
-
Markets rise despite China-US tariff clash
-
Aberg embraces fresh Masters test after runner-up debut
-
McIlroy starts Masters with Aberg, Bhatia while Scheffler with Thomas, Ballester
-
UN chief says Gaza transformed into 'killing field'
-
Talks with Trump a necessity for sanctions-hit Iran
-
Seve still inspires as Rahm chases second Masters title
-
Hojgaard brothers to become first twins in same Masters
-
Stocks bounce after tariffs-fuelled rout
-
Zverev knocked out early in Monte Carlo by Berrettini
-
Abuse in French entertainment sector is 'endemic', inquiry finds
-
Mancini to help former club Sampdoria avoid drop to Italy's third tier
-
Kabul slams Pakistan's 'violence' against Afghans pressured to leave
-
Prince Harry's lawyer cites threats in UK protection case
-
French MPs slam 'endemic' abuse in entertainment sector
-
Ski star Brignone looking beyond Winter Games to 'complete recovery'
-
PSG coach Luis Enrique 'delighted' to be facing Asensio in Champions League
-
France detains man after death threat to judge in Le Pen case
-
McIlroy risks more Masters heartache for chance at epic win
-
Trenitalia wants to compete with Eurostar on Paris-London route
-
Trump's trade representative says tariffs 'bearing fruit'
-
Pooran, Marsh help Lucknow edge Kolkata in IPL high-scorer
-
Shanghai's elderly investors keep faith despite stock market woes
-
Charles and Camilla pose at Colosseum in pomp-filled Italy visit
-
Major trade wars since the 19th century
-
Cruise to showcase last 'Mission: Impossible' at Cannes
-
Stocks, oil bounce after tariffs-fuelled rout
-
France detains man after death threat against judge who convicted Le Pen
-
At least 18 dead in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse
-
Pentagon chief fires US military representative to NATO
-
Late Harrods owner 'ruined lives' of alleged victims: lawyer
-
Zelensky says Ukraine captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia
-
Charles and Camilla mark 20 years of marriage that defied the odds
-
$20 mn blue diamond goes on show in Abu Dhabi
-
'Spectacular' unbeaten Barca not invincible, says Gavi
-
Iran says deal can be reached if US shows goodwill
-
King Charles meets Italian president in pomp-filled state visit
-
France allowed 'major failures' in finances of 2023 Rugby World Cup: watchdog
-
Stocks, oil recover slightly awaiting Trump's next tariffs moves
-
Prince Harry in court to challenge 'unjustified' UK security downgrade
-
Australian PM tells voters he's ready for Trump tariffs
-
Which stars will join De Niro at Cannes this year?
-
UN urged to probe sonic weapon allegedly used on Serbian protesters
-
World's 'exceptional' heat streak lengthens into March
-
S Korea opposition leader frontrunner in snap presidential election
-
Frail David Hockney celebrated in vast Paris retrospective
-
Flypast for King Charles as he meets Italian president
-
'Malignant stupidity', 'weak': Economists on Trump's tariffs
-
MotoGP world champion Martin to make injury return in Qatar
-
Prince Harry in court to challenge UK security downgrade
-
Philippines adds speedy warship to maritime arsenal
CMSD | 0% | 22.48 | $ | |
BCC | -0.19% | 91.72 | $ | |
BCE | -4.94% | 21.04 | $ | |
RBGPF | -12.83% | 60.27 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.18% | 22.21 | $ | |
JRI | 2.51% | 11.55 | $ | |
SCS | -2.46% | 9.955 | $ | |
NGG | 0.43% | 63.173 | $ | |
RIO | -3.15% | 52.895 | $ | |
RYCEF | 5.18% | 8.68 | $ | |
RELX | 0.59% | 45.8 | $ | |
GSK | -1.69% | 34.26 | $ | |
BTI | 1.23% | 39.92 | $ | |
BP | -1.97% | 26.645 | $ | |
AZN | 0.15% | 65.89 | $ | |
VOD | -0.91% | 8.275 | $ |

New Queen Elizabeth II statue panned in Northern Ireland
A new statue of Queen Elizabeth II has met mixed reviews, with one non-plussed critic assessing that it looks more like "an old lady buying potatoes at the market" than Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
The statue of the queen, who died in September 2022 aged 96, was unveiled last week in Antrim Castle Gardens park in Northern Ireland, and also features her husband Prince Philip and two of her beloved corgi dogs.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said at the unveiling that the work captures "Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness and lifelong dedication to public service".
The local authority posted images of artist Anto Brennan's work on its social media sites but switched off comments after adverse comments.
One online commentator even likened it to Robin Williams's elderly female housekeeper Mrs Doubtfire in the 1993 Hollywood comedy-drama.
But while the council conceded that art can prompt "diverse opinions", it said it was "delighted" with the "generally positive" response.
Walking his dog at the gardens on Wednesday, Ivor Ritchie, 67, called the sculpture "terrible". "It looks no more like her than the man-in-the-moon," he said.
"I just don't think it looks like her face," added another passer-by, Eddie Smyth, a 52-year-old labourer also from Antrim, a half-hour drive northwest of Belfast.
English tourist Lorraine Barker, 58, agreed. "In fact the corgis are better than the queen I'd say," she told AFP.
The sculpture, one of the first of the queen in the UK since her death, is attracting increasing attention -- and curious visitors to the 400-year-old gardens.
"We came over to see it as we'd heard people talking about it," said Noel Wilson, 62, who drove from the nearby town of Ballymena with his wife Dorothy, 61, to have a look.
Hungarian tourist Gabor Laszlo, 50, struggled to see the queen's likeness but conceded: "Prince Philip is OK."
The queen, who ruled for 70 years, is depicted in a country jacket and tweed skirt, wearing a headscarf and carrying her trademark handbag.
Laszlo was unimpressed, saying it made her look "like an old lady at the market buying some potatoes".
Yet the depiction still has its fans.
"It's a really good replica of how warmly and fondly she is remembered by the British public, I think it's an excellent job," said English visitor Stephen Barker.
For 90-year-old Canadian tourist Roy Hill the work is "a wonderful depiction, very impressive".
"It brings back a lot of memories, I am old enough to remember Queen Elizabeth as a young person, at the coronation," he said.
Another local out for a walk in the park, Muriel McCandless, 81, expressed sympathy with the sculptor, who has yet to comment on the controversy.
"I actually think it's quite good," she laughed.
E.Ramalho--PC