Chart-topping French rapper Naps sentenced to seven years for hotel rape incident
The Paris court ruled there was an "absence of consent", accepting the complainant’s account that she was asleep and woke to the pain of penetration.
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Russia says no peace dialogue ongoing with Japan over territorial dispute
MOSCOW, Feb 20 - The Kremlin said on Friday that relations with Japan had been reduced to zero over Tokyo's \"unfriendly\" stance towards Russia, and there was no ongoing dialogue towards peace.
Former Philippines president Duterte will not attend ICC pre-trial hearings
AMSTERDAM, Feb 20 - Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will not be present at pre-trial hearings in his case of alleged crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court next week, the court said on Friday.
Did the EU charge the UK billions more than Canada to join its defence loan scheme?
Canada paid a one-off €10 million to join the EU’s SAFE defence scheme, whilst the UK was reportedly asked for a much higher fee. These numbers stem from reports of real negotiations, but the full picture is more complex.
Eurozone manufacturing at a turning point? PMI hits 44-month high
Eurozone manufacturing returned to growth in February, hitting a 44-month high as Germany led a factory rebound.
What is ALS? These are the symptoms, causes and treatments
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nervous system; around 400,000 people live with it worldwide.
Macron tells Meloni to 'stay at home' after comments on French activist's killing
Emmanuel Macron rebuked Giorgia Meloni over her comments on the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon, sparking tensions between Rome and Paris.
‘I’m Still Here’ Star Selton Mello to Follow Hollywood Bow in ‘Anaconda’ With João Paulo Miranda Maria’s ‘I Don’t Even Know Who I Was’ for Les Valseurs (EXCLUSIVE)
“I’m Still Here” star Selton Mello will follow up his big studio turn in Tom Gormican’s “Anaconda” with João Paulo Miranda Maria’s “I Don’t Even Know Who I Was.” The film is produced by the recent Un Certain Regard-winning label Les Valseurs (“The Mysterious Gaze of the
Cyprus Pushes Back as Tobacco Tax Reform Highlights Subtle Commission–Council Tensions
Cyprus has emerged as an unexpected pivot point in negotiations over the European Union’s long-awaited Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) overhaul, after proposing limits on inflation-linked tobacco tax increases. A move that has added fresh momentum to the growing institutional
A Tour Inside the Chelsea Hotel: Once Home to Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen & More
We’ve all stayed at the Chelsea Hotel, though most of us have done so only in our minds, through such cultural artifacts as Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel No. 2,” Bob Dylan’s “Sara,” Nico’s “Chelsea Girls,” Andy Warhol’s eponymous film that includes the Nico song, or Patti
A hidden step before meiosis could reshape efforts to treat infertility
In human cells, DNA carries chemical or "epigenetic" marks that decide how genes will be used in different tissues. Yet in a group of specialized cells, known as "germ cells," which will later form sperm and eggs, these inherited chemical instructions must be erased or
‘Severance’ Producer Boards Sequel to Nigerian Netflix Hit ‘Black Book’ (Exclusive)
Nicky Weinstock is producing 'The Black Book 2 - Old Scores,' Editi Effiong's sequel to his record-breaking Nigerian action film.
Trump Ramblings on Epstein Take Revealing Turn as MAGA Fury Boils Over
After British police arrested the former Prince Andrew in connection with revelations involving Jeffrey Epstein, a reporter asked Donald Trump directly if anyone will face accountability in the United States. Trump rambled and rambled, insisting he had been “totally
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
In this edition: Twin Cities resistance, psychedelic self-reinvention, guardians of the ranch, a file of fragments, and Pantone’s political white.
Singaporean tech founders on building global companies in US
Two Singaporean founders share tips from their US start-up journeys
Godot veteran laments 'AI slop,' Highguard's mystery investor, and a big doc for Big Hops - Patch Notes #41
Plus: Unity boss says devs will soon be able to prompt video games into existence using generative AI.
Democrats launch $250K investment in Michigan special election
A Democratic group dedicated to expanding their presence at the state legislature-level is rolling out a six-figure investment on Friday ahead of a May special election for a Michigan Senate seat, a true bellwether race that could have consequences for the upper chamber’s
EU countries prepare for ECB race as Lagarde eyes early exit
Following reports on Wednesday that Christine Lagarde could step down as ECB President before her mandate ends, some EU countries have begun sounding out potential successors.
Co-founder of ASOS, Quentin Griffiths, dies in Thailand after balcony fall
BANGKOK, Feb 20 - Quentin Griffiths, who co-founded British fast-fashion retailer ASOS, has died after a fall from a balcony in Thailand, Thai police said on Friday.
Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies in Thailand after balcony fall
Initial investigations suggest suicide and no indications of foul play.
Poland prepares to mine Russian border after exit from Ottawa treaty
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has unveiled the Bluszcz weapons system, saying Warsaw could lay mines along its eastern border with Russia within 48 hours.
UK begins implementation of Electronic Travel Administration for visitors
The UK is transitioning to a digital immigration system. These reforms are designed to enhance security, reduce reliance on physical documents, and streamline the traveller experience through automated checks undertaken by carriers against Home Office records. Effective 25
Republicans are ignoring Trump and holding out hope for a second megabill
The president said Republicans have “gotten everything passed that we need,” but lawmakers aren’t so sure.
Gold, stablecoins and Hong Kong’s market reality
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s recent remarks before the Senate Banking Committee have quickly entered the global financial conversation. Asked whether China might be developing digital assets backed by gold rather than the renminbi, Bessent said he “would not be
Africa: Nduhungirehe - Burundi Should Not Get Involved in AU Mediation of DR Congo Crisis
[New Times] Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has said Burundi would find it "difficult" trying to engage in African Union-led mediation of the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
Soccer-FIFA and Board of Peace to support Gaza reconstruction through football
Feb 20 (Reuters) - FIFA and the Board of Peace signed a partnership agreement on Thursday to attract investment from global leaders and institutions for sustainable development in conflict-affected regions through football. The Board of Peace, established under the U.S.
Somaliland, where Muslims love Israel
"I love Israel!" Three little words rarely heard together in the Muslim world, and yet have become a common phrase in Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia. Israel became the only country in the world to recognise Somaliland's independence in December -- something the
Most Europeans don't know what the ECHR does, but do they want to leave it?
As some European governments push for a tougher migration framework under the European Convention on Human Rights, public opinion appears firmly on their side. Yet strikingly few Europeans say they know much about the convention itself.
Rani Mukerji Says Success of Mumbai Supercop Film ‘Mardaani 3’ Is a Call to Protect Women: ‘Even If One Girl Is Affected, It Is the Failure of Our Society’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Bollywood star Rani Mukerji is thrilled with the success of “Mardaani 3,” but the actor says the commercial milestone is secondary to the conversation the films have sparked around crimes against women. The franchise, which follows Mumbai supercop Shivani Shivaji Roy as she
Asos co-founder dies after Thailand balcony fall
Quentin Griffiths co-founded Asos in 2000 and remained a significant shareholder after leaving the firm five years later.
Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey Punch
Dozens of fans flocked to a Japanese zoo on Friday to catch a glimpse of a baby macaque who shot to social media stardom months after being abandoned by his mother.
Germany's fighter jet dilemma: Faltering European dream and US reality
Germany is rearming with a renewed focus on buying European. But with the German-French-Spanish fighter jet project, FCAS, at a standstill, does Berlin have any real options beyond the American F-35?
South Korea's ex-President Yoon apologises after life sentence over martial law
In a statement released by his lawyers, Yoon said that while he was sorry for the "frustration and hardship" brought upon the people by his martial law decree, he stood behind the "sincerity and purpose" behind his actions.
Ex-Philippine leader Duterte will not attend pre-trial ICC hearing, says court
ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity.
Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies in Thailand after falling from Pattaya condo balcony
Thai police said Quentin Griffiths had been involved in two ongoing court cases that might have caused him stress.
UN Rapporteur for Palestine says she won't resign despite French backlash
Francesca Albanese insists she has "the trust of the [UN] Human Rights Council" in an interview on Euronews' Europe Today show.
IMF rebukes China’s model with its own credibility in tatters
As the International Monetary Fund takes China to task, the world’s “lender of last resort” is grappling with a new legitimacy crisis. It used to be a one-size-fits-all response to financial crackups that earned the IMF global ire. From the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis to the
“Hide competitive stats”
I’ve been playing an online wordgame for a few months, and after each round, it shows me how well I’m doing against the 10,000 other people who are also playing. It didn’t take long for me to realize that the stats weren’t improving my mood (a really good play had me ranking
US builds website to let Europeans access content banned by their own governments
The site displays the motto “Information is power. Reclaim your human right to free expression. Get ready,” with a graphic of a galloping white horse above the Earth.
How the Golden Gate Bridge Was Built: A 3D Animated Introduction
Built during the depths of the Great Depression (from 1933 to 1937), the Golden Gate Bridge became the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. During its construction, workers battled harsh conditions — strong winds, thick fog, and the risk of plunging into the San
Pulp Call for Action on Fervent Single ‘Begging for Change’
The track, which features Damon Albarn, comes off charity compilation album HELP(2)
EU agencies consider risk of exposure low, as recall of infant formula continues
CDC and EFSA have assessed that the current likelihood of exposure to contaminated infant formula is low, and that most affected children appear to have experienced mild symptoms. Recalls are still ongoing, and investigations continue at the national level. The multi-country
Outspoken Laos lawmaker’s election exit sparks rare dissent
The announcement came just days before Feb 22’s poll, in which all 243 candidates contesting.
‘Democracy is working’: Analysts say Yoon conviction proves strength of South Korea’s institutions
A Seoul court that sentenced Yoon to life behind bars said the former president damaged South Korea’s democracy, but analysts say the landmark ruling proves the nation’s institutions are resilient, even as political divisions persist.
Venezuela approves amnesty for likely release of hundreds of political prisoners
Although the new law was not a prerequisite for the government to free prisoners, the approval marks a reversal for authorities in the South American nation, who for decades have denied holding any political prisoners.
‘Maxima’ Franchise Expands with First Spin-Off, ‘The Other Royals – A Maxima Story’: ‘There Was So Much More to Tell’ (EXCLUSIVE)
The “Maxima” franchise, inspired by the life of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and starring Delfina Chaves, is getting its first spin-off: “The Other Royals – A Maxima Story.” In the meantime, Season 2 of “Maxima” will premiere locally on March 14, followed by an
France on edge as Loire floods and storm Pedro threatens more chaos
France is watching the Loire spill across streets and car parks in Les Ponts-de-Cé, near Angers.
Death of French activist sparks spectre of 'cordon sanitaire' around LFI
With two staff members of LFI and MP Raphaël Arnault among those suspected of involvement in the violence that led to the death of the identitarian activist, LFI is finding itself increasingly isolated.
Malaysia’s top coalition party DAP weighs Cabinet roles, report says
The party suffered a setback during elections in 2025.
Changes to integration support and migration policy in Belgium
Citizenship application fee increased to €1,000 Belgium increased the fee for acquiring nationality from €150 to €1,000, with annual indexing. The change is part of broader government measures to strengthen conditions for accessing citizenship, emphasising individual