US-Iran truce: what we know

The US will suspend attacks on Iran for two weeks, and Tehran will in turn temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil thoroughfare, according to Washington.

By Afp 20 mins ago

Overnight attacks kill children in Ukraine, Russia

Moscow has been launching drones and missiles at Ukraine almost nightly throughout its offensive -- the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II.

By Afp 1 day ago

Thai police seize 1.6 tonnes of drugs hidden under cabbages

The Thai man, aged 39, was arrested over the weekend when he stopped his truck at a petrol station in central Ayutthaya province, police said.

By Afp 1 day ago

Saudi petrochemical complex hit after barrage targets country's east

"An attack caused a fire at the SABIC plants in Jubail. The sounds of explosions were very loud," the source said, referring to the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.

By Afp 1 day ago

Indonesian couple get 100 lashes each for sex outside marriage

A couple was publicly flogged in Indonesia's staunchly Islamic Aceh province on Tuesday for having sex outside of marriage in the country's only region to apply a version of Sharia law.

By Afp 1 day ago

Iran reports strikes on bridges, key highway and railway

Iranian officials reported damage to at least two bridges, railway infrastructure and a key highway on Tuesday as part of a wave of deadly US-Israeli airstrikes on infrastructure targets.

By Afp 22 hrs ago

Trump warns 'whole civilization will die' in Iran if ultimatum expires

In his Truth Social post, Trump left the door open for a last-hour agreement.

By Afp 21 hrs ago

Napoli's Serie A title defence boosted by beating AC Milan

Napoli are still in the hunt to retain their Serie A title after the champions beat Scudetto rivals AC Milan 1-0 on Monday.

By Afp 1 day ago

Bayern's Kompany waiting on Kane for 'toughest' game at Real Madrid

Kompany says he would wait until matchday to make a final call on Harry Kane's fitness to start the Champions League visit to face Real Madrid

By Afp 1 day ago

PSG look to pile misery on Liverpool as sides meet again in Champions League

When PSG and Liverpool last met in the UCL a year ago, the Anfield outfit were marching towards the Premier League title and were described as "an almost perfect team"

By Afp 1 day ago

Australian soldier charged with war crimes in Afghanistan

Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the 47-year-old was allegedly complicit in a string of unlawful killings between 2009 and 2012.

By Afp 1 day ago

Oil prices rally, stocks edge up after Trump's latest Iran threat

The remarks came as he and the Islamic republic said a proposal touted by international mediators for a 45-day ceasefire was not yet ready.

By Afp 1 day ago

UN Security Council vote expected on Hormuz resolution

The UN Security Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a watered-down resolution calling for the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz.

By Afp 1 day ago

Middle East war: latest developments

Israel's army said it had completed a wave of strikes against "regime targets" in Tehran

By Afp 2 days ago

IAEA says strikes near Iran nuclear power plant 'must stop'

The chief of the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday warned attacks near Iran's Bushehr atomic power plant "pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop".

By Afp 1 day ago

Iran says US airman rescue may have been cover to 'steal enriched uranium'

Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that a US operation to rescue a downed airman may have been a cover to "steal enriched uranium" from the Islamic republic.

By Afp 1 day ago

Russia jails former governor for 14 years over kickbacks

Russia on Monday jailed a former governor of the Kursk border region, where Ukraine's army broke through in 2024, for 14 years over kickbacks for government contracts.

By Afp 1 day ago

'Historic day': Artemis astronauts break space distance record

NASA’s Artemis II space mission breaks record for the furthest human travel from earth, four astronauts claim title set by Apollo 13 crew in 1970 for 400,171km.

By Afp 1 day ago

German men must inform military of extended foreign trips

A new German military service law will require most young men to inform authorities when leaving the country for long periods.

By Afp 2 days ago

British PM slams London festival for booking Kanye West

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was concerned about planned concerts in London by US rapper Kanye West, who has a history of antisemitic outbursts .

By Afp 2 days ago

'Choose peace', Pope marks first Easter under cloud of Mideast war

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace" in his first Easter blessing as pontiff with the Middle East conflict raging.

By Afp 2 days ago

Shrapnel from intercepted drones injures four in Bahrain

"As a result of Iranian aggression, 4 citizens sustained minor injuries & several houses in Sitra were damaged by shrapnel from the interception of Iranian drones."

By Afp 4 days ago

Zelensky in Istanbul for security talks with Erdogan

"Arrived in Istanbul, where important meetings are scheduled. Substantive talks have been prepared with the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan," said Zelensky on X.

By Afp 3 days ago

European drivers choke on rising diesel prices

The Easter holiday weekend across Europe is expected to see a surge in demand with queues at petrol stations.

By Afp 3 days ago

Rain, storms kill 121 in Afghanistan and Pakistan in two weeks

Across the border in Pakistan, 44 people were killed following heavy rains in the last weeks, officials said.

By Afp 3 days ago

Kagame calls US sanctions on Rwanda 'insults'

"Sanctions and threats are nothing but insults thrown in the face of my country," Kagame said in an interview with Jeune Afrique news outlet at the end of March and published Friday.

By Afp 5 days ago

Ukraine offers to help unblock Hormuz

Zelensky did not specify how Ukraine could contribute, but cited Kyiv's experience in restoring passage through the Black Sea, which Russia had blocked at the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine.

By Afp 5 days ago

MSF condemns 'appalling' attack on Sudan hospital

"This unacceptable assault resulted in at least 10 fatalities, including seven medical staff, some of whom have previously worked with MSF," it said.

By Afp 5 days ago

Landslide kills mother and six children in Equatorial Guinea

A landslide triggered by torrential rain in Equatorial Guinea killed a mother and her six children, the central African country's rescue services said on Friday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Hegseth asked US Army chief of staff to step down

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later posted a statement on X that said George "will be retiring from his position... effective immediately," without specifying a reason.

By Afp 5 days ago

Israel under fire as Trump warns of destroying Iranian infrastructure

Israel's military reported a new missile salvo from Iran on Friday, with its air defences activated to down them. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

By Afp 5 days ago

EU under pressure as fertiliser costs soar on Middle East war

With the war in the Middle East sending global fertiliser prices soaring, the EU is coming under pressure from farmers and some member states to take action.

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump takes a dig at Macron, saying wife treats him 'badly'

US President Donald Trump made fun of the French president and his wife during a private lunch Wednesday, as he lambasted NATO allies for not joining the war against Iran.

By Afp 6 days ago

Malaysia civil servants to work from home amid fuel crisis, says PM

Malaysia will introduce a work-from-home policy for ministries, agencies, statutory bodies and government-linked companies starting April 15 to conserve energy.

By Afp 6 days ago

Chinese airlines to raise fuel surcharges on domestic flights

Several Chinese airlines, including national carrier Air China, said they will raise their fuel surcharges on domestic flights from Sunday as the war in the Middle East drives up oil prices globally.

By Afp 6 days ago

Premium

How Middle East war is driving up shipping costs for global economies

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz trade route in the Middle East war is driving up the costs of shipping fuel and goods around the world.

By Afp 6 days ago

Artemis II: NASA sends four astronauts on mission around the moon

If the plan proceeds as expected, the astronauts will set a record by venturing farther from Earth than any human before.

By Afp 6 days ago

Trump says Iran war victory near, but vows big strikes

Trump offered a retroactive explanation on why he joined Israel in the attack, insisting the United States was close to victory as his approval rating sinks.

By Afp 6 days ago

Judge allows Woods to travel overseas for treatment

A Florida judge granted golf superstar Tiger Woods's request to leave the US to seek "comprehensive inpatient treatment" after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

By Afp 6 days ago

Trump sacks AG Pam Bondi, replaces her with ex-personal lawyer Todd Blanche

"Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year," Trump said on Truth Social. "

By Afp 5 days ago