Lifestyle

‘Selfish’? South Korean woman who promotes unmarried, childless life becomes YouTube star

Seen Aromi is happy and carefree but her message has drawn backlash in South Korea, which has the world's lowest birth rate South Korea has declared its super-low birth rate a "national emergency" and poured billions into encouraging citizens to marry and reproduce, but one YouTuber has found happiness and success promoting the opposite ideal. At h...

Prime Minister says Labour government will "deliver for Scotland" as he visits Edinburgh

Sir Keir Starmer said his Labour government would "deliver for Scotland" as he visited Edinburgh. The Prime Minister joined Anas Sarwar in Edinburgh at the start of a two-day trip which will also take in Northern Ireland and Wales.

Hungary’s Orbán makes surprise visit to China after trips to Russia and Ukraine

BEIJING (AP) — Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is making a surprise visit to China on Monday after similar trips to Russia and Ukraine to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. “Peace mission 3.0” is how Orbán captioned a picture posted early Monday on the X social media platform depicting him after having stepped off his plane in Beijing. He was being greeted by Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying and...

Good vs evil: how 17th century introduction of Catholicism impacted Chinese beliefs of retribution

When Kangxi emperor decriminalised Catholicism in China, it created immense opportunity for dialogue and debate In 1669, the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Emperor Kangxi (r. 1661-1722) made a radical decision and set the wheels in motion for Catholicism to be officially recognised and protected in China. As the religion became newly acceptable across th...

Adorable images show dogs posing for portraits in Slovakia fields

Breeds including Australian shepherds and Dalmations were seen posing or bounding through the fields as they had their portraits taken by Veronika Shandor in Slovakia.

Protesters spray water guns at tourists in Barcelona as thousands rally against overtourism

Tourists in Barcelona were squirted with water guns and told to "go home" by protesters on Saturday. Barcelona welcomed 15 million travelers in 2023.

One Samouni brother comes home in Gaza, recalls months of Israeli torture

His younger brothers are still held by Israel, while he came home exhausted and in pain after months of torture.

Hezbollah launches drone attack on Mount Hermon in Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights

AMMAN (Reuters) - The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group said on Sunday it launched a drone attack on Mount Hermon in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights where Israel has a key surveillance centre. It said this was its first such bombing since it began trading fire with Israel on Oct. 8, a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas attacked southern Israel, sparking the Gaza war. Hezbollah

New Defence Secretary hides from air raid in Ukrainian bunker

Mr Healey, who promised extra weapons and support for Ukraine immediately, dashed for cover as air raid sirens rang out across Odessa.

Japan and Philippines sign defense pact allowing their forces to train in each other's territory

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, to the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as they face an increasingly assertive China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement, similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for...

Archbishop claims he felt pressured to abort his disabled daughter

Justin Welby 's daughter, Ellie, who is now aged 32, suffers from dyspraxia - a condition which affects movement and co-ordination.

West African leaders’ summit opens as coup-hit countries form alliance

The formation of Sahel alliance by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger overshadows ECOWAS summit, set to open in Abuja.

Prison inmate freed early was involved in police chase days later

Daylan Corrigan, 27, served just two months of a 10 month sentence but within a short time was arrested again for dangerous driving - the same offence for which he was jailed in March.

Tears of joy as leftist alliance ahead of far-right in France's vote

Joy and relief swept over supporters of the New Popular Front (NFP) on Sunday evening at a square in Paris, as the leftist alliance New Popular Front (NFP) defied surveys and took the top spot in France's snap legislative elections.

Leftist alliance leads French election, no absolute majority, initial estimates show

By Gabriel Stargardter, Elizabeth Pineau and Juliette Jabkhiro LONDON (Reuters) -France was on course for a hung parliament in Sunday's election, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the top spot ahead of the far right, in a major upset that was set to bar Marine Le Pen's National Rally from running the government. The outcome, if confirmed, will leave parliament divided in three big

Two charged with murdering 14-year-old girl

A man and woman are due to appear before magistrates accused of killing the girl on Friday.

Rachel Reeves: 'I'll rip up rules on planning within days'

Vowing to take the 'difficult decisions' needed to boost economic growth, the new Chancellor will use her first major speech to reveal that the Government is beginning its assault on the planning rules.

French leftist leader Melenchon says left 'ready to govern'

The French left is "ready to govern", divisive hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said Sunday, after predictions showed a broad left-wing alliance could be the largest group in parliament ahead of the far right. Communist leader Fabien Roussel, who lost his seat in the first round, said the left would rise up to the task ahead.

Family of American hostage Omer Neutra hold rally on Independence Day weekend

Omer's parents Orna and Ronen talked about his love of sports, how his inclination toward leadership in youth group and basketball led him to defer his college admission and join the IDF.

Chilling last moments of missing woman before she disappeared

Renee, 42, was last seen leaving her home in Warrenheip at Ballarat, Victoria, at 1.25pm on May 30 with her black cat named Shadow in a carrier.

France's allies relieved by Le Pen loss but wonder what's next

By Matthias Williams and Kate Abnett LONDON/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Many of France's allies breathed a sigh of relief that the worst was averted as Marine Le Pen's far-right failed to win a snap election on Sunday but they noted that a messy coalition from a hung parliament could also pose headaches for Europe. Le Pen's National Rally (RN) had been favourite to top the polls, raising the risk of

With Argentina's president skipping Mercosur, the future of the trade alliance looks doubtful

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay (AP) — The most notable thing about the Mercosur trade bloc's meetings on Sunday in Paraguay was an absence — that of Argentine President Javier Milei. With the Argentine populist skipping the summit to star at a right-wing rally in Brazil, South America's biggest trade bloc — politically divided, notoriously slow-moving and beset by backsliding — faces an uncertain future. Milei has advocated for pulling Argentina, a leader...

French and foreign politicians react to French election upset

PARIS (Reuters) -Following are reactions to the upset results of France's parliamentary election on Sunday. The country was on course for a hung parliament with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coming first, ahead of President Emmanuel Macron's centrists and the far-right National Rally (RN). PRIME MINISTER GABRIEL ATTAL "Tonight, the (political) extremes have no absolute majority, thanks

Pro-Palestinian protesters surround car carrying Sir Keir Starmer

Demonstrators held Palestinian flags and attempted to block the Labour leader's car as he left Bute House following his meeting with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney.

Hungary PM Orban arrives in Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Orban's press chief told state news agency MTI. "Prime Minister Viktor Orban's peace mission continues," Bertalan Havasi was quoted as saying. This is Orban's third surprise overseas trip since Hungary took over the European Union's rotating presidency at the

New PM Sir Keir Starmer has first meeting with SNP's leader

Newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and SNP leader John Swinney meet for the first time since the taking office, with hopes to reset relationship with Scotland.

Appeal for young victim of assault to come forward

A man has been arrested after a teenager was allegedly hit by a car and assaulted by the driver.

Philippines wants to boost rice cooperation with Vietnam to ensure food security

HANOI (Reuters) - The Philippines wants to boost cooperation on rice with Vietnam to ensure its food security, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said during a visit to Vietnam over the weekend. Laurel visited Vietnam's Mekong Delta province of An Giang, one of the key rice-producing areas of the Southeast Asian country, the province's People's Committee said in a statement on

Labour vow to tackle 'economic and national threat' Reform pose

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said his party would now 'come for them', after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer largely ignored the party's rise during the campaign.

Mel B is to be awarded an honorary doctorate for her work with ­survivors of domestic abuse - after she opened up about her own experience

The Spice Girl, 49, has opened up in recent years about the 'abuse' she suffered while married to her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.

Junta states' exit hangs over West African summit

A West African leaders' summit opened amid political turmoil on Sunday after the military rulers of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso cemented a breakaway union at a rival meeting. Several West African leaders have called for the resumption of dialogue and Sunday's summit was the first for Senegal's new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who said in May that reconciliation was possible.

Two Indian soldiers, six rebels killed in Kashmir gun battles

Authorities in the disputed territory say they ‘carried out two different operations’ in two villages in Kulgam.

Outer London concerns as Tories lose MPs

There are concerns that with a Labour mayor and government, the concerns of Tory voters in outer London may be overlooked.

Euphoria and rage in Bordeaux over shock poll result

There are mixed emotions in the southwestern French city after the far right's surprise defeat.

Keir Starmer arriving in NI on first visit as prime minister

The overnight visit will see the Labour leader continue his tour of the UK after travelling to Scotland earlier on Sunday.

Endangering the deal? Reactions to Netanyahu's 'red lines' for hostage deal pour in

The PMO issued a statement on Sunday, ahead of a critical Doha summit on the matter of the Gaza hostages and ceasefire talks to be held on Wednesday.

In pictures: Running with the bulls through Pamplona streets

Starmer wanted U.K. ‘weaned off’ China, now move to overhaul relationship

The Chinese Foreign Ministry greeted Labour’s victory in the UK elections with the hope of... The post Starmer wanted U.K. ‘weaned off’ China, now move to overhaul relationship appeared first on The Independent News.

France's elections end up with no clear majority. This is what could happen next

PARIS (AP) — Election results show French voters have chosen to give a broad leftist coalition the most parliamentary seats in pivotal legislative elections, keeping the far right away from power. Yet no party won an outright majority, putting France in an uncertain, unprecedented situation. President Emmanuel Macron ’s centrist alliance arrived in second position and the far right in third — still drastically increasing the number of seats it...

A weakened West Africa bloc asks Senegalese leader to try to convince breakaway states to return

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — West Africa’s divided regional bloc Sunday asked Senegal’s President Basirou Diomaye Faye to have a dialogue with the three military junta-led member states to try to reunite the region whose stability has been under threat following their decision to leave the group in January. At its summit in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, the bloc — known as ECOWAS — appointed Faye as its envoy to meet with Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, which...

Hundreds gather for memorial concert after deadly Kenya protests

Hundreds of Kenyans gathered Sunday in the capital Nairobi for a memorial concert following deadly protests over tax hikes that saw the country's leader scrap a controversial finance bill. It follows Ruto's decision on Friday to announce budget cuts and increased borrowing, in an effort to cover the projected shortfall from scrapping the finance bill.

Left leads French election, Le Pen's far right third

By Juliette Jabkhiro, Layli Foroudi and Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) -France was on course for a hung parliament in Sunday's election, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the top spot ahead of the far right, in a major upset that was set to bar Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) from running the government. The result would mark a huge setback for the far right, which opinion

France shifts to the left, but risk of policy paralysis looms

By Richard Lough PARIS (Reuters) - France faced a hung parliament and the prospect of taxing negotiations starting Monday to form a government, after a surprise left-wing surge blocked Marine Le Pen's quest to bring the far right to power. The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as the dominant force in the National Assembly after Sunday's election, but with no single group securing a

Biden plays it cool at Pennsylvania ice cream social after church

Biden, notorious for his love of ice cream, held an event where Pennsylvania voters chowed-down on the sweet treat as the president attempted to appeal to swing state voters amid public decline.

French PM Attal: I will hand my resignation on Monday morning

PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Sunday he will hand his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron on Monday morning, adding he will carry out his functions as long as required. Attal made the comments after France's left-wing New Popular Front coalition won the most seats in the second voting round of parliamentary elections, leading pollsters said on Sunday, putting

Monster crocodile's wild act that had wildlife rangers on edge

Heart-stopping footage captured the moment a monster crocodile put Western Australian wildlife rangers on edge as they warned visitors to be prepared to run.

Missing girl, 17, is found dead in woods near busy road

A 17-year-old missing girl has been found dead in the woods near a busy road as a minor is charged with her murder.

Sue Gray's son among dozens Labour MPs likely back pro-Brussels drive

Liam Conlon, whose mother is Chief of Staff to Sir Keir Starmer, became MP for Beckenham and Penge last week.

Can an Israel-Hezbollah war be deescalated?

Every word and every second count; the time for a diplomatic solution is slipping away.

Driver dies in crash after police pursuit

A 27-year-old man has died after his car crashed off the motorway and down an embankment after a police pursuit.