The Arab revolutions from Tunisia to Yemen have underscored the importance of the social networks for newsrooms the world over. Therefore in the context of current events in Syria, AFP is painstakingly collecting and verifying data from the social networks on a daily basis.

AFP Chairman Emmanuel Hoog wrote to Jordan's Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit on Thursday to denounce an attack on the agency's Amman office and the fierce criticism by the authorities of bureau chief Randa Habib and her staff. The attack on the bureau on Wednesday came a day after a demonstration outside the building to protest the publication of a report of an attack on a convoy carrying King Abdallah II, which was denied by the authorities.

AFP’s global news coverage in text, photos, and graphics will continue to be made available to Japanese clients via JIJI Press, under an agreement signed in Paris by AFP Chairman and CEO Emmanuel Hoog and JIJI President Masahiro Nakato last wednesday.

The jury praised a series of pictures shot by 35-year-old Carl for AFP. They included a series of pictures of the student riots in London, another shows a demonstrator calling for the release of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and another is of a policeman caught in the act of moving a cat away from the doorstep of 10 Downing Street with his boot.

AFP is launching its iPad application in English at the annual conference of the Online News Association; a new offering, free of charge, providing access to a selection of fast, accurate news from around the world.

AFP has put together a strong team to cover the G8 summit in Deauville

Emmanuel Hoog, AFP's chairman and chief executive officer, wound up a US tour over the weekend involving talks with US counterparts on how news organizations are adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of new mobile and Internet media platforms.

South Africa-based Murray, 46, will be responsible for coordinating and promoting the business development and marketing of AFP-Relaxnews within AFP. AFP-Relaxnews is the world’s first newswire dedicated to lifestyle and leisure, the result of a strategic partnership between the two agencies.

AFP videos spanning Politics, Fashion, Sports, Entertainment, Health and Technology are now available on <a rel="external" href="http://www.blinkx.com/">www.blinkx.com</a>.

AFP reporter Emmanuel Duparcq was awarded the prestigious Albert Londres prize Saturday for his coverage of events in Pakistan and Afghanistan focusing on the activities of the Taliban.