WORLD

Tampa, United States | AFP | An Arctic-like deep freeze gripping much of the United States with double-digit subzero temperatures is the coldest of its kind in two decades, but is it linked to climate change? Experts say it could be, but whether global warming plays a role in this …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | An “industrial renaissance” in countries like Australia, Britain and the United States can help tame the political forces dividing Western societies, Indo-British tycoon Sanjeev Gupta told AFP in an interview. “There will be a renaissance of industry in these countries,” said the 47-year-old metal industry …

New Delhi, India | AFP | Delhi is the world’s most polluted major city, its toxic cocktail of vehicle fumes, dust and smoke choking the chaotic metropolis and taking years off its 20 million inhabitants’ lives. But despite this, with levels of airborne pollutants routinely eclipsing safe limits in winter months, …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | When Francis becomes the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula on Sunday, he takes another important step in his efforts to build bridges with Islam and confirms interreligious dialogue as a keystone of his papacy. In the long, complicated and often bloody …

New York, United States | AFP | The #MeToo movement has shaken a number of industries including Hollywood in recent years, but the world of popular music has mostly shied from embracing the crusade. In a business long associated with seedy behavior, few artists have faced rejection for actions or allegations, …

Hong Kong, China | AFP | As the Chinese zodiac turns into the Year of the Pig next week, feng shui masters are predicting turbulence and division for world leaders at home — not least President Donald Trump, who risks having past secrets revealed. Sitting behind a large wooden desk …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Central banks have bought the most gold in nearly 50 years as the precious metal profits from its  safehaven status, the World Gold Council said Thursday, amid trade tensions and Brexit uncertainty. The banks added 651.5 tonnes to official gold reserves in 2018, up 74 …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | British MPs on Tuesday voted on a series of amendments seeking to show what they want as Brexit approaches on March 29, with Britain currently on course to crash out of the EU without a withdrawal deal. Earlier this month, they rejected the agreement Prime …

Beijing, China | AFP | Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei survived food shortages during China’s Cultural Revolution, but now the reclusive billionaire identified as “Individual-1” in a US indictment faces an existential fight for his family and company. Ren, 74, founded Huawei in 1987 with just 21,000 yuan ($5,600) and watched …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Theresa May’s bid to reopen the Brexit deal could be a final throw of the dice or another delay to get MPs to back it — but either way, she is running out of options. Analysts have warned of the growing risk of Britain …