Sri Lanka flies monks over drought-hit areas to seek divine help

Ontario couple’s C$200 yard-sale find, an E J Hughes painting, sells for C$402,500

An Ontario couple bought a landscape painting for C$200 at a rural yard sale in 2001, unaware it was by renowned Canadian artist E.J. Hughes. Six years later, Lake Okanagan was identified as his work and sold for C$402,500. Hughes, known for his detailed British Columbia landscapes, later saw his paintings fetch millions at auction.

Alabama agencies release 1,500 rare mussels into Paint Rock River after years of restoration

In an effort to revitalize the Paint Rock River's ecosystem, conservationists have introduced rare native freshwater mussels into the waters of northeast Alabama. This release is significant as these mussels are vital for filtering water and fostering biodiversity. The initiative is part of a broader commitment to preserving endangered mussel species, reflecting years of dedicated restoration work in this biodiverse watershed.

Meloni plans burqa, niqab ban in Italian schools; how it compares to rest of Europe

German Chancellor Merz calls state election a 'disaster' for his party but vows to stay on

Exit polls show damaging losses for Merz's centre-right CDU party in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin.

US warns of rapid escalation in Middle East war

RIYADH — The United States warned that fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthis could “escalate rapidly” after a missile attack targeted Riyadh for the first time since the Yemen conflict resumed. US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David, a secluded presidential complex in rural Maryland, to return unexpectedly to

Iran, US trade threats after Houthi attacks escalate regional conflict

DUBAI/WASHINGTON — Iran and the United States exchanged new threats on Sunday, with President Donald Trump warning Iran would fail economically or face its leadership being wiped out if it didn't make a deal, and the Iranian military saying it would retaliate harshly to any fresh attack. The conflict has looked stalemated for months, with no sign either side was ready for concessions even as it has deepened a global energy crisis, cratered swathes of Iran's economy and spilled over into new regional escalations. In a phone call with a Fox News reporter, Trump said Iran's leaders should make a deal, rot economically or be wiped out, the reporter said. However, with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian expected in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, Trump said he would be open to meeting him, the Fox reporter added. Trump has repeatedly made vague threats of major military escalations during the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, without carrying them out. Earlier, Iran's military central command said any new attack would trigger sustai

Trump eyes busy week of meetings as UN General Assembly gathers

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's two days attending the United Nations General Assembly will include a series of bilateral meetings and events with notable political figures such as the leaders of Ukraine and the United Kingdom, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Nearly 130 heads of state are meeting in New York as the post-World War II order comes under strain and with the UN itself struggling to remain relevant while weathering attacks from Trump, who has long expressed disdain for the institution and has slashed U.S. funding for many of its agencies. Trump is expected to arrive in New York on Monday afternoon for "political events" at Trump Tower that evening, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz told reporters on Friday. On Tuesday morning, Trump will address the U.N. General Assembly. "The president will highlight how he has and his administration have confronted complex problems head-on around the world," Waltz said. "He will touch on the importance of ensuring that Iran never has a nuclear weapon." Iran conflict looms over meetings Hanging over Trump's meetings will b

Germany's Merz under pressure after bruising state election losses

BERLIN— German Chancellor Friedrich Merz starts the week more damaged than ever after his centre-right CDU party suffered two bruising regional election defeats at the hands of far-right and far-left parties. Just 16 months in office, Merz has seen his approval ratings plummet while his party has suffered a string of regional election losses against the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which also leads nationwide polls. Fighting speculation that his CDU/CSU bloc may try to oust him, 70-year-old Merz took the unusual step of addressing the nation on TV on Sunday, just minutes after the first exit polls were announced. Merz admitted that his CDU had suffered a "disaster" in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state -- and that was before the CDU dropped below five percent there in the ongoing count, meaning it got kicked out of parliament altogether. While the AfD came first there, the centre-left SPD party looks set to continue governing the state by forming a coalition with left-wing allies. After the CDU was also soundly defeated by a far-left Die Linke in Berlin, Merz c

'I live in fear': 1.5 million Pakistani children sexually exploited online

ISLAMABAD— Pakistani teenager Zara Shah was targeted by a stranger while playing a computer game, drawn into a conversation that would expose her to terrifying online sexual exploitation. Zara, whose name has been changed by AFP for safety reasons, is one of an estimated 1.5 million children in Pakistan who experienced online sexual abuse in one year, according to a report published by the UN children's agency this month. "We started chatting while playing an online game, and he began acting like a friend. Later, he wanted to meet and, after, started asking me for nudes," 17-year-old Shah said. "When I refused, he threatened to find my family online and tell them that we had been talking," she added. According to the UNICEF report, around 85 percent of perpetrators were known to the victims, aged between 12 and 17. "The abuse may start with a friendly conversation, a gaming interaction, a promise of gifts, money or romance," Daniel Kardefelt, lead author of the global UNICEF report, told AFP. "Perpetrators may spend months building trust using information that they find on social media,"

ICE agent shoots and wounds man in Austin, Texas, officials say

AUSTIN, Texas — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and wounded a man Sunday afternoon in Austin, Texas, local authorities said, and anti-ICE protesters quickly gathered at the scene. The man was in serious but stable condition at a hospital after being shot once in the torso on the capital city's north side, Austin officials said at a news conference. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not participate in the news conference and didn’t respond to repeated requests for details. City police officers were not involved in the operation or the shooting, which occurred after a traffic stop, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said while briefing reporters along with the city's mayor and other officials. Austin's mayor says he wants his police force involved in shooting investigation Mayor Kirk Watson, a Democrat, said he wants the city's police department to have a role in the investigation so it can provide “clear, third-party eyes” in the process. Watson said he does not think it would be appropriate for ICE to conduct an investigation on its o

Bessent says US, China had successful meeting with focus on trade, AI

NEW YORK — U.S. and Chinese officials focused on trade issues and AI during successful talks in New York on Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ended, Bessent said the two sides agreed to meet again. He gave no further details. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the meeting would lay the groundwork for a successful summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Iran says it has new targets, weapons ready if US launches new attack, Fars news says

DUBAI— Iran would use new weapons and target locations not previously attacked if the United States launched a new offensive against it, Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said on Monday, according to the Fars news agency. "If a new aggression occurs, we will certainly change the weaponry and the geography of the war," Mohebbi said, adding that Tehran was prepared for a prolonged conflict.