World

A wave of protests is sweeping across Iran, which is mired in a deep economic crisis marked by an unprecedented drop in the value of the rial and surging inflation. But the demonstrations, which began with a merchants' strike in Tehran on December 28 and have grown as students joined the movement, go beyond the country's economic woes. Experts say the protests — the most significant challenge to the Islamic regime since the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement of 2022 — are a reflection of widespread and growing political discontent and anger at the government. Iran's severe economic crisis has sparked rising anger at the Islamic regimeImage: UGC 'Public trust in the government has eroded' Videos circulating on social media show Iranian police forces using tear gas and plastic bullets agai...

After Australia's world-first social-media ban for minors, France has drafted a similar law to block under-15s from major platforms, which could take effect from September.

Three years ago, Germanhigh-end domestic appliances maker Miele began selling refurbished washing machines in the Netherlands alongside its regular products. This involves collecting Miele washing machines that have been returned, including those with scratches or easily repairable faults, fixing them up and reselling them online. The German company chose the Netherlands because Miele products have proven popular in the country and because consumers there are comparatively open to refurbished products. The firm hopes the project will reach new customer groups. Max Wagner, who heads Miele's sustainability team, say the sale of refurbished appliances has not cannibalized his company's sale of new models, as was initially feared. "We have been able to expand our customer base to include you...

Security forces in Syria imposed a curfew on Latakia city, a bastion of the country's Alawite community on its coastline in the west, state media reported on Tuesday. The move follows two days after four people were killed in nighttime protests that spiralled into sectarian violence.  State media also reported that 21 people allegedly linked to the ousted government of former President Bashar Assad. A television report described those arrested as "former regime remnants who are involved in criminal acts, sectarian incitement and targeting internal security forces." Curfew from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Syrian media reported that the curfew would be in force from 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday (1400 UTC/GMT) until 6 a.m. the following morning.  This followed protests on Monday evening during the...

Protests over rising costs of living in Iran spread to several universities on Tuesday, semi-official media reported, as students joined shopkeepers and merchants in expressing dissatisfaction at currency devaluation and the connected costs.  The Fars news agency reported that hundreds of students demonstrated at four universities in the capital Tehran on Tuesday; other outlets said seven sites were involved.  Protests also broke out at the technology university in the central city of Isfahan and institutions in the cities of Yazd and Zanjan, Ilna and state-run IRNA reported. President pledges talks with protest leaders President Masoud Pezeshkian had taken to social media late on Monday after major protests in Tehran to announce that he had asked his interior minister to arrange talks...

Environmental journalist Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US President John F. Kennedy, died on Tuesday at the age of 35, just weeks after announcing her terminal cancer diagnosis. "Our beautiful Tatiana passed away this morning. She will always be in our hearts," the family wrote in a statement posted on the JFK Library Foundation's social media accounts. What do we know about Schlossberg's illness? The late journalist revealed in an essay in The New Yorker in November that she had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive type of cancer that is mostly common above the age of 60. Doctors were first alerted to her condition after she gave birth to her second child in May 2024. They detected an unusually high white blood cell count, which is cause...

Guinea's military leader Mamdi Doumbouya was declared winner of the presidential election held over the weekend, provisional results showed Tuesday. Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in 2021, won 86.72% of the vote, according to the General Directorate of Elections. He was widely expected to win election. Major opposition figures were either barred or were in exile, leaving a fragmented field with no strong challengers. Opposition leaders had called for a boycott of the vote. Election widely seen as effort to legitimize Doumbouya's stay in power Ahead of Sunday's vote, analysts said a weakened opposition all but ensured Doumbouya's victory, with the election widely seen as an effort to legitimize his hold on power. The election commission said turnout was 80.95%, a figure dispute...