Brit adventurer back on UK soil after 28-year round-the-world walk

Brit adventurer back on UK soil after 28-year round-the-world walk

France 24 •

British adventurer on a 50,000-kilometre, 28-year trek home from South America without using any transport has set foot on UK soil after swimming the Channel, his publicists said Tuesday. Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old former paratrooper, set off from Punta Arenas, Chile, in November 1998, vowing to reach his mother's home near Hull in northern England without travelling on planes, trains, boats, vehi...

New Comoros law bans foreign nationals from certain jobs

New Comoros law bans foreign nationals from certain jobs

France 24 •

A new law in the Comoros bans foreign nationals from running certain small-scale businesses, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of people, most of them Malagasy. A measure that mirrors a growing wave of economic protectionism targeting migrant workers across the continent.

South West Water owner taps investors to fix infrastructure after sewage spills

South West Water owner taps investors to fix infrastructure after sewage spills

The Guardian •

Pennon slashes dividend and launches £550m cash call ‘to drive improved outcomes for customers and communities’The owner of embattled South West Water has slashed its dividend and launched a cash call to investors as it attempts to fund infrastructure investment, days after it was hit by a record £7.9m fine for hundreds of sewage spills.London-listed Pennon said on Wednesday it would tap investors...

Former BND chief's aide held in Germany's biggest spy scandal

Euronews •

Manfred D, former head of cabinet to ex-intelligence chief August Hanning, was taken into custody on charges of aiding and abetting treason. He is accused of obtaining classified BND documents and passing them to Hanning in exchange for payment since 2010.

A new 'Les Mis': This week in French film

A new 'Les Mis': This week in French film

France 24 •

This week on arts24, film critic Manon Kerjean takes us through some of the latest French cinema releases, starting with a new adaptation of Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". Vincent Lindon plays Jean Valjean, opposite Tahar Rahim as Inspector Javert in a three-hour epic that brings a thriller-like tension to the classic story. 

California home with hidden miniature town and working railway sells for $415,000

California home with hidden miniature town and working railway sells for $415,000

Times of India •

A stunning home in East Hemet, California, has recently changed hands, boasting a remarkable model train city as its centerpiece. This three-bedroom, two-bath residence also features a luxurious pool and spa, enhancing outdoor enjoyment. The property's elaborate train setup adds to its allure, capturing the interest of buyers looking for a unique property. The final sale price reflects both its di...

What we know about espionage, treason allegations against Germany's ex-spy chief

What we know about espionage, treason allegations against Germany's ex-spy chief

France 24 •

A court on Wednesday ordered the former head of Germany's foreign intelligence service August Hanning to remain in pretrial detention after his arrest on suspicion of espionage and treason, along with a former deputy who allegedly supplied him with secret files. Here's what we know about one of the biggest security breaches in German history.

‘Another coup d’état’: fears grow as Flávio Bolsonaro vows to ‘re-democratise’ Brazil

‘Another coup d’état’: fears grow as Flávio Bolsonaro vows to ‘re-democratise’ Brazil

The Guardian •

After a surprise first-round victory, critics suggest son of disgraced ex-president could seek to continue his father’s authoritarian ruleFlávio’s surprise first-round win highlights rapid rise of Brazil’s House of BolsonaroFlávio Bolsonaro, the far-right frontrunner to become Brazil’s next president, has vowed to “re-democratise” the South American country, fuelling fears over a move into authori...

Iran threatens pre-emptive strikes as US questions who runs Tehran

Euronews •

Iran's army spokesman said Tehran's forces were prepared to strike first "should circumstances require it," while IRGC officials claimed tighter control of Hormuz, and Washington publicly pondered how much authority Pezeshkian and Araghchi actually wielded.

BBC boss faces barrage of staff criticism over job cuts in junior ranks

BBC boss faces barrage of staff criticism over job cuts in junior ranks

The Guardian •

Matt Brittin fields questions on whether executives are being spared and also lays out potential iPlayer overhaulMatt Brittin, the BBC’s director general, has faced a barrage of accusations that frontline staff are being laid off instead of those from the “very bloated” senior ranks.In an all-staff call, Brittin conceded the BBC was “going to be smaller” but said it could still have a bigger impac...

‘Palestinians will bear the cost’: UK consulate in East Jerusalem prepares to shut its doors

‘Palestinians will bear the cost’: UK consulate in East Jerusalem prepares to shut its doors

The Guardian •

Forced closure marks low point in UK-Israeli relations, with reports UK is considering retaliatory expulsion of Israeli diplomats from LondonIsrael marks three years since 7 October attack – liveThe UK consulate in East Jerusalem gave few signs that it was at the centre of a geopolitical controversy this week, with little movement around the high-walled building save the fluttering of the union ja...

Overseas, Albanese sees ‘the very definition of climate injustice’ – but at home, he still wants coal

Overseas, Albanese sees ‘the very definition of climate injustice’ – but at home, he still wants coal

The Guardian •

It isn’t hard to see a contradiction between the PM’s message in Fiji and his opposition to legal action to stop a NSW coalmineGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastThere are unlikely to be many bigger moments in Australian action on the climate crisis this year than a judgment by the high court on Wednesday.In what is likely to prove a historic victory, the court sided with c...

Why China’s export engine may hit a ceiling as trading partners face limits

Why China’s export engine may hit a ceiling as trading partners face limits

SCMP •

While China’s export engine still has room to grow, many of its trading partners may be approaching the limit of how much more they can absorb, which could place a ceiling on further growth over the coming years, according to a Goldman Sachs report. “At least over the next few years, there is still room for Chinese exports to maintain their strong momentum,” analysts said in the report led by the ...

From Mai 68 to 2026: France’s long student protests tradition

From Mai 68 to 2026: France’s long student protests tradition

France 24 •

Students, parents and trade unions were demonstrating across France Tuesday, protesting what they say is under-investment in high schools. From Mai 68 to the CPE crisis in 2006, major French student and youth protests have pressured leaders and transformed national politics.

The secrets behind Mali junta’s takeover of Kidal without a fight

The secrets behind Mali junta’s takeover of Kidal without a fight

France 24 •

The Malian army says it has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal, which was captured around five months ago by Tuareg separatists who announced their withdrawal earlier Tuesday as the military advanced – a symbolic boost to Mali's junta and its Russian backers. In late April, jihadists from Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and its Tuareg separatist allies kicked off a series of attacks aimed at weaken...

Russia-backed Mali junta retakes strategic town after separatists withdraw

Russia-backed Mali junta retakes strategic town after separatists withdraw

France 24 •

The Malian army says it has entered the strategic northern city of Kidal, which was captured around five months ago by Tuareg separatists who announced their withdrawal earlier Tuesday as the military advanced – a symbolic boost to Mali's junta and its Russian backers. In late April, jihadists from Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM and its Tuareg separatist allies kicked off a series of attacks aimed at weaken...

Mayor of Turkish opposition stronghold defects to Erdoğan’s party amid political crackdown

Mayor of Turkish opposition stronghold defects to Erdoğan’s party amid political crackdown

The Guardian •

Izmir mayor Cemil Tugay joins ruling AKP after vowing he would never switch sides in boost for Turkish presidentThe mayor of Izmir, Turkey’s third city and an opposition stronghold, has defected to the ruling AKP in a move hailed by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish president.Turkey’s opposition is battling an increasingly intense crackdown, with a barrage of what observers say are politically mot...