World

West African bloc says it risks disintegration if junta-led states leave

By Ope Adetayo and Felix Onuah ABUJA (Reuters) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Sunday the region risked disintegration and worsening insecurity after junta-led Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger made clear their intentions to leave the bloc by signing a confederation treaty. The Alliance of Sahel States treaty, signed on Saturday, underscored the three countries'

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.

China artist rails against domestic violence recreates shocking scenes with rural women

Old China saying 'beaten wife, like kneaded dough' dismays, then inspires artist Qiu Shangxian An artist in China has collaborated with rural women to vividly recreate distressing scenes of domestic violence, aiming to console those who have suffered trauma, and advocate for their rights. There is an old saying in the Chinese northwestern province ...

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

Alleged mass shooter's car removed after he was found dead inside

The car of alleged mass shooter Chase Garvey has been removed after he was found dead inside from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Chase allegedly shot and killed four people at a party in Florence, Kentucky before fleeing.

French voters deliver a win for the left, a blow for Le Pen and a hung parliament

By Juliette Jabkhiro, Layli Foroudi and Zhifan Liu PARIS (Reuters) -France faced potential political deadlock after elections on Sunday threw up a hung parliament, with a leftist alliance unexpectedly taking the top spot ahead of the far right but no group winning a majority. Voters delivered a major setback for Marine Le Pen's nationalist, eurosceptic National Rally (RN), which opinion polls

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.

Man in critical condition after car crash

Police said a man was taken to hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Copthorne.

22-year-old MP hits back at claims he doesn't have enough 'experience'

Sam Carling has become the youngest member of the Commons after being elected to Parliament to represent North West Cambridgeshire at the age of 22.

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.

French turn out in force for parliamentary election, far right seeks power

By Gabriel Stargardter and Tassilo Hummel PARIS (Reuters) -French voters turned out in large numbers for the second round of a parliamentary election on Sunday that could see the far-right National Rally (RN) emerge as the strongest force, severely denting President Emmanuel Macron's authority. Turnout stood at 59.71% by around 5 p.m. (1500 GMT), up from 38.11% at that time during the second

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

By Tassilo Hummel and Richard Lough 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 from running the government. The outcome, if confirmed, will leave parliament divided in three big groups with hugely different

Muir breaks British mark as world records fall in Paris

Laura Muir sets a new British women's 1500m record as Faith Kipyegon and Yaroslava Mahuchikh both break world records at the Paris Diamond League.

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.

‘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...

Call for investigation after 'huge' road closure delays

A Cumbria road which was due to be closed for seven weeks is still shut a year on.

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.

Soldier's death in Cyprus to be marked 50 years on

Graham Lawson is said to be the first soldier to have been killed while with the UN in Cyprus.

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.

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.

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.

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...

Event sees young people discuss future of policing

Attendees will speak about crime, and their experiences with police and the criminal justice system

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.

Living under Kim Jong-Un’s extreme rules: the life of Ri Sol-Ju

Education Secretary Phillipson begins push to recruit 6,500 new teachers

The new education secretary says she is writing to education workforces as her "first priority".

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...

Netanyahu: Gaza deal must let Israel resume fighting until war goals met

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Dawoud Abu Alkas CAIRO/JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) -Any Gaza ceasefire deal must allow Israel to resume fighting until its objectives are met, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, as talks over a U.S. plan aimed at ending the nine-month-old war were expected to restart. Five days after Hamas accepted a key part of the plan, two officials from the

Pickleball players protest security BLOCKING them from tennis courts

Fairfax County Park Authority workers dismantled pickle ball nets in the middle of a match at Kendale Woods Park - but four furious female players refused to leave the court.

Dozens killed across Gaza as Israel’s war enters 10th month

Israel carries out more deadly air strikes across the Gaza Strip amid fresh efforts to reach a truce.

Junior doctor says he’s scheduled to work 110 hours/week but told to under-report it

SINGAPORE: A junior doctor from Singapore shared on social media that he is scheduled to... The post Junior doctor says he’s scheduled to work 110 hours/week but told to under-report it appeared first on The Independent Singapore News - Latest Breaking News

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.

Factbox-Key figures to know in France's left-wing New Popular Front bloc

(Reuters) - France's left-wing New Popular Front (NFP), an alliance of parties hastily assembled after President Emmanuel Macron called a surprise snap parliamentary election, looked set to score a shock win in Sunday's vote over the far right and the ruling centrists. If initial projections are confirmed, Macron will be required to name a prime minister from the bloc. The initial estimates are

Starmer sets his sights on Scotland

Labour are already talking about repeating their electoral success at the Holyrood elections, James Cook writes.

Major change coming to driver's licences in Australia

A major change has been introduced in one Aussie state that will make it easier for residents to sit for their L-plate exams.

Philippines, Japan on verge of key defence pact

The Philippines and Japan are set to sign on Monday a key defence pact that will allow the deployment of troops on each other's territory. The accord would provide the legal framework for Japan and the Philippines to send defence personnel to each other's territory for training and other operations.

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.

Mayor calls on PM for Northern Powerhouse commitment

The Greater Manchester mayor calls on the government to support plans for a new railway to Liverpool.

Children staying out until early hours, say police

Callington Police said they have seen a rise in young people staying out until the early hours.

New foreign secretary wants to reset UK-EU ties

The new UK government wants to signal its desire to engage in the face of multiple world crises.

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.

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

Bubble bursts for France's far-right as voters bar it from power

By Elizabeth Pineau PARIS (Reuters) - The champagne was on ice at the far-right National Rally's (RN) headquarters, but the celebratory mood swiftly turned to disbelief when the first projected results from Sunday's parliamentary election appeared on TV screens. For days, Marine Le Pen had confidently predicted that her party would triumph with an outright majority and her protege Jordan

What is the New Popular Front and who will be PM of a divided assembly?

The left-wing alliance gained the biggest share of votes but was still short of an outright majority.

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.

Napoleon's pistols sold in France for 1.7 mn euros: auctioneers

Two pistols that Napoleon Bonaparte once intended to use to kill himself were sold in France on Sunday for 1.69 million euros ($1.8 million), the auction house said, with the government insisting that they stay in the country as national treasures. "Being classified as a national treasure gives an incredible value to the object," said a representative of the Osenat auction house, asking not to be named.

In pictures: Running with the bulls through Pamplona streets

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.

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 Keir Starmer begins a triumphal tour of UK

The new Labour Prime Minister was seen protected by an aide's umbrella as he carried a black suitcase while leaving Downing Street in a downpour.