The last marshal of the Soviet Union Dmitry Yazov, who participated in a coup against then USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991, has died, news agencies reported.
Russia's defence ministry said in a statement carried by agencies that Yazov had died in Moscow at the age of 95 following a "serious and prolonged illness".
Defence minister between 1987 and 1991, Yazov participated in a coup attempt against Gorbachev in August 1991, a year after being awarded the rank of marshal.
The coup failed and its leaders were arrested three days later, but the attempted overthrow heralded the collapse of the Soviet Union, which was finally dissolved in December 1991.
Yazov was released from prison in 1993 and granted amnesty for his role in the failed coup in 1994.
Yazov's death leaves just one leader of the failed coup still alive, Oleg Baklanov, a member of the Communist Party's central committee.
Last year, Yazov was sentenced in absentia in Vilnius for war crimes during a 1991 uprising in ...

Last marshal of the Soviet Union Dmitry Yazov dies

PTI Automatic

The novel coronavirus outbreak in South Korea is "very grave", President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday as he visited its epicentre, even as the country announced its smallest rise in cases for several days.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) confirmed 60 new cases in its morning update -- after three days of triple-digit increases -- taking the tally to 893, the largest national total anywhere outside China.
More than 80 percent of the infections have been in South Korea's fourth-largest city Daegu and neighbouring North Gyeongsang province.
"The situation is very grave," President Moon Jae-in said on a visit to Daegu, wearing the uniform of a government emergency official and vowing full government support.
"We will achieve a victory in the fight against this virus," he added.
The streets of Daegu -- which has a population of 2.5 million -- have been largely deserted for days, apart from long queues at the few shops with masks for sale.
Authorities urged the ...

S. Korea 'very grave', Moon says as coronavirus cases approach 900

The United States and the Taliban stand on the verge of signing a historic deal that would see the Pentagon pull thousands of troops from Afghanistan.
Here are some details about the accord and its implications for the war-wracked nation:
- Have the two sides agreed to a ceasefire? -  Not quite, but the Taliban, US and Afghan forces have committed to a partial, week-long truce.
This is more significant than it sounds because it is only the second such lull in fighting since the US-led invasion of 2001.
If it holds, Washington and the insurgents are expected to sign a deal in Doha on Saturday that would see thousands of US troops leave Afghanistan after more than 18 years, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban.
News of the truce has sparked joy across Afghanistan, with civilians pouring onto the streets to dance and celebrate the possible end of a conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives.
But isolated attacks have continued, underscoring the difficulty of 

Afghanistan: Where things stand and what lies ahead

Iranian officials on Tuesday reported three more deaths from the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of fatalities to 15, state media reported.
Two of the dead were elderly women in the northern province of Alborz and the other was a patient in the central province of Markazi, state news agency IRNA said.

Three more die of coronavirus in Iran: state media

Asian markets were mixed Tuesday as bargain-buying after the previous day's bloodbath tempered fears that the coronavirus will develop into a pandemic and hammer the global economy.
News at the weekend that COVID-19 was now spreading and claiming lives far beyond China sparked a flood to safety on trading floors across the world, with the Dow on Wall Street suffering its worst day in two years.
With the death toll at around 2,700 and 80,000 infected, the World Health Organization said the outbreak had "peaked" in China but warned that all countries should prepare for a "potential pandemic".
"As the number of COVID-19 infections outside of China rises, investors are considering the potential ramification on the global economy beyond weaker growth in China and supply chain disruptions," JP Morgan Asset Management's Tai Hui said in a note.
"Equity markets will remain volatile in the near term, driven by new infection numbers around the world." Tokyo led losses as markets reopened to play 

Asian markets mixed after virus-fuelled global bloodbath

A car that rammed into a carnival procession in central Germany Monday injured 52 people, including 18 children, police said, adding that the perpetrator's motive remains unclear.
"Among the victims are 18 children (while)... at present 35 people are still undergoing treatment in the hospital and 17 were already able to leave," police in Hesse state posted on Twitter Tuesday.
A 29-year-old local man ploughed his car into the traditional "Rose Monday" carnival procession in the small Hessian town of Volkmarsen on Monday afternoon, drawing a massive response from police and emergency services.
The incident came just days after a racist gunman killed nine people with migrant backgrounds in Hanau, also in Hesse, prompting fears of a repeat attack.
But authorities have stopped short of calling the carnival incident an attack, saying the driver was himself injured and could not be questioned immediately after he drove into the crowd.
Nevertheless, prosecutors in Frankfurt have opened an ...

18 children among 52 hurt in Germany car ramming

Calm returned Tuesday after a two-day flare-up in and around Gaza as a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad appeared to take hold after initial jitters.
The Israeli military reported no rocket fire from the territory during the morning and AFP correspondents in Gaza reported no Israeli strikes.
The main border crossing between the Palestinian enclave and Israel was due to reopen at 9 am (0700 GMT) to allow medical cases and foreign nationals to leave, Palestinian officials said.
Islamic Jihad announced the truce on Monday evening but later briefly backtracked, accusing Israel of breaching it.
A rocket or mortar round fired from Gaza hit open ground in Israel shortly before midnight Monday, a spokeswoman for Shaar Hanegev regional council said.  Islamic Jihad is the second largest militant group in Gaza after dominant Islamist movement Hamas.
As with other Gaza truces, there was no official Israeli confirmation and the army ordered the parents of some ...

Calm returns after two-day flare-up in and around Gaza

The White House plans to spend a total of $2.5 billion fighting the deadly new coronavirus as infections mushroom around the globe, US media reported Monday.
In a request to Congress, President Donald Trump's administration asked for $1.8 billion in emergency spending, according to The Washington Post.
The request was for $1.25 billion in new funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the transfer of an additional USD 535 million originally set aside to fight Ebola.
The White House said it expected to draw additional money from other agencies throughout the government, as well as from the re-prioritization of Health and Human Services funding, for a total of $2.5 billion.
The funds will be spent on areas such as laboratory tests, quarantine, vaccine research and development as well as supporting affected states, The Washington Post said.
Democrats immediately slammed the request as too low, and accused the White House of dropping the ball on disease ...

White House asks Congress for $2.5 bn to fight coronavirus: reports

Former Armenian president Serzh Sarkisian on Tuesday goes on trial charged with corruption, nearly two years after he was ousted from power by a popular uprising following a decade in office.
Sarkisian, who dominated Armenia in two consecutive terms as president from 2008, resigned in 2018 when his plan to stay in power by taking the post of prime minister sparked mass protests led by journalist-turned-politician Nikol Pashinyan.
Sarkisian initially adopted a low profile in the months after his resignation. But over the last year he has reemerged and harshly criticised Pashinyan, who succeeded him as premier.
The 65-year-old former military officer was charged in December with organising an embezzlement scheme that allegedly helped enrich government officials.  He was banned from leaving the country and if convicted could face up to eight years in jail.
Prosecutors have said that in 2013 Sarkisian helped to organise a scheme for a private company to supply diesel fuel for the ...

Armenia's ousted president stands trial on graft charges

Online travel giant Expedia will cut 3,000 jobs worldwide after what the company called a "disappointing" performance in 2019, US media reported Monday.
The firm, which operates its flagship travel site as well as Hotels.com, Hotwire, Travelocity, Cheaptickets, Egencia and CarRentals.com, said the decision was made after determining it had been "pursuing growth in an unhealthy and undisciplined way," according to an email sent to staff.
"I am confident that simplifying our business and clarifying our focus by making these difficult changes, our teams can get back to working on the projects and priorities that make the most sense for us, our customers and our partners," said Expedia chairman Barry Diller in a statement to The Seattle Times.
During a February 13 earnings call, Diller called the organization "bloated" and said many employees didn't know what "they were supposed to do during the day." Diller also said he was aiming for savings of $300-500 million in 2020.
Over the course .

Travel giant Expedia to cut 3,000 jobs: report

Japan's ANA Holdings said Tuesday it will buy 20 new Boeing 787-10 and 787-9 aircraft, with the planes expected to go into service between 2022 and 2025.
The order will be made up of 11 787-10 aircraft, which will serve domestic routes, and nine 787-9 planes for international destinations.
The price tag was not disclosed.
All Nippon Airways has been gradually replacing its Boeing 777s with 787s, citing better fuel efficiency and a reduction in noise emissions.  Once all 20 of the newly ordered planes go into service, ANA will operate some 103 787s, the firm said.
"Boeing's 787s have served ANA with distinction, and we are proud to expand our fleet by adding more of these technologically advanced aircraft," said Yutaka Ito, executive vice president of ANA and ANA Holdings, in a statement.
"These planes represent a significant step forward for ANA as we work to make our entire fleet more eco-friendly and to reduce noise output," Ito added.

Japan's ANA says to buy 20 more Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Democrats take the stage for a debate in South Carolina on Tuesday in what could be the final opportunity for Joe Biden and the party's other presidential candidates to halt Bernie Sanders' drive to the nomination.
The 78-year-old senator from Vermont is in pole position heading into South Carolina's Democratic primary on Saturday.
Sanders finished in a virtual tie with former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg in the first nominating contest, in Iowa, and then went on to win in the next states to vote -- New Hampshire and Nevada.
Seven candidates will take part in the debate beginning at 8:00 pm in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday night (0100 GMT Wednesday), the 10th debate of the campaign cycle.
Besides Sanders, Biden and Buttigieg, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, media magnate Michael Bloomberg and billionaire Tom Steyer will also be on the stage.
Bloomberg, 78, will be looking to rebound from his disastrous performance in his ..

Democrats to use debate to try to blunt Sanders momentum

Rafael Nadal is back in action for the first time since his Australian Open quarter-final exit, heading the field at the Mexico Open in Acapulco.
A two-time former champion of the tournament, Nadal was knocked out in the second round last year by mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios in a match that sparked angry words between the two.
Nadal accused Kyrgios of "lacking respect" after he served underarm in their 2019 clash, but the Spaniard said Monday he felt no lingering resentment.
"Last year, I lost a tight match that I should have won, but it's part of our sport and I don't have a bad memory of that," Nadal said.
"I have never had a feeling of revenge, no feeling of revenge helps you win games, but the opposite," he added.
"The only thing that revenge does is that you can not think clearly."
World number two Nadal has a chance to return to the top of the rankings this week -- if he lifts the trophy and Novak Djokovic fails to reach the semi-finals in Dubai.
Nadal will open his ...

Nadal back in action in Acapulco with no hard feelings for Kyrgios

Japan's J-League postponed its cup competition on Tuesday over the deadly coronavirus, which has affected dozens of sports events across the globe.
The football league postponed seven cup games scheduled for Wednesday, and said it will discuss suspending all matches until March 15.
"J-League will provide its maximum cooperation for the prevention of the spread (of the virus) and anti-infection measures," a statement said.
The football leagues in China, the epicentre of the outbreak, and South Korea have been suspended, while some games in Italy will be played behind closed doors.
On Monday, a panel of medical experts advising Japan's government warned the coming weeks will be a "critical" period to preventing the new coronavirus from spreading out of control.
Japan's health minister has already urged people to avoid crowds and unnecessary gatherings, and the government has called for businesses to encourage teleworking and off-peak commuting.
The latest decision was made as the clock .

Japan's J-League postpones cup games over virus

Table tennis's world team championships, due to take place next month in the South Korean city of Busan, were postponed on Tuesday following a leap in novel coronavirus cases.
The International Table Tennis Federation said the event, originally planned for March 22-29, had been provisionally rescheduled for June 21-28 following an emergency meeting with local organisers.
South Korea's K-league had already postponed the start of the new football season on Monday as the virus causes chaos in the country's sporting calendar.
Volleyball, basketball and handball have taken similar measures as confirmed cases of COVID-19 rose to 893 in South Korea, with eight deaths.
"In light of the emerging situation in Korea Republic and to best preserve the health and safety of players, officials and fans, the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan have been postponed with the dates of 21-28 June provisionally reserved," said an ITTF statement.
"By continuing to work hard and in ..

Table tennis world team championships postponed over virus

Spinners Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan struck early on day four as Bangladesh closed in on a big win in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe were 114 for five at lunch, needing another 181 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Sikandar Raza remained unbeaten on 33 at the break with Timycen Maruma three not out.
Zimbabwe resumed at nine for two and lost a wicket in the sixth over of the day when Taijul sent Kevin Kasuza trudging back to the pavilion for 10, adding just two to his overnight score.
Nayeem, who claimed two wickets in the first over of Zimbabwe's second innings on Monday, struck with the key scalp of senior batsman Brendan Taylor who top-edged a catch to Taijul at long leg for 17.
Skipper Craig Ervine and Raza offered some resistance, putting on 60 runs for the fifth wicket, but Ervine's run-out on 43 dented Zimbabwe's hopes.
Raza set off for a single off Taijul, but Mominul Haque shied the stumps at the striker's end with a direct hit from cover ...

Spinners strike as Bangladesh close in on win over Zimbabwe

Australia is investigating more than 50 alleged war crimes by the country's special forces in Afghanistan, including the killing of civilians and prisoners, the military watchdog said Tuesday.
An annual report by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force said 55 separate incidents were being investigated as part of a years-long probe into allegations
Australian soldiers committed war crimes while serving in Afghanistan.
These relate mainly to unlawful killings of "persons who were non-combatants or were no longer combatants" as well as "cruel treatment" of such persons, the report said.
"The inquiry is not focused on decisions made during the 'heat of battle'," it added.
It is also considering "cultural, psychological, operational and organisational factors" surrounding the alleged incidents.
The probe was launched in 2016 in response to what the watchdog called "rumours" of "very serious wrongdoing" over more than a decade by members of Australian special forces in ...

Australian special forces probed for alleged Afghan war crimes

A fourth person has died in Japan after becoming ill aboard a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship, local media reported Tuesday, as the government unveiled a new policy to tackle the outbreak.
Nearly 700 people on board the Diamond Princess, which spent two weeks quarantined off Japan, have so far tested positive for the virus.
Four people who were hospitalised after being taken off the ship have died, the latest a man in his 80s, according to local media.
The Yomiuri Shimbun daily said the man had tested positive for the new coronavirus and died of pneumonia. The health ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports.
Three others, all Japanese, have so far died after becoming sick on the ship. Two were confirmed to have the new coronavirus, while the health ministry declined to comment on the diagnosis of the third.
Japan has come under increasing pressure over its handling of the ship, particularly after it emerged that some passengers allowed to disembark 

Fourth person from quarantined ship dies as Japan plans new measures

The new coronavirus has handed Beijing an unexpected gift -- an end to Hong Kong's pro-democracy rallies. But for protesters like Sam it is a chance to rest up before going back on the streets.
"A lot of us, especially frontliners, need a little bit of a break," said the high-school student, who is hunkering down in his tiny apartment doing school work and playing video games after months manning umbrella shield walls and dodging tear gas in battles with riot police.
"Only after this break did I notice how bad I was doing (mentally)," said Sam, who declined to use his real name for fear of being arrested.
"That being said, I'm as motivated as ever to get back on the streets and continue fighting." For the Chinese government -- and its unelected proxy leaders in Hong Kong -- the end of the financial hub's huge rallies that engulfed the city for seven months straight has been a rare spot of good fortune in an otherwise grim start to the year.
Protests were winding down when the virus ...

Virus delivers blow to Hong Kong protests but rage remains

The United States on Monday granted political asylum to Guatemala's former anti-corruption prosecutor Thelma Aldana, who fled to the US last year after a warrant was issued for her arrest over graft.
Aldana was accused in March 2019 of the irregular purchase of a building for the public prosecutor and the creation of fake jobs during her 2014-18 tenure.
She denied the accusations and claims they were aimed at punishing her for fighting graft in the Central American country.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee announced Aldana's asylum on Twitter.
"Thelma is a champion for justice and this is a major victory in the international fight against corruption," committee chairman Eliot Engel said.
Aldana, 64, won the Swedish Rights Livelihood Prize in 2018 for her work against corruption and abuse of power.
Guatemala said last week it intended to ask the US to extradite her.
Aldana left Guatemala for El Salvador after the accusations, which also forced her to abandon a run for the ...

US grants political asylum to Guatemala ex anti-corruption prosecutor

Nearly 90 percent of the 200 cities beset by the world's highest levels of deadly micro-pollution are in China and India, with most of the rest in Pakistan and Indonesia, researchers reported Tuesday.
Taking population into account, Bangladesh emerged as the country with the worst so-called PM2.5 pollution, followed by Pakistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and India, according to the 2019 World Air Quality Report, jointly released by IQAir Group and Greenpeace.
China ranks 11th.
Particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter -- roughly 1/30 the width of a human hair -- is the most dangerous type of airborne pollution.
Microscopic flecks are small enough to enter the bloodstream via the respiratory system, leading to asthma, lung cancer and heart disease.
Among the world's megacities of 10 million or more people, the most PM2.5-toxic in 2019 was the Indian capital New Delhi, followed by Lahore in Pakistan, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Kolkata in India, Linyi and Tianjin in China, and Jakarta, 

AFP

AFP

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