NewsAFP NewsIran says US troop boost 'threat to international peace'
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Saturday a US decision to deploy 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East is a "threat to international peace," state media reported. "Increased US presence in our region is very dangerous and a threat to international peace and security
NewsReutersU.S. troop move to Middle East 'dangerous for international peace' - Iran's Zarif
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday that the U.S. decision to deploy more troops to the Middle East in response to the perceived threat from Iran was "extremely dangerous" for peace. The United States said it was sending 1,500 troops to region in what it called an
NewsAFP NewsEU votes as populists seek historic breakthrough
Voters were called out for a third day in EU parliamentary elections on Saturday as populists hoped to win a major breakthrough and disrupt European politics for the next five years. Polls were open in Malta, Slovakia and Latvia, with most of the bloc's 28 member states -- including big players
NewsReutersPakistan PM warns against war in region amid Iran tensions with U.S., Saudi
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan warned against the risk of conflict in the region, following a visit to Islamabad by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated. Strains have increased between Iran and the United States, which is a firm backer of Tehran
NewsAFP NewsEU vote faces new covert digital threats: report
New players are exploiting internet lawlessness to disrupt democracy at this week's European elections, says a new report that points a finger at far-right populists and cyber militias. With the vote running from May 23-26, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) investigated the role of covert
NewsAFP NewsDeaths of British, Irish climbers add to Everest toll
The deaths of an Irish and a British climber on Mount Everest took the toll from a deadly week on the world's highest peak to 10, expedition organisers said Saturday. British climber Robin Fisher, 44, reached the summit Saturday morning but collapsed when he had got just 150 metres back down the
NewsReutersIndonesia lifts social media curbs targeting hoaxes during recent unrest
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia on Saturday lifted temporary restrictions on some social media functions aimed at stopping online hoaxes during recent violence linked to the announcement of official election results, a communications ministry official said.
NewsAFP NewsTrump arrives for sumo summit with Abe
US President Donald Trump arrived in Japan Saturday for a four-day trip likely to be dominated by warm words and friendly images, but relatively light on substantive progress over trade. Air Force One touched down in Japan just before 5pm local time (0800 GMT) on a sunny Tokyo afternoon. Japanese and
NewsReutersTrump arrives in Japan for ceremonial visit as trade tensions loom
U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, landed in Japan on Saturday on a largely ceremonial visit meant to showcase strong ties with Tokyo even as trade tensions loom. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will treat Trump to an imperial banquet and front row seats at a sumo tournament during
NewsAFP NewsRebels smash Sunwolves to boost finals hopes
The Melbourne Rebels pulverised Japan's Sunwolves 52-7 on Saturday to improve their finals hopes but may have paid a heavy price as half-back Will Genia was knocked out. Marika Koroibete and Jack Maddocks grabbed two tries apiece as the visitors ran in eight in total, recording their highest-ever
NewsAFP NewsFire and blast at Thai port injures 25
A fire erupted on a cargo ship docked at a port in Thailand, triggering a blast and leaving at least 25 workers suffering from smoke inhalation and other injuries, officials said Saturday. The district around Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chonburi province, located two hours south of capital Bangkok
NewsReutersBritish health minister Hancock joins race to replace May as prime minister
British health minister Matt Hancock said on Saturday he would enter the contest to be the next leader of the Conservative Party, the fifth candidate to say they would run to replace Theresa May as prime minister. Hancock follows former foreign minister Boris Johnson, who is seen as the favourite, current
NewsAFP NewsMexican navy helicopter crashes fighting forest fire
A Mexican navy helicopter with five crew on board crashed Friday while helping to fight a forest fire. The navy said it was searching for any survivors from the crash, which occurred in the north-central state of Queretaro. The MI-17 helicopter, which took off from Valle Verde in the neighboring state
NewsAFP NewsChina reach Sudirman Cup final with clinical display
Hosts China closed in on an 11th Sudirman Cup title as they ruthlessly dismantled Thailand to reach Sunday's final of the mixed-team badminton world championship. China's comfortable 3-0 victory sets them up for a tournament decider against top seeds Japan or Indonesia, who play their semi-final
NewsAFP NewsDijon escape automatic relegation on final day of Ligue 1
Dijon came from behind on the last day of Ligue 1 on Friday to beat Toulouse, 2-1, and grab a lifeline that could keep them in the French top flight. "It was the day of an exploit," said Dijon manager Antoine Kombouare. At the start of the final round, Guingamp were sure to finish last, while
NewsAFP NewsSri Lanka troops launch major hunt for Islamists linked to suicide attacks
Sri Lanka's military launched a major hunt Saturday for remnants of an Islamist group which carried out the Easter suicide bombings that killed 258 people, officials said. Several Colombo suburbs were targeted by troops using emergency powers on arrests and detentions adopted after the April 21
NewsAFP NewsMigrants dropped at US bus stations as Border Patrol shelters overflow
The three white vans bearing the Border Patrol logo slowly make their way into a back alley next to the Greyhound bus station in the city of San Bernardino, east of Los Angeles. As the agents slide open the doors, a group of 36 haggard-looking men, women and children -- most of them from Guatemala -
NewsAFP NewsIn Asia, Trump finds more than ever he's among friends
At a time that Trump is ramping up pressure on China, he has built warm relationships elsewhere in Asia and has recently seen surprise electoral triumphs by key partners. Japan is rolling out the red carpet for Trump, who will become the first foreign leader to meet newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito.
NewsAFP NewsUS judge blocks Mississippi 'heartbeat' abortion ban
A US federal judge Friday blocked Mississippi's strict abortion law which would have banned the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy. The bill banning abortion where a heartbeat is detectable -- from six weeks -- was passed in March and was due to go into effect on July 1. Mississippi has passed
NewsReutersGroups sue over Alabama abortion law; judge blocks Mississippi ban
The lawsuit is one of several the groups have filed or are preparing to file against states that recently passed strict anti-abortion measures in an effort to prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark case that guarantees a woman's constitutional right to abortion.
NewsAFP NewsAt least 29 inmates killed in clashes at Venezuela jail
At least 29 prisoners were killed and 19 police wounded in clashes at a jail in western Venezuela Friday, authorities said. The incident at the police station jail in the town of Acarigua, in Portuguesa state, occurred when police special forces (FAES) tried to stop a "massive prison break"
NewsAFP NewsSpain fights to revive international reputation
Spain is fighting to improve its international reputation, which has taken a hit from criticism of its handling of Catalonia's independence bid and its colonial past. Spain's reputation dropped in Germany, Italy and France after Catalonia pressed ahead with a banned independence referendum in
NewsAFP NewsWomen gaining ground in the European Parliament
The number of women members of the European Parliament has doubled since direct elections were first held in 1979, but they still remain the minority, particularly in the top jobs. This is on average higher than in the national parliaments of the European Union's 28 member states where female representation
NewsAFP NewsUS judge deals blow to Trump's border wall plans
A US federal judge dealt a blow Friday to President Donald Trump's signature wall project, issuing a temporary injunction against using Defense Department funds to pay for barriers on the border with Mexico. Trump declared an emergency in a bid to bypass Congress to obtain money for border wall
NewsAFP NewsGlobal court to rule on Russia's detention of Ukrainian sailors
An international tribunal is due to rule Saturday on a dispute over Russia's holding 24 Ukrainian sailors and three naval vessels seized off the Crimea peninsula late last year. Judge Jin-Hyun Paik of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the German port city of Hamburg was scheduled
