Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Machado called for further protests Saturday against the contested vote that handed President Nicolas Maduro a third term in office. The stakes are growing higher for the south American country’s electoral authority to show proof for Maduro’s win after the United States on Thursday recognized opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the victor, discrediting the official results of the vote.
Tensions are running high in Israel and people brace for a potential response from Hamas and Iran-backed militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen who have vowed to avenge the killing of Ismail Haniyeh Wednesday. “Israel is just basically waiting and preparing” for any scenario, ABC News Correspondent Jordana Miller told FRANCE 24, citing Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Qatar on Friday is due to hold funeral ceremonies for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh after his killing in Tehran, an attack blamed on Israel that has deepened fears of a regional escalation. Haniyeh, who had resided in Doha along with other members of the Hamas political office, will be buried at a cemetery in Lusail, north of the Qatari capital. His killing sparked calls for revenge and is among several incidents that have inflamed regional tensions during the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas which... Читать дальше...
With South African stars shining on the international stage, opera has boomed since racial barriers were scrapped in 1994, drawing in talent from the country's great choral traditions to carve out an important place in a hugely diverse cultural landscape. Much of the change has been driven by the 25-year-old Cape Town Opera that is considered Africa's most successful company. The grandfather of it all is Italian-born Angelo Gobbato, a former singer who co-founded the company five years after apartheid... Читать дальше...
Qatar is to hold on Friday funeral ceremonies for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh after his killing in an attack in Tehran blamed on Israel that has deepened fears of a regional escalation. Haniyeh, the Palestinian armed group's political chief, had resided in Doha along with other members of the Hamas political office. Follow FRANCE 24 for live updates.
Australian national Lalzawmi "Zomi" Frankcom was among a group of seven World Central Kitchen staff killed when their convoy -- working to distribute food and water -- was mistakenly hit by Israeli missiles in April. Canberra is now pushing for Israel to apologise to the victims' families and urging its military to rethink how it engages with aid groups in the Palestinian enclave. The deaths of an Australian, three Britons, a North American, a Palestinian and a Pole triggered global outrage. ... Читать дальше...
Journalist Evan Gershkovich, ex-US marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva returned to the United States on Thursday, hours after being freed from detention in Russia in the biggest prisoner exchange between the two countries since the Cold War.
After three Grand Slam titles, UK tennis legend Andy Murray, 37, officially retired from the sport on Thursday after losing in the Paris Olympics, closing the door on a stellar yet injury-laden career.
The 32-year-old, who has played 81 Tests, will join Japan League One side Black Rams Tokyo at the end of the year. Perenara is in the New Zealand squad for the Rugby Championship with the All Blacks hosting Argentina in their first match on August 10 in Wellington. His move to Japan ends a 12-year spell with Super Rugby side Wellington Hurricanes. "I'm excited to embark on a new journey with the Black Rams Tokyo in Japan," Perenara said in a statement. "It's a new chapter for my family and I... Читать дальше...
Although no one has claimed the attack, Boko Haram are suspected to be behind a bombing which killed at least 16 people on Wednesday, the latest in a series of lethal attacks against civilians in the area.
Building on widespread sentiment and the incumbent Nicolás Maduro's refusal to provide transparent voting data, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said it "is clear" that opposition candidate Edmundo González won Sunday's Venezuelan presidential election, despite Maduro claiming he had secured 90% of the votes.
The Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, ended with the Chicago Bears a 21-17 winner over the Houston Texans after play was suspended with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter and did not resume. With the contest not featuring starters as teams analyzed younger talent, the odd kickoff arrangement captured attention. Kickers struck the ball at their 35-yard line while all the other players lined up five yards apart on the opposition 40- and 35-yard lines except for two receiving players in the reception... Читать дальше...
A day after her 35th birthday, Azarenka ousted 73rd-ranked Wang Yafan 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 after two hours and 46 minutes to advance at the US Open hardcourt tuneup. Top seed Sabalenka, the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open winner, and her sixth-seeded Belarus compatriot are the only two seeds in the last eight ahead of Friday's showdown. "The most important thing right now is playing an opponent like Aryna and seeing where my game is at and what I can do," Azarenka said. "My focus is more internal... Читать дальше...
Temperatures in the country were 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than average, breaking last year's record for July of 1.91 degrees Celsius above average. "It was the highest since statistics began in 1898," the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Thursday, noting that the figures were "considerably higher" nationwide. Of 153 observation posts across Japan, 62 broke their average temperature record in July. Contributing factors included a high-pressure system over the Pacific and "warm air from... Читать дальше...
The optimism that greeted Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell's indication on Wednesday that borrowing costs could be cut in September has given way to trepidation that the slowdown in the world's number one economy might be more pronounced than previously thought. The central bank has for months been looking for confirmation that inflation is well on the way down and the labour market is softening, while at the same time trying to avoid a sharp plunge in business activity. It has largely been confident in achieving a "soft landing". Читать дальше...
But it also means higher electricity bills and more carbon emissions in a country that campaigners say is behind on making buildings more energy efficient. "Children are often banned from playing outside, while teachers frantically ask them to drink water from morning to afternoon," said Tokyo elementary school teacher Yuriko Takahashi. "Even when they can have a physical education class outside, they have to come back to a classroom that is so hot... Poor kids," the 29-year-old told AFP. Japan... Читать дальше...
The 25-year-old German, chasing her first LPGA title, fired seven birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free opening round at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon. "Pretty flawless round," Mack said. "It seemed so easy out there today. Very nice start and that just kept me pretty calm I would say. "Never really thought about it as a whole. Made some good putts. Just didn't make big mistakes or if I hit some bad shots I got myself out of it pretty good." South Korean Jang Hyo-joon, Russian Nataliya Guseva... Читать дальше...
Four-time gold medallists the United States and World Cup holders Spain are also in action in the last eight. Canada's hopes of repeating their run to gold in Tokyo three years ago appeared to be over when they were docked six points by FIFA as a punishment after using a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session. Coach Bev Priestman was suspended for a year. But the Canadians beat Colombia 1-0 in Nice on Wednesday to make it three wins out of three, hours after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration... Читать дальше...
But the reality is that the vice president, the product of a mixed race marriage between Jamaican and Indian immigrants, embraced her Blackness long before embarking on a career in public service. 'I'm proud of being Black' Harris was born in Oakland, California, in 1964, to Afro-Jamaican Donald Harris, who came to the United States to study economics, and Shyamala Gopalan, who emigrated from India at 19 to pursue her doctorate in nutrition and endocrinology. They met at the University of California... Читать дальше...
"Crazy Rich Asians" director Jon Chu is attached to develop and direct the film, based on Spears's recent autobiographical book "The Woman In Me," the company said in a statement to AFP. Universal won a "highly competitive auction" for the film adaptation rights, with "La La Land" producer Marc Platt due to oversee the project, it said. "Excited to share with my fans that I've been working on a secret project with #MarcPlatt. He's always made my favorite movies," Spears herself posted on social media Thursday. Читать дальше...
Forced to skim a years-long process into a couple of weeks, US Democratic frontrunner Kamala Harris' search for the best running mate to beat Donald Trump in November intensifies.
Haniyeh, the Palestinian armed group's political chief, had resided in Doha along with other members of the Hamas political office. He will be buried at a cemetery in Lusail, north of the Qatari capital, following funeral prayers at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab mosque, the gas-rich emirate's largest. Hamas has said "Arab and Islamic leaders" as well representatives of other Palestinian factions and members of the public would attend the events. Haniyeh and a bodyguard were killed in the... Читать дальше...
The 21-year-old American, who won all-around gold in Tokyo three years ago after Biles's sudden withdrawal due to mental health struggles, was diagnosed with two undisclosed kidney conditions in early 2023. "I mean, literally, six months ago I didn't even consider I would be here competing today. That was an achievement in itself," said Lee. The gymnast from Minnesota's road back to the pinnacle of her sport has been as challenging as that of Biles. She had been bidding to become the first woman... Читать дальше...
Led off by Mollie O'Callaghan and brought home by Titmus, with Lani Pallister and Brianna Throssell in the middle legs, they touched in an Olympic-record 7min 38.08sec. The Katie Ledecky-led United States (7:40.86) took silver and defending champions China (7:42.34) bronze. It avenged Australia's failure to win gold in Tokyo when China set a new world record to stun both them and the Americans. "It was really fun. I feel like a bit of redemption for us," said Titmus, the 400m champion, who came second in the 200m final behind O'Callaghan. Читать дальше...
