World

Cardinals Hold Last Mass Before Conclave to Elect Pope
Cardinals Hold Last Mass Before Conclave to Elect Pope

Cardinals from five continents held a final mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Wednesday before sealing themselves away to elect a new pope to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. A total of 133 cardinal electors are expected to take part in the conclave, the voting process to pick a successor to Pope Francis, who died last month ...

China's Xi Heads to Moscow to Beef up 'No Limits' Putin Partnership
China's Xi Heads to Moscow to Beef up 'No Limits' Putin Partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping headed to Moscow on Wednesday for a key three-day visit including a grand Victory Day parade and a show of support for Vladimir Putin. Moscow and Beijing declared a "no limits partnership" weeks before Putin ordered Russia's Ukraine offensive in February 2022. The expanded military and trade ties since ...

Israel Attack on Sanaa Airport Caused $500 mn in Damage
Israel Attack on Sanaa Airport Caused $500 mn in Damage

Israel's attack on the airport in Yemen's Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa destroyed terminal buildings and caused $500 million in damage, its director told Huthi media on Wednesday. He said earlier in a statement on X that the airport was suspending all flights until further notice after sustaining "severe damage" in the Israeli strikes. The ...

India-Pakistan Clashes: What We Know
ExplainerIndia-Pakistan Clashes: What We Know

India and Pakistan have exchanged missile and artillery strikes in a major escalation of hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours after a deadly attack in disputed Kashmir. New Delhi blames Islamabad for the militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir two weeks ago that left 26 civilians dead. The two sides exchanged threats and ...

As Israel Plans Gaza 'Conquest', How Strong Is its Army?
As Israel Plans Gaza 'Conquest', How Strong Is its Army?

Israel's military has called up tens of thousands of reservists for its planned expanded offensive in Gaza, which an official said entails the "conquest" of the Palestinian territory. With one of the best equipped armies in the world, what forces are available to Israel? A large part of the adult population has completed military service and ...

Turkey, Israel Must Ease Tensions in Syria
SpotlightTurkey, Israel Must Ease Tensions in Syria

Six months after Bashar al-Assad's fall, Turkey and Israel are both operating in Syria with starkly opposing agendas, stoking fears of a  confrontation unless they find a way to coexist, analysts say. Over the past week, Israel has struck deep inside Syria, with unconfirmed reports suggesting Turkish and Israeli warplanes had a close encounter ...

After Bumpy Start, 'European Chancellor' Merz Visits Paris, Warsaw
SpotlightAfter Bumpy Start, 'European Chancellor' Merz Visits Paris, Warsaw

After a difficult start, Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit France and Poland on Wednesday, on a mission to boost ties with the European neighbours in turbulent times. Amid transatlantic turbulence caused by US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs and doubts over his security commitment to Europe, the European Union has sought a ...

Doves, Deaths and Rations: Papal Elections Over Time
SpotlightDoves, Deaths and Rations: Papal Elections Over Time

Cardinals electing Pope Francis's successor will have an easier time than many of their predecessors, who endured spartan conditions and were even locked up so long that some of them died. Here are some notable papal elections through the ages. The dove decides  In 236, the Christian community of Rome was debating potential papal candidates ...

Drone Strike Hits Port Sudan Navy Base: Army Source
Drone Strike Hits Port Sudan Navy Base: Army Source

A drone strike targeted Sudan's biggest naval base Wednesday, an army source told AFP, marking the fourth straight day the seat of the army-backed government has come under attack. "They (the drones) were met with anti-aircraft missiles," the source said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. An AFP ...

India Launches Strikes on Pakistan, Islamabad vows to 'Settle the Score'
India Launches Strikes on Pakistan, Islamabad vows to 'Settle the Score'

India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery along their contested frontier on Wednesday, after New Delhi launched deadly missile strikes on its arch-rival in the worst violence between the  nuclear-armed neighbours in two decades. Islamabad reported 34 civilians killed by the Indian strikes and firing along the border, while New Delhi said ...

Canada 'Never for Sale', Carney Tells Trump
Canada 'Never for Sale', Carney Tells Trump

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told US President Donald Trump that his country was "never for sale" Tuesday as they met at the White House amid tensions on tariffs and sovereignty. In their first Oval Office meeting, Trump insisted to the recently elected Carney that it would be a "wonderful marriage" if Canada agreed to his repeated calls ...