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From black boots to pastel suits, Italian premier's wardrobe evolves with her politics

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s fashion has evolved with her politics

And the winner is... Burgas to host 2027 Eurovision Song Contest

Bulgaria's 4th largest city Burgas has won the right to host the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. The Black Sea resort has been praised for its 'uniqueness' as the country prepares to hold the world's biggest live song competition for the very first time.

Chinese carmakers could capture 15% to 30% of European market by 2035: Citi analysts

Chinese carmakers could capture between 15 and 30 per cent of the European automotive market by 2035, up from roughly 10 per cent this year, analysts at Citi said, with the outcome resting on how far Brussels goes in tightening tariffs and made-in-EU rules. Current European Union rules would allow Chinese carmakers to reach 30 per cent by 2035 – Citi’s base scenario – while extending existing tari...

Former Catholic bishop accused of hosting alcohol-fuelled parties to sexually abuse Aboriginal men found guilty

Christopher Alan Saunders found guilty of 13 sex offences in West Australian district court on Thursday. He was acquitted of six other chargesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA former high-ranking Catholic known for hosting boozy shirts-off parties has been convicted of sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men.Former bishop of Broome Christopher Alan Saunders, 76, was fo...

MTR Corp’s profit more than doubles to HK$15.8 billion on property gains

Hong Kong’s rail operator more than doubled its net profit to HK$15.87 billion (US$2 billion) in the first half of 2026, up from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset a flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. “Although the corporation delivered solid results in the first half of the year, we will continue to undertake forward-looking finan...

MTR Corp profit more than doubles to HK$15.8 billion on property gains

Hong Kong’s rail operator more than doubled its net profit to HK$15.87 billion (US$2 billion) in the first half of 2026, up from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. “Although the corporation delivered solid results in the first half of the year, we will continue to undertake forward-looking...

MTR Corp profits more than double to HK$15.87 billion on property gains

Net profit for Hong Kong’s rail operator more than doubled to HK$15.87 billion (US$2 billion) in the first half of 2026, up from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. The MTR Corporation reported a 120.7 per cent year-on-year increase in property-development profit, bringing it to HK$12.23 bi...

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp profit more than doubles to HK$15.87 billion on property gains

Net profit at Hong Kong’s rail operator MTR Corporation more than doubled to HK$15.87 billion (US$ 2 billion) in the first half of the year, from HK$7.70 billion a year earlier, as strong gains from property development offset largely flat performance in its rail and commercial operations. The partly privatised corporation reported a 120.7 per cent year-on-year increase in property-development pro...

Total eclipse plunges Spain’s Segovia into darkness for 59 seconds of wonder (4/4)

A total solar eclipse on Wednesday plunged Spain’s Segovia into daytime darkness for 59 seconds. Perched high up on the city's iconic cathedral bell tower, locals and visitors from and wide watched, in awe, as the moon’s shadow blotted out the sun.

Bangladesh humble Australia with worst total in contest as Hasan takes 6-55

Australia dismissed for lowest total against Bangladesh as Hasan Mahmud claims career-best on Day One of first Test.

Photos: Hope fades in Colombia as teams dig for earthquake survivors

Colombian rescuers battle time to save lives after deadly 7.4 earthquake, as hopes dwindle in search for survivors.

Polls open in Clacton, where Farage spent more than £10,000 in byelection against Count Binface – UK politics live

The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelectionEconomic growth slowed in the second quarter of the year, as the disruption unleashed by the Iran war began to take its toll, official figures show. Heather Stewart has the story.Good morning. In the media, August is known as the “silly season”. With parliament not sitting and many people on holiday, th...

Aerial footage captures total solar eclipse over Spain

Spain witnessed a rare total solar eclipse on Wednesday, the first visible from the country in more than a century. In Getxo, in the Basque Country, the eclipse was seen near the Port of Bilbao as the moon passed directly between the Earth and the sun.

'I really doubt I'll carry on': Messi sees end of football career in farewell to his father

The Argentinian footballer has published an open letter bidding farewell to his father and agent Jorge Messi, who died on 8 August in Rosario after a long illness. In it, the Argentina captain admits he is unsure whether he will carry on playing.

"I really doubt I'll carry on": Messi's stark words in farewell to his father

The Argentinian footballer has published an open letter bidding farewell to his father and agent Jorge Messi, who died on 8 August in Rosario after a long illness. In it, the Argentina captain admits he is unsure whether he will carry on playing.

US diplomat calls Israeli settler siege of West Bank homes ‘act of terror’

Israeli settlers have blocked the homes of three Palestinian families in Qusra, cutting them off from food and supplies.

Solar eclipse 2026 in pictures: The best shots from around Europe

Millions witnessed the most significant eclipse in Europe for decades yesterday evening as the Sun disappeared behind the Moon. Here are some of the best shots taken from the celestial event.

Student Lillie Vehling rescued 3 girls drowning in Lake Washington during Blue Angels weekend

College student Lillie Vehling rescued three girls from Lake Washington during Seafair weekend. She noticed the girls struggling beyond the buoy line and immediately entered the water. Vehling, a former lifeguard and water polo player, brought the girls to safety one by one. First responders arrived and provided medical assistance after the successful rescue. Seafair honored Vehling as the "La...

Paris Saint-Germain retain Super Cup title by seeing off Aston Villa

Reigning European champions PSG kicked off the new season by retaining their UEFA Super Cup title, beating Premier League side Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué scored the goals for Luis Enriqué's team.

Alaska restored a gold-mined creek—salmon runs rose six-fold

Florida turns degraded farmland into 700-acre coastal refuge drawing 240,000 visitors

Beijing’s offshore insurance tax tests Hong Kong wealth management

Financial markets have been gripped by concern in recent days over reports that China was introducing a new tax on returns from offshore insurance policies. The significance of the episode could prove more complex than the initial market reaction suggests. According to a report from Caixin, Chinese tax authorities have sought to collect tax on investment returns generated by offshore insurance pol...

How Hong Kong can protect manual workers bearing brunt of heatwave

At a bustling fruit store in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, a crowd of workers sporting damp towels around their necks or fan vests buy up chilled drinks to stay hydrated as temperatures hit 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit) on a busy weekday morning. Soaked in sweat, 29-year-old construction worker Yau buys a litre of water to help beat the heat on Wednesday. “I spend at least HK$100 per day to buy...

How to stay safe during an earthquake: A visual guide

Earthquakes can happen suddenly, but knowing what to do before, during and after one can reduce the risk of injury.

Polls open in Clacton, as research shows Farage has spent more than £10,000 in byelection – UK politics live

The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelectionGood morning. In the media, August is known as the “silly season”. With parliament not sitting and many people on holiday, there is less proper news than normal, which means the nonsense stories get (even) more attention than usual. We are almost slap bang in the middle of the month, and today we’ve got...