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World leaders react to the death of Pope Francis

World leaders remembered Pope Francis as "a beacon of compassion," as the death on Monday of the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics prompted a global outpouring of grief.

Vatican postpones sainthood for 'God's influencer' after pope's death

Sunday's scheduled canonisation of the Catholic Church's first millennial saint has been postponed to a later date after the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican said on Monday.

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Pope's death prompts CONI to call for sporting postponements, minute's silence

The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) called for all sporting events due to take place in Italy on Monday to be postponed following the death of Pope Francis and for "a minute's silence to be observed at events throughout the week".

Stunned and sad, faithful gather at St Peter's to remember Francis

A hush reigned over the normally boisterous St Peter's Square on Monday as the faithful and the curious alike gathered at the seat of Catholicism to mark the death of Pope Francis.

Asian scam centre crime gangs expanding worldwide: UN

Asian crime networks running multi-billion-dollar cyber scam centres are expanding their operations across the world as they seek new victims and new ways to launder money, the UN said on Monday.

Pope Francis is dead at 88

Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88.

The beautiful game: Pope Francis's passion for football

His predecessor loved Mozart, but Pope Francis's passion was football, for him "the most beautiful game" and also a vehicle to educate and spread peace.

Pope Francis has died aged 88

Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88.

'Grandpa robbers' go on trial for Kardashian heist in Paris

A group of suspects nicknamed the "grandpa robbers" goes on trial at the end of April, charged with stealing jewellery worth millions from US reality TV star Kim Kardashian in Paris in 2016.

Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centres

Turkey has imposed a ban on elective Caesarian-section births at private healthcare facilities without a medical justification under new health ministry regulations published this weekend in the government's official gazette.

Frail Pope Francis takes to popemobile to greet Easter crowd

Pope Francis called for freedom of thought and tolerance in his Easter Sunday address, as the weakened pontiff made a hoped-for holiday appearance, even circling St Peter's Square in his popemobile.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaching Easter truce

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday accused each other of violating an Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pope wishes 'Happy Easter' to faithful in appearance at St Peter's Square

Pope Francis appeared in front of thousands of Catholic faithful at St Peter's Square on Sunday for Easter, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health that has kept him from most Holy Week events.

Exec linked to Bangkok building collapse arrested

Thai authorities said they have arrested a Chinese executive at a company that was building a Bangkok skyscraper which collapsed in a major earthquake, leaving dozens dead.

Zelensky says Russian attacks ongoing despite Putin's Easter truce

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said Russian forces were continuing their shelling and assaults along the front line despite Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing a surprise but brief Easter truce.

Six drowning deaths as huge waves hit Australian coast

A fisherman died after being swept off rocks near Sydney on Sunday, stretching the Easter weekend death toll of drownings to six as huge waves battered Australia's east coast.

Social media helps fuel growing 'sex tourism' in Japan

Young women standing idly around a park in Tokyo's west suggest that a giant statue of Godzilla is not the only attraction for a record number of foreign tourists.

Recovering pope expected to delight crowds at Easter Sunday mass

Pope Francis is expected to delight Catholics all over the world during Easter celebrations at the Vatican on Sunday, just weeks after he was fighting for his life in hospital while suffering from pneumonia.

DR Congo boat fire toll revised down to 33

The mayor of the DR Congo town near where a boat caught fire earlier this week told AFP on Saturday that at least 33 people had died in the disaster, significantly fewer than previously reported.

Trans rights supporters rally in London, Edinburgh after landmark ruling

Thousands of people on Saturday rallied in London and Edinburgh in support of trans rights, after a landmark UK court ruling on the definition of a "woman".

Trans rights supporters rally outside in London, Edinburgh after landmark ruling

Thousands of people on Saturday rallied in London and Edinburgh in support of trans rights, after a landmark court ruling on the definition of a "woman".

US Supreme Court intervenes to pause Trump deportations

The US Supreme Court, in a dramatic nighttime intervention Saturday, paused President Donald Trump's unprecedented use of an obscure law to deport Venezuelan migrants without due process.

Tunisia opposition figures get jail terms in mass trial

A Tunisian court has handed down jail sentences of up to 66 years to multiple defendants, including prominent opposition figures, in a mass trial criticised by rights groups.

Putin announces 'Easter truce' in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced a surprise Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine to last until midnight on Sunday.

From Messi to Trump, AI action figures are the rage

The latest internet obsession is one impossible to escape on social media: images of well-known figures in plastic toy packaging alongside evocative props... welcome to the meme of AI action figures.

US Supreme Court pauses deportation of Venezuelans from Texas

The US Supreme Court on Saturday paused the Trump administration's deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members under an 18th-century law.

Cycling mulls slowing bikes to make road racing safer

The head of cycling's governing body said it is wrestling with the idea of reducing the maximum power riders can generate to make road racing safer.

Client brain-dead after Paris cryotherapy session goes wrong

A woman injured during a fatal cryotherapy session at a gym in France's capital earlier this week is now brain-dead, the prosecutor's office said Friday.

Bloody Philippine passion play sees final performance of veteran 'Jesus'

Scores of penitents whipped themselves bloody under a scorching Philippine sun while others were nailed to crosses in a polarising Good Friday tradition drawing the most extreme of Catholic devotees.

Sri Lankans throng to Kandy for rare display of Buddhist relic

Thousands of pilgrims camped overnight outside Sri Lanka's holiest Buddhist temple in anticipation of Friday's display of a prized relic that will be shown to the public for the first time in 16 years.

US senator meets wrongfully deported Salvadoran migrant

American Senator Chris Van Hollen said Thursday he had met with a Salvadoran man wrongfully deported to his home country by the Trump administration, in a case that has sparked outrage in the United States.

Heavy spring snow storm wreaks havoc in the Alps

An unusually heavy spring storm across the Alps sparked chaos on Thursday, as it dumped more than a metre of snow in some areas, shutting ski areas, roads, trains and schools as authorities urged people to stay home.

US judge rules Google monopolized online ad tech market

A US judge on Thursday ruled that Google wielded monopoly power in the online ad technology market in a blow that could rattle the tech giant's revenue engine.

Pope says doing 'best he can' on jail visit before Easter

A still-convalescing Pope Francis said Thursday he was doing "as best I can" as he visited inmates at Rome's central jail before Easter.

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