China, US join record UN signing of Paris climate deal
A record 175 countries, including the world's top polluters China and the United States, signed the Paris climate deal on Friday (April 22), boosting hopes of quick action on combating global warming.
French President Francois Hollande was the first leader to put his signature to the accord during a ceremony at the United Nations, followed by leaders from island-states hardest hit by climate change.
US Secretary of State John Kerry came to the podium cradling his two-year-old granddaughter Isabelle and triggered warm applause from delegates as he signed the historic deal. It was the largest ever one-day signing of an international agreement.
Barack Obama says Brexit would put UK at back of line for trade deals
President Barack Obama said Britain would be at "the back of the queue" to negotiate a trade agreement with the US if it votes to leave the European Union, in a direct assault on the arguments of those who say the UK could win better deals outside the bloc.
"Some of the folks on the other side have been ascribing to the United States certain actions we will take if the UK does leave the EU," Obama said at a joint press conference in London on Friday (April 22) with Prime Minister David Cameron.
"For example, that, well, we'll just cut our own trade deals with the US. Maybe at some point down the line there might be a UK-US trade agreement, but it's not going to happen anytime soon."
Mali jet crash report urges better training, systems
Investigators into the crash of an Air Algerie flight in Mali that killed 116 people in 2014 have called for expanded anti-icing protection and better procedures and training after the pilots lost control while trying to avoid a storm.
A final report by France's BEA agency, presented in Mali and Paris, focused on the way pilots responded to problems initially caused by the icing of vital probes, partly echoing the crash of an Air France airliner over the Atlantic in 2009.
After an investigation lasting almost two years, the BEA said it could not exactly explain the crew's actions because of a faulty and damaged cockpit voice recorder. However, it confirmed earlier findings that an anti-icing system had been left switched off as the plane flew from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital, to Algiers at night, before crashing in the remote desert of eastern Mali on July 24.
No signs of trauma or suicide in Prince's death: Police
Investigators found no sign of trauma or indication of suicide in the death of US music superstar Prince, but results of an autopsy could take weeks to be made public, authorities said on Friday (April 22).
The intensely private musician, whose hits included "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry," was found dead in an elevator at his home in suburban Minneapolis on Thursday (April 21) at the age of 57, shocking millions of fans around the world and prompting glowing tributes by fellow musicians.
Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson, whose office is investigating the circumstances of his death, said Prince was last seen alive by an acquaintance who dropped him off at his home at about 8 pm on Wednesday (April 20) night.
Fifa boss announces body to monitor Qatar 2022 World Cup labour conditions
Gianni Infantino announced on Friday (April 22) that Fifa will establish a body to monitor working conditions for labourers at Qatar's 2022 World Cup stadiums and insisted the tournament would stay in the Gulf.
Speaking during his first visit to Doha as president of world football's governing body, Infantino said Fifa would act on criticisms that it has done little to protect those building venues for its showcase tournament in six years' time.
"We will not just sit and wait," he told journalists at a press conference.
