World News

Rescuers scour gutted Cambodian casino after devastating fire

Rescuers scoured the charred ruins of a Cambodian hotel and casino complex Friday, warning they expected to find "many more" victims of a deadly fire that forced people to jump from windows.. Photos and videos from the scene showed people huddling on windowsills, with a rescuer telling AFP he witnessed people desperately jumping from the roof to escape the encroaching flames.

'Our greatest idol': Brazilians flock to hospital after Pele's death

As soon as they got the news, Antonio Pereira and his son started running: Pele, the man widely considered the greatest footballer of all time, had died, and they wanted to be there to mourn him.. "He's our greatest idol, the greatest footballer of all time," Antonio told AFP, after running 1.5 kilometers (almost a mile) to the hospital, where Pele died a month after being admitted for what turned out to be his final battle with colon cancer.

Vivienne Westwood, punk queen turned fashion dame, dies aged 81

Doyenne of British design Vivienne Westwood, who melded music and fashion together to create punk and brought rebellious politics to the catwalk, died on Thursday aged 81, her family said.. "Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London.

Brazilian football legend Pele has died: family 

Brazilian football icon Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time and a three-time World Cup winner who masterminded the "beautiful game," has died at the age of 82, his family said Thursday.. - Sports royalty - Pele reached the pinnacle of his greatness at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, the first broadcast in color, where he starred on what many consider the greatest team of all time, with talents such as Rivellino, Tostao and Jairzinho.

Exiled Afghan MP says Taliban 'erasing' women

A former Afghan woman MP who fled to Britain after the Taliban takeover in 2021 on Thursday called on the world to hold the Taliban accountable for its attempt to erase women from public life.. Fawzia Koofi, a former vice-president of the Afghan parliament, said bans on the activities of women and girls such as working for aid groups or going to school or university had resulted in them being deleted from public life.

Panther rescued in Ukraine, finds refuge in France

Kiara, a six-month-old black panther born in war-torn Ukraine and victim of exotic animal trafficking, has found a new home at a wildlife refuge in France.  . The veterinarians at the refuge were giving her space so she can get accustomed to her new home.

Ex-pope Benedict is 'lucid', condition stable: Vatican

Former pope Benedict XVI is "lucid and alert" and his condition remains serious but stable, the Vatican said Thursday, the day after revealing the 95-year-old's health had deteriorated.. "The Pope Emeritus was able to rest well last night, he is absolutely lucid and alert and today, although his condition remains serious, the situation at the moment is stable," the Vatican press office said Thursday.

Bolivia prosecutor seeks 6-month detention for key opposition figure

A Bolivian prosecutor said Thursday he had requested six months of pre-trial detention for a key opposition leader and former presidential candidate detained a day earlier on charges of "terrorism.". "The precautionary measure that has been requested is preventive detention for a period of six months," prosecutor Omar Mejillones told reporters.

Ivorian troops on trial in Mali as deadline looms in row

Forty-six Ivorian troops whose detention by Mali triggered a bitter diplomatic row were brought in for trial at a court of appeal in Bamako on Thursday, an AFP reporter saw.. A Malian appeal court official said the soldiers would undergo a "special trial" on Thursday after the case was submitted by military investigators.

Peruvian shamans gather to make 2023 prophesies

Atop a sacred hill in Lima, Peruvian shamans scatter coca leaves and flower petals while a snake named Maria slithers over posters of world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin and Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.. Brazilian football icon Pele will die.