Author: David

London (AFP) – US rugby sevens star and social media sensation Ilona Maher made her eagerly anticipated debut for Bristol in the English women’s Premiership on Sunday but could not prevent defeat for her new side.

Seoul (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday opened a visit to crisis-riven South Korea where he will seek delicately to encourage continuity with the policies, but not tactics, of the impeached president.

Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – A Hamas official said Sunday the group was ready to free 34 hostages in the “first phase” of a potential deal with Israel, after Israel said indirect talks on a truce and hostage release agreement had resumed in Qatar.

Bisha (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – Television loves the Dakar Rally with its crisp, dramatic images of cars, motorbikes and trucks ploughing through the blood-red sands and dunes of Saudi Arabia.

Tripoli (Lebanon) (AFP) – Hundreds protested in Lebanon’s second city Tripoli on Sunday, demanding that authorities release Islamists detained during the civil war in neighbouring Syria, an AFP journalist said.

West Palm Beach (United States) (AFP) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid an unofficial visit to Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Saturday, the latest foreign leader hosted by the US president-elect as he prepares to take office.

Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden has decided to block the proposed $14.9 billion purchase of US Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel and will announce the move as soon as Friday, according to US media.

Bangkok (AFP) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared more than $400 million in assets on Friday, her party said, including more than 200 designer handbags worth over $2 million and at least 75 luxury watches, valued at almost $5 million.

Seoul (AFP) – South Korea’s spy agency said Friday it was analysing rare state media footage showing the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with two children — saying they could be hers.

Beijing (AFP) – China is “determined” to continue opening up its economy to the world in 2025, a top economic planning official said Friday, as Beijing steels itself for potential trade turmoil when US President-elect Donald Trump takes office.