PARIS — Sprinter Noah Lyles revealed he had COVID-19 after missing out on another gold medal for the United States at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. Elsewhere, French basketball star Victor Wembanyama moved closer to his dream of a first gold after helping Les Bleus beat Germany to set up a dream final against the U.S. …
Read more “COVID-hit Lyles misses out on a double; US team breaks 100-medal mark”
washington — Germany’s entry into the U.S.-led U.N. Command, which expanded the multinational body tasked with defending South Korea against North Korea, reflects growing fears in Europe and the U.S. that multiple wars that could break out simultaneously across the globe, said analysts. North Korea this week denounced Germany’s membership in the U.N. Command (UNC), calling …
Read more “Germany’s membership in UN Command signals commitment to Indo-Pacific “
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VIENNA, AUSTRIA — The 19-year-old Austrian who masterminded a foiled plot to attack Taylor Swift fans at a concert in Vienna with a bomb or knife had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group, authorities said on Thursday. The main suspect, who has North Macedonian roots, made a full confession in custody, Austria’s general director …
Read more “Plot to attack Taylor Swift show in Austria linked to Islamic State”
MOSCOW — Russian internet monitoring services reported a mass outage on the availability of video hosting site YouTube on Thursday as Russian authorities step up criticism of the platform. Russian internet monitoring service Sboi.rf said there had been thousands of glitches reported about YouTube in Russia. Users said they could only access YouTube via virtual private …
Read more “Mass YouTube outage reported in Russia amid escalating criticism”
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BARCELONA, Spain — Former Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain after organizing an independence referendum in the wealthy Spanish region nearly seven years ago that was declared illegal, returned to the country on Thursday despite a pending arrest warrant. Puigdemont defiantly appeared in Barcelona after traveling from Belgium and made a speech in front of …
Read more “Ex-Catalan leader Puigdemont returns to Spain after nearly 7 years as a fugitive”
LONDON — Far-right demonstrations that had been anticipated by police in dozens of locations across Britain failed to materialize Wednesday as peaceful anti-racism protesters instead showed up in force. Police had prepared for another night of violence at 100 locations following a week of rioting and disorder fueled by misinformation over a stabbing attack against young …
Following last week’s prisoner exchange between Russia and Western nations, several of the political prisoners released by Moscow have arrived in Germany, historically a refuge for Russians fighting for change in their homeland. Marcus Harton narrates this report from Ricardo Marquina in Berlin. …
BARCELONA — Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said on Wednesday he was returning after seven years in self-imposed exile to Spain, where he would likely be arrested over his role in the region’s 2017 independence bid. His arrest and potential imprisonment before he might face trial could unleash fresh turmoil in Catalonia and threaten the fragile …
Read more “Catalan separatist Puigdemont says he is returning to Spain, faces likely arrest”
GENEVA — Soaring temperatures in July have had detrimental effects on the well-being of hundreds of millions of people worldwide who have found the monthlong extreme heat too hot to handle, according to the World Meteorological Organization. “The extreme heat, which continued throughout July after a hot June … has had really, really devastating impacts on …
Read more “Extreme heat in July debilitates hundreds of millions worldwide”
BERLIN — Two suspected extremists were arrested in Austria on Wednesday, one of whom appeared to be planning an attack on an event in the Vienna area such as upcoming Taylor Swift concerts, authorities said. The 19-year-old main suspect was arrested in Ternitz, south of Vienna, and the second person in the Austrian capital. Franz Ruf, …
Read more “2 arrested over suspected plans for attack in Vienna”
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey on Wednesday filed a request with a U.N. court to join South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, the foreign minister said. Turkey’s ambassador to the Netherlands, accompanied by a group of Turkish legislators, submitted a declaration of intervention to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. With the …
Read more “Turkey formally asks to join genocide case against Israel at UN court”
Rome — Fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has launched a new alcohol-free perfume for dogs called ‘Fefé’ in honor of Domenico Dolce ‘s poodle, but not all vets and pet owners agree it’s safe or appropriate. The perfume costs $108 for 100 milliliters and has been certified suitable for animal use. It follows a Safe Pet …
LONDON — British police braced for further anti-Muslim riots on Wednesday as far-right groups pledged to target asylum centers and immigration law firms across the country, prompting anti-fascist protesters to plan counter demonstrations. Britain has been gripped by an escalating wave of violence that erupted early last week when three young girls were killed in a …
Read more “British police brace for anti-Muslim riots and counter protests”
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Abuja, Nigeria — While nationwide protests appeared to have ebbed Tuesday, the Nigerian government said it will not tolerate calls for coups after some protesters in northwest Kano and Kaduna states waved Russian flags while marching in the streets Monday. Nigeria’s defense chiefs told journalists that hoisting the Russian flags amounts to treason. “We will not …
Read more “Nigerian authorities warn against calling for coup after protests”
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Frankfurt, Germany — German factory orders rose more strongly than expected in June, official data showed Tuesday, boosting hopes that a recovery in Europe’s top economy could be gaining momentum. Orders in the country’s crucial manufacturing sector rose 3.9% from a month earlier, according to federal statistics agency Destatis, an uptick that followed five consecutive months …
Read more “First rise in six months for German industrial orders”
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Lyon, France — Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice as France advanced to the final of the men’s soccer tournament at the Paris Olympics with a 3-1 win over Egypt after extra time on Monday. France will play Spain in Friday’s final at Parc des Princes in a match that will ensure the first European gold medalist in …
Read more “France beats Egypt, will face Spain in men’s soccer final at Paris Olympics”
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MOSCOW — A senior ally of President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks with Iranian leaders including the president and top security officials as the Islamic Republic weighs its response to the killing of a Hamas leader. Russia has condemned the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in …
Read more “Putin ally holds talks in Iran as Middle East teeters on brink of wider war”
Johannesburg, South Africa — Billboards and videos popping up in several African cities show 20th-century independence leaders and anti-colonial quotes as part of a drive to promote the Kremlin-backed outlet RT. What they don’t advertise is that the Russian outlet being promoted has been largely blocked in the West for being part of Putin’s propaganda network …