At least six people died early Saturday in a fire at an old people's home in northwestern Croatia, police said.
"The fire broke out in the around 5:00 am (0400 GMT) and killed six people," apparently residents of the home in the northwestern town of Oroslavlje, police spokesman Zoran Loncar told AFP.
While there were no immediate reports of other casualties, police were still investigating, he added.
Firefighters put out the blaze within an hour, the spokesman said.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic had travelled to the site, local media reported.

Fire kills 6 at Croatian old people's home: police

PTI Automatic

A grim summer of fire and smoke has sullied Australia's outdoorsy and healthy image, and left many fearful for the future.
For the unfortunate few, three long months of bushfires have brought almost unfathomable pain -- homes lost, lives destroyed, families ripped apart.
But for many millions more the crisis has also shattered the long sunny days typically filled with beaches, barbecues and backyard cricket.
Sporting events were cancelled, windows shuttered against weeks of menacing toxic haze and barbecues banned to prevent even more fires.
Famed beaches like Bondi were partially blackened, as the tide washed the ash of incinerated eucalypts back to shore.
Holidays were cancelled as entire towns were shut off, highways were bumper-to-bumper with fleeing tourists and petrol stations mobbed as fuel ran out during the largest peacetime evacuations the country has ever seen.
"We've seen the whole Australian way of life over summer across the continent upended," social researcher Rebecca .

Bushfires bring fears of 'new normal' to life Down Under

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered the country's armed forces to address "shortcomings" after a Ukrainian passenger jet was mistakenly shot down, his office said.
"I emphatically advise the general headquarters (of the armed forces) to follow up on shortcomings" to ensure this kind of error does not happen again, said a statement on his official website, adding he expressed his "sincere condolences" to the families of the deceased.

Khamenei orders military to address 'shortcomings' over downed plane

North Korea said Saturday it had received Donald Trump's letter wishing a happy birthday to leader Kim Jong Un, but warned it will return to nuclear talks only when Washington fully accepts its demands.
The US president and Kim have held three meetings since June 2018 but negotiations have been largely deadlocked since the breakup of their Hanoi summit last February.
Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea's foreign ministry adviser, said Trump's congratulatory letter had arrived in the isolated, nuclear-armed state directly from the US.
"As acknowledged by the world, it is true that the personal relations between (Kim Jong Un) and President Trump are not bad," he said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.
However, it would be "absent-minded" to expect Pyongyang to resume dialogue because of that warm personal relationship, the statement continued.
"We have been deceived by the US, being caught in the dialogue with it for over one year and a half, and that was the lost time for ..

North Korea says will resume US talks if demands fully met

Haitham bin Tariq, Oman's culture minister and the 65-year-old cousin of late Sultan Qaboos, has been sworn in as the new royal ruler, the government said Saturday.
"Haitham bin Tariq was sworn in as the new sultan of the country... after a meeting of the family which decided to appoint the one who was chosen by the sultan," the government said in a tweet.
Sultan Qaboos, the longest-reigning leader of the modern Arab world who died Friday at the age of 79, was unmarried and had no children, and left no apparent heir.
According to the Omani constitution, the royal family had three days to determine the successor and if they failed to agree, the person chosen by Qaboos in a letter addressed to the family would be the successor.
Most experts had expected the throne to go to Asad bin Tariq, another cousin, who was appointed deputy prime minister for international relations and cooperation affairs in 2017 in what was seen as a clear message of support.
Haitham, a sports enthusiast, held ...

Cousin of late Oman sultan sworn in as new ruler

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday closure and accountability were needed after Iran said it had unintentionally shot down a Ukranian plane, killing 176 people.
He also demanded "transparency, and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims," of whom many were Canadian dual nationals.
"This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together," Trudeau's office said in a statement.

Canada's Trudeau demands 'accountability' after Iran plane admission

Iran on Saturday said it unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian airliner that crashed this week killing 176 people, calling it an "unforgivable mistake".
The Ukraine International Airlines plane came down on Wednesday shortly after Iran launched missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, one of Iran's top generals, in a US drone strike.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted.
"Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people," he added.
"Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake."
Earlier, Iran's official IRNA news agency had published a statement from the military saying the Boeing 737 was mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when enemy threats were at the highest ...

Iran says unintentionally shot down Ukrainian airliner

Former Fulham captain Brian McBride, a three-time World Cup striker for the United States, was named Friday as the new US national team general manager by the US Soccer Federation.
McBride, 47, scored 30 goals in 95 caps for the Americans during a 14-year international career and played 17 pro seasons, including a 1996-2003 run with the MLS Columbus Crew and a 2004-2008 stint at Craven Cottage, helping Fulham escape the drop in his final two English campaigns.
"I am incredibly honored," McBride said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to build relationships with players and clubs that align with the philosophy and values of US Soccer."
McBride will report to US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart and immediately join US coach Gregg Berhalter at a January camp in Bradenton, Florida.
"We are thrilled to have Brian McBride," Stewart said. "Through his impressive career as a three-time World Cup veteran and at clubs in England, Germany and the United States, he has earned the respect .

Former Fulham captain McBride named USA general manager

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Saturday said his country "deeply regrets" the shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner, which he described as "a great tragedy & unforgivable mistake".
"Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people," he added on Twitter.
"Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake.

Downing of Ukraine jet 'unforgivable mistake': Iran's Rouhani

Two Manchester City supporters have received five-year bans from football matches and lifetime suspensions from the Premier League champions' stadium after being found guilty of racist abuse.
Ian Baldry, 58, made a racist comment towards City and England winger Raheem Sterling as he celebrated scoring a goal in a Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium in December 2018.
The defendant from Yorkshire pleaded guilty in September to causing racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.
On Friday, he was sentenced at Manchester Magistrates' Court and also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and pay 170 pound court costs.
In a witness statement against the defendant another supporter present at the match told police "it was disgusting in this day and age that this was going on.
"I was shocked and offended and felt sick to my stomach when I heard it." Baldry's friend, James McConnell, from Manchester, was heard making racist remarks about 

Man City fans given five-year bans over Sterling racist abuse

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United will not look for short-term solutions in the January transfer window just to guarantee his job security.
Solskjaer will not countenance bringing in players if they do not fit in with United's long-term plan.
His squad has been stretched by injuries and a gruelling schedule and they have not won any of their three matches so far in 2020.
Those weaknesses were brutally exposed in the 3-1 defeat by Manchester City in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals on Tuesday to once again put the spotlight on Solskjaer.
United struggled in the absence of injured midfielders Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
However, Solskjaer refuses to discuss the idea of any stop-gap signings.
"I am not going to protect myself," Solskjaer said ahead of Norwich's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.
"I am here to do what I think is best for the club and what I feel is best.  "I would never, ever, ever, put myself before the club. This is Manchester United and ...

Man Utd won't make panic buys, vows Solskjaer

Jose Mourinho expects to oversee a long-term rebuild with Tottenham because his big-spending days are over.
Mourinho took charge at Tottenham in November aware he won't have the spending power he had during his spells with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Tottenham have been cautious in the transfer market since the development of their expensively rebuilt stadium.
That has left Mourinho to inherit a squad lacking depth and even though Harry Kane and Moussa Sissoko have been ruled out until April, the Tottenham manager says they are not going to be "kings of the transfer market".
On the difference between his relatively frugal Tottenham situation compared to the riches he enjoyed at Roman Abramovich's Chelsea, Mourinho said: "Come on! But that was quite simple in the sense of, 'Which one is a central defender that I want? That one, thank you very much'.
"But again we are a different club, we have to do it in a different way.
"Balanced transfer windows, you need more time ...

Mourinho expects long-term rebuild for Spurs

Laura Graves, who won team dressage bronze with the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics will miss this year's Tokyo Games after her horse, Verdades, was retired.
"With the retirement of my longtime partner, Verdades (Diddy), it will no longer be possible for me to pursue a place on the team that will represent the United States in Tokyo," Graves, ranked seventh in the world, said in a statement released by US Equestrian.
"This decision was not taken lightly, but was made in Verdades' best interests." Graves said in an Instagram post that she made the decision upon realizing that Verdades, an 18-year-old Dutch warmblood, would not be able to regain his top form this year.
"I've always promised that I would do my best to listen and make the right choice for him when this time came," she wrote.
Graves and Verdades burst onto the international scene in 2014, when they finished fifth in the Grand Prix freestyle at the World Equestrian Games.
They went on to win team gold and individual .

US equestrian Graves to miss Tokyo Games as horse retired

West Ham midfielder Declan Rice claimed "nobody wants VAR" in the Premier League after the controversial review system condemned his side to a dramatic 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Friday.
Trailing to Oliver McBurnie's second half striker, David Moyes' men thought they had snatched an equaliser in stoppage-time when Robert Snodgrass fired home from Rice's pass.
But, with West Ham celebrating wildly, the goal was checked by VAR and eventually ruled out for a handball by Rice.
The ball was headed against Rice's arm by a Blades player and, while the rule was correctly enforced, the England international was furious with the decision and VAR's continual influence on the Premier League this season.
"We are fuming. All the lads are livid. I've just watched it back. He has knocked the ball into my hand. If you are running with your arms like that with the rules as they are now it is handball but it is not intentional. It is a kick in the teeth," Rice said.
"I think it is the thoughts of 

West Ham 'livid' after VAR hands victory to Blades

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers doesn't expect Jamie Vardy to end his England retirement despite his prolific form this season.
Vardy has been linked with a return to international football after Three Lions captain Harry Kane ruptured a tendon in his left hamstring that requires surgery.
With Vardy sitting top of the Premier League's goal charts with 17 this season, it would be natural for England boss Gareth Southgate to consider trying to tempt the Foxes star out of his self-imposed exile.
Vardy stepped back from England duty in August 2018, but Southgate recently admitted the 32-year-old is "a ready-made player who could come in if we felt that was the right thing".
With Kane absent for the March friendlies with Italy and Denmark, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Southgate could lure Vardy back.
Rodgers, though, does not see that happening and he said. "Jamie has made his decision on that. He has always been clear and I don't see that changing to be honest."
Yet ..

Rodgers doesn't expect England return for Vardy

Novak Djokovic on Saturday pulled out of the upcoming Adelaide International in a big blow to the new tournament.
The world number two has been leading Serbia at the ATP Cup team event in Sydney, where they face Russia in a semi-final on Saturday.
No explanation was given by officials who confirmed his absence from the ATP-WTA tournament, whose women's field is headed by top-ranked Ashleigh Barty.
"We know how disappointed Novak is about not being able to play in Adelaide this year and we hope to welcome him to the tournament next year," tournament director Alistair MacDonald said.
"We understand his decision and wish him the very best of luck for the remainder of the ATP Cup and the upcoming Australian Open."
Djokovic had planned to use the hardcourt tournament in South Australia, starting Sunday, as a final tune-up for the Australian Open Grand Slam, which begins a week from Monday.

Djokovic pulls out of Adelaide International

Iran's foreign minister Saturday offered his country's "profound regrets, apologies and condolences" after the armed forces admitted shooting down a Ukrainian airliner due to "human error".
"A sad day," Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter. "Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," he said.
"Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations.

Iranian FM apologises for plane 'disaster', cites 'US adventurism'

United States World Cup icon Megan Rapinoe Friday vowed that athletes "will not be silenced" after the International Olympic Committee warned against political protests at the Tokyo Games.
"So much being done about the protests," Rapinoe said in an Instagram post. "So little being done about what we are protesting about.
"We will not be silenced."
Rapinoe's comments were accompanied by a graphic showing fists raised through the interlocking rings -- under the crossed out words "kneeling, hand gestures, signs."
The post comes after IOC chief Thomas Bach reiterated that athletes, coaches, trainers and officials are banned from political protests on the field of play, at the Olympic Village, during the opening and closing ceremonies and on the medal podium.
"If this political neutrality is not respected, then the Olympic Games will divide, and not unite, the world," Bach insisted.
The guidelines issued Thursday by the IOC on specific actions that are banned and will draw sanctions, come .

US World Cup star Rapinoe slams IOC 'no protest' policy

Lionel Messi has predictably been the star attraction but there will be no Clasico in Saudi Arabia this weekend, as Atletico Madrid's defeat of Barcelona set up a clash with rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
Messi was cheered by fans at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium from the moment he jogged out to warm up, yet Atletico were the ones celebrating at the end of Thursday's semi-final in the competition that has been expanded and controversially shipped to a different continent, to a country with a long-condemned record on human rights.
Atletico scored two late goals to beat Barca 3-2, with a derby final now to come against Real Madrid.
When the Spanish Football Federation signed a three-year contract worth 120 million euros to move the tournament to Saudi, a title showdown between Real and Barcelona would very likely have been top of the organisers' wishlist.
The draw kept the clubs apart in the semis and a new four-team format ensured Real and Atletico .

Real Madrid face Atletico as imposters gatecrash Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi

The images of cars, motorbikes and trucks careering through the sands of the Saudi desert are wonderfully dramatic but the shadow of climate change is lengthening across the Dakar Rally.
For 42 years this convoy of gas-guzzling vehicles has billowed exhaust fumes across the sands of Africa, South America and now Saudi Arabia, incurring the wrath of the environmentalists.
In response, the rally is taking its first baby steps towards a more climate friendly race.
For Anne Lassman-Trappier, mobility manager of the France nature environment association (FNE), the Dakar is "way off beam".
"It still interests some people but it's no longer in step with history," she says.  The penny appears to have dropped with the rally organisers who are displaying their desire to go green.
"When you have a motor sport, you know very well that you are not in tune with the times," admits David Castera, the new boss of the Dakar.
"We have 350 vehicles that drive every day which obviously says something but .

Dakar Rally searches for green amid sand

Zimbabwean villager Dumisani Khumalo appeared to be in pain as he walked gingerly towards a chair under the shade of a tree near his one-room brick shack.
The 45-year-old was attacked by a buffalo days earlier, and he was lucky to be on his feet.
Wild animals in Zimbabwe were responsible for the deaths of at least 36 people in 2019, up from 20 in the previous year.
"I thank God that I survived the attack," said Khumalo with a laugh, making light of the fact that the buffalo almost ripped off his genitals.
Authorities recorded 311 animal attacks on people last year, up from 195 in 2018.
The attacks have been blamed on a devastating drought in Zimbabwe which has seen hungry animals breaking out of game reserves, raiding human settlements in search of food and water.
"The cases include attacks on humans, their livestock and crops," said national parks spokesman Tinashe Farawo.
He said elephants caused most fatalities, while hippos, buffalos, lions, hyenas and crocodile also contributed ..

AFP

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