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George and Amal Clooney attend New York political-comedy reading

George and Amal Clooney attended a performance at New York’s Seaview Studio where the actor took part in a reading of the political comedy Smear!

Thomas Markle released to house arrest after child-abuse-image charge

Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has been charged in Florida with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material and released on bond under house arrest.

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Fugitive Sikh separatist taunts Indian police in video

A firebrand fugitive Sikh separatist has posted a video taunting Indian authorities after a fruitless almost two-week manhunt involving thousands of police and internet shutdowns.

Top court rules in Iran-US frozen assets case

The International Court of Justice will deliver its verdict Thursday on Iran's bid to unblock nearly $2 billion in assets frozen by the United States over alleged terror attacks.

Ecuador landslide death toll rises to 14, dozens missing

The death toll from a major landslide in southern Ecuador has risen to 14, authorities said Wednesday, as emergency crews race to find survivors among several dozen people still missing days after the disaster.

Take your eyes off your mobile phone, says inventor, 50 years on

The problem with mobile phones is that people look at them too much. At least, that's according to the man who invented them 50 years ago.

Mexico investigating migrant fire deaths as suspected homicide

Mexican prosecutors announced a homicide investigation Wednesday into the recent deaths of 39 migrants in a detention center fire, accusing the people in charge of doing nothing to evacuate them.

Key pope advisor says quits Vatican abuse body over failures

The most influential member of a Vatican commission on tackling clerical sex abuse said Wednesday he has quit over "structural and practical issues" which made it "impossible" for him to continue.

Bolsonaro faces potential legal woes heading back to Brazil

Former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is due to return to Brazil Thursday, three months after leaving for the United States at the end of his term, faces legal trouble on various fronts back home.

France increases age limit, fines for e-scooters

France increased the minimum age for using an electric scooter from 12 to 14 on Wednesday ahead of a weekend vote in Paris on whether to ban rental of the devices.

Leaders must 'urgently' act to avoid climate 'Armageddon': Vanuatu PM

To address the climate crisis, world leaders "need to react and react very quickly -- urgently," warned Vanuatu's prime minister during an AFP interview in New York.

Europe rights court hears climate cases against governments

Cases opened Wednesday before the European Court of Human Rights against France and Switzerland over alleged failings to protect the environment, marking the first time governments are in the court's dock for alleged climate change inaction.

IAEA chief arrives at Ukraine nuclear plant held by Russia

The UN atomic watchdog chief arrived Wednesday at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a rare visit to Europe's largest atomic facility currently controlled by Russian forces.

Spain competition watchdog opens Google probe

Spain's competition watchdog has launched an investigation into Google for alleged anti-competitive practices affecting news agencies and press publications.

Peru prosecutors probe president over alleged money laundering

Peruvian prosecutors said late Tuesday they were investigating President Dina Boluarte and her ousted predecessor Pedro Castillo for alleged money laundering and illegal campaign financing during the 2021 presidential election.

In a country awash with guns, how Americans try to keep students safe

As the fallout from yet another school shooting ripples through the United States, Americans are once again debating ways to keep their children safe.

California's cannabis black market thrives despite legalization

Omar Buddakey emerges from a nondescript building in Los Angeles with a joint in his hand.

Room for one more? Saudi moves in on Gulf aviation market

Undeterred by a crowded Gulf market, Saudi Arabia is going all in on an aggressive aviation expansion, with a massive jet order and the launch of a new national carrier.

Philippine fishermen struggle as oil spill keeps them ashore

A crab covered in oil creeps across the sand as Philippine fishermen wearing white protective suits, rubber gloves, and respirator masks scrape toxic sludge from the rocks along the shore.

Race against time to save dozens missing after Ecuador mudslide

Rescuers raced against time in southern Ecuador Tuesday to find survivors of a weekend landslide that left at least eight people dead and more than 70 missing.

Biden: Israel 'cannot continue down this road' in judiciary standoff

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned Israel it "cannot continue" pressing for deeply controversial judicial reforms -- now on hold -- which have prompted months of unrest and criticism among Western allies.

US court reinstates conviction of 'Serial' podcast subject

A Maryland appeals court on Tuesday reinstated the conviction of the man at the center of the hit podcast "Serial, who had served more than 20 years in prison for his ex-girlfriend's murder.

Prince Harry accuses UK royals of hiding phone hacking from him

Britain's Prince Harry has accused his family of withholding information about phone hacking from him to avoid sitting in the witness box and opening "a can of worms", a witness statement released Tuesday said.

Race against time to save those trapped in Ecuador mudslide

Rescuers faced a race against time in southern Ecuador on Tuesday to find survivors of a landslide that has left seven people dead and more than 60 missing, according to the latest official toll.

Two dead in knife attack at Lisbon Islamic centre

Portuguese police accused an Afghan refugee of stabbing two women to death on Tuesday at an Islamic centre in Lisbon before being shot by officers in what authorities called an "isolated" incident.

Amsterdam targets rowdy Brits with 'stay away' campaign

Amsterdam launched a campaign on Tuesday to discourage tourists planning drug- and alcohol-fuelled parties -- starting with young British men.

Richard Gere urges US lawmakers to back Tibet

Hollywood star Richard Gere voiced outrage Tuesday over the "cruelty" of Chinese policies in Tibet, as US Congress debated ways to pressure Beijing over alleged human rights violations the Himalayan region.

US charges Sam Bankman-Fried for bribing Chinese officials

US officials alleged that former FTX chief Sam Bankman-Fried authorized bribes of at least $40 million to Chinese officials, according to an updated indictment filed Tuesday.

Pirates boarded Danish ship in Gulf of Guinea

A Danish-owned Liberian-flagged oil tanker was boarded by pirates over the weekend in the Gulf of Guinea, the owner said Tuesday, adding that contact with the 16 crew members had been lost.

Two dead in knife attack at Islamic centre in Lisbon

A knife-armed attacker killed two women on Tuesday at an Islamic centre in the Portuguese capital Lisbon before being shot and wounded by police, authorities said.

Indonesia's Anak Krakatoa volcano erupts, belches huge ash tower

The offspring of Indonesia's infamous Krakatoa volcano erupted several times on Tuesday, sending a huge volcanic ash tower some 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) into the sky.

Several killed in fire at Mexico-US border migrant center: local media

Several people at an immigration detention center in a Mexican city on the US border died in a fire that broke out at the facility overnight, local media reported on Tuesday.

Seven dead, more than 60 missing in Ecuador landslide

Rescuers searched Monday for more than 60 people reported missing after a landslide triggered by months of heavy rain killed at least seven people in southern Ecuador.

Assailant kills six at Nashville school in latest US mass shooting

A heavily armed former student killed three young children and three staff in what appeared to be a carefully planned attack at a private elementary school in Nashville on Monday, before being shot dead by police.

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