World News Hub

In 2010, Ben Affleck co-founded Eastern Congo Initiative; by 2024, programmes it supported were delivering over 100 million litres of clean water

In 2010, Ben Affleck established the Eastern Congo Initiative to foster development in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By 2024, this organization has provided over 100 million litres of clean water across various regions and facilitated access to essential health services for more than 400,000 individuals. The initiative’s social enterprise, Asili, is crucial in delivering sustainable services, ...

Jury sworn in for Russell Brand trial on rape and sexual assault charges

Prosecution expected to open its case on Wednesday after eight men and four women selected as jurorsRussell Brand has attended court for the second day of his rape and sexual assault trial and a jury has been selected in the case.The 51-year-old comedian faces three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999 to...

Hong Kong star Angela Yuen details harassment, sparking writer’s apology

Hong Kong actress Angela Yuen Lai-lam has detailed her experiences with sexual harassment over years in the entertainment industry, including an incident where an actor planted an unscripted kiss on her cheek during filming. The revelations by the film star – a two-time Golden Horse Award nominee, including a nod for next month’s ceremony – sparked heated discussion online and swift fallout. On Tu...

Pope Leo admitted to hospital for operation to remove growth on lung

Leo arrived at hospital on Tuesday for the surgery, which is deemed low risk and could take place this afternoonPope Leo has been admitted to hospital in Rome for an operation to remove a small growth from his lung, a discovery a top Vatican cardinal said had come “like a bolt out of the blue”.In a rare moment of Vatican transparency, Leo, 71, said during his angelus prayer on Sunday that doctors ...

Moment French Navy boards 'shadow fleet' oil tanker in the Indian Ocean

Footage shows the French Navy intercepting and escorting an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in the Indian Ocean.

Super El Niño sets another record as it strengthens to 'unprecedented levels'

El Niño has continued to strengthen, with several key measures now in record territory. Simon King explores how it compares to previous events.

‘My son was killed’: France faces backlash over police firearms bill

As protests nationwide protests rage, activists warn proposed law could lead to more impunity.

‘My son was killed’ France faces backlash over proposed police firearms law

As protests nationwide protests rage, activists warn proposed law could lead to more impunity.

Europe paid Russia $209bn for energy since 2022, far below Moscow’s $320bn claim

The European Commission pushed back against what appear to be inflated claims by Russia — and the United States — regarding the bloc’s spending on Russian energy since 2022.

Hurricane Simon hits western Mexico after storms kill 5

Hurricane Simon continued to move slowly up the coast of west-central Mexico with wind and flooding rain after tropical weather systems caused five deaths and damage in Pacific coastal towns and resorts.

Zelenskyy says Russia ‘did not heed’ Trump’s call for ceasefire and Ukraine had ‘no early warning’ before strikes on Kyiv – Europe live

Ukraine’s president says his country has halted strikes on Russian oil refineries for two days after Trump’s energy ceasefire announcementOn frozen Russian assets, Poland’s Sikorski says the use of frozen Russian assets is “a complicated issue,” but takes a very clear stance in response to any suggestion of releasing them back to Russia.“We are working on it, but there is also some rumours that so...

Hackers heat French supermarket fridges, sparking fires and spoiling food

Major French supermarket chains on Monday said they were hit by a cyberattack that caused their refrigerators to shoot up in temperature in hundreds of stores, forcing spoiled food to be thrown away and raising concerns about food security.

South Korea shopping centre stabbing leaves 8 injured

A 59-year-old man stabbed at least eight people on Tuesday at a shopping centre in the South Korean city of Incheon, police and fire officials said. One victim was in life-threatening condition and received surgery at a nearby hospital. The suspect attacked shoppers as he moved through the shopping centre before business owners and bystanders subdued him, according to local police and witnesses. T...

Conor Shea sets a Guinness record by assembling Mr Potato Head blindfolded in 7.91 seconds

Conor Shea set a Guinness World Record on 7 February 2026 by assembling Mr Potato Head while blindfolded. His record time of 7.91 seconds was achieved in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Shea aimed to raise awareness about Usher Syndrome, a genetic disorder causing hearing loss and blindness. Through this attempt, he demonstrated that people with the condition can achieve impressive goals.

Most Americans think Trump is profiting from presidency unethically or illegally

A recent poll revealed that a majority of Americans think Donald Trump is profiting illegally or unethically from his presidency. The survey indicated that around 60% of respondents believe Trump is prioritising personal financial interests over helping regular citizens. Financial disclosures suggested Trump has received significant investments in cryptocurrency ventures since returning to office....

Emergency call about Christa Pike’s botched execution released

A newly released emergency call recording reveals confusion among Tennessee prison officials and dispatchers after Christa Pike survived a lethal injection attempt.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s childhood home became a museum after a $656,000 purchase

Meta launches new ‘most capable’ AI models. Here’s what to know about them

Meta’s CEO said “the new Wonder model is ‘our largest and most capable model yet" and "rivals the big (boys)”.

Is punishing the poor Trump’s last hand to play?

The pre-midterm defenestration of ACA enrollees looks like political madness – but the president appears to believe hitting poor people might work for himThere is a manic quality to Donald Trump’s desperate dash to do something, anything, ahead of November’s midterm elections to convince beleaguered Americans that he can make the pressures his policies have imposed on their livelihoods go away.The...

Ian McKellen to star in UK premiere of ‘mixed reality’ play – but not in person

Audiences in Manchester will be asked to wear smart glasses for An Ark, which debuted in New York this yearIan McKellen will star in a groundbreaking new play that gets its UK premiere in Manchester next spring. But the veteran actor will not set foot on stage.The Lord of the Rings star is taking part in An Ark, a “mixed reality” play that had its debut in New York earlier this year. Theatregoers ...

UK asks Interpol to reject Argentina’s ‘politically motivated’ requests for Falklands oil arrests

Exclusive: Caution urged over Javier Milei government’s ‘red notice’ requests for arrest of individuals linked to oil projectBritain has appealed to Interpol to reject Argentina’s requests for the arrest of individuals involved in a large oil project off the Falkland Islands.With tensions over the sovereignty of the British overseas territory reaching levels not seen since the war with Argentina i...

Dubai swaps apps for AI agents in its race to lead the next wave of tech

The Create Apps Championship, which has drawn more than 15,000 entries from 153 countries, is reinventing itself as a global contest to build autonomous AI agents.

India’s youth-led Cockroach movement defies protest ban

India’s youth-led Cockroach movement is intensifying protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Three leaders were detained after defying a ban at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest site. Demonstrators are challenging a voter-list revision they claim favours Modi’s party, while the protests disrupt businesses across the capital.

India to gain? Trump’s Russian diesel deal offers New Delhi leverage

US President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports and allow fresh supplies to reach global markets could give India greater leverage in its own dispute with Washington over discounted crude purchases, analysts said. Beyond the energy dispute, they said the move could also open up diplomatic opportunities for New Delhi, from pressing for more consistent treatment by W...

India to gain? Trump’s Russian diesel deal offers Delhi leverage

US President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports and allow fresh supplies to reach global markets could give India greater leverage in its own dispute with Washington over discounted crude purchases, analysts said. Beyond the energy dispute, they said the move could also open up diplomatic opportunities for New Delhi, from pressing for more consistent treatment by W...