Iran defies Trump and US pressure over uranium enrichment
Iran will never surrender the right to enrich uranium, even if war “is imposed on us”, its foreign minister said on Sunday, defying pressure from Washington. “Iran has paid a very heavy price for its peaceful nuclear programme and for uranium enrichment,” Abbas Araghchi told a forum in Tehran. “No one has the right to dictate our behaviour,” he said, two days after he met US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman, striking a maximalist position over its nuclear programme and in the wake of nationwide... [Continue Reading]
Minister of State to meet homeowners impacted by flooding
The Minister of State with responsibility for flood relief, Kevin Boxer Moran, will visit Passage East in Co Waterford this morning to meet homeowners impacted by recent flooding. [Continue Reading]
'The shirt used to weigh heavy - now England players double in size in it'
World Cup winner Matt Dawson discusses England's seven-try thrashing of Wales and the lessons coach Steve Borthwick can learn from France. [Continue Reading]
Seifert half-century helps NZ beat Afghanistan
New Zealand pull off their highest run chase in T20 World Cup history as they open their Group D campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan. [Continue Reading]
Antonio Jose Seguro projected to win runoff election against Andre Ventura in Portugal's presidential race
In a decisive runoff election scheduled for this Sunday, centre-left Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro is projected to secure victory against far-right populist Andre Ventura in Portugal’s presidential race. Following the first round of voting last month, which saw neither candidate achieve the required 50 percent majority for an outright win, Seguro emerges as the frontrunner with nearly double Ventura’s support according to recent opinion polls. The initial voting took place on March 30, 2026, in a politically charged atmosphere characterized by a fragmented political landscape. At the time, none of the candidates attained the necessary threshold of votes to... [Continue Reading]
Polls open in second round of Portugal presidential vote
Portugal began voting in the second round of a presidential election today, with the far right in the run-off and the country battered by deadly storms. [Continue Reading]
Northern Territory authorities monitor Daly River floodwaters as river levels rise and residents remain on alert for potential impacts
Authorities in the Northern Territory are closely monitoring floodwaters in the Daly River community, where several homes have sustained damage as the river is set to reach major flood level. As of Sunday afternoon, the river measured 13.71 metres and is expected to peak at 14 metres on Monday, pushing residents on alert as emergency services prepare for potential impacts. The original flooding incident began several days earlier. Residents of Daly River, located approximately 220 kilometres south-west of Darwin, were evacuated earlier this week as heavy rainfall led to rising river levels. On Wednesday, nearly 300 residents were moved to... [Continue Reading]
Polls open in second round of Portugal presidential election
The far right's score will be watched closely, with the vote being held as heavy storms continue to lash the country. [Continue Reading]
Court rules Peter Mandelson must repay severance package following dismissal amid scrutiny over ties to Jeffrey Epstein
In a landmark development today, a court has upheld calls for Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the United States, to pay back a severance package awarded after his dismissal in September 2022. The ruling adds fuel to the fire surrounding Mandelson's controversial ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender whose illicit activities have prompted scrutiny over numerous high-profile figures. As calls for accountability increase, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intense pressure regarding his decision to appoint Mandelson to the prestigious diplomatic role in the first place. The original incident unfolded in September 2022, when Mandelson... [Continue Reading]
Japan elections live: PM Takaichi’s LDP hopes to secure big win
The election outcome is expected shortly after polls close at 11:00 GMT. [Continue Reading]
Economist warns China's potential growth rate may drop to 2.5% without significant market reforms
In a stark warning regarding China’s economic future, a leading economist has projected that the country’s potential growth rate could fall to a mere 2.5 percent in the coming years unless significant market reforms are implemented. This assessment comes as economic indicators suggest that maintaining growth above 4 percent will require substantial improvements in productivity and consumer spending. The analysis highlights the critical nature of reforming the economic structure to ensure sustainable growth. The original concerns over China’s economic dynamics can be traced back to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019. As lockdowns were enforced and global... [Continue Reading]
Savannah Guthrie tells mother Nancy’s kidnappers ‘we will pay’ for safe return
'They probably stalked her for some time.' [Continue Reading]
China’s ‘micro drama’ industry emerges as jobs lifeline in tough graduate labour market
Over 10 million students graduate from Chinese universities every year, straining an already crowded labour market. Yet the “micro drama” industry is emerging as a crucial lifeline for hundreds of thousands of young jobseekers: offering the chance to turn creativity into a stable pay cheque. The sector was estimated to directly generate about 690,000 jobs in 2025 – mostly for young people – and over 2 million positions when counting upstream and downstream roles, according to a recent report by... [Continue Reading]
How to watch the 10 best picture nominees for the 2026 Oscars in the UK
They're streaming, in cinemas and even yet to be released. [Continue Reading]
Todd absolutely loses it in Coronation Street after horrendous acts from Theo
He's at the end of his tether. [Continue Reading]
‘Benedict Bridgerton being a “messy bisexual” is an old trope – but it works’
'They're paying homage to that tradition of the queerness lurking in the in between' [Continue Reading]
Desperate Cain launches attack on broken Bear in Emmerdale as things reach a head
He just wants Moira home. [Continue Reading]
Von Allmen, a glorious downhill
Swiss skier Franjo Von Allmen was crowned Olympic downhill champion this Saturday in Bormio. He finished ahead of Italians Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris. [Continue Reading]
Foreign Office to review Peter Mandelson’s US ambassador payoff – UK politics live
Foreign Office says it will review payoff given to Mandelson after he was sackedMcFadden defended Keir Starmer and his embattled chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who are both under intense pressure over Mandelson’s ambassador appointment. McFadden said:I believe he (the prime minister) should stay. I think he’s got a five-year mandate, which was just voted for 18 months or so ago in a general election. His task is by no means complete, barely begun.And I also think it is not good for the country to change its prime minister every 18 months or two years is leading to chaos and... [Continue Reading]
Malaysia’s data centre boom faces backlash as residents protest over dust, water woes
The rapid increase in data centres in Malaysia came under the microscope on Saturday, with the AI-driven build-out drawing its first public protest in the Southeast Asian country. More than 50 people gathered in front of a data centre construction site close to a residential area in the southern state of Johor, demanding an end to dust pollution and compensation for any negative impact that the project might have on their health. The protesters also expressed concern that the facility will... [Continue Reading]
Gardaí renew appeal for missing woman ten years on
Gardaí are renewing their appeal to the public for help in the case of missing person Bridget Madigan, 10 years on from her disappearance. [Continue Reading]
Farmers report 'catastrophic' crop damage as Storm Marta sweeps Spain and Portugal
More than 11,000 people have been driven from their homes in Spain's southern Andalusia region as Storm Marta hammers the Iberian Peninsula with heavy rain, snow and gales. Farmers say that the storm has already caused millions of euros of damage to crops across Spain and Portugal. [Continue Reading]
How the US can actually benefit from China’s ‘overcapacity’
Western media and policymakers enjoy wagging their fingers at China’s industrial “overcapacity”, which in reality is simply the ability to produce solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, steel and other goods more cheaply and efficiently than others can. Yes, some industries are subsidised, but they also benefit immensely from rapid growth in technical know-how and economies of scale. China hasn’t really built too much; it’s just built too efficiently for the comfort of its competitors. The... [Continue Reading]
Mandelson Epstein scandal: demands grow for ex-envoy to repay US$75,000 severance
The former British ambassador to the United States and former government minister Peter Mandelson is facing demands to hand back the payoff he received after being sacked as US envoy. The senior Labour Party figure was sacked over his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, but anger in Westminster has intensified after the latest release of documents which indicated he leaked information to his friend while he was a government minister. Allies of Prime Minister Keir Starmer said... [Continue Reading]
Live: Military pressure 'does not scare' Iran, FM says after US envoys visit aircraft carrier
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Sunday that his country was not intimidated by the US naval deployment in the Gulf, two days after talks with Washington's envoy. US President Donald Trump's lead Iran negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments. [Continue Reading]
Families ‘inconsolable’ in Gaza as Israel returns more unidentified bodies
Palestinian medics say several of the 54 bodies were found to be mutilated and showed extensive signs of abuse. [Continue Reading]
Live: Tess Coady to headline day two for Australia at Winter Olympics
Aussies Seve de Campo, Hugo Hinckfuss and Lars Young Vik are in action in cross-country skiing before Alex Ferlazzo competes in the luge. Follow live. [Continue Reading]
CEO of The Washington Post steps down days after mass layoffs
In an email to staff shared on social media by one of the newspaper's reporters, Will Lewis said it was "the right time for me to step aside." [Continue Reading]
Court rules on Shanyin County biotechnology factory explosion that killed eight, leading to police custody of company representative
A significant court ruling today relates to the tragic explosion that occurred on October 14, 2023, at a biotechnology factory in Shanyin County, Shanxi Province, China, which tragically claimed the lives of eight individuals. The Chinese government has confirmed the deaths, and the legal representative of Jiapeng Biotechnology, the company operating the facility, has been taken into police custody. This incident marks a harrowing chapter in China's ongoing struggle with workplace safety regulations and regulatory enforcement in its rapidly growing industrial sector. The explosion took place in the morning hours, collapsing parts of the factory and resulting in extensive damage.... [Continue Reading]
Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce
Controversial remarks in Bangladesh by a politician who questioned women’s ability to perform jobs because of their child-bearing role have caused an uproar ahead of the general election in a country where female workers form the spine of its mainstay garment sector. Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, also ruled out the possibility of a woman assuming the Islamist party’s top post. In a TV interview, Rahman said women with babies should be given the option of fewer... [Continue Reading]
‘I fell into it’: ex-criminal hackers urge Manchester pupils to use web skills for good
Initiative aims to identify proficient gamers and coders who can help companies identify flaws in their cybersecurity Cybercriminals, the shadowy online figures often depicted in Hollywood movies as hooded villains capable of wiping millions of pounds off the value of businesses at a keystroke, are not usually known for their candour.But in a sixth-form college in Manchester this week, two former hackers gave the young people gathered an honest appraisal of what living a life of internet crime really looks like. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
China’s future growth rate could drop to 2.5% without market reforms: economist
China’s long-term growth trajectory will depend on the introduction of market reforms, and the country’s potential growth rate could fall to about 2.5 per cent in the coming years unless action is taken, a prominent Chinese economist has warned. “Without a strong turnaround in total factor productivity and a meaningful expansion in household consumption, it will be difficult for China’s economic growth to reach 4 per cent or higher,” said Zhou Tianyong, former deputy head of the Central Party... [Continue Reading]
How group live-streaming thrives in China, reshapes global industry dynamics
Under a cascade of flashing lights, a group of young girls dances to the beat as artificial rose petals gently fall. But who really controls the performance? Viewers. With just a few taps, they send virtual gifts or cast votes to decide which song to perform, which idol stays and which is swapped out. Meanwhile, the host keeps the energy high with live commentary, thanking viewers by reading their usernames. In 2023, group live-streaming surged in popularity, filling the void left by the 2021... [Continue Reading]
Somalia is the missing pillar of Red Sea and Gulf of Aden stability
Somalia’s stability is essential to securing global trade corridors and regional security. [Continue Reading]
Jacob Elordi’s unexpected Yorkshire accent inspiration before he ‘practised it in the bath’
We've heard the Wuthering Heights star go Yorkshire before! [Continue Reading]
Why Bad Bunny’s ‘uniting’ Super Bowl performance comes at a crucial time
The countdown is on! [Continue Reading]
Nick Grimshaw: You won’t find any food in my freezer — just martini glasses
The radio DJ shared all his foodie secrets, including his most unhinged snack obsession. [Continue Reading]
'It's about getting the economy back up and running': Thailand votes in general election
As Thailand votes in a three-way race pitting progressives against populists and conservatives, FRANCE 24 correspondent Tommy Walker explains how the Southeast Asian nation's sluggish economic growth is weighing heavily on the minds of voters craving better jobs and better pay. [Continue Reading]
'We will pay,' TV host says in plea for mother's return
US television news host Savannah Guthrie said in a video message released yesterday that her family is willing to pay to secure her mother's return after her presumed abduction in Arizona. [Continue Reading]
Flooding damages first homes in Daly River, ahead of expected Monday peak
Authorities say three homes in the remote community of Daly River have sustained minor flood damage, as waters continue to rise ahead of an expected 14m peak level on Monday. [Continue Reading]
What is Hong Kong’s headquarters economy – and how it drives a commercial property upswing
Hong Kong’s so-called headquarters economy, in which the city serves as a regional and global base for corporate headquarters, is spurring recovery in the commercial real estate sector as analysts forecast an improved investment environment this year. The city’s battered office market showed signs of stability in 2025, with 2.1 million sq ft (195,000 square metres) of net absorption for the full year, the largest annual total since 2018, according to CBRE. Central recorded the biggest... [Continue Reading]
Saudi Arabia slams ‘foreign interference’ in Sudan after deadly RSF attacks
Riyadh condemns RSF attacks in Kordofan, blames foreign fighters and weapons for fuelling Sudan's three-year conflict. [Continue Reading]
Portugal chooses between centre-left Socialist and far-right firebrand in presidential runoff
Centre-left Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro is expected to win the second round of Portugal's presidential election Sunday after far-right populist Andre Ventura failed to unite the country's right wing behind his candidacy following the first round of voting last month. [Continue Reading]
Husband reported wife missing, then her body was found in wedding dress bag
When the body of an unknown woman is found in a suitcase, forensics step in to solve the mystery. [Continue Reading]
Netanyahu to meet Trump in Washington Wednesday to discuss Iran talks
The US and Iran held indirect talks on Friday in Oman that appeared to return to the starting point on how to approach discussions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. [Continue Reading]
Iran-US talks in Muscat bought time, not a deal
The negotiations reopened diplomacy, but mistrust and military pressure raise the question of how much time remains. [Continue Reading]