Iran seized a boat and arrested 12 Filipinos as it busted a "fuel-smuggling ring" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported.
"A foreign tugboat was confiscated as well as 283,900 litres (75,000 gallons) of petrol worth 233.71 billion rials ($20.2 million)," ISNA said, citing the coast guard chief in the southern province of Hormozgan.
"Twelve Philippine nationals were arrested and the relevant judiciary officials are currently taking the required legal measures," Major Hossein Dehaki was quoted as saying.
Dehaki said the group was suspected of operating a fuel-smuggling ring and the confiscated shipment had been intercepted close to Sirik county in the Strait of Hormuz.
The seizure comes amid tensions in the Gulf after the United States unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear deal putting curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in return for relief from sanctions.
The escalation has seen ships mysteriously attacked, drones downed and oil tankers seized in 

Iran seizes boat in Strait of Hormuz, arrests Filipinos: report

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US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Saturday he was "not surprised" Iran had turned on advanced centrifuges to increase uranium stockpiles, a further breach of the 2015 nuclear deal which Washington pulled out of last year.
"I'm not surprised that Iran has announced that it's going to violate the JCPOA," Esper said in Paris.
"It's no surprise that the Iranians are going to pursue what the Iranians have always intended to pursue," he added.

US 'not surprised' Iran starting new nuclear centrifuges: Esper

A long-awaited swap of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine was underway on Saturday, sources and state media said, with 70 people involved in the landmark exchange.
A Ukrainian government source told AFP the swap was proceeding and that 35 people on each side would be exchanged.
A number of high-profile prisoners are expected to be part of the exchange.
Earlier Saturday an AFP journalist in Moscow saw two buses with tinted windows leaving the high-security Lefortovo jail escorted by a police convoy.
Russia's state-run news channel Rossiya 24 said the convoy had departed "within the framework of preparations for a prisoner exchange".
The channel said the buses had arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo terminal for government flights, and that a Russian government plane had landed at Kiev's Boryspil airport.
Anticipation has been building in recent days for the swap, which would be the first major exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine since the conflict over eastern Ukraine erupted in 

Russia, Ukraine swapping prisoners in landmark exchange

Muslim rebels in the mainly Catholic Philippines began handing over their guns to independent foreign monitors Saturday, as part of a peace treaty aimed at ending a decades-long separatist insurgency that has left about 150,000 people dead.
Just over a thousand guerrillas are turning in 940 weapons in a single day, in a graduated decommissioning process that aims to turn the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest rebel force, into a regular political party.
The fighters demobilised on Saturday represent a symbolic first step toward retiring what MILF says is a force of 40,000 fighters in the coming years.
"The war is over... I have no firearms left," Paisal Abdullah Bagundang, 56, a self-described veteran of more than 100 firefights with government security forces since the 1970s, told AFP.
But the disarmament will take time to make an impact in a place where violence is an almost daily threat.
A bomb hidden in a parked motorcycle exploded near a public market in .

Rebels hand in guns in Philippines Muslim peace deal

Rashid Khan completed his second five-wicket Test haul to hand Afghanistan a big advantage in the one-off series against Bangladesh in Chittagong on Saturday.
Rashid claimed the final wicket to finish with 5-55, as Afghanistan bowled out Bangladesh for 205 runs in the first innings after the hosts resumed the third day's play with 194-8 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Bangladesh struck back through skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who claimed two wickets in the first over of the second innings, but Afghanistan, who made 342 in the  first innings, reached 56-3 by lunch to extend their 137-run lead.
Shakib trapped Ihsanullah Janat for four in the third ball of the innings and then dismissed first innings centurion Rahmat Shah for a golden duck in the next ball to bring Bangladesh somewhat back into the contest.
Off-spinner Nayeem Hasan took the third wicket of the morning when he removed Hashmatullah Shahidi for 12, but debutant Ibrahim Zadran (24 not out) and former skipper Asghar Afghan 

Rashid's five wickets put Afghanistan on top

Daniil Medvedev has enjoyed silencing those who questioned his fiery temperament and wrote him off during his teenage years after a sizzling hardcourt season that has left him on the cusp of US Open glory.
The Russian secured a place in his first Grand Slam final Friday with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Grigor Dimitrov, setting Medvedev up with an instant shot at revenge for last month's Montreal loss to Rafael Nadal.
However, his path to Sunday's championship match in New York has been a rocky ride -- embraced at first by Medvedev but one he is now keen to forget as he tries to shed his image as the wacky villain.
Booed by fans after an obscene gesture in the third round, Medvedev taunted them in response by saying he thrived on their jeers for the energy to win. He later apologized and admitted it has been a long road to clean up his act.
"There were many who would say, coaches or something, at the age of 16 or 14, I could get engaged during the match because I thought they ...

Medvedev glad to prove doubters wrong at US Open

Riot police fanned out across Hong Kong on Saturday in a bid to thwart plans by pro-democracy protesters to target the airport in the movement's first mass mobilisation since the city's leader made a surprise concession earlier this week.
Millions of pro-democracy supporters have taken to Hong Kong's streets for the past three months in the biggest challenge to China's rule since the city's handover from Britain in 1997.
On Wednesday, the city's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam surprised many by announcing she was scrapping a hugely unpopular extradition law that sparked the widespread and sometimes violent rallies.
The withdrawal was one of the protesters' key demands and both she and Beijing had previously refused to budge on the issue.
Lam, who was not directly elected but appointed by an overwhelmingly Beijing-friendly committee, portrayed the move as a bid to de-escalate tensions and start a dialogue.
But it has been widely dismissed by protesters as too little, too late after 14 ...

Riot police deployed as Hong Kong protesters target airport

Iran has started up advanced centrifuges to boost its stockpile of enriched uranium but will allow the UN atomic agency to continue monitoring its nuclear programme, a spokesman said Saturday.
The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said the agency had activated 20 IR-4 and 20 IR-6 centrifuges as a third step in the Islamic republic's reduction of its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal.
"The centrifuge machines, as they are engaged in research and development, will help with increasing the stockpile," spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.
"The capacity of these machines is many times more than the previous machines. This started as of yesterday (Friday)," he told reporters.
But Kamalvandi said Iran would allow the UN atomic agency -- the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) -- to continue monitoring its nuclear programme, as it has done under the 2015 accord with major powers.
"Regarding the monitoring and accesses of the IAEA... so that everything is clear (Iran's) ..

Iran fires up advanced centrifuges in latest nuclear step

Pyongyang has named an army general with expertise in artillery as its new military commander, North Korean state media reported, in a move that an analyst said could signal plans for the development of new weapons.
Pak Jong Chon was appointed the "chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army," KCNA said late Friday, adding that the decision was announced during a meeting attended by leader Kim Jong Un.
Pak succeeds Ri Yong Gil, an expert on military operations who has served in the position on two separate occasions since 2013.
His promotion from head of the Korean People's Army's Artillery Command may suggest a new military focus on weapons development, said Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean defector and researcher in Seoul.
The North was particularly threatened by the South's acquisition of cutting-edge American F-35 stealth fighter jets -- known for their ability to evade radar detection -- earlier this year, Ahn told AFP.
"It is also notable that Pak accompanied Kim during ...

North Korea names artillery commander as new military chief

Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, touted Saturday's US Open final opponent Bianca Andreescu as a future world number one in women's tennis.
Williams is chasing a 24th Grand Slam singles crown to equal the record held by Australian Margaret Court, but Mouratoglou said he had full respect for the 19-year-old Andreescu.
"I said before the tournament, I had been asked who are my two underdogs, and I said Bianca and (Daniil) Medvedev. So I'm not surprised she's there," Mouratoglou said Friday.
"I expected her in final, and I think she's going to be number one soon. Not too soon but in the future, because she has everything that's needed to be number one.
"A lot of respect for her. A lot of tools in her game. Like a really complete game. She has the whole package. Like the game's amazing, I think: the physical, the athleticism, and the mental. She looks incredibly confident. She feels like she's where she belongs. That's the impression she ...

Serena coach tips Andreescu as future world No. 1

The death toll from Hurricane Dorian's devastating rampage across the Bahamas rose to 43 Friday, a number authorities said is likely to climb "significantly," even as rescuers plucked desperate survivors from the debris.
More than 260 residents of brutally damaged Abaco Island arrived in the capital city of Nassau after spending more than seven hours on a government-chartered ferry, a second of which was expected to arrive overnight.
Those who made it to safety awaited news of loved ones such as Diane Forbes, who had not heard from her two sons since Tuesday and was searching for them among some 200 evacuees sheltering at a gymnasium Friday night in Nassau, which was spared the wrath of the hurricane.
"They said they were hungry and the scent of the bodies, the dead, was really getting to them... I don't know if my son is alive or not," she said of one of her children, who had been in Marsh Harbour on Abaco with his girlfriend and her mother.
Health Minister Duane Sands confirmed the .

Hurricane Dorian death toll climbs to 43, expected to rise 'significantly'

Neymar didn't disappoint in his much anticipated return, grabbing a second-half equalizer for Brazil in a 2-2 friendly draw with Colombia.
The Paris Saint-Germain star was playing for the first time for club or country since suffering an ankle injury in a friendly against Qatar in June, which ruled him out of the Copa America.
Since then the Brazilian star had been embroiled in a long-running transfer saga that ended this week with the Brazilian staying at PSG -- a return to Barcelona finally ruled out.
Before a sell-out crowd of 65,232 at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, Neymar delivered for Brazil, scoring the equalizer in the 58th after setting up Casemiro for the game's opening goal in the 20th minute on Friday.
Colombia were lacking top stars James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, but thanks to Luis Muriel's brace they gave Copa America champions Brazil a fright before Neymar rode to the rescue and Tite's men extended their unbeaten run.
Although Neymar made a ...

Neymar snags equalizer in return as Brazil draw Colombia 2-2 in friendly

Fernando Alonso hinted on Friday he is considering making a return to Formula One following an overhaul of the rules for the 2021 season.
But the two-time world champion Spaniard, who 'retired' last year after a disappointing spell with McLaren, was enigmatic when asked if he was in contact with any teams.
"Let's see," he said, during an interview with Sky Sports F1.
"I need to figure out a couple of different challenges out of Formula One that I need to complete.
"They are not yet finished -- like the Indy 500 and some other stuff. So, 2021, with the new regulations... I think it's a good mix that we can find there and maybe a different Formula One than what we see now.
"The reasons why I left last year are still present now with domination of a clear team and the races a little bit too predictable, but in 2021 these things can be changed and maybe it's a good opportunity."
He declined to give details and, when asked if he was talking to any teams about a comeback, smiled and said: ..

Alonso hints at possible F1 return

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters were planning to disrupt transport links to the airport on Saturday in their first mass mobilisation since the city's leader made a surprise concession earlier this week.
Millions of pro-democracy supporters have taken to Hong Kong's streets for the past three months in the biggest challenge to China's rule since the city's handover from Britain in 1997.
On Wednesday, the city's pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam surprised many by announcing she was scrapping a hugely unpopular extradition law that sparked the widespread and sometimes violent rallies.
The withdrawal was one of the protesters' key demands and both she and Beijing had previously refused to budge on the issue.
Lam, who was not directly elected but appointed by an overwhelmingly Beijing-friendly committee, portrayed the move as a bid to de-escalate tensions and start a dialogue.
But it has been widely dismissed by protesters as too little, too late after 1,100 arrests and with many facing ..

Hong Kong protesters aim to 'stress test' airport

Spain is struggling to accommodate thousands of young migrants who over the years have arrived alone on rickety boats or hidden in trucks, some of whom have ended up on the streets or even become involved in crime.
There are currently around 14,000 unaccompanied young migrants in Spain, according to the government, up from just around 4,000 in 2016.
In regions like Catalonia in Spain's northeast, which has a large Moroccan community that attracts the youngsters after they arrive in the south, reception centres are overwhelmed.
In Barcelona, dozens sleep rough on benches, in parks or in makeshift camps hidden in the hills that surround this Mediterranean seaside city.
"They're damaged, many sniff glue. And they're very vulnerable on the street, criminal gangs take advantage and get hold of them," Peio Sanchez, a priest in charge of the Santa Anna church where young migrants sleep regularly, tells AFP.
In front of the church in a small, hidden square near the popular Ramblas avenue in ..

Spain struggles to accommodate thousands of young migrants

Zimbabwe was on Saturday due to begin a period of national mourning following the death of Robert Mugabe, the former guerrilla hero turned despot who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.
As Zimbabweans expressed sharply divided opinions about Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his predecessor had been declared a "national hero" and that Zimbabwe would mourn him until the burial.
"The late departed icon will be eternally remembered and honoured for the bold and historic land reform programme which he undertook," said Mnangagwa during a national address broadcast on television.
Mugabe, 95, passed away on Friday at 0240 GMT in Singapore, where he had been hospitalised in April.
First heralded as a liberator who rid the former British colony Rhodesia of white minority rule, Mugabe used repression and fear to govern until he was finally ousted by his previously loyal generals in November 2017.
His increasingly tyrannical leadership and economic mismanagement prompted millions to leave the ..

Zimbabwe begins national mourning for hero-turned-despot

Germany suffered a surprising 4-2 home defeat by the Netherlands as World Cup runners-up Croatia hammered Slovakia in qualifying for Euro 2020.
Joachim Loew's side lost in Hamburg after debutant Donyell Malen's late effort for the visitors as the home side failed to pick up a point for the first time in the campaign.
Serge Gnabry scored for the Germans after nine minutes before new Barcelona signing Frenkie de Jong responded for the Dutch.
A Jonathan Tah own goal with less than an hour to play gave the travelling Dutch fans something to cheer about before Toni Kroos equalised from the spot.
PSV Eindhoven's 20-year-old Malen then beat Manuel Neuer with a volley on 79 minutes and Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum secured three points in injury time.
"We made some mistakes, which explains the Germans' opener, but we simply did more to get the win," Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman said.
In Trnava, Croatia retained top spot in Group G with a 4-0 thumping of Slovakia as Nikola ..

Germany slip up to the Netherlands, Croatia thrash Slovakia

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Friday said Neymar "did everything" to force through a return to the Camp Nou from Paris Saint-Germain in the close season, but his club could "not meet" the French champions' demands.
The long-running transfer saga ended earlier this week with Neymar staying at PSG, who paid Barcelona a world-record 222 million euros ($264 million at the time) for the Brazilian in 2017.
"Neymar did everything possible because it was what he wanted," Bartomeu told Barca's in-house television channel.
"I think now he has another strategy, another project and this season he will play for PSG."
His former club could not complete a deal to rescue the 27-year-old from his apparent nightmare in Paris, with Neymar so determined to return that sports daily L'Equipe reported he offered to pay 20 million euros ($22 million) from his own pocket towards the fee.
It was reported Barca offered several of their players, including Ivan Rakitic and Ousmane Dembele, as ...

Neymar 'did everything' to force Barca return, says club president Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Friday the Spanish giants are not worried about Lionel Messi's future, despite the Argentinian star being able to leave the club at the end of the season.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a new four-year deal with Barca in 2017, but Bartomeu says he is free to end his contract beforehand.
"Leo Messi has a contract through to the 2020/21 season, but the player is able to leave Barca before the final season," Bartomeu told Barcelona's in-house television channel.
"It's the same case as with the final contracts that Xavi, (Carles) Puyol and (Andres) Iniesta had. They are players who deserve that liberty, and we shouldn't worry, as they are very committed to Barca.
"We want Messi to play for Barca through to 2021 and beyond. We are very calm."
Messi, Barca's record goalscorer, is currently out injured with a calf injury, with the team struggling in his absence, managing to collect just four points from their opening three La Liga ...

Messi 'can leave' at end of season but Barca calm, says Bartomeu

Reigning world champion Yulimar Rojas soared to the second longest triple jump of all-time by managing 15.41 metres at the Andujar athletics meeting.
The Venezuelan was just nine centimetres short of the long-standing women's world record of 15.50m set by Ukrainian Inessa Kravets in Gothenburg in 1995.
Her effort is also the South American record and 30cm longer than her previous personal best of 15.11m set at the Pan-American Games in Lima last month, when she won gold.
Rojas' rivals, including Colombian star Caterine Ibarguen, will now be aware of the scale of the task facing them in the world championships in Doha which start later this month.
It was also a strong comeback for the 23-year-old after her shock loss in the Diamond League last week in Zurich when she finished second to Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts.

Venezuela's Rojas leaps to second-longest triple jump of all time

Rafael Nadal will play for his 19th Grand Slam title, one shy of Roger Federer's all-time men's record, after battling past Italy's Matteo Berrettini on Friday and into his fifth US Open final.
The 33-year-old Spaniard dispatched Berrettini 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach a Sunday showdown against Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, who ousted Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-3.
"Very happy to be back into the final of the US Open," Nadal said.
"It means a lot to be back where I am today after some tough moments at the beginning of the season."
Nadal, who shook off an early season right hip injury to win a 12th French Open title, seeks his fourth US Open crown -- one shy of the Open-era record of five shared by Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors -- to reach the brink of Federer's mark.
"It's just another chance on Sunday," Nadal said. "I want to enjoy a day off, have a good practice and Sunday is the day to play my best."
Nadal, into his 27th Grand .

AFP

AFP

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