Italy takes step into unknown with far-right win

Rome, Sept 26 (AFP/APP):Italy took a sharp turn to the right Monday after Giorgia Meloni’s Eurosceptic populist party swept to victory in general elections, putting the one-time Mussolini admirer on course to become the first woman to lead the country. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, […]

Mongolia’s capital observes Car-Free day

ULAN BATOR, Sept. 25 (Xinhua/APP): Mongolia’s capital observed its Car-Free Day on Sunday to raise public awareness of air pollution and negative effects of traffic congestion and promote healthy lifestyle. Both private cars and public transport vehicles were barred from all main roads of the […]

Far-right eyes historic victory as Italy votes

Rome, Sept 25 (AFP/APP): Italians voted Sunday on whether to usher in the country’s first government led by the far right since World War II, bringing eurosceptic populists to the heart of Europe. The Brothers of Italy party, headed by one-time Mussolini supporter Giorgia Meloni, […]

Death toll doubles in ‘harrowing’ Iran protest crackdown

Paris, Sept 24 (AFP/APP): The official death toll has nearly doubled to 35 in a crackdown by Iran’s security forces on more than a week of protests that erupted after the death of a young woman in custody. Angry demonstrators have taken to the streets […]

Research shows 86 pct of New Zealanders overconfident with their money

WELLINGTON, Sept. 24 (Xinhua/APP):About 86 percent of New Zealanders are overconfident with their money, according to New Zealand Financial Services Council’s (FSC’s) latest research report “Financial resilience trends in New Zealand: Overconfidence and a perfect (savings) storm.” The report analyzed data from previous Financial Resilience […]

Prado probes collection for works seized during war, dictatorship

Madrid, Sept 22 (AFP/APP):The Prado Museum said Thursday it was investigating the provenance of 62 works in its collection to determine whether they were seized during Spain’s civil war or the Franco dictatorship. “The aim is to clear up any doubts about the origins and […]

Bill Gates assures PM of supporting Pakistan during challenging time

NEW YORK, Sep 22 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Thursday met Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss the recent devastation caused by flooding in Pakistan, which has displaced 33 million people, as well as polio eradication and primary health […]

Putin ally Medvedchuk, 55 servicemen freed in swap with Ukraine

Moscow, Sept 22 (AFP/APP): President Vladimir Putin’s ally Viktor Medvedchuk and 55 servicemen were handed over to Russia in a record-high prisoner swap with Kyiv, a leader of Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine confirmed Thursday. “Fifty-six people were released, 55 of them servicemen… Viktor Medvedchuk […]