World News

Basketball star Griner begins sentence in remote Russian prison: lawyers

Basketball star Brittney Griner, whose plight has generated widespread anger in the United States, has been sent to a remote Russian penal colony, her lawyers said on Thursday.. Russian penal colonies are known for their harsh treatment of inmates, unsanitary conditions and lack of access to proper healthcare.

Fire at Gaza home kills 21: officials

A large fire that ripped through a home north of Gaza City where fuel was being stored killed at least 21 people including seven children on Thursday, official and medical sources said. . Gaza's civil defence unit confirmed in a statement that 21 people had been killed. 

France's Mendy branded 'predatory serial rapist' at UK trial

France international Benjamin Mendy was on Thursday branded a "predatory serial rapist", as the prosecution wound up its case against the Manchester City star.. But Cray said despite that, "there's this dangerous streak which makes him a predatory serial rapist".

Hope and chaos as Kherson adjusts to new life after Russia exit

After eight months of occupation, Kherson residents were slowly adjusting to their new lives without the Russian army as many braced for a tough, uncertain winter ahead. . "I live right next to a police school where the Russians were living that was hit by HIMARS. I only had two cracks in one of my windows," boasted Artem Zeytullayev, 37, referring to the precision artillery supplied by the United States.

Fury as loophole in Spain rape law used to cut sentences

A landmark law to fight sexual violence in Spain has come under fire over a loophole used by lawyers to get reduced sentences for some convicted offenders.. In Spain, a jail term can be retroactively modified if changes to the penal code benefits the convicted offender. 

W.Africa coastal states eye more cooperation over Sahel jihadism

West African coastal states on Thursday held their first major talks on boosting cooperation against jihadist violence spilling over from the Sahel after more countries announced they would pull their peacekeepers out of Mali.. As part of the so-called Accra Initiative, representatives of coastal states, the European Union and others met in the Ghanaian capital for talks on security and intelligence cooperation.

Canada police lay charges in alleged Haiti coup plot

Canadian federal police said Thursday they have charged a man in Quebec province for allegedly plotting to sow violence in Haiti and overthrow its government.. Gerald Nicolas, a 51-year-old resident of Levis, Quebec, is alleged to have "planned a terrorist act to overthrow the Haitian government of Jovenel Moise," the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement.

Red faces in France over Olympic mascots made in China

The choice by Paris 2024 Olympics organisers of a cuddly red Phrygian cap as the Games' mascot is proving a harder sell than expected, after critics pounced on the fact that most will be made in China -- and others couldn't help seeing a symbol of feminine sexuality.. The Paris Games organisers defended the fact that the mascots are almost all made in China, "like the great majority of toys sold in France".

Salvadoran president vows to buy "one #Bitcoin every day'

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, the first country to make bitcoin legal tender, said Thursday the nation would buy one unit of the currency every day, doubling down in the face of public criticism of his embrace of the crypto money. . "We are buying one #Bitcoin every day starting tomorrow," the president tweeted. 

FTX had 'complete failure' of controls, new CEO says

Collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX suffered a "complete failure of corporate controls" under founder Sam Bankman-Fried, the company's new chief executive said Thursday, calling the situation "unprecedented.". "Never in my career have I seen such a complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information as occurred here," Ray said in the filing.