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Pope Francis asks North Korea to invite him to visit
Pope Francis asks North Korea to invite him to visit

Pope Francis has asked Pyongyang to invite him to North Korea, saying in a televised interview on Friday that he would not turn down a chance to visit and work for peace. "When they invite me -- that is to say, please invite me -- I won't say no," Pope Francis told South Korea's state broadcaster KBS in an interview that aired Friday.

Australia launches formal inquiry into ex-PM's secret power grab
Australia launches formal inquiry into ex-PM's secret power grab

Australia on Friday tapped a former high court judge to investigate ex-prime minister Scott Morrison's decision to secretly appoint himself to several key ministerial portfolios. The probe will be led by former high court judge Virginia Bell and will report by November 25.

Long Covid costs Australia millions of working days
Long Covid costs Australia millions of working days

Long Covid has already cost the Australian economy three million working days this year, according to a government analysis seen by AFP Friday, significantly worsening the country's acute labour shortages. The treasury report found that lingering effects of the coronavirus have been keeping some 31,000 Australians away from work every day.

Christie's to auction Microsoft co-founder Allen's $1bn-plus art collection
Christie's to auction Microsoft co-founder Allen's $1bn-plus art collection

Christie's announced plans on Thursday to auction the art collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which it estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Christie's did not detail what else is in the collection, but a traveling exhibit in 2016 gave a glimpse of the richness of the Allen art trove.