Global sea ice cover reached a historic low in February, Europe's climate monitor said Thursday, with temperatures spiking up to 11C above average near the North Pole as the world continued its persistent heat streak.
Copernicus Climate Change Service said last month was the third hottest February, with planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions stoking global temperatures.
Nestled near the iconic Giza pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is preparing for a lavish opening, featuring a towering statue of Ramses II and more than 100,000 artefacts, including Tutankhamun's golden treasures.
After two decades of planning, the GEM is set to open fully on July 3, following a partial opening in October.
Its long-awaited debut comes after years of delays caused by political instability, economic crises, and the global pandemic.
A prominent Iranian pop singer who made a song urging women to remove their headscarves said Wednesday that he was willing to pay "a price for freedom" after being flogged 74 times by the authorities as part of his sentence.
Mehdi Yarrahi, arrested in 2023, was released last year after being convicted for his song in support of the "Woman. Life. Freedom" protests that erupted in 2022 and rocked Iran's clerical leadership.
Dozens of mourners gathered Wednesday in Nir Oz, a kibbutz in southern Israel near Gaza, to bid farewell to Ohad Yahalomi, whose body was returned by Hamas last month.
The nature guide was seized during the Palestinian Islamist movement's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, when nearly a quarter of Nir Oz's residents were killed or taken hostage.
"Sixteen years of joy and light, and the light has now gone out," Ohad's widow Bat Sheva told the crowd of mourners, sniffling through her tears.
Former tank commander Eyal Zamir was sworn in as Israel's new army chief on Wednesday, inheriting the task at a crucial time for the military after it acknowledged its "complete failure" to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.
Previously director of the defence ministry, Zamir replaces chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, who resigned admitting he had failed to fulfil his mandate.
Zamir, 59, takes over at a sensitive time in Israel's war with Hamas, with the ceasefire that took effect on January 19 hanging in the balance.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages are not released, and issued an ultimatum to Hamas leaders to flee.
The United States meanwhile confirmed unprecedented indirect talks with Hamas, which it proscribes as a "terrorist" group, focused on American hostages in Gaza.
Strongly backing Israel as the ceasefire teeters, Trump said he was "sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job" as his administration expedites billions of dollars in weapons.
More than 200 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered Tuesday in front of Columbia University in New York to demonstrate against former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, who was at the campus for a speaking engagement.
After more than a year of protests at the campus by both supporters of Israel and opponents of the assault on Gaza after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the appearance of the former leader of Israel's far-right was met with expected pushback.
Former tank commander Eyal Zamir will on Wednesday become Israel's new armed forces chief, inheriting the task at a crucial time for the military after it acknowledged its "complete failure" to prevent Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.
Previously director of the defence ministry, Zamir will replace outgoing chief of staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, who resigned admitting he failed to fulfil his mandate.
Zamir, 59, is being sworn in at a sensitive time in Israel's war with Hamas, with the ceasefire that took effect on January 19 hanging in the balance.
At least 12 civilians were killed, including three children, and dozens injured Tuesday evening after two explosive-laden vehicles were detonated at an army compound in northwest Pakistan, officials said, with the attack quickly claimed by a militant group.
The massive explosions and an ensuing gunfight occurred at sunset, as people were breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced "cowardly terrorists who target innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramadan" and "deserve no mercy".
The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor.
Whether diplomats, theologians, mediators or Vatican insiders, here are 15 cardinals who are among the potential favourites to become the next pope, known as the "papabili", divided by region.
This list however is by no means exhaustive and Francis's successor could well be someone else.
EUROPE
Pietro Parolin (Italy), 70, Vatican Secretary of State
