World News

Iranian director Jafar Panahi released after hunger strike

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been released on bail after starting a hunger strike to protest against his almost seven-month detention, supporters said on Friday.. Panahi has been released from Tehran's Evin prison "two days after starting his hunger strike for freedom", the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said on Twitter, while Iran's reformist Shargh newspaper posted an image of Panahi jubilantly embracing a supporter.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Ethiopia PM holds first meeting with Tigray leaders since peace deal

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday held his first face-to-face meeting with Tigrayan leaders since a peace deal was agreed last year, officials and state media said. . Abiy's national security adviser Redwan Hussein said on Twitter that the prime minister and other officials "met today and held discussion with TPLF delegation regarding the progress of the peace process."

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 2 mins read

World News

Burkina's slain leader Sankara to be buried at assassination site

The body of Burkina Faso's revered revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara is to be buried alongside 12 comrades at the spot where in 1987 they were assassinated, the country's ruling junta said on Friday.. He and a dozen other leaders were gunned down by a hit squad at a meeting of the ruling National Revolutionary Council in the capital Ouagadougou on October 15, 1987.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Brazil calls for crackdown on racism in football

The Brazilian Football Confederation said Friday it had sent a letter to FIFA calling for a crackdown on racism in the sport, after a series of incidents targeting players including Brazil star Vinicius Junior.. On Saturday, he met with Brazilian Justice Minister Flavio Dino to discuss the incident involving Vinicius Junior and fighting racism in football more generally, the CBF said.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Ethiopia PM holds first meeting with Tigray leaders since peace deal

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other government officials on Friday held their first meeting with Tigrayan leaders since a November peace deal, officials and state media said. . Abiy's national security adviser Redwan Hussein said on Twitter that Abiy and other government officials "met today and held discussion with TPLF delegation regarding the progress of the peace process."

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 1 mins read

World News

EU helps Ukraine weather Russian attacks on grid with LED bulbs

Ukraine said Friday it had started replacing millions of regular light bulbs with energy-saving LED lamps as part of an EU-funded project to help with energy shortages caused by Russian strikes.. "The programme to replace old light bulbs with energy-saving LED bulbs started this week," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on Twitter.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 1 mins read

World News

Anti-graft chief insists Ukraine turning corner on corruption

The head of Ukraine's anti-corruption agency insisted Friday that the Russian invasion had triggered a substantial and "irreversible" fall in graft in what has long been one of Europe's most corrupt countries.. Nevertheless, he was adamant that the country was now making an "irreversible" move away from corrupt practices of the past.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 3 mins read

World News

Bird flu detected in mammals but risk to humans low: experts

Experts have warned that the recent detection of bird flu in mammals including foxes, otters, minks, seals and even grizzly bears is concerning but emphasised that the virus would have to significantly mutate to spread between humans.. - However two recent larger scale infections have raised concerns that bird flu has the potential to spread between mammals.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 4 mins read

World News

Estonia hints at Olympic boycott if Russians allowed

Estonia's premier on Friday suggested her country might boycott the 2024 Olympics in Paris if Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate.. "Participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes is just wrong.

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 1 mins read

World News

UK man pleads guilty in foiled 2021 crossbow attack on queen

A Briton on Friday became the first person in decades to plead guilty to treason, after admitting trying to harm Queen Elizabeth II with a loaded crossbow in Windsor Castle in 2021.. They include a section of the Treason Act, dating back to 1842 that outlaws attempts to "injure the person of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II or to alarm Her Majesty".

Fri, Feb 3, 2023 3 mins read