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週刊文春がスクープ「レコード大賞の闇」：買収疑惑と審査委員企業の営業

週刊文春は日本レコード大賞をめぐる一連の疑惑をスクープした。審査委員企業の不可解な高額営業資料や新人賞枠の突然増加などが明らかになり、音楽業界で大きな話題となっている。年末恒例の風物詩がカネで動かされているとの指摘だ。

Katy Perry Tells Fans Ex-Husband Russell Brand 'Should Be in Jail' During UK Concert

Katy Perry has recalled a past concert moment where she told fans that her ex-husband Russell Brand 'should be in jail,' a statement that has taken on renewed significance following his recent criminal convictions. The singer made the remark during a question-and-answer session at the Blenheim Palace Festival last July, before Brand was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

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Alarm over Gaza war ahead of initial ruling in genocide case

Alarm grew for Palestinian civilians trapped in the devastating Gaza war as the UN's top court was set to hand down an initial ruling Friday in a case accusing Israel of genocide.

Colombia seeks international aid to combat forest fires edging in on homes

Colombia appealed on Thursday for international aid as it battled dozens of forest fires burning vast swathes of the country and encroaching on homes in the capital.

Quality control at heart of latest Boeing crisis

Boeing is facing intensifying scrutiny over its quality control practices in the aftermath of a near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines flight three weeks ago when a panel blew out.

Key facts about the death penalty in the US

The first execution using nitrogen gas in the United States has put the spotlight on the country's use of capital punishment.

Japan says New Year quake damage could cost $17 billion

The cost of the damage wreaked by a huge New Year's Day earthquake that killed at least 236 people in central Japan could reach $17.6 billion, a government official said Friday.

Alabama carries out first US execution using nitrogen gas

The southern US state of Alabama on Thursday put to death a convicted murderer using nitrogen gas, the first time the controversial method decried by human rights advocates has been used in the country.

China's young workers nap away their worries with singing bowls

It's just after midday in a quiet studio in Beijing, and Xuan Yi is finally getting the deep sleep she's craved for months.

Brazil police probe Bolsonaro's ex-intel chief for illegal spying

Brazilian police raided the home and offices of former president Jair Bolsonaro's ex-intelligence chief Thursday in an investigation into accusations of illegal spying on behalf of the far-right leader and his inner circle.

Spurs boss Postecoglou unfazed by Lewis insider trading scandal

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou insists he won't be distracted by the involvement of the club's former owner Joe Lewis in an insider trading scandal.

NASA helicopter's mission ends after three years on Mars

NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter, which made history by achieving the first powered flight on another world, has officially ended its nearly three-year mission after sustaining rotor damage during its last outing, the space agency said Thursday.

Trump testifies in NY court after New Hampshire win

Donald Trump briefly testified Thursday in a defamation court case, his first appearance since winning New Hampshire's primary and drawing closer to an election rematch with President Joe Biden.

Russian sentenced to five years in prison for Trickbot malware

A Russian man has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for his involvement in developing the Trickbot malware used to extort businesses, including hospitals during the Covid pandemic, the US Justice Department said Thursday.

Colombia seeks help with forest fires as smoke blankets capital

Colombia on Thursday appealed for international help as it battled dozens of forest fires burning vast swathes of the country and covering the capital in a blanket of smoke.

Catholic cardinal accused of sexual assault in Canada

Cardinal Gerald Lacroix has been accused in Canada of sexually assaulting a female teenager, as part of a class action lawsuit against the archdiocese of Quebec, court documents showed Thursday.

Alaska Airlines says expects $150 mn hit from 737 MAX grounding

Alaska Airlines said Thursday it expects a $150 million hit from the Boeing 737 MAX grounding, which will limit its capacity growth in 2024.

Brits find US advice on making tea hard to swallow

A US professor's suggestion that salt and warm milk should be added to tea caused a collective shriek of horror in Britain on Thursday.

Russian woman jailed for 27 years for killing anti-Ukraine blogger

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced a woman to 27 years in prison for blowing up an anti-Ukraine military blogger in what prosecutors say was a brazen killing ordered by Kyiv.

Climate change behind extreme Amazon drought: study

Climate change was the chief driver of the devastating drought that gripped the Amazon last year, say researchers, as warming threatens one of the world's most important ecosystems for stabilising the global climate.

Austrian court approves transfer of incest rapist Fritzl

An Austrian court on Thursday approved the transfer of Josef Fritzl -- an incest rapist who fathered seven children with his daughter he locked in a cellar for over 24 years -- from a special security unit to a regular jail.

Colombia declares emergency over raging forest fires

Colombia has declared a state of emergency in two regions as dozens of forest fires burned wide swathes of the country and left the capital choking on smoke during record temperatures linked with the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Big deal or small beer? Saudi debates first store for booze

The news that Saudi Arabia will allow its first alcohol shop has citizens and foreigners alike mulling one question: is this a minor policy tweak, or a major upheaval?

US approves inspection program to return Boeing 737 MAX to service

US regulators approved a detailed inspection framework that would allow the return to service of Boeing 737 MAX planes grounded after an emergency landing earlier this month, officials said Wednesday.

Alabama to carry out first nitrogen gas execution

A convicted murderer is scheduled to be executed in the southern US state of Alabama this week using nitrogen gas, a novel method that the United Nations has likened to "torture."

Forest fires burn in Colombia amid record heat

At least 21 forest fires are burning in Colombia as it endures record temperatures, in some cases prompting wild animals to seek shelter in urban areas, authorities said Wednesday.

Guatemala AG refuses to resign after campaign against new president

Guatemala's attorney-general, who new President Bernardo Arevalo accuses of involvement in a plot to undo his election, snubbed a meeting with the head of state Wednesday and said she refused to resign.

UAE sued in $2.8bn US lawsuit over 'dark PR' disinformation op

The United Arab Emirates and its powerful ruler were sued in a Washington court Wednesday, accused of bankrolling a "dark public relations" operation that falsely linked an American oil trader to terrorist financing.

Polish government to propose easing tough abortion restrictions

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday his government will propose legislation to liberalise a near-total abortion ban and ease restrictions on the morning-after pill, which would dramatically reverse the previous administration's policies.

Deadly Johannesburg fire began as murder cover-up, inquiry hears

A Johannesburg drug user has admitted setting fire to a crowded housing block to cover up a murder, triggering a blaze that killed 77 people, AFP learned on Wednesday.

EU ports join up to fight drug smuggling

The EU on Wednesday launches a "European Ports Alliance" to harmonise methods in the fight against drug smuggling and to combat the hubs' infiltration by criminal groups.

Heavens remain shut over Catalonia as three-year drought persists

Although Atlantic storms regularly sweep through Spain they always seem to peter out before reaching Catalonia, which is experiencing its worst drought in living memory and may soon have to restrict water use.

Six killed in Mongolia gas explosion

Six people were killed and over a dozen injured in Mongolia's capital Wednesday after a truck carrying gas collided with a car, causing a huge explosion that sent flames soaring into the night sky.

Thai court reinstates reformist ex-PM candidate Pita as MP

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday cleared thwarted prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat in a case that could have seen him banned from politics, reinstating him as an MP.

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