Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

Cuban dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara flew Saturday to exile in the US after serving a five-year sentence on the island, as Washington urged Havana to release political prisoners.

By Afp 11 hrs ago

Kyiv hit with deadly strikes after attack on Russian e-commerce giant

Russian strikes killed one person and wounded 13 others in Ukraine's capital on Sunday after Kyiv launched a deadly wave of drones that struck e-commerce warehouses in Russia.

By Afp 10 hrs ago

US launches strikes to 'punish' Iran after troops killed

The United States said airstrikes on Sunday aimed to "punish" Iran over the first US military deaths since renewed hostilities with the Islamic republic.

By Afp 10 hrs ago

Trump to bask in World Cup final spotlight

US President Donald Trump will bask in the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday -- after already providing one of the tournament's most controversial moments.

By Afp 10 hrs ago

Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait, where power, water plant is alight

Kuwait said Iran hit a power and water plant Sunday causing a fire, the latest attack on energy infrastructure in the small Gulf state, as Bahrain also accused Tehran of targeting civilian sites.

By Afp 5 hrs ago

Faith vs therapy: Inside the Philippine school for exorcists

Asia's only dedicated exorcism centre -- designed to train not only Philippine priests but clergy from across the region -- sits just off a busy thoroughfare in Metro Manila.

By Afp 5 hrs ago

US launches 7th night of strikes as Iran attacks military sites

Bombing intensified in Middle East for the seventh consecutive night, with Iran threatening a "full-scale offensive" in response to American strikes.

By Afp 1 day ago

Uganda school bus crash toll rises to 24: police

The death toll from a school bus crash in Uganda has risen to 23 children and one adult, and all school field trips have been cancelled, police said on Friday night.

By Afp 1 day ago

Vietnam floods and landslides kill at least 4

Severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains kills at least four people in Vietnam, state media reports.

By Afp 1 day ago

UN to list more sites as 'in danger' from conflict or climate change

The United Nations looks set to list a Biblical site, Lebanese castles, an antelope migration path and world's deepest lake as world treasures under threat, including from war or climate change.

By Afp 1 day ago

Deschamps set for bittersweet ending to France reign as Zidane waits

Didier Deschamps brings the curtain down on a remarkable 14-year reign as France coach on Saturday when Les Bleus face England in the World Cup third-place play-off.

By Afp 1 day ago

England carry 'scars' of World Cup exit, says Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel said Friday that England's players carry the "scars" of a painful World Cup exit, admitting there was still a gap to close to the top nations.

By Afp 1 day ago

Uganda drops case against women arrested for kissing in public

"I confirm that the case was withdrawn from court by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions)," Irene Nakimbugwe, the deputy spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, told AFP.

By Afp 2 days ago

Deadly Algeria orphanage fire caused by air conditioner, police say

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune posted online Thursday that "several children" had died. However, authorities have not disclosed the ages of the victims.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ebola spreading in DRC 'faster than any previous outbreak': WHO

The World Health Organisation warned Thursday that Ebola was spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo at a faster pace than during any previous outbreak of the deadly virus.

By Afp 3 days ago

Messi's Argentina stun England in comeback to reach World Cup final

Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1

By Afp 3 days ago

'Lost his Tuch?' England boss hammered by media after World Cup exit

Hampered by Tuchel's cautious substitutions, England squandered a golden opportunity to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.

By Afp 3 days ago

Tuchel defends tactics after England World Cup dream dies

Tuchel said his team had become "too passive" after taking the lead at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

By Afp 3 days ago

Court confirms graft trial for Spanish PM's wife

A Spanish court on Thursday confirmed Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez will face trial for alleged influence peddling and embezzlement.

By Afp 3 days ago

US unveils new 25 per cent tariff on certain imports from Brazil

The United States has announced on a new 25 percent tariff on various imports from Brazil, accusing the Latin American giant of unfair trade practices and policies.

By Afp 3 days ago

France, England prepare for gloomy World Cup send-off

France and England will bid a gloomy farewell to the World Cup on Saturday when they face each other in the dreaded third-place play-off in Miami.

By Afp 2 days ago

Spain's Porro says 'dream come true' to reach World Cup final

Pedro Porro, who scored Spain's second goal in the 2-0 defeat of favourites France on Tuesday, said reaching the World Cup final was "a dream come true".

By Afp 4 days ago

Spanish royal family to attend World Cup final: palace

Spain will face reigning champions Argentina or England after defeating France 2-0 in Tuesday's semi-final

By Afp 4 days ago

Argentina and England set for World Cup semi-final showdown

The three-time champions are seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

By Afp 4 days ago

France fireworks fizzle as Spain advance to World Cup final

France arrived in the World Cup semi-finals hailed as the most scintillating attacking force to grace the tournament since Brazil's fabled 1982 side.

By Afp 4 days ago

'Immense disappointment': Mbappe rues end of World Cup dream

Kylian Mbappe rued the end of France's World Cup dream on Tuesday, blaming tactical and technical blunders for his side's 2-0 semi-final defeat to France.

By Afp 4 days ago

Scaloni says fatigue not a concern for Argentina in World Cup semi-final

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was not concerned about fatigue on the way to another World Cup semi-final as they prepare to renew their rivalry with England

By Afp 4 days ago

Families claim bodies as Bangkok fire toll rises to 30

Grieving relatives of the victims of a huge Bangkok bar fire claimed their bodies Tuesday as the death toll rose to 30, even as others held out hope that missing loved ones were alive.

By Afp 5 days ago

Ukrainian men in Poland face legal limbo

Thousands of Ukrainian men in Poland face declining living standards and rising uncertainty, but going home means risking being sent to the front and death.

By Afp 5 days ago

US strikes Iran for third day, will reimpose blockade

The US launched a third night of strikes on Iran as President Trump planned to reimpose a blockade Tuesday on Iranian ports and floated a 20 percent fee on cargo in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

By Afp 5 days ago

US-Iran strikes: latest developments

UAE said that Iran attacked two ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles.

By Afp 5 days ago

Over 2,700 may have died due to England heatwaves: researchers

The UK and most of Europe experienced two unprecedented heatwaves in May and June.

By Afp 6 days ago

Ukrainian and Russian strikes kill several in both countries

Ukraine said Russia had hit a cargo ship in a deadly attack, killing three.

By Afp 6 days ago

Ex-South Korea leader Yoon jailed 2 years over illegal polling

A South Korean court sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday to two years in prison for illegally receiving free opinion polls in exchange for political support.

By Afp 6 days ago

Look at the mark Halaand has left on Norway

To book a spot in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals, England pulled off something in Miami that no defence had even come close to achieving: nullifying Erling Haaland.

By Afp 6 days ago

Mulling ban, EU gets expert verdict on social media for children

Greece, France and Spain led a push last year for limiting minors' access to social media, with pressure intensifying on the EU executive to establish a bloc-wide ban like Australia did in December.

By Afp 6 days ago

Ukraine allies to gather in Paris to step up pressure on Russia

Allies of Ukraine will gather in Paris on Monday with the war-torn country's leader Volodymyr Zelensky to reaffirm support for Kyiv and step up pressure on Russia.

By Afp 6 days ago

US hits Iran as Gulf states targeted in flareup over Hormuz

The United States struck Iran Monday for a second day running, drawing Tehran's reprisals against US allies in the Gulf as the foes battle over the status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

By Afp 6 days ago

Spaniard's rare skin disorder ups danger of summer heat

Alberto Gomez has a rare genetic skin disorder that leaves him unable to sweat properly -- and therefore unable to cool himself naturally during extreme heat.

By Afp 6 days ago

Middle East rocked by heaviest attacks since Iran-US ceasefire

The Middle East has been rocked by US and Iranian attacks of a scale unseen since an April ceasefire, as fighting over the strategic Strait of Hormuz threatened to derail efforts.

By Afp 6 days ago