Press freedom at lowest level in 25 years: RSF

Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, Reporters Without Borders warned on Thursday.

By Afp 15 hrs ago

Iran's supreme leader defies US blockade as oil prices soar

Iran's supreme leader declared that the US had suffered a shameful defeat, defiantly rejecting a warning from President Trump that US naval blockade could be enforced for months to come.

By Afp 13 hrs ago

Cambodia deports more than 600 Thais linked to cyberscams: minister

Cambodia deported more than 600 Thais allegedly involved in online scams on Thursday, the information minister said, part of a crackdown against the multibillion-dollar illicit industry.

By Afp 13 hrs ago

What's next for OPEC after the UAE's withdrawal?

The exit of the UAE from OPEC and OPEC+ starting in May has cast doubts over the Saudi-led cartel's future after losing its fourth largest producer and further strains the Gulf rivals ties.

By Afp 13 hrs ago

US sanctions DR Congo ex-leader Kabila over rebel ties

The US has slapped sanctions on the DRC's long-serving former President Joseph Kabila, backing allegations he has assisted Rwandan-linked rebels who have seized vast parts of his country.

By Afp 7 hrs ago

Iraqi PM-designate says Trump invited him to US once govt formed

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi received a call from US President Donald Trump, who congratulated him on his nomination and invited him to the US once his government is formed.

By Afp 6 hrs ago

Trump to put his picture in US passports

An image of Donald Trump will soon appear in some US passports, officials said Tuesday, shattering another norm as the president aggressively puts his personal stamp on government institutions.

By Afp 1 day ago

EU finds Meta failing to keep under-13s off Facebook, Instagram

The EU says Meta is failing to prevent children under 13 using Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing them to inappropriate content -- and putting the tech giant at risk of a massive fine.

By Afp 1 day ago

Sexual violence in Sudan triggers mental health crisis: UN

The widespread use of rape and other sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan has spurred a massive mental health crisis, United Nations agencies and local aid groups warned.

By Afp 1 day ago

King Charles to stress UK-US cultural, trade ties in New York

King Charles III will use a trip to New York on Wednesday to showcase cultural and economic ties between Britain and the US at a time when the "special relationship" is under strain.

By Afp 1 day ago

Starvation and drowning on the deadly Horn of Africa migrant route

On a vast, sun-scorched plain in Djibouti, dozens of men made the days-long trek home after their plan failed to cross one of the world's deadliest migration routes from Africa to the Gulf.

By Afp 1 day ago

Ghana military convoy attacked, three civilians killed

The convoy, transporting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire at Binduri from unidentified assailants, according to a statement.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ukrainian, Russian strikes leave four dead

"Three civilians were killed following drone attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces," Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on Telegram, adding that three others were wounded.

By Afp 2 days ago

UAE pulls out of OPEC oil cartels citing 'national interests'

The last OPEC member to withdraw from the cartel was Angola in 2024.

By Afp 2 days ago

Gunmen kill 29 in northeast Nigeria, some at soccer pitch

The latest attack comes as Nigeria's security crisis is increasingly under scrutiny -- both abroad and at home as general elections are less than a year away.

By Afp 2 days ago

Tuareg rebels in control of key Mali town

Defence Minister Sadio Camara has been killed, while ruler General Assimi Goita, who led the coup in 2020 that brought the junta to power, has not been seen or spoken publicly since the weekend.

By Afp 2 days ago

Japan prosecutor who accused boss of rape to resign

A Japanese prosecutor who publicly accused her boss of rape said on Tuesday she will resign after her office rejected a request for an independent probe into harassment within the organisation.

By Afp 2 days ago

Sri Lanka detains 22 Buddhist monks for drug smuggling

Twenty-two Sri Lankan monks returning from Thailand were arrested on Sunday at the main international airport with 110 kilogrammes (242 pounds) of powerful cannabis, officials said.

By Afp 3 days ago

North Korea's Kim reaffirms support for Russia's 'sacred' Ukraine war

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed Pyongyang's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, vowing to help Moscow achieve victory in its "sacred" war, state media reported on Monday.

By Afp 3 days ago

'Joint venture in reverse': foreign carmakers seek edge with China partners

In a sprawling office in Hefei, hundreds of employees and several robotic arms sat refining software developed jointly by German behemoth Volkswagen and Chinese EV maker XPeng.

By Afp 3 days ago

Nations backing fossil fuel exit 'a new power': conference host Colombia

Around 60 nations are attending a world-first conference in Colombia to tackle an issue that has deadlocked the UN climate talks -- how to exit the fossil fuels that cause global warming.

By Afp 3 days ago

UN chief condemns Mali attacks, calls for 'coordinated international' response

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned "acts of violence" in Mali after jihadists and Tuareg rebels claimed attacks against the army across the junta-ruled Sahel state.

By Afp 4 days ago

Israel appoints first ambassador to Somaliland

Israel has appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, months after formally recognising the breakaway region in the Horn of Africa, the foreign ministry said Sunday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Sawe breaks two-hour mark for first time in marathon history

He led a group of six as they passed the halfway point in a time of 1:00:29.

By Afp 4 days ago

President Trump, First Lady Melania safe after shooting incident at press dinner

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump "are safe," the US Secret Service has said after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

By Afp 4 days ago

White House press dinner shooting not connected with Iran war, Trump says

The suspect, who exchanged gunfire with Secret Service agents but was not shot himself, will appear before a US district judge on Monday.

By Afp 4 days ago

Trump cancels Pakistan talks trip, says Iran war on hold

Trump said he scrapped the visit after being unimpressed with Tehran's negotiating position, adding that a revised proposal followed within minutes of his decision.

By Afp 4 days ago

What we know about the Trump press gala shooting

US President Donald Trump and other attendees at a glitzy media gala in Washington made a hasty exit Saturday night after gunshots were fired.

By Afp 4 days ago

China and Myanmar vow more trade, security cooperation

China and Myanmar have pledged to expand trade and security ties, especially along their border, during talks in the Southeast Asian nation.

By Afp 4 days ago

Exiled Tibetans to elect government in vote condemned by China

Tibetans outside Chinese control vote on Sunday for a government-in-exile, an election of heightened significance as they brace for an inevitable, eventual, future without the Dalai Lama.

By Afp 4 days ago

Malaysia appoints new anti-graft chief

Malaysia appointed on Saturday a former high court judge as the country's new anti-graft czar to replace its outgoing chief who was dogged by allegations of abuse of power.

By Afp 5 days ago

Palestinians vote in first elections since Gaza war

Palestinians in the West Bank and a central area of Gaza began voting Saturday in municipal elections in the first vote since the Gaza war, marked by a narrow political field.

By Afp 5 days ago

Role of women in the Anglican, Catholic Churches

In the Catholic church, only men can serve as clergy, whether cardinals, priests, or deacons, and of course, the pope has only ever been male.

By Afp 5 days ago

Gunfire in Mali as army battles 'terrorist groups'

The army in junta-ruled Mali on Saturday battled "terrorist groups" it said had launched attacks across the west African nation stricken by more than a decade of jihadist conflict.

By Afp 5 days ago

Russia cuts interest rate after Putin warns on slow growth

Russia on Friday trimmed its benchmark interest rate, days after President Vladimir Putin sounded the alarm over a slowing economy and ordered his officials to boost growth.

By Afp 6 days ago

South Korea prosecutors seek 30 years for Yoon over drone flights into North

Yoon was sentenced to life in jail in February for leading an insurrection to "paralyse" South Korea's National Assembly.

By Afp 6 days ago

All you need to know about DeepSeek's new AI model

Chinese startup DeepSeek released a new artificial intelligence model with "drastically reduced" costs.

By Afp 6 days ago

WHO approves first malaria treatment for infants

The World Health Organization announced Friday that it had given prequalification approval to a malaria treatment for newborns and infants for the first time.

By Afp 6 days ago

Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges

Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will face trial at the ICC after judges on Thursday confirmed charges of crimes against humanity over his so-called "war on drugs."

By Afp 7 days ago

Pope Leo ends Africa visit with open air mass in Equatorial Guinea

Pope Leo XIV will hold an open air mass in Equatorial Guinea on Thursday to end a landmark 11-day trip across Africa that has been the US pontiff's first big international trip.

By Afp 7 days ago