The 'LeBron James of spreadsheets' thought Excel becoming a popular esport was 'unlikely' before winning the grand prize in Las Vegas
'You can have a lot more fun with Excel than people realise.'
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Russia urges restraint as US builds up military assets near Iran
MOSCOW, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday that it was seeing an unprecedented escalation of tension around Iran as the United States moved military assets into the Middle East, and the Kremlin urged both Tehran and "other parties" to exercise prudence and restraint.
Israeli forces and Hamas committed atrocity crimes in Gaza, UN report says
By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Israeli forces, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have both committed serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza and carried out atrocity crimes, a U.N. report published on Thursday said. Intensified
The secret math behind catchy melodies
Why do some melodies feel instantly right, balanced, memorable and satisfying, even if you have never heard them before? New research from the University of Waterloo suggests that more than creativity is at play.
South Korea ruling party claims ex-President Yoon’s life sentence falls short of expectations
The alternative was a death sentence.
Ivrea Carnival 2026: Italy’s famous Battle of Oranges draws thousands
Thousands gathered in the northern Italian town of Ivrea for the annual “Battle of Oranges,” a three-day carnival tradition in which participants reenact a historic revolt by pelting each other with tons of oranges.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested over alleged misconduct in public office
The former British royal was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a police statement read. Law enforcement also conducted searches of addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
Modi's AI unity pose turns awkward for Altman and Amodei
NEW DELHI, Feb 19 - When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi nudged speakers at the India AI summit to join and raise their hands in a symbolic show of unity, most executives obliged. Two did not: rivals Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic.
Iko Uwais to Star in Indonesian Action Film ‘Warrior,’ Reuniting With Silat Roots (EXCLUSIVE)
Iko Uwais is returning to his home turf. The martial arts star who became a global name through the “Raid” franchise is set to lead “Warrior,” a new Indonesian action thriller that brings him back to the Silat-based fighting style that launched his career. The film follows a
Thai cops go undercover as lion dancers to nab suspected thief
Officers dressed as a red-and-yellow lion made the arrest on the evening of Feb 18.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and King Charles’ brother, was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. According to the BBC, vehicles believed to be unmarked police cars arrived to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk early Thursday —
Top Democrat says 'billionaire Epstein class' pushing for U.S. war on Iran
The Massachusetts Democrat's comment is the latest instance of a growing trend among Democrats – tying the so-called 'Epstein class' to issues of the day, whether relating to specific policy concerns like Iran or more big-picture trends
‘Line of Duty’ Lands Robert Carlyle as Season 7 Guest Lead
Robert Carlyle has been cast as the guest lead in the seventh installment of Jed Mercurio’s hit BBC crime thriller “Line of Duty.” The BAFTA-winning actor, known for his roles in “Trainspotting,” “The Full Monty” and “28 Weeks Later,” will play Detective Constable Shaun Massie
Freelancer empathy
When phone cameras got good enough, portrait photographers scolded people who took their own headshots. And when the Mac got pretty good at typesetting, professional designers pointed out that people who can’t tell a font from a typeface and don’t care about kerning should
PKK militant group source says Turkish approval of peace roadmap is important step
BAGHDAD, Feb 19 (Reuters) - A Turkish parliamentary commission's approval of a report setting out a roadmap for legal reforms alongside the disbandment of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group is an important step and the beginning of a fundamental change in Turkish
The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead: A Guidebook for Surviving the Afterlife
The saying “You can’t take it with you” may be a cliché to all of us here in the twenty-first century, but it would hardly have made sense to an ancient Egyptian. One of the most widely known qualities of that civilization’s upper crust, after all, is that its members spared no
Facing US warnings, Iran defends right to nuclear enrichment
Iran's atomic energy chief on Thursday said "no country can deprive Iran of the right" to nuclear enrichment, following fresh US warning that there were "many reasons" to strike the Islamic republic. The two foes recently resumed indirect talks, after US President Donald Trump
Deadly Indonesia floods force a deforestation reckoning
Permits revoked, lawsuits filed, the threat of state takeovers. Deadly flooding in Indonesia has prompted unprecedented government action against companies accused of environmental destruction that worsened the disaster.
MPs in call to halt Drax’s £2m-a-day subsidy over sustainability doubts
Exclusive: Cross-party group ‘deeply concerned’ power plant may have misled ministers and regulators over source of wood pellets Ed Miliband is under pressure from MPs to suspend subsidies worth £2m a day paid to the owner of the Drax power plant in North Yorkshire after court
Sony’s Worldwide ‘Skeletons’ Deal Caps Cautious Berlin Market
The bidding war for the Brie Larson creature feature helped prop up a stable, but less than spectacular 2026 European Film Market.
Alzheimer’s blood tests predict the average age at which the disease may strike, study finds
Tests that could reveal when Alzheimer’s disease will emerge, while promising, are not ready for use in otherwise healthy people, scientists say
Thessaloniki Intl. Documentary Festival Unveils International Competition Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)
The lineup for the International Competition section of the 28th Thessaloniki Intl. Documentary Festival, which runs March 5-15, has been unveiled. The 14 films taking part will be vying for a series of prizes, among them the Golden Alexander, accompanied by a cash prize of
Sudan's historic acacia forest devastated as war fuels logging
Vast stretches of a once-verdant acacia forest south of Sudan's capital Khartoum have been reduced to little more than fields of stumps as nearly three years of conflict have fueled deforestation.
Landslide at Indonesia Morowali nickel hub kills one worker
The country’s smelting sector has been plagued by industrial accidents.
South Korea's ex-president jailed for life over martial law attempt
Yoon Suk Yeol's December 2024 martial law bid fundamentally damaged South Korea's democracy, a judge told the court.
White House wants a reprieve in spy-powers fight that is splitting the GOP
The Trump administration is pushing for a clean extension of Section 702 surveillance authority ahead of an April deadline.
US military ready for Iran strike from Saturday, reports claim
US officials said the military will be ready to strike Iran within days as Donald Trump weighs action, even as Geneva nuclear talks expose wide gaps, according to reports by multiple US media outlets.
At least 16 killed after building collapses in Pakistan following blast
An official said the three-storey building collapsed after an "unknown" explosion.
British couple held in Iran sentenced to 10 years
A British couple detained in Iran since January 2025 have been sentenced to 10 years in jail for espionage, their family announced on Thursday, prompting condemnation from the UK government. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, both in their 50s, were arrested while travelling through
Indonesia’s ‘tan but Chinese’ Benteng people revive their fading heritage
The Benteng Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled and married local Sundanese women.
Jet Li and Wu Jing ‘Speak the Same Martial Arts Language,’ Says Yuen Woo-ping of New Hong Kong Film ‘Blades of the Guardians’ (EXCLUSIVE)
When Yuen Woo-ping needed horses, he used real horses. When he needed desert landscapes, he shot in actual deserts. And when he needed actors who could perform Hong Kong-style wirework and martial arts sequences without relying on digital enhancement, he assembled a cast of
'Ridiculous' plan developed at Florida zoo saves wild rhino's eyesight in Africa
The plan was based on lessons learned at Palm Beach Zoo, where animals are taught to voluntarily participate in their own care.
Reports: Trump remains undecided on Iran strike, as U.S. considers 'weeks-long' attack
According to reports, President Donald Trump has been informed that the U.S. military is prepared to launch a strike on Iran by the end of the coming weekend. The Kremlin urged 'restraint' amid an 'unprecedented escalation' and Poland called on nationals to evacuate Iran
Dance troupe stages artistic protest in Washington over Minneapolis shootings
A professional dance group held interpretive performances in Washington, honouring protesters killed in Minneapolis and drawing attention to fatal shootings by federal agents.
Generation rent: From house prices to lifestyle choices, why are Europeans opting out of buying?
It's no secret that it's difficult to get on Europe's property ladder these days, but, surprisingly, extortionate house prices aren't the only reason people are choosing to rent. Europe in Motion unpacks the latest European Housing Trend report.
Africa: As Europe Drinks Less, Big Alcohol Turns to Africa
[Daily Maverick] As drinking declines in Europe and North America, global alcohol companies are shifting their growth strategy towards emerging markets - including South Africa. Public health advocates warn that increased sales efforts could deepen alcohol-related harm just as
Eight skiers found dead in California avalanche
Eight bodies have been recovered after a deadly Lake Tahoe avalanche, with one skier still missing and experts blaming unstable snow conditions.
Why Japan’s new realism needs a human heart
Fujitsu’s February 12 announcement that it will begin domestic production of “sovereign AI” servers marks a significant milestone in Japan’s quest for digital autonomy. Coming on the heels of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resounding election victory this month, the move fits
At least 13 killed in Karachi building collapse after blast, police say
KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb 19 - At least 13 people, including women and children, were killed after a gas cylinder blast caused a residential building to collapse in the southern port city of Karachi on Thursday, police said.
The silent impact of climate change on mental health: what is eco-anxiety?
Eco-anxiety is "a term that encompasses the set of emotional responses of the population to the anticipation and experience of phenomena associated with climate change," explained psychologist Teresa Pereira to Euronews. How do you manifest (and deal with) these negative
Herbie Hancock Explains the Big Lesson He Learned From Miles Davis: Every Mistake in Music, as in Life, Is an Opportunity
One thing they don’t teach you in parenting school is how to guide a young child into making fewer mistakes in her homework, while also communicating to her that mistakes are not “bad” but often “good” in that they can be conduits for creative thinking and intuitive pathways to
AI sovereignty won’t come from renting Big Tech’s models
As leaders meet in New Delhi, the bigger AI question is: Who controls the stack?
Indonesia, US firms sign deals worth US$38.4 billion ahead of Trump-Prabowo meet
The 11 deals involving sectors such as textile, energy and mining were signed at a dinner attended by Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce on Feb 18.
Foodborne illnesses grown antibiotic resistant across Europe, agencies warn
Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne bacteria remains a public health concern in Europe as it limits treatment options, according to a new report.
From floppy disks to forever: scientists find new way to preserve data that outlasts civilisations
Scientists have found a way to store all of humanity's most important data inside a piece of glass — and it could last longer than civilisation itself.
Warmer weather hits profits at British Gas owner
Savvy bill payers shopping around for fixed-tariff energy deals also dented earnings at British Gas.
Woman handed reduced sentence over role after daughter allegedly beheaded man in Sapporo hotel
The daughter allegedly beheaded a man she stabbed and took his head home in a suitcase.