New York, United States | AFP | For many visitors to New York, Times Square is a must-see. For one British man, it was where his romantic marriage proposal went horribly wrong — the diamond ring fell through a grate. But don’t worry, thanks to the power of the internet, …
Read More »Journalist critical of Philippines’ Duterte pays bail
Manila, Philippines | AFP | The journalist who leads a news site that has battled Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte paid a cash bail Monday on a tax fraud charge she says is an effort to intimidate the publication. Maria Ressa’s Rappler has been hit by a string of government efforts …
Read More »How engineers are straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa, Italy | AFP | “It’s still straightening,” said engineer Roberto Cela, gazing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa gleaming in the autumn sunshine of northern Italy. “And many years will have to pass before it stops.” The gravitationally-challenged landmark is leaning less after years of ambitious engineering work. Fortunately …
Read More »Nations pressed to tackle ‘urgent threats’ at UN climate talks
Katowice, Poland | AFP | With the direst environmental warnings yet still ringing in their ears, nations gathered in Poland Sunday for a UN summit aimed at heading off the “urgent threat” of runaway climate change. The UN talks come at a crucial juncture in mankind’s response to planetary warming. …
Read More »At-risk nations to make case at UN climate summit
Katowice, Poland | AFP | Nations most threatened by rising sea levels and devastating droughts will use a UN summit in Poland on Monday to urge richer countries to pay their fair share in the climate change fight. The presidents of at-risk states such as Honduras, Nigeria and Bangladesh are expected …
Read More »MOTORING: 2019 Range Rover Evoque revealed
Kampala, Uganda | AGENCIES | The Range Rover Evoque pretty much invented the idea of a style-led baby crossover, back in 2012. Plenty of critics said it seemed a bit frivolous, but three-quarters of a million buyers around the world prove they were wrong. It’s been a massive success, selling three-quarters …
Read More »Trump says hopes to meet N.Korea’s Kim in January or February
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped to organize a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in early 2019, perhaps as soon as January or February. Trump told reporters traveling home to Washington with him aboard Air Force One from …
Read More »Qatar to quit OPEC in 2019: energy minister
Doha, Qatar | AFP | Qatar is to leave OPEC next month in order for the Gulf state to focus on gas production, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi announced on Monday. “Qatar has decided to withdraw its membership from OPEC effective January 2019,” Kaabi said at a Doha press conference. He …
Read More »Michelle Obama shelves Paris, Berlin trips for Bush funeral
Washington, United States | AFP | Former US first lady Michelle Obama said Sunday she was canceling book tour visits to Paris and Berlin to attend the funeral of former president George H.W. Bush, who died Friday aged 94. “It’s important to me to join the Bush family in celebrating …
Read More »UEFA approves creation of third club competition from 2021
Dublin, Ireland | AFP | UEFA confirmed on Sunday the creation of a third European club competition from the 2021/22 season designed to offer more clubs and associations the chance to play European football. After approval from UEFA’s Executive Committee in Dublin, the Europa League will be cut from its …
Read More »