Egypt prepares to host African Cup

Egypt has officially launched preparations to host Africa's biggest soccer tournament, the 2019 African Cup of Nations, scheduled to run from June 15 to July 13.

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Indonesia recovers second Lion Air black box

The cockpit voice recorder from a Lion Air jet crashed in October has been recovered, Indonesian authorities said on Monday, a discovery that could be critical to answering why the plane fell down shortly after takeoff.

Turkey vows to fight against Kurdish forces after US threat

ANKARA - Turkey on Monday vowed to continue fighting a US-backed Kurdish militia which it views as a terrorist group after US President Donald Trump warned of economic devastation if Ankara attacks Kurdish forces as US troops withdraw.

US-backed Syrian forces say Islamic State militants are in 'final moments'

QAMISHLI, Syria/BEIRUT, Lebanon - Islamic State militants are "living their final moments" in the last enclave they hold near the Iraqi border, where US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (also known as SDF) are attacking them, an SDF official said on Sunday.

Millions gather in India for largest religious festival

ALLAHABAD, India - Hindu devotees began gathering on Sunday in northern India for the world's largest religious festival, with millions of pilgrims traveling to bathe in holy rivers for the spectacular Kumbh Mela.

Afghan talent show singer finds fame as Trudeau's doppelganger

KABUL - An Afghan talent show contestant's striking resemblance to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has turned him into an unlikely celebrity in the war-torn country.

Pompeo set to press Saudis over journalist

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday arrived in Riyadh, where he was scheduled to ask Saudi authorities to ensure the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are held accountable.

Middle East players facing new test

The murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey has become the epitome of a game of power in the Middle East, testing old alliances and shaking up the geostrategic balance, analysts have said.

Italian fugitive captured 3 decades after conviction

ROME - A left-wing Italian militant who was convicted of murder in his home country nearly three decades ago was arrested in Bolivia, authorities said on Sunday, setting the stage for a climactic end to one of Italy's longest-running efforts to bring a fugitive to justice.

Macron unveils national debate to calm protests

French President Emmanuel Macron has launched a three-month "great national debate" in a bid to reduce the public anger behind the "yellow vest" movement which has rocked France for nine consecutive weeks.

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