London (AFP) – Rishi Sunak looked set for at least several years in the political wilderness after helping topple ex-prime minister Boris Johnson but then losing to Liz Truss in the summer’s Conservative leadership contest. But her dramatic political i…
Thousands march in Washington to support protesters in Iran
Washington (AFP) – Thousands of people, including many of Iranian origin, marched Saturday in Washington to show support for nationwide protests in Iran sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini last month. They chanted slogans such as “Women, life, freedom”…
Pro-Russian authorities tell Kherson residents to leave ‘immediately’
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Pro-Russian authorities on Saturday urged residents in the southern Kherson region, which Moscow claims to have annexed, to leave the main city “immediately” in the face of Kyiv’s advancing counter-offensive. It comes as Presiden…
As elections near, Taylor Swift and sex tapes on the US campaign trail
Washington (AFP) – With fewer than three weeks left to go ahead of the US midterm elections, candidates are redoubling their efforts to reach voters — even relying on memes and sex tapes to make their cases, as evidenced by these offbeat stories from …
Rahm charges into share of PGA CJ Cup lead with superb 62
Washington (AFP) – Jon Rahm fired a course record nine-under par 62 to seize a share of the lead with American Kurt Kitayama after Friday’s second round of the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup. The 27-year-old Spaniard rolled in ten birdies, split evenly across the f…
UK’s Sunak qualifies for PM race as Johnson eyes comeback
London (AFP) – British Conservative politician Rishi Sunak late Friday reached the minimum threshold to run for party leader, as former prime minister Boris Johnson targeted an audacious comeback. Cabinet member Penny Mordaunt became the first to forma…
US restores defense talks with Russia but sees no interest in ending war
Washington (AFP) – The US and Russian defense chiefs spoke Friday for the first time in months but Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he saw no interest from Moscow for broader talks to end the Ukraine war. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin “emphasize…
Far-right Meloni named Italy’s first woman PM
Rome (AFP) – Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni was named Italian prime minister on Friday, becoming the first woman to head a government in Italy. Her post-fascist Brothers of Italy party — Eurosceptic and anti-immigration — won the September 25 legisl…
Taylor Swift’s 10th album ‘Midnights’ crashes Spotify
Los Angeles (AFP) – Taylor Swift’s 10th album “Midnights,” marking a gradual return to pop for the US singer-songwriter, sparked an online fan frenzy following its witching hour release on Friday — and crashed Spotify in the process. Swifties from the…
Balenciaga breaks ties with Kanye West
Paris (AFP) – Paris-based fashion house Balenciaga has ended ties with rapper Kanye West following a recent run of controversial statements, including an outburst denounced as anti-Semitic, according to fashion news site WWD. “Balenciaga has no longer …