Sway, Mobo-winning British rapper, dies aged 44

The British rapper Sway, who proved inspirational to a generation of Black British musicians thanks to his independence and frank, dextrous storytelling, has died aged 44.

The news was announced by the Mobo awards, with whom Sway won best hip-hop act in 2005, the first unsigned act to do so. “Proud to have him as part of our history. Our love goes out to his family, loved ones and fans,” the statement read.

All smiles in Strasbourg but uncertainty clouds Canada’s EU membership plan

Mark Carney received a rapturous reception in the European parliament when he gave his speech on Thursday welcoming a proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first-ever associate member.

Politicians queued to shake his hand and take selfies. One described the speech as a historic moment. “Europe has extended a hand, and Canada has taken it,” said the German Green MEP Terry Reintke, who borrowed a Canadian ice hockey shirt for the occasion.

Sweden’s PM resigns after centre-left bloc wins slim majority in election

Sweden’s centre-right prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, has stood down, clearing the way for Magdalena Andersson, the Social Democrats leader, to attempt to form a government.

In a victory speech on Thursday, Andersson said the Swedish people had “voted for a new direction for our country, voted for unity and against division”.

‘Kosovo’s moves towards Israel are the price of aligning with US policy’

Kosovo, a small majority-Muslim country in the Balkans, has signed up to United States President Donald Trump’s controversial Board of Peace and the planned International Stabilization Force for Gaza, after Israel gave its approval.

What are the biggest AI companies and how much are they worth?

As artificial intelligence (AI) firms push for greater controls on the industry, Al Jazeera unpacks the value of the main companies in the sector.

A renewed debate has emerged over who should control the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Nepal floods: Climate change contributed to glacier collapse, study finds

A study has found that climate change had contributed to the glacier collapse that unleashed devastating floods on the Nepal-Tibet border.

More than 1,400 people were killed and thousands are missing following the deluge on 26 August.

Australia immigration crackdown: visas for international students and backpackers targeted

International students, so-called "visa hoppers" and backpackers will be targeted under stricter rules announced by Australia on Thursday in a bid to curb immigration.

Foreign students will no longer be able to bring their families with them and those who want to extend their stay must choose a higher qualification.

Afghan inquiry into alleged SAS war crimes has already cost £58m, MOD figures show

An inquiry into allegations British Special Forces murdered unarmed Afghan civilians has cost UK taxpayers £58m, figures from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) show.

When the inquiry was launched in 2023, its chair Lord Justice Haddon-Cave said it would aim to report, "at least on an interim basis", within 12-18 months.

Russia's elections will have few surprises, but for the Kremlin they matter

BySteve Rosenberg

Russia editorReporting fromMoscow and Dmitrov

The system of power in Russia is often referred to as "managed democracy" (where the Kremlin does the managing).

Austin Tice: Assad regime planned US journalist's kidnap for weeks, BBC finds

US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, was kidnapped in a calculated operation which was more than a month in the planning, the BBC can reveal.

A member of the group which detained Tice has also claimed the abduction was sanctioned by Syria's leader at the time, President Bashar al-Assad.