisor" to the head of the country's military junta. Under...
Military joins wildfire fight in Canada’s far north
Canada's military deployed to far north Sunday in the fight against hundreds of out-of-control wildfires as residents of several remote...
Party of slain Ecuador candidate taps reporter as replacement
The party of Ecuador's slain presidential candidate on Sunday tapped a reporter to take his place on the ballot as...
UN force in Mali quits base early over insecurity
The UN peacekeeping mission in Mali on Sunday said it had brought forward its withdrawal from a base in the...
Namibian rugby finds strength in the dunes of Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay is renowned for the abundance of its wildlife. Whales bask offshore while flamingos, pelicans and Damara terns all...
‘No more water’: Iraq drought claims lakeside resort
Iraqi merchant Mohamed has never seen such a grim tourist season: years of drought have shrunken the majestic Lake Habbaniyah,...
Families of Libya mass grave victims demand justice
A photograph of Mourad Allafi hangs in the family farmhouse in western Libya three years after he was found in...
Kim calls for North Korea to boost missile production: KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for a "drastic boost" in missile production during visits to key weapons factories,...
Worry, relief, despair, pride: Afghans on life two years under the Taliban
Two years since the Taliban stormed back to power in Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the United States...
Little-known senator Kakar sworn in as new Pakistan PM
Little-known senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was sworn in Monday as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister to see the country through to an...
Chinese property giant Country Garden’s shares sink on default fears
Shares in Chinese property giant Country Garden plunged on Monday after it missed bond payments and warned of billions of...
Far-right Milei comes out ahead in Argentina presidential primary
Argentines will choose between far-right lawmaker Javier Milei, center-right coalition candidate Patricia Bullrich and Economy Minister Sergio Massa in this...
Comfort, communion and coffee: Burned-out Hawaii church gathers in cafe
In 60 years of preaching, pastor Arza Brown had never led a service in his sandals. But he had no...
President’s son seen as Comoros leader in waiting
Young and ambitious, the son of Comoros President Azali Assoumani has all the trappings of a leader in waiting. As...
Iran arrests 8 ‘foreigners’ after fatal shooting at Shiite shrine
Iranian security forces have arrested eight foreign suspects after detaining a gunman in the killing of one person at a...
Hong Kong democracy leaders cleared of organizing 2019 protest
Seven of Hong Kong's most prominent democracy figures, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, were cleared Monday of the charge of...
Russian ruble plunges past 100 against dollar for first time since March 2022
The Russian ruble slid past 100 against the dollar Monday, its lowest level since March 23, 2022 -- weeks after...
Ukraine says ousted Russian forces near Bakhmut, south
The Ukrainian military on Monday said it had pushed Russian forces out of pockets of territory along front lines in...
Foxconn boss sees potential to invest billions in India
Taiwanese tech giant and key Apple supplier Foxconn said Monday it sees the potential to invest "several billion dollars" in...
At least 24 killed in India after heavy rains
At least 24 people were killed, nine of them in a temple collapse, and dozens more were feared missing after...
Military intervention in Niger laden with risks: experts
The West African bloc ECOWAS is mulling military intervention to restore Niger's elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, after he was detained...
UK’s Sunak blames ‘criminal gangs’ for Channel migrant deaths
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blames the "criminal gangs" facilitating small boat Channel crossings for the "horrific" weekend deaths of...
Neymar ‘probably leaving’ Paris Saint-Germain: source
Neymar is "probably leaving" Paris Saint-Germain, with an offer from Saudi Arabia said to be on the table, a source...
Saudi names non-resident ambassador for Palestinian Territories
Saudi Arabia on Saturday named a non-resident ambassador for the Palestinian Territories who will also serve as consul general in...
Bomb alert prompts Eiffel Tower evacuation
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France's most emblematic symbol, was evacuated for several hours on Saturday after a bomb alert....
‘Democracy, Democracy’ chant Israelis protesting legal reforms
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday in the latest protest against the hard-right government's...
Forty charged after fatal stabbing of Greek football fan
Greek prosecutors on Saturday charged 40 people in connection with the fatal stabbing of a football supporter in Athens before...
Sidelined Arab Israelis fear outcome of legal overhaul
Members of Israel's Arab minority fear they will bear the brunt of the hard-right government's judicial overhaul, but have remained...
Renewed interest in sumo proves big pull for tourists
Their interest piqued during Covid lockdowns and by a new Netflix drama, a fresh rush of foreign tourists are flocking...
Pain, anger as Hawaii fire death toll climbs to 93
Anger was growing Saturday over the official response to an inferno that leveled a Hawaiian town, killing at least 93...
Sudanese start small businesses to survive war
Sudan's war has left university lecturer Ali Seif without pay for months. To make ends meet, he has turned to...
China vows ‘forceful’ response over Taiwan VP’s US visit
China on Sunday vowed "resolute and forceful measures" over a weekend trip by Taiwan Vice President William Lai to the...
Migrants on France’s Channel coast undeterred by latest deaths
"Crossing the Channel, it's playing with our lives," Hajji Mahmud acknowledged. But despite the dangers, the Afghan migrant remained determined...
Typhoon Lan set to crash Japan holiday week
Japanese authorities on Sunday warned residents in much of the country to prepare for a strong, slow-moving typhoon set to...
Migrant deaths are ‘open wound’ for humanity: Pope
The number of migrants dying in the Mediterranean is an "open wound" for humanity, Pope Francis said Sunday after a...
Father of Colombian children rescued in jungle charged with sexual abuse
The father of two of the four Indigenous children who survived for 40 days in the Amazon has been charged...
Tensions spike as shippers urged to avoid Iranian waters due to seizure threat
Western-backed maritime forces in the Middle East have issued a stark warning to shippers traversing the strategic Strait of Hormuz....
Governor Hochul plans meeting with federal officials to address migrant housing
Governor Kathy Hochul has scheduled a meeting with representatives from the U.S. Department of the Interior this Sunday, aiming to...
China issues warning as Taiwanese Vice President arrives in US
China has issued a stern warning and promised "forceful measures" in response to the arrival of Taiwanese Vice President William...
