Hostage survivor testifies in trial of ISIS member accused in deaths of several Americans

A hostage taken by the ISIS terror cell known as the "Beatles" testified Thursday in a trial against one of the alleged members, El Shafee Elsheikh, who is accused of assisting in the kidnapping, torture and death of several Americans, Europeans and other foreign nationals from 2012 to 2015.
from https://ift.tt/bXUumL8

A Japanese 'killing stone,' said to contain an evil 9-tailed fox spirit, has split in two

An evil fox spirit is on the loose after breaking free from her rock prison -- that is, if you believe in Japanese mythology.
from https://ift.tt/JSy86om

A Covid-19 spike like the one in China is unlikely in the US, experts say. Here's why

The Omicron coronavirus variant may be reaching around the world, but different places are seeing significantly different effects.
from https://ift.tt/MoxgRQ1

Turkish prosecutor requests transfer of Khashoggi trial to Saudi Arabia

A Turkish prosecutor called on Thursday for the trial in Istanbul of Saudi suspects over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to be halted and transferred to Saudi authorities, a move which comes as Turkey seeks to mend ties with Riyadh.
from https://ift.tt/YKGHoQe

Putin's plan to prop up the ruble is working. For now

The barrage of sanctions imposed by the West following Russia's invasion of Ukraine decimated the ruble. But one month after the tanks rolled, the currency has made a full recovery and is now trading at levels seen prior to the war. How is that possible?
from https://ift.tt/knmJpAP

Germans 'will be poorer' because of the war in Ukraine

Germany "will be poorer" because of Russia's assault on Ukraine, the government's economy minister has warned, as soaring energy prices fuel record inflation and threaten to tip Europe's biggest economy into a recession.
from https://ift.tt/vgUyxRT

Australian ambassador denied entry to Beijing trial of Australian TV host

An Australian TV host is due to face trial in China Thursday for allegedly sharing state secrets in an opaque case that analysts worry may be politically motivated.
from https://ift.tt/VQ1FYEB

Western companies have a habit of dealing with dictators. Russia shined a spotlight on them

The war in Ukraine sparked a never-before-seen mass exodus of businesses from Russia. Corporations that spent years gaining a foothold in the growing consumer market pulled out nearly overnight, with their lucrative operations suddenly looking like liabilities.
from https://ift.tt/Kfb85D0

Weddings are booming again. They're bigger and more expensive than ever

Two years of pandemic uncertainty forced many couples to postpone or even cancel their nuptial celebrations. But weddings are coming back with gusto.
from https://ift.tt/yc0CGHn

They were Covid-19 success stories -- then they saw massive outbreaks. These charts show what's really going on

Millions of people in China are under lockdown. Hong Kong morgues are overwhelmed. And South Korea is reporting the most cases per capita worldwide.
from https://ift.tt/4QtM16h

Violence in eastern Colombia has left 130 dead this year, UN and Catholic Church say

Some 130 people have been killed and more than 3,000 have been forcibly displaced this year as violence has surged in eastern Colombia, according to the United Nations and the Catholic Church.
from https://ift.tt/3iuVXwd

US imposes new sanctions against Iran's ballistic missile program

The Biden administration on Wednesday enacted new sanctions against Iran's ballistic missile program in response to a missile attack on Erbil in Iraq earlier this month.
from https://ift.tt/OauJvzi

The great resignation continues: 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs last month

The worker shortage has been a hallmark of the pandemic economy. In February, US businesses had 11.3 million job openings to fill, slightly more than economists had predicted.
from https://ift.tt/kMPCXVt

World Bank freezes Afghan projects after Taliban bans girls from high school

The World Bank has put four projects in Afghanistan worth $600 million on hold amid concerns over a decision by the country's ruling Islamist leaders to ban girls from returning to public high schools, the bank said.
from https://ift.tt/tGTOUdL

Indian firefighters battle Delhi landfill blaze as air fills with toxic fumes

Firefighters in India's capital said Wednesday they are close to extinguishing a fire at a landfill site that has been burning for nearly two days, cloaking the area in a toxic haze and choking residents.
from https://ift.tt/Y6svwzM

Rare Sumatran rhino born in Indonesia a 'momentous occasion' for survival of species

An extremely rare Sumatran rhino has been born in captivity at a sanctuary in Indonesia, according to the government, a triumph for conservation efforts to save the critically endangered animal from extinction.
from https://ift.tt/VEAJ0Qa

8 UN peacekeepers killed in Congo helicopter crash amid rebel fighting

Eight United Nations peacekeepers died in a helicopter crash Tuesday in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid rebel fighting in the region, the UN peacekeeping mission confirmed.
from https://ift.tt/q0uohAj

At least five dead in shooting near Tel Aviv

Five people were killed in a shooting near Tel Aviv, according to Israeli police, marking the third such attack in Israel within a week.
from https://ift.tt/wgu3hZT

Canadian Indigenous leaders push for residential schools apology in Pope Francis meeting

Pope Francis on Monday met Indigenous leaders and survivors of Canada residential schools who are seeking a papal apology for the harm inflicted for decades on Indigenous children.
from https://ift.tt/LHViPyz

Canada edges closer to F-35 jets deal with Lockheed Martin worth up to $15 billion

Canada has picked Lockheed Martin Corp as the preferred bidder to supply 88 new fighter jets, Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi said Monday, in a clear sign the US company is set to win the multibillion-dollar contract.
from https://ift.tt/cGUnmPt

Honduras' Supreme Court approves extradition of former president to the US

The Honduran Supreme Court has authorized the extradition of former president Juan Orlando Hernández to the US, where he will face drug trafficking and firearms possession charges.
from https://ift.tt/phgJeEc

Ryusuke Hamaguchi is as surprised as anyone by the Oscars love for 'Drive My Car'

When writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi first laid eyes on the red Saab 900 Turbo at the center of his award-winning film "Drive My Car," he knew it was the one. Over thirty years old and in immaculate condition, the car was perfect. It needed to be -- he'd be spending a lot of time inside. "It almost feels like the best casting that I've ever done," Hamaguchi recalled in a video interview with CNN.
from https://ift.tt/XAw2ZYy

Key moments from Seoul Fashion Week

Korean culture has spread across the world like wildfire in recent years, with the hugely successful K-pop, K-film and K-beauty sectors attracting insatiable interest. Now, South Korea is looking to take its fashion industry to the next level, too.
from https://ift.tt/IalxSXs

Shanghai locks down 10 million people at a time

Many countries around the world have decided to live with the coronavirus, even as a new subvariant fuels another wave of infections. But China is an extremely important exception.
from https://ift.tt/fU2wKms

Why Amazon makes you click a box to redeem coupons

Saving money can take a little extra effort: clipping coupons, searching for a promotional code, signing up for an email list....
from https://ift.tt/KEAYWI7

Recession risks are 'uncomfortably high and moving higher,' Mark Zandi says

The war in Ukraine. Red-hot inflation. And rapid interest rate hikes. The economic recovery that began two years ago faces credible threats that could lead to its premature demise.
from https://ift.tt/LRMtxdc

A no brainer if you're looking for a one-card wallet

from https://ift.tt/eijI4Gc

Perfect strangers are offering their holiday homes to help refugees rest and recover

On 24 February, as she watched the news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Desislava Tosheva was staring at her couch.
from https://ift.tt/IAF3tQU

These are some of the historical sites at risk in Kyiv

When Vladimir Putin's forces last approached a capital city, they leveled it.
from https://ift.tt/zFn8gJa

This week in travel: Covid holdouts finally opening doors and a cult candy sweeps the world

This week at CNN Travel, we're eating our dinner out of the world's coolest toothpaste tube, dreaming about sunny Indonesian beaches and admiring the latest developments in British mass transit. Come along for the ride, won't you?
from https://ift.tt/woVJr9K

Joachim Trier ripped up the rom-com script with 'The Worst Person in the World.' He could win an Oscar for it

Joachim Trier's characters have a habit of taking a scalpel to their psyche. The reason for the incision ranges -- a comment from a friend, a bad review, a breakup -- but once it's made, what starts as a keyhole operation can become open heart surgery and escalate into existential crisis. Not that the world is paying attention. Mostly life goes on and these characters find ways to sew themselves up, deriving strength in the knotty scar tissue that remains.
from https://ift.tt/TuGRLkZ

In old family photographs, a South African artist reenacts her late mother's life

After Lebohang Kganye's mother died at age 49, the South African artist began going through the things she'd left behind as a means to deal with the grief.
from https://ift.tt/8qLeaSl

What we know about North Korea's new ICBM

from https://ift.tt/Ml8p9yX

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has foreign investors fleeing Taiwan. Here's why

War in Europe has triggered a massive flight of capital from an Asian island nearly 5,000 miles away.
from https://ift.tt/NxDgl0p

Egypt caps bread prices as shockwaves of Ukraine war hit Middle East

The war in Ukraine has yet to enter its fourth week and its shockwaves are already being felt as far away as the Middle East, putting governments on edge as tensions simmer at home.
from https://ift.tt/F6vIVmP

Tokyo Fashion Week shines a light on homegrown talent

After successive seasons of canceled shows and virtual presentations, a largely in-person Tokyo Fashion Week returned in a blur of technicolor palettes, digital innovation and sculptural runway creations.
from https://ift.tt/LNlw3Ss

Nicaraguan ambassador turns on own government, says Nicaraguans are tired of Ortega 'dictatorship'

A top Nicaraguan official condemned President Daniel Ortega's government on Wednesday, calling it a "dictatorship" that is stifling civil and political freedoms in the Central American nation.
from https://ift.tt/Gx09KMV

A mother, a fiancé, a friend. China mourns the victims of China Eastern Airlines crash

One passenger was a mother, flying to visit the daughter she hadn't seen for several years. Another was a woman on her way to reunite with her fiancé after months apart.
from https://ift.tt/AvKtWxQ

Tesla delivers first cars from Berlin factory

Tesla opened its third assembly plant near Berlin, Germany, and made the first deliveries of its Model Y sedan there Tuesday.
from https://ift.tt/4GFjy6s

Goldman Sachs' CEO will perform at Lollapalooza

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon will DJ at Chicago's Lollapalooza music festival this July alongside acts like Metallica, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, and Green Day.
from https://ift.tt/gTEDLbX

Sri Lanka sends troops to fuel stations amid worsening economic crisis

Sri Lanka posted soldiers at hundreds of state-run gas stations on Tuesday to help distribute fuel after a sudden rise in prices of key commodities and accompanying shortages forced tens of thousands of people to queue for hours.
from https://ift.tt/mFlotzn

World's happiest country for 2022 is revealed

Devastating loss of life and growing uncertainty have the world very much on edge, but there is a bit of good news for humanity: Benevolence is surging globally.
from https://ift.tt/GApxY0K

The unusual airplane cabin designs that could be flying's future

From an airplane concept with an "underwater" twist to an AI-based food scanner that moderates passengers' eating habits, the shortlist for the 2022 Crystal Cabin Awards highlights eye-catching ideas that could be the future of aviation.
from https://ift.tt/aHRkiFK

The Ukrainian girl who sang 'Let It Go' in a bomb shelter performed her country's national anthem in Poland

A young Ukrainian girl who recently performed a moving rendition of the "Frozen" hit "Let It Go" for her fellow citizens at a Kyiv bomb shelter is safe in Poland. And in an emotional performance from her host country, the girl honored Ukraine with an a cappella version of its national anthem.
from https://ift.tt/pUymLHX

Hatchet-wielding attacker at Canada mosque charged for possible hate-motivated attack, police say

The man who discharged bear spray while brandishing a hatchet at a mosque in the Canadian city of Mississauga is now facing multiple charges in connection with the incident, Peel Regional Police said in a news release Monday.
from https://ift.tt/r0qAXiy

Why this month is so volatile for stocks

March Madness isn't just for college basketball fans. That phrase is also an apt description of the volatility on Wall Street, and this March is no different.
from https://ift.tt/ebwaDt3

Tokyo schools to drop five controversial dress code rules

For decades, being a student in Tokyo meant you had to look a certain way. Under the public school system's dress code, all students had to dye their hair black, certain hairstyles were prohibited and even their underwear had to be a designated color.
from https://ift.tt/p4Db5A7

The Chinese candy taking over the world

When ice cream maker Adrienne Borlongan first experimented with a White Rabbit flavor, she thought it tasted like "cheap vanilla."
from https://ift.tt/UJQeDbi

Biden administration formally determines Myanmar's military committed genocide

The Biden administration has formally determined that Myanmar's military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya, a US official told CNN on Sunday.
from https://ift.tt/v2EVt6L

Opinion: Madison Cawthorn's ridiculous attack on Zelensky

Rookie Congressman Madison Cawthorn is paying for his unforced error and proving how difficult it is to play Trump-style politics. It turns out there's more to it than simply flinging nasty rhetoric and sitting back to gloat while others cry foul.
from https://ift.tt/1IZUEYj

The North Pole is suddenly getting a lot more air traffic

The closure of Russian airspace to some international carriers, including many in Europe, has forced airlines to seek alternate routes. For some flights, such as those linking Europe and Southeast Asia, that's especially problematic since Russia, the world's largest country, stands directly in between.
from https://ift.tt/ilCTz30

Worshipers at Canadian mosque subdue hatchet-wielding attacker, police say

Worshipers at a mosque in the Canadian city of Mississauga on Saturday subdued a man who discharged bear spray while brandishing a hatchet in what police said was a possible hate crime.
from https://ift.tt/t31C5Ja

Artemis I moon rocket is a step closer to launch countdown

A mega moon rocket and the Orion spacecraft have finally emerged from their chrysalis and are towering in place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
from https://ift.tt/Eo0z3kY

The importance of how you spell the Ukrainian President's name

As you've been reading about the Russia-Ukraine crisis, you may have noticed a slight -- but significant -- discrepancy in how different media outlets spell Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's name.
from https://ift.tt/wcnWgLV

UK police officer jailed for murder of Sarah Everard charged with more sex crimes

A former London police officer, who was jailed for life last year for a rape and murder that horrified the nation, was charged on Friday with four new counts of indecent assault that took place just weeks earlier.
from https://ift.tt/KpljHoW

'We come for our own': How Black volunteers rallied online to help African students in Ukraine

After some of the hundreds of Black students stranded in the besieged city of Sumy, Ukraine, released desperate pleas for help on social media earlier this month, a grassroots group of volunteers sprang into action to help them safely evacuate the war zone.
from https://ift.tt/dipLPDV

A Ukrainian bridal brand is making wedding gowns and army assault vests

Ukrainian fashion brand Milla Nova, known for its decadent wedding gowns, is now producing attire for the country's soldiers and medical workers, as Russia continues to launch its brutal attack on the country.
from https://ift.tt/mcpDZbP

4 ways China is quietly making life harder for Russia

China is quietly distancing itself from Russia's sanction-hit economy.
from https://ift.tt/JwVtQ4C

Supermodel Bella Hadid regrets having cosmetic surgery

Supermodel Bella Hadid has confessed that she regrets having a nose job as a teenager.
from https://ift.tt/psIxMjA

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori arrive in the UK after being freed from Iran

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian aid worker who has been held in Iran for almost six years, has arrived back in the United Kingdom after being released from detention.
from https://ift.tt/hsw57ev

The painter who builds up landscapes 'like Lego'

Stephen Wong openly describes himself as "greedy." The landscape painter is referring to his appetite for absorbing as much scenery as possible during long and sometimes arduous hikes, which see him filling sketchbooks with impressions before translating them into sumptuous paintings.
from https://ift.tt/jnVX4DS

Nordic countries wonder if they are next on Putin's list

Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has done more to unify Western Europe than almost any event since the end of World War II.
from https://ift.tt/9QXhtVN

Turkmen leader's son wins presidency in snap vote

Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the son of outgoing Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, won a snap election with 73% of the vote and will succeed his father, the Central Asian nation's Central Election Commission said on Tuesday.
from https://ift.tt/7rfwiZN

North Korean missile test fails on launch, South Korea says

An attempt by North Korea to fire an unidentified projectile Wednesday morning failed on launch, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.
from https://ift.tt/7lFIGvO

How Shanghai's White Rabbit candy became a globally beloved brand

When ice cream maker Adrienne Borlongan first experimented with a White Rabbit flavor, she thought it tasted like "cheap vanilla."
from https://ift.tt/ztRfPO1

They bought a Caribbean island to start their own country

"Who wouldn't want to buy an island?" Marshall Mayer asks above the roar of the engine as the boat cuts through the still waters of the Caribbean Sea. Belize City is fast disappearing behind, as a group of mangrove-covered islands grows larger on the horizon.
from https://ift.tt/rRoJQ1y

Foxconn halts operations in China, further straining the global supply chain

Foxconn, one of Apple's biggest suppliers, has suspended operations in Shenzhen as China locks down the technology hub and several other regions to contain the country's worst Covid-19 outbreak in two years.
from https://ift.tt/qnvVc9S

Russia may have found a buyer for its cheap oil: India

India may take up a Russian offer to buy crude oil and other commodities at a discount, two Indian officials said, in a sign that Delhi wants to keep its key trading partner on board despite Western attempts to isolate Moscow through sanctions.
from https://ift.tt/jSIQN9n

China's economy had a surprisingly good start to the year, but it may not last

China's economy started the year on a bright note, with several major indicators beating forecasts. But as Covid cases in the country spike, keeping up the same pace of growth in the coming months may prove difficult.
from https://ift.tt/1B6JRta

Iran's strike on Iraq puts US in awkward position amid nuclear talks

The United States appears to be keen to tell the world that it wasn't the target of Iranian missile strikes in Iraq on Sunday.
from https://ift.tt/ZGMkhC5

China faces its worst Covid outbreak since 2020

China reported thousands of new local Covid-19 cases Sunday amid the worst outbreak in the country since Wuhan in early 2020, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).
from https://ift.tt/BvaOVnu

Ethiopia pledges action after video shows uniformed men burning civilians alive

Ethiopia's government said on Saturday it would act against the perpetrators after a video appeared on social media showing armed men, some in military uniforms, burning civilians to death in the country's west.
from https://ift.tt/yODcAtI

Russia's richest businessman tells Putin: Don't take us back to 1917

Russia's richest businessman has warned the Kremlin against confiscating assets of companies that have fled in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, saying such a step would set the country back more than 100 years.
from https://ift.tt/p7BZLnh

Virgin Voyages launches new adults-only cruise ship

Virgin Voyages aimed to disrupt the cruise industry when it launched Scarlet Lady, its first adults-only cruise ship, last year.
from https://ift.tt/RTI3W87

War in Ukraine could make the Covid-19 pandemic worse, WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Sunday it is concerned the war in Ukraine could worsen the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is trying to do more to limit the spread of infectious diseases.
from https://ift.tt/ElJdTOZ

Dramatic late Havertz winner steals win for Chelsea amid Abramovich turmoil

After one of the most tumultuous weeks in the history of the club, the drama continued for Chelsea on their return home Sunday.
from https://ift.tt/D7Sru2t

UAE diplomat's bombshell announcement raises hopes for relief on oil prices

from https://ift.tt/YAyJxcR

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks all-time FIFA record after scoring his 806th career goal

Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 806th career goal in Old Trafford on Saturday, breaking FIFA's all-time record for most goals in competitive matches in men's football history.
from https://ift.tt/Upmn0q8

The incredible story behind Shackleton's Endurance shipwreck

Sometimes shipwrecks contain sunken treasure, cargoes of gold or jewelry that tempt bounty hunters to risk treacherous seas in pursuit of lucrative rewards. Other shipwrecks are themselves the treasure -- the stories of their ill-fated voyages creating a legend that makes them sparkle far more than any bullion or precious stones.
from https://ift.tt/z09eIEU

India says it accidentally fired a missile into Pakistan

India said on Friday it had accidentally fired a missile into Pakistan this week because of a "technical malfunction" during routine maintenance, giving its version of events after Pakistan summoned India's envoy to protest.
from https://ift.tt/etcnoXG

Families of 'Citgo 6' see release of one member as a hopeful sign for the rest

Gustavo Cárdenas' years-long "nightmare" came to an end Tuesday night when he and another American citizen were freed from detention in Venezuela.
from https://ift.tt/ZCXbQAw

In today's India, clothing choices signal a deepening religious divide

In a video that has since gone viral on social media, a group of men gather on a dusty street in India's southern Karnataka state.
from https://ift.tt/Ia7MBq8

For people in Ukraine with disabilities, chances of escaping are slim

from https://ift.tt/g4cEBH9

McDonald's transformed Russia ... now it's abandoning the country

When McDonald's opened its doors in Moscow for the first time, it was a big deal.
from https://ift.tt/PqunG1i

Moscow says it could seize assets Western companies leave behind

Russia said it could seize the assets of Western companies that have suspended operations in the country.
from https://ift.tt/iJhCyzp

Famed shipwreck located after 107 years

More than a century after it sank off the coast of Antarctica, polar explorer Ernest Shackleton's ship HMS Endurance has been located, apparently intact and in good condition.
from https://ift.tt/fqN1DkR

Global pandemic death toll is three times higher than reported Covid-19 deaths suggest, study finds

The Covid-19 pandemic may have been three times deadlier than the reported death toll suggests.
from https://ift.tt/gdWSGY8

Tropical Cyclone Gombe will rapidly intensify before bringing areas of Mozambique months' worth of rain over a few days

Tropical Cyclone Gombe is expected to rapidly intensify over the next 24 hours, growing to the equivalent of a major hurricane before making landfall Friday in northern Mozambique.
from https://ift.tt/atqKySf

Massive meteor crater discovered beneath Greenland's ice is much older than thought

The age of a 31-kilometer (19-mile) wide meteorite crater discovered under a kilometer of Greenland ice had long puzzled scientists.
from https://ift.tt/F6XlGiv

Patient who received genetically modified pig heart in groundbreaking transplant surgery dies

A 57-year-old Maryland man who had received a genetically modified pig heart in a first-of-its-kind transplant surgery has died, the University of Maryland Medical Center said Wednesday.
from https://ift.tt/lN1iFOa

'It's a tragedy we are witnessing': How Putin killed off Russia's free press

A week after Russia invaded Ukraine, the staff of Russia's last independent TV channel, TV Rain, also known as Dozhd, shut itself down.
from https://ift.tt/kbuG2ZK

Ivan Kuliak: Russian gymnast says he has no regrets about wearing 'Z' symbol on podium next to Ukrainian athlete ​-- state media

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak, who has been widely criticized ​outside Russia for wearing a pro-war symbol on a podium next to a Ukrainian athlete, says he would "do exactly the same" if given another chance​, according to Russian state media.
from https://ift.tt/QtjKHPW

Prince Andrew has paid settlement to Virginia Giuffre, according to her attorney

Prince Andrew has paid a settlement to sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, according to her attorney Tuesday, bringing her lawsuit against the Duke of York to a close pending a federal judge's sign-off.
from https://ift.tt/jiBZkIV

Xi says China is willing to play role in mediating Ukraine crisis, in call with European leaders

President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China is willing to "work actively" with the international community to mediate the war in Ukraine, but did not offer details and reiterated his opposition to Western sanctions against Russia.
from https://ift.tt/XVeNRJ0

South Korea to elect new leader to tackle soaring house prices and inequality

Some 44 million South Koreans head to polls to elect the country's next president on Wednesday, capping a race that has been marked by a series of surprises, scandals and smear campaigns.
from https://ift.tt/xwcO6kW

Russia's attack on Ukraine reveals political fault lines in Asia

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a "dear friend." Chinese leader Xi Jinping went a step further, calling him his "best and bosom friend."
from https://ift.tt/a6V0xS7

Bahrain's first solar panel manufacturer is blazing a trail for renewables

Bahrain, a tiny island state of less than 2 million people off the Arabian Peninsula, has long punched above its weight economically, due to its rich oil and gas reserves.
from https://ift.tt/ag6n9AI

After decades-long fight, Philippines raises age of sexual consent from 12 to 16

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill that raises the minimum age of sexual consent from 12 to 16, his office said on Monday, in a bid to protect minors from rape and sexual abuse.
from https://ift.tt/3TS6Acx

World No. 1 Ko Jin-young shatters records in HSBC Women's World Championship win

Ko Jin-young shattered yet more golfing records as she won the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.
from https://ift.tt/vBYTfR8

Stoli vodka announces rebrand

The maker of Stolichnaya vodka announced a major rebrand Friday, in direct response to its founder's "vehement position" against the Putin regime and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
from https://ift.tt/YxcWraC

Russia's answer to Google warns it may not be able to pay its debts

Russia's biggest search engine could collapse as financial fallout from the invasion of Ukraine spreads.
from https://ift.tt/jvsNO4V

Sydney faces more rain as death toll from Australian floods rises

Sydney, Australia's most populous city that has been drenched in rain for days, braced for more heavy downpours on Sunday as the death toll from flooding across the country's east rose to 17.
from https://ift.tt/u8ibpmn

Opinion: Putin made Russian athletes his political tools. Banning them is the right thing to do

In his address to members of the International Olympic Committee before the Beijing Winter Games, IOC President Thomas Bach asserted that the mission of the Olympics was to bring the world together in peaceful competition. "We can only accomplish this mission," Bach stated, "if the Olympic Games stand above and beyond all political differences."
from https://ift.tt/Qs2USqX

After nearly 700 days, Western Australia has opened its borders

After almost 700 days, one of the world's longest border closures has finally ended Down Under, Yellowstone National Park is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and we have an update on India's high-speed rail ambitions.
from https://ift.tt/p2vD07l

Turn down the heat to stop Putin? Europe wrestles with its Russian gas addiction

When you turn on the heating in your home, you may not think much about where your energy comes from, let alone where the money you pay for it goes. For millions of people living in Europe, there's a good chance that money is flowing to the Russian state — much of it into President Vladimir Putin's war chest.
from https://ift.tt/KMcjBq3

North Korea launches 9th missile test of the year

North Korea fired at least one unidentified projectile into waters off the east of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday, believed to be a ballistic missile, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
from https://ift.tt/gmlnhEk

Grab shares crash nearly 40% after posting a $1 billion loss

Grab, the Southeast Asian startup known for its "super app," had a terrible Thursday.
from https://ift.tt/u6HpzxF

Inside the 280-foot yacht seized by the French government

The 280-foot yacht Amore Vero features multiple decks, accommodates up to 14 guests and has a swimming pool that turns into a helicopter pad -- and it's just been seized by the French government. CNN's Drew Griffin reports on internationally sanctioned assets linked to Russian oligarchs.
from https://ift.tt/dImQHNK

Airbus to test new engine on A380 jet

Airbus just moved one step closer to launching the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
from https://ift.tt/PyMDzrI

France's Macron launches bid for second term as president

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday he would run for a second term in April's election, seeking a mandate to steer the euro zone's second-largest economy through the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.
from https://ift.tt/a50qKFU

Amazon is closing all of its physical bookstores

First, Amazon killed traditional bookstores. Then it opened its own. Now, Amazon is doing away with its bookstores.
from https://ift.tt/hTcfSm3

Fitbit recalls 1.7 million smartwatches due to burn hazard

Fitbit is recalling 1.7 million smartwatches due to a potential burn hazard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
from https://ift.tt/8piu0bx

Melinda French Gates opens up about her divorce: 'I couldn't trust what we had'

In an interview with CBS, Melinda French Gates opened up about her divorce from Bill Gates and her difficult journey towards healing.
from https://ift.tt/qokV8b4

Russia tries to stop Western companies fleeing the country

Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to stem the flow of Western businesses fleeing the country over his decision to wage war on Ukraine.
from https://ift.tt/4wX9DEr

Wheat futures are soaring. Food prices could be next

Russia's attack on Ukraine is causing wheat prices to spike, exacerbating already high food prices.
from https://ift.tt/bHq2reF

Exxon is quitting its last Russian project

ExxonMobil pledged Tuesday to leave its last remaining oil-and-gas project in Russia, and it will not invest in new developments in the oil-rich country.
from https://ift.tt/iIDEjBn

The UK's clampdown on Russian money is complicated. Here's why

Much of Russian wealth has made its way into London, earning the city the moniker "Londongrad." But as the UK sanctions Russia for invading Ukraine, CNN's Nina Dos Santos looks at how targeting ill-gotten gains will be a challenging task.
from https://ift.tt/KERyYaA

Celeb-packed shows and bombastic sets return at Milan Fashion Week

Like London before it, Milan Fashion Week returned with beautiful in-person shows, plenty of influencers and A-listers in attendance and collections that spanned high glamour and sure-fire commercial hits.
from https://ift.tt/O8sr5Hz

Search reveals 169 potential unmarked graves at former Canadian residential school, officials say

Officials uncovered 169 potential unmarked graves on the grounds of a former Catholic residential school in Canada, an Indigenous tribe in Alberta said Tuesday.
from https://ift.tt/temdBbA

Australia continues flood relief and rescue efforts as Sydney braces for heavy rains

Military helicopters airlifted stranded people from rooftops of flooded neighborhoods in eastern Australia and a tenth victim was found on Tuesday following days of torrential rain as the wild weather slowly shifts south toward Sydney.
from https://ift.tt/cUx1oSi