Showing 1 - 10 of 5,491
Arctic island Svalbard also wary of great powers
AFP, Published on 19/02/2026
» LONGYEARBYEN, Svalbard - There are no outward signs of jitters, at least not yet: people in Svalbard are going about their daily lives as normal despite speculation that this Norwegian archipelago could be the next Arctic territory coveted by the United States or Russia.
Taliban ‘beard police’ pursue Afghan barbers
AFP, Published on 19/02/2026
» KABUL - Barbers in Afghanistan risk detention for trimming men’s beards too short, they told AFP, as the Taliban authorities enforce their strict interpretation of Islamic law with increasing zeal.
Zuckerberg to testify in landmark social media addiction trial
AFP, Published on 18/02/2026
» LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify Wednesday at a groundbreaking social media addiction trial, summoned by lawyers representing a plaintiff who alleges Instagram and other platforms were deliberately designed to make young users addicted.
Afghan woman's boutique brightens Bamiyan
AFP, Published on 18/02/2026
» BAMIYAN (AFGHANISTAN) - With women banned from most jobs in Afghanistan, an embroidery boutique run by 22-year-old Rahima Alavi is a surprising and treasured sight in Bamiyan.
Bitter pill: Taliban government shakes up Afghan medicine market
AFP, Published on 16/02/2026
» KABUL — Afghanistan's decision to overhaul its medicine market was meant to improve quality and boost domestic production, but industry specialists say the swift changes have led to a litany of problems.
German leader urges US to repair ties with Europe
AFP, Published on 13/02/2026
» MUNICH - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged on Friday that a rift had opened up between Europe and the United States but issued an appeal to Washington: “Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together.”
'Punk wellness': China's stressed youth mix traditional medicine and cocktails
AFP, Published on 13/02/2026
» SHANGHAI — In a softly lit Shanghai bar, graduate student Helen Zhao stretched out both wrists to have her pulse taken -- the first step to ordering the house special, a bespoke "health" cocktail based on traditional Chinese medicine.
EU leaders push rival fixes to reverse bloc's 'decline'
AFP, Published on 12/02/2026
» ANTWERP (BELGIUM) - EU leaders told industry executives on Wednesday they were committed to transforming the bloc's lagging economy into a global powerhouse able to confront US and Chinese competition.
'Artists of steel': Japanese swords forge new fanbase
AFP, Published on 11/02/2026
» MISATO, SAITAMA (JAPAN) - Sparks illuminate the soot-covered studio of Japanese swordsmith Akihira Kawasaki as his apprentice hammers red-hot steel, showcasing a millennium-old craft now enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
US commerce chief admits Epstein Island lunch but denies closer ties
AFP, Published on 11/02/2026
» WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted Tuesday to having lunch on the private island of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2012, but denied closer ties, amid bipartisan calls for his resignation.