World News

Nigeria police deny reports of mass church abductions at weekend in north

Police in northern Nigeria say reports that worshippers were abducted on Sunday from churches in Kaduna state were false.In a joint statement with local government officials on Monday, Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu described the information as "mere falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos".Earlier, a local official in Kurmin Wali had told the BBC that gunmen had kidnapped dozens of people attending different churches.There has been a series of…

Continue ReadingNigeria police deny reports of mass church abductions at weekend in north

Palestinian football pitch faces Israel demolition ultimatum

Palestinian football pitch faces Israel demolition ultimatum

BBCIsraeli authorities have ordered the football club to take the pitch apart, or they'll demolish itA Palestinian children's football club in the occupied West Bank faces imminent demolition despite an international campaign to save it. Its supporters say it provides a rare sporting opportunity for young Palestinian players. But Israel insists it's been built without the necessary permits.In this deeply divided land so much is contested; from the identities and faiths of the people who live here, to…

Continue ReadingPalestinian football pitch faces Israel demolition ultimatum

Surfer injured in fourth shark attack in Australian state in 48 hours

A surfer has been bitten by a shark, the fourth attack along Australia's New South Wales (NSW) coastline in under 48 hours.The 39-year-old man suffered minor cuts after a shark bit through his board near Crescent Head on Tuesday morning. He is currently in hospital in stable condition, say reports.It follows three other attacks in Sydney over the past two days. All beaches in Sydney's northern area will remain closed until further notice, said police. The attacks follow…

Continue ReadingSurfer injured in fourth shark attack in Australian state in 48 hours

Thousands in San Francisco mourn beloved albino alligator, Claude

Thousands in San Francisco mourn beloved albino alligator, Claude

Getty ImagesClaude in his enclosure at the California Academy of Sciences in 2023Claude wasn't much of a talker, he barely moved, and never wore a costume to entice his audience - but on Sunday, hundreds gathered in San Francisco to celebrate the life and legacy of the city's beloved albino alligator.A New Orleans-style brass band, a gator-shaped eight-foot-long white sourdough bread, drag queen story time and even a street officially bearing his name, Claude the Alligator Way, the…

Continue ReadingThousands in San Francisco mourn beloved albino alligator, Claude

Over a hundred vehicles pile up on motorway after crash

More than 100 vehicles were involved in a pile-up that closed the I96 interstate road in Ottawa County, Michigan on 19 January. State police reported that there had been multiple injuries but no fatalities. One man involved in the accident said he could barely see the cars in front of him due to the snow when driving 20-25 mph (32-40km/h) before the crash. Source link

Continue ReadingOver a hundred vehicles pile up on motorway after crash

Europe is ditching its softly-softly approach to Trump

Europe is ditching its softly-softly approach to Trump

Katya Adler Europe EditorBBCSomething in Europe has snapped. Donald Trump doubled down again on Monday, in his insistence that the US needs Greenland for national security reasons. Is he prepared to use force to seize it, journalists asked him? "No comment," said the president, sending chills down the spine of Greenland's anxious inhabitants. Again.Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark - a member of the EU and of Nato. President Trump is now leaning heavily on Denmark's allies…

Continue ReadingEurope is ditching its softly-softly approach to Trump

Tributes paid to Nigeria’s renowned Yoruba wood carver

Tributes paid to Nigeria’s renowned Yoruba wood carver

Molara WoodRenowned Nigerian master wood carver Kasali Akangbe Ogun has been buried following his death last week after a brief illness.He came from a long line of wood carvers from the Yoruba people, and took the tradition from his birthplace of Osogbo in the country's south-west to the global art space.Akangbe Ogun was famous for his "unique artistic style, characterised by lean, elongated faces and dynamic, flowing forms", noted Nigerian art patron Olufemi Akinsanya.He was one of the…

Continue ReadingTributes paid to Nigeria’s renowned Yoruba wood carver

Greenland ‘will stay Greenland’, former Trump adviser declares

Greenland ‘will stay Greenland’, former Trump adviser declares

Faisal IslamEconomics editorGetty ImagesGary Cohn advised Trump on the economy in his first termOliver SmithBusiness producer, DavosDonald Trump will not be able to force Greenland to change ownership, a former top adviser to the US president has told the BBC.IBM's vice chairman Gary Cohn, who advised Trump on the economy in his first term, said "Greenland will stay Greenland" and linked the need for access to critical minerals to his former boss's plans for the territory.Cohn is one…

Continue ReadingGreenland ‘will stay Greenland’, former Trump adviser declares

US voters evaluate Trump’s economy after year one

US voters evaluate Trump’s economy after year one

BBCWhen campaigning to become president for the second time, Donald Trump made improving the economy a central part of his pitch to voters. One year after returning to the White House, we asked voters about that promise. What do they think of the state of the economy? Are their lives better today than they were a year ago? People from across the US and the political spectrum told the BBC about setting food budgets, applying for jobs and…

Continue ReadingUS voters evaluate Trump’s economy after year one

Valentino’s creations through the years

Valentino’s creations through the years

Getty ImagesValentino walks the runway with Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen at the end of his 1999/2000 Haute Couture show in ParisThe late Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, known as Valentino, has dressed some of the most famous women and men of recent decades.Since he co-founded the Valentino fashion house in 1960, his creations have featured at countless red carpets and award ceremonies around the world.Here are just a few Valentino designs, worn by some familiar faces, including…

Continue ReadingValentino’s creations through the years

Trump says he will ‘100%’ carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests

Trump says he will ‘100%’ carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests

AFP via Getty ImagesKaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, said the bloc has "no interest to pick a fight, but we will hold our ground".Donald Trump has vowed to "100%" follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on European countries who oppose his demand to take control of Greenland.European allies have rallied around Greenland's sovereignty. Denmark's foreign minister emphasised the US president cannot threaten his way to ownership of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.UK Foreign Secretary Yvette…

Continue ReadingTrump says he will ‘100%’ carry out Greenland tariffs threat, as EU vows to protect its interests