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Tens of thousands trek rugged trail to glimpse Iceland volcano

Tens of thousands of people have braved a steep, rugged trail in Iceland to catch a rare glimpse of an active volcano after it erupted last week, spewing red-hot lava into the sky.  . - 'Nature's power' - "It would be very easy for it to last as long as the previous one", vulcanologist Thorvaldur Thordarson told AFP. Last year, lava spewed from the nearby Mount Fagradalsfjall volcano for six months, the longest eruption in Iceland in more than 50 years.

Thu, Aug 11, 2022 2 mins read

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Norwegian woman climber on track to break 'super peaks' record

Norwegian climber Kristin Harila has just three mountains left in her bid to climb the world's 14 "super peaks" in record time after successfully summiting Pakistan's Gasherbrum I, officials said Thursday.. Five of the 14 super peaks are in Pakistan -- including K2, the world's second highest mountain -- and the country has enjoyed a record-breaking climbing season this year.

Thu, Aug 11, 2022 1 mins read

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Living underground on the spearhead of Russia's offensive

Svitlana Klymenko is restless with rage but has nowhere to go.. To escape the deadly contest above, Klymenko lives below, in a semi-subterranean cellar.

Thu, Aug 11, 2022 3 mins read

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New wildfire outbreaks feared as blazes rage in France

French officials warned Thursday that flare-ups could cause a massive wildfire to further spread in the country's parched southwest, where fresh blazes have already blackened swathes of land this week. . Currently there are eight major wildfires raging in several parts of the country, and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who is also heading to meet Gironde officials Thursday, said Sweden and Italy were sending fire-fighting aircraft to help. bla/js/jh/jv

Thu, Aug 11, 2022 1 mins read

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N Korea declares 'victory' over Covid, says Kim had fever

North Korea's Kim Jong Un declared a "shining victory" over Covid-19 as his sister revealed he had fallen ill during the outbreak, which she blamed on Seoul, state media said Thursday.. - Kim's 'high fever' - Kim's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, said the top leader himself had been ill during the outbreak, according to another KCNA report.

Wed, Aug 10, 2022 2 mins read

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Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power

Generating power from sunlight bouncing off the ground, working at night, even helping to grow strawberries: solar panel technology is evolving fast as costs plummet for a key segment of the world's energy transition.. India pioneered the use of solar panels over canals a decade ago, reducing evaporation as they generate power.

Wed, Aug 10, 2022 4 mins read

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Taliban fighters swap arms for books as hundreds return to school

Gul Agha Jalali used to spend his nights planting bombs -- hoping to target an Afghan government soldier or, better still, a foreign serviceman. . - 'Motivated mujahideen' - The desire of fighters like Jalali to go back to school showed Afghans yearned for education, government spokesman Bilal Karimi said.

Wed, Aug 10, 2022 3 mins read

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Taliban stronger than ever a year after takeover

A year since returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban are a stronger military force than ever, but threats to their rule do exist.. Following the chaotic exit of US-led troops on August 31 last year, Western threats to Taliban rule have also been crushed.

Wed, Aug 10, 2022 4 mins read

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China's ex-Covid patients live under 'dark shadow' of stigma

When Zuo tested positive for Covid-19 while working as a cleaner in one of Shanghai's largest quarantine centres, she hoped it wouldn't be long before she could pick up the mop and start earning again.. Those who test positive, as well as their contacts, are all sent to central quarantine facilities, while a flare-up in a factory can grind production to a halt.

Wed, Aug 10, 2022 4 mins read

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Alleged British IS 'Beatle' arrested on return to UK: media

A British man accused of being part of an Islamic State (IS) kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" was arrested on his return to the UK on Wednesday, reports said.. - Two convicted in US - The four members of the "Beatles" are accused of abducting at least 27 journalists and relief workers from the United States, Britain, Europe, New Zealand, Russia and Japan.

Wed, Aug 10, 2022 2 mins read