Blog

Syrian rebels claim they have seized most of the south as their lightning offensive threatens to end President Bashar al Assad's 24-year rule.Government forces - long propped up by Russia and Iran - have crumbled across the country with insurgents seizing a number of major cities. After capturing Aleppo in the north, Hama in the centre, Deir el Zor in the east, Suweida, Quneitra and Deraa in the south, rebels said they are now around 30 miles (50km) from the capital Damascus - and are closing in.Regime troops have focused on Homs to shore up a western city considered to be strategically located and key to the defence of Mr Assad.Meanwhile, the rebels have extended their hold to almost the entire southwest, and have said they have taken Sanamayn on the main road from Damascus to Jordan. Rea...

Psychologists call it a flashbulb memory, a moment in time remembered vividly seared into the consciousness. For millions of French the events of 15 April 2019 will be recalled forever like yesterday.On the banks of the Seine that evening we filmed the Notre-Dame on fire as thousands of Parisians stood shoulder to shoulder in hushed silence. That memory is as vivid as the moment the great spire of the cathedral came crashing down, plummeting in flames through the roof of the building as hundreds of horrified onlookers gasped."We have come to stand in solidarity with an old friend," one man told me that evening in tears, his young child on his shoulders. There were so many people out doing the same and the atmosphere was deeply moving.There was a deeply sad, reverential quiet as the entire ...

An explosion has destroyed several apartments and injured multiple people in the Netherlands.Residents of Mariahoeve neighbourhood in The Hague said they heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. One woman told local media she thought there had been an earthquake.Part of one apartment complex collapsed and a fire broke out.Four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital, officials said, adding others could still be trapped. Image: Pics: AP One person told broadcaster NOS they heard a child calling for help as the building burned.Images of the scene posted on social media platform X from a higher building nearby showed one area, encompassing five apartments, had been reduced to ...

Prince William will attend the ceremony marking the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday.The world-famous cathedral burned in a devastating fire in 2019. Now, after more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, the 12th-century landmark has been revived.A spokesman for Kensington Palace said on Friday: "The Prince of Wales will travel to Paris tomorrow to attend the ceremony marking the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral."His Royal Highness is travelling at the request of His Majesty's Government on behalf of the United Kingdom." Image: The cathedral after its renovation. Pic: AP Image: Pic: Reuters The reopening this weekend ...

Prince William will meet Donald Trump in Paris ahead of the ceremony marking the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral.The Prince of Wales is expected to discuss the importance of the US-UK's "special relationship" with the president-elect. He will also be meeting with outgoing first lady Jill Biden, President Joe Biden's wife, Kensington Palace added.Mr Trump is among dozens of guests - including heads of state and government - invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the ceremony.The reopening will include the ritualised opening of the cathedral's massive doors, the reawakening of its organ and the celebration of the first Mass. According to the cathedral's rector, tickets for the first week of Masses were sold out in 25 minutes.This breaking news story is being updated and mo...