At least 20 people died and 11 were injured today when a bus carrying Turkish tourists plunged off a road near the southwestern sea resort of Marmaris.
	"Sadly, we have had 20 fatalities and 11 other seriously injured," said Amir Cicek, the governor of Mugla province. The accident occurred in a hilly road and the bus plunged into a precipice after smashing through the crash barrier.

At least 20 killed in Turkey bus crash

PTI Automatic

A cybersecurity researcher appears to have discovered a "kill switch" that can prevent the spread of the WannaCry ransomware -- for now -- that has caused the cyberattacks wreaking havoc globally.
	The researcher, tweeting as @MalwareTechBlog, said the discovery was accidental, but that registering a domain name used by the malware stops it from spreading.
	"Essentially they relied on a domain not being registered and by registering it, we stopped their malware spreading," @MalwareTechBlog told AFP in a private message on Twitter.
	The researcher warned however that people "need to update their systems ASAP" to avoid attack.
	"The crisis isn't over, they can always change the code and try again," @MalwareTechBlog said.
	Yesterday's wave of cyberattacks, which affected dozens of countries, apparently exploited a flaw exposed in documents leaked from the US National Security Agency.
	The attacks used a technique known as ransomware that locks users' files unless they pay the attackers a 

Researcher finds 'kill switch' for cyberattack ransomware

Two young, barely-literate shepherds who had visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago in Fatima, a Portuguese site now a global draw for pilgrims, were declared saints today by Pope Francis.
	In an emotional outdoor service on a packed, 400,000- capacity esplanade at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Catholic worshippers from all over the world sang and looked on, some crying, while many more watched the canonisation on giant screens from adjacent streets.
	"We declare the blissful Francisco Marto and Jacinta Marto saints," the Argentine pontiff said in front of the white basilica where the siblings are buried, two giant portraits of the little shepherds hanging in the background.
	When the two impoverished siblings first reportedly had visions of the Virgin Mary 100 years ago on the spot where the sanctuary now lies, they were likely far from imagining they would one day join the ranks of prominent saints like Mother Teresa.
	The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared six times ...

Pope makes Fatima child shepherds who 'saw Virgin' saints

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank voted today in municipal elections that underscored deep rifts between president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party and Islamist rival Hamas which runs the Gaza Strip.
	Their failure to reconcile is seen as a major obstacle to any settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
	The West Bank and Gaza have not participated in an election together since 2006, when Hamas swept Palestinian parliamentary polls, sparking a conflict that led to near civil war in Gaza the following year.
	Escalating tensions between Hamas and the more moderate Fatah led to Hamas's seizure of Gaza in 2007, while Abbas's party was left with control of the West Bank.
	Voting for around 300 municipal councils opened at 7:00 am (local time) at dozens of schools across the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel for half a century.
	Hanna Nasser, chairman of the Palestinian election commission, said many of the contenders were from Fatah, while in some villages "clans and ...

West Bank votes in polls underlining Palestinian split

Defiant soldiers blocked access to Ivory Coast's second-largest city today after firing guns into the air throughout the night.
	Rebellious soldiers had already taken to the streets yesterday in Bouake, the economic capital of Abidjan and another city demanding pay increases.
	The city of Bouake was the epicentre of a mutiny in January by former rebel soldiers who had been integrated into the army, which triggered months of unrest.
	"We want our money," a soldier wearing a facemask said today, refusing to give his name.
	The soldiers forced the police who normally control the four main access points to Bouake to flee, before taking up positions and blocking all traffic into the city.
	They were also taking up positions elsewhere in the city, and banks and stores remained closed today morning.
	The situation remained calm however in Abidjan today, a day after the rebelling soldiers had surrounded the military's headquarters in the city.
	Yesterday, General Sekou Toure, chief of staff ..

Rebel soldiers block access to I Coast's second-largest city

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered 17 mummies in catacombs in Minya province, south of Cairo, the antiquities ministry announced today.
	"We found catacombs containing a number of mummies," said Salah al-Kholi, a Cairo University professor of Egyptology who headed the mission that made the discovery in the Touna el- Gabal district of the province in central Egypt.
	Burial shafts were found in the area and excavation work "revealed that these shafts led to a number of corridors inside a cachette of mummies", the ministry said.
	It said in a statement that the cachette housed 17 non- royal mummies.
	Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Enany told a news conference held near the archaeological site in the desert that the discovery was "the first human necropolis found in central Egypt with so many mummies".
	The discovery was "important, unprecedented, because it's the first human necropolis" to be found in the area, Mohamed Hamza, director of excavations for Cairo University.
	The Touna .

17 mummies discovered in central Egypt: ministry

Syria's army captured an airbase in eastern Aleppo from the Islamic State group today, after more than two months of fierce clashes, a military source and monitor said.
	The Jarrah airbase had been under IS control since January 2014, when the jihadists seized it from rebels who had captured it a year earlier.
	"Regime forces took control of the Jarrah military airport after heavy fighting," said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.
	"The majority of the jihadists have withdrawn, and regime forces are carrying out clearing operations in the airport and engaged in limited clashes with remaining IS elements," he added.
	Syria's army launched an offensive against IS in eastern Aleppo province in mid-January, backed by ally Russia.
	So far it has taken control of more than 170 villages and towns in the area, according to the Britain-based monitor.
	A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the capture of the military ..

Syria army seizes airbase from IS: military source, monitor

The wave of cyberattacks wreaking havoc cross the globe is "at an unprecedented level", European Union's law enforcement agency Europol said today.
	The attacks will "require a complex international investigation to identify the culprits", the agency, which is working with countries and companies hit by the attacks, said in a statement.
	Europol teams are seeking to "mitigate the threat and assist victims", it also said.
	Computer networks were struck at hospitals in Britain, Russia's interior ministry, the Spanish telecom giant Telefonica and the US delivery firm FedEx along with many other organisations.
	Friday's wave of cyberattacks apparently exploited a flaw exposed in documents leaked from the US National Security Agency.
	The attacks used a technique known as ransomware that locks users' files unless they pay the attackers a designated sum in the virtual currency Bitcoin.

Europol says cyberattack is of "unprecedented level"

The European Union could end up paying a Brexit bill to Britain instead of the other way round, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said today.
	Asked if he believed that Britain might end up receiving a payment, Johnson replied: "I do, I think there are very good arguments".
	"There are assets that we share, that we have paid for over the years and there will need to be a proper computation of the value of those assets," Johnson told The Daily Telegraph in an interview.
	Johnson, one of the leading lights in last year's Brexit referendum campaign dismissed as "absurd" the various estimates for the exit fee that would have to be paid by Britain, which some reports have said could be as high as 100 billion euros (USD 109 billion).
	"They are going to try to bleed this country white with their bill," he said, threatening that Britain could "definitely" walk away from the negotiations without paying anything.
	The payments that London must make to settle financial commitments made ...

EU could pay Brexit bill to Britain: Johnson

A senior North Korean diplomat said today Pyongyang would be willing to hold talks with the United States if the conditions are right.
	Choe Son-Hui, head of the foreign ministry's North America bureau, told reporters at Beijing's international airport that her country "will hold dialogue under right conditions" with President Donald Trump's administration.
	She spoke as she was returning home from Oslo, where she met with US academics and former US officials including Thomas Pickering, former US envoy to the UN, and Robert Einhorn, the State Department's former special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, Seoul's Yonhap news agency said.
	The meeting took place amid a let-up in military tensions on the Korean peninsula after concerns over a fresh nuclear test by the North aimed to mark high-profile anniversaries in April failed to materialise.
	After threatening military action, Trump said earlier this month he would be "honoured" to meet the North's leader Kim Jong-Un ...

N Korea willing to meet with US if conditions right: diplomat

At least 19 people were killed in a crash between a bus and two trucks today in Kenya, police said.
	The accident comes just weeks after another collision killed dozens in Kenya, which has notoriously dangerous roads.
	"We had a bad accident this morning where we lost 18 people on the spot," police commander Hassan Barua told journalists at the scene.
	Another passenger died in hospital.
	Police said the bus hit two trucks while trying to overtake in the village of Gilgil, around 120 kilometres northwest of Nairobi.
	Several other people are still in hospital, including the drivers of the trucks involved in the accident, police said.
	Kenyan police estimate around 3,000 people die each year on the country's roads while the World Health Organisation puts the figure at four times that amount, at around 12,000 deaths.
	At least 26 people were killed in April in head-on collision between a bus and a truck on a highway between Nairobi and the country's second-largest city Mombasa.
	In ...

Kenya bus accident kills 19

More suspected human bones were recovered today from South Korea's sunken Sewol ferry, officials said, part of a search that began when the ship was salvaged in March.
	The 6,800-ton vessel sank off the country's southwestern coast three years ago, claiming more than 300 lives, mostly high school students on an excursion.
	"Bones were recovered today from the fourth deck near the stern," the maritime ministry said in a statement.
	Forensic experts have sent the bones for DNA tests, the statement added. The results will be known in a month.
	One of the country's worst-ever maritime disasters, the sinking of the Sewol dealt a crushing blow to now-ousted president Park Geun-Hye.
	Nine of the victims' bodies have yet to be recovered. Raising it in one piece was a key demand of their families.
	Sifting through silt and debris piled up inside the hull, workers have been retrieving bones every day since Wednesday when suspected human bones were found inside the wreck for the first ...

More human bones recovered from sunken S Korean ferry

The Philippines and China will open bilateral talks on their dispute over the South China Sea next week, Manila's ambassador to Beijing said today.
	Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sought to deepen relations with China despite its extensive island-building in disputed parts of the South China Sea, in the hopes of securing billions of dollars' worth of investments from Beijing.
	"We will inaugurate the bilateral consultative mechanism on issues of particular concern to each side. This is where the sensitive issues will be discussed," Ambassador Jose "Chito" Santa Romana said in Beijing in comments aired by ABS-CBN television.
	Santa Romana made the comments ahead of Duterte's arrival in Beijing to attend the One Belt, One Road summit on Sunday and Monday -- a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
	"The first session will be next week but this will be a session that will continue on a twice-yearly basis, a chance to exchange views on the South China Sea issue," he ...

Manila, Beijing to open South China Sea talks next week: envoy

G7 finance ministers turned their focus Saturday to combating cyber crime in what Italy's Pier Carlo Padoan described as an "unfortunately very timely" discussion.
	The ministers were expected to commit to stepping up international cooperation on the issue after a global onslaught that hit computer systems in nearly 100 countries yesterday.
	The ministers from the group of seven wealthy democracies will say that cyber incidents represent a growing threat to their economies and that tackling them should be a priority, Italian officials said.
	The talks, scheduled before Friday's events, focused particularly on the potential threat to the global financial system in the event of hackers being able to infiltrate the computer systems that run the global banking system, capital and equity markets.
	The ministers, who also discussed inequality, and transnational tax evasion during their two-day review of the world economy, were due to wrap up their talks at lunchtime.
	"We are agreed on many 

G7 finance chiefs talk cyber security in wake of attacks

Increasing numbers of Europeans are boosting Costa Rica's thriving tourism industry, but lagging infrastructure and regional connectivity are crimping its potential, an investment conference in San Jose heard today.
	The country stands head and shoulders over the rest of Central America in tourism numbers, receiving 2.9 million visitors a year, many attracted by its eco-friendly image, Tourism Minister Mauricio Ventura told a seminar of French foreign trade advisers from across the region.
	Americans account for around 40 percent. Europeans represent a quarter, but their numbers are rapidly growing following the introduction over the past year of direct flights Britain, France, Germany and Switzerland.
	Europeans also spend more time in the country -- an average of 18 nights compared to 12 for Americans -- meaning more tourism revenue, Ventura said.
	"Other countries in Central America have a great deal to do to improve" their images to achieve Costa Rica's level of success, said ...

Costa Rica woos European tourists, French investment

Antonio Conte says reuniting Chelsea's fractured team-spirit was the key to their charge to the Premier League title.
     Conte's side were crowned champions on Friday as a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion wrapped up the title with two games to play.
     Michy Batshuayi's 82nd minute winner after coming off the bench was the latest example of Conte's remarkable impact since the Italian took charge last year.
     When Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge, he found a squad ripped apart following the mutiny that led to Jose Mourinho's sacking last season.
     But the former Juventus and Italy boss skillfully soothed the fragile egos and has been repaid with a memorable march to the title.
     "It wasn't easy for me to arrive in England and try different habits, a different language and inherit players after a bad season," Conte said.
     "This is a great achievement for the players. I thank them for their commitment and work rate. They show me a great attitude to try to do something 

Unified Chelsea deserved title triumph: Conte

West Indies replicated their opponents' dour batting effort in crawling to 218 for five off 100 overs in reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 376 at stumps on day three of the third and final Test at Windsor Park in Dominica on Friday.
     Leg-spinner Yasir Shah lifted his series-leading wicket tally to 20 with three victims in the morning session but the home side then showed resolve with all-rounder Roston Chase leading the defiance in a topscore of 60 before being forced to retire hurt in the final session.
     Struck painfully on the right elbow attempting a pull at Mohammad Amir operating with the second new ball, the lanky right-hander's departure after 190 minutes at the crease gave Pakistan a measure of optimism which was heightened when Vishaul Singh fell leg-before to Mohammad Abbas to make the score 189 for five.
     However captain Jason Holder, despite sustaining a painful blow as well on his left shoulder, held firm with Shane Dowrich and the pair will resume on 

West Indies crawl to 218/5 at stumps against Pakistan

Scoreboard at stumps on
the third day of the third and final Test between the West Indies and Pakistan at Windsor Park in Dominica on Friday.
	   Pakistan 1st Innings - 376
        West Indies 1st Innings
	   (overnight 14 for 0)
        K. Brathwaite c wkpr Ahmed b Shah       29
	   K. Powell c Ali b Shah                  31
	   S. Hetmyer c wkpr Ahmed b Shah          17
	   S. Hope c Misbah b Azhar Ali            29
	   R. Chase retired hurt (hit by Amir)     60
	   V. Singh lbw Abbas                       8
	   S. Dowrich not out                      20
	   J. Holder not out                       11
	   Extras (b-4, lb-2, nb-3, w-4)           13
	   Total (For 5 wkts, 100 overs)           218
	   Fall of wicket: 1-43 (Powell), 2-69 (Hetmyer), 3-97 (Brathwaite), 4-152 (Hope), 5-189 (Singh)
	   Bowling: M. Amir 23-11-24-0 (1w), M. Abbas 21-6-43-1, Y. Shah 33-4-108-3, H. Ali 17-4-22-0 (1nb, 1w)), A. Ali 6-1- 15-1.

Roseau (Dominica), May 12 (AFP) Scoreboard at stumps on

After three days in Los Angeles, International Olympic Committee (IOC) delegates head for Paris to inspect the city's bid for the 2024 Games against a backdrop of a handover of power to French president-elect Emmanuel Macron.
     With just four months to go until the vote in Lima, the 11-member IOC Evaluation Commission will on Sunday begin their three-day inspection of the French capital on the day Macron takes over from Francois Hollande.
     Macron, elected last Sunday, has already taken the initiative and reaffirmed his backing for the Paris bid in talks with IOC chief Thomas Bach.
     He spoke to Bach by phone and expressed his "attachment to the Paris 2024 project and emphasised France's longstanding commitment to the Olympic movement", the bid committee said in a statement.
     "We are delighted that even before his inauguration as new president of France he has already found time to speak to the IOC president to reaffirm his full and complete support for Paris 2024," the ..

IOC examine Paris 2024 bid amid political transition

White House spokesman Sean Spicer today repeatedly refused to rule out the possibility that Donald Trump has recorded his Oval Office conversations, and insisted the president had not threatened his sacked FBI director.
	After Trump tweeted that his fired FBI director should hope such recordings do not come to light, Spicer pointedly refused to rule out the existence of such tapes.
	"The president has nothing further to add on that," Spicer said numerous times in answer to rapid-fire questions.
	In an angry early morning tweet storm, Trump warned that "James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!"
	"I don't think -- that's not a threat. He simply stated a fact. The tweet speaks for itself. I'm moving on," Spicer said.
	Trump's bareknuckle comments immediately fueled fresh comparisons between his administration and that of disgraced president Richard Nixon, who famously recorded his conversations -- a fact that sped his ..

W.House refuses to rule out Trump Oval Office recordings

A cyber strike which hit dozens of British hospitals today is part of a wider "international attack", Prime Minister Theresa May said.
	"We are aware that a number of NHS organisations have reported that they have suffered from a ransomware attack. This is not targeted at the NHS, it's an international attack and a number of countries and organisations have been affected," May said, referring to the country's National Health Service.
	The state-run NHS declared a "major incident" after the cyber attacks, which prompted some hospitals to divert ambulances and scrap operations.
	"The National Cyber Security Centre is working closely with NHS digital to ensure that they support the organisations concerned and that they protect patient safety," May added.
	The prime minister said the government is not aware of any patient data being compromised.
	At least 16 organisations within the NHS, some of which are responsible for several hospitals each, have reported being struck.
	Following the ..

AFP

AFP

Page 1142 - Afp