Hundreds of women marched towards Sudan's military headquarters in Khartoum after calls from protest leaders for a mass march to pressure the country's ruling generals to cede power.
Bearing Sudanese flags and banners calling for civilian government, they walked through central Khartoum on Thursday before joining protesters who have staged a weeks-long sit-in outside the sprawling complex.
The site has become the focal point of the country's protest movement, which saw longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir ousted in April and has since been calling for the generals who replaced him to hand power to civilians.
"The Sudanese woman demands... justice, equality democracy, a civil government and fair government," said Hoyam al-Taj, a journalist in her thirties taking part in the march.
Nada Hashem, a young mother in brightly coloured traditional Sudanese dress, agreed.
"We want a civil state that will guarantee our rights as women and guarantee us a dignified life," she told AFP.
As they made ..

Sudan women protest amid calls for mass demo to pressure generals

PTI Automatic

Ben Stokes insists his astonishing catch in England's World Cup rout of South Africa on Thursday doesn't rank as the best of his career.
Stokes capped a man-of-the-match display in England's 104-run victory at the Oval with one of the greatest catches in World Cup history.
Diving backwards to dismiss Andile Phehlukwayo with a one-handed take on the boundary off Adil Rashid, Stokes' sensational effort was immediately labelled "the catch of the century" by former England spinner Phil Tufnell on the BBC.
It was the culmination of a remarkable day for Stokes, who also top-scored for England with 89 in 79 balls and took the last two wickets in successive balls to finish off the South Africans.
But Stokes claimed he preferred his stunning one-handed grab of an Adam Voges edge in the gully during a 2015 Ashes Test against Australia at Trent Bridge.
Asked if it was the greatest catch of his life, Stokes told reporters: "Nah, that one was against the Aussies, so that one ranks higher!" Stokes .

'That wasn't my best catch': Modest Stokes produces World Cup gem

Brazil's economy shrank in the first quarter of the year, official data showed Thursday, taking Latin America's biggest country to the brink of recession for the first time in two years.
Gross domestic product contracted 0.2 percent from the previous quarter, the statistics agency said, marking the first decline in the key indicator of economic activity since the end of 2016.
The figure confirms what many Brazilians already knew -- two years on from a devastating 2015-2016 recession, Brazil's economy is still struggling to recover.  It is bad news for far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who took power in January on a promise to revive the economy, and increases pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates.
Bolsonaro's signature pension overhaul, seen as key to unlocking other much-needed economic reforms and repairing the country's finances, has stalled in Congress.
"The early signs are that growth in the second quarter has been very weak, too, and there is now a real risk that .

Brazil faces recession risk after economy shrinks in first quarter

Bangladesh coast guards on Thursday stopped 58 Rohingya refugees from making a potentially dangerous journey to Malaysia by sea and arrested two suspected traffickers, an official said.
Acting on a tip-off, a patrol ship challenged a fishing boat near Saint Martin's, a small Bangladesh island in the Bay of Bengal, and found the Rohingya on board, coast guard Lieutenant Josel Rana said.
"We've found 58 refugees and detained two human traffickers on the boat," he told AFP.
About 740,000 Muslim minority Rohingya have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh since a brutal military crackdown in the Buddhist-majority nation began in August 2017.
Thousands of refugees attempt to flee the camps each year in pursuit of better opportunities in countries such as Malaysia and Thailand.
So far this year, law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh have rescued over 400 Rohingya refugees from coastal villages as they were waiting to board boats bound for Malaysia.
But this is the first time in 2019 that Rohingya ...

Bangladesh picks up 58 Malaysia-bound Rohingya at sea

Democratic White House hopeful Elizabeth Warren said Thursday that if Donald Trump were not protected by his presidential status, he would be "in handcuffs and indicted" for obstructing the investigation into Russia's 2016 election interference.
The progressive US senator from Massachusetts, one of the leading Democrats for the party's 2020 nomination, was the first presidential candidate to speak out in favor of launching impeachment proceedings against Trump.
"If he were anyone other than president of the United States, he would be in handcuffs and indicted," Warren said on ABC talk show "The View."
Warren had called for an impeachment inquiry the day after the April 18 publication of special counsel Robert Mueller's 448-page report on Moscow's election interference.
Following a nearly two-year probe, Mueller concluded in his report that there was no evidence of outright collusion between Trump and Moscow.
He also said that, having detailed at least 10 possible acts of obstruction ..

Trump would be 'in handcuffs' if not president, says Democrat Warren

WarnerMedia on Thursday joined a growing number of major studios threatening to pull their productions out of Georgia should a controversial abortion law in the southern US state go into effect.
"We will watch the situation closely and if the new law holds we will reconsider Georgia as the home to any new productions," the company said in a statement sent to AFP.
"As is always the case, we will work closely with our production partners and talent to determine how and where to shoot any given project."
Netflix and Disney have also warned they will reconsider doing business in Georgia should the law be enacted, with Disney chief executive Bob Iger telling Reuters he would find it "very difficult" to continue filming in the state.
Known as the Hollywood of the South or Y'allywood, Georgia is currently hosting filming for WarnerMedia's "The Conjuring 3," the third installment to the supernatural horror movie. It is also set to shoot the sequel to "Suicide Squad" there.
On the television ..

WarnerMedia threatens to boycott Georgia over abortion law

Talks between Fiat Chrysler and Renault have hit a roadblock over the financial terms of the proposed merger between the Italian-US and French carmakers, the French business daily Les Echos reported online Thursday, citing sources close to Fiat Chrysler.
Renault said earlier this week it is studying "with interest" a 50-50 merger proposal from Fiat Chrysler (FCA), a deal the would forge the world's third-largest automaker.  The newspaper reported on its website that a source close to FCA said several Renault board members believe the terms of the offer need to be sweetened.
But that is not how FCA sees things, said the source.
"The offer seems fair, it was approved by the board. It is take it or leave it, and fast!" said the source.
Meanwhile, the daily said Renault is unhappy as the offer is based on its share price on May 24, the day before the offer was announced, or 51.70 euros.
Renault's share price has been punished since the arrest last November of its former chief executive ...

Renault and Fiat Chrysler stuck over merger terms: report

An Algerian suspected of setting off a package bomb in southeast France last week has told investigators that he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group, a judicial source said Thursday.
The 24-year-old man, identified as Mohamed Hichem M., was arrested Monday after an extensive manhunt since Friday, when 13 people were wounded by the explosion on a busy pedestrian street in Lyon.
Sources close to the case said that after initially refusing to talk, the suspect admitted Wednesday to planting the bomb, packed with screws and ball bearings and a relatively small amount of acetone peroxide, or APEX.
It was the same volatile compound used in the deadly Paris terror attacks of November 13, 2015 and other incidents since which have claimed the lives of more than 250 people.
The Islamic State group has been behind several of the attacks, although police had said earlier that no one had claimed the Lyon blast.
The suspect's brother, who was also arrested and questioned by ...

French parcel bomb suspect pledged allegiance to IS: source

Ben Stokes starred in all departments as England began their quest to win the World Cup with a 104-run thrashing of South Africa in the tournament opener at the Oval on Thursday.
The all-rounder top-scored with 89 in England's 311 for eight, held a brilliant catch in the outfield and took two for 12, including the last wicket, as England won with 61 balls left.
Jofra Archer did the early damage with the ball, the fast bowler taking three for 27 in seven overs.
Barbados-born Archer, who only qualified for England in March, made his presence felt even before he had taken a wicket with a bouncer that beat Hashim Amla for pace and crashed into the grille of the helmet, with the veteran opener retiring hurt on five.
Archer then reduced the Proteas to 44 for two.
Aiden Markram edged to Joe Root at slip and South Africa captain Faf du Plessis fell for just five when he top-edged a hook to long leg.
But Quinton de Kock kept the Proteas in the hunt, although the opener was lucky when on 25 he .

Stokes stars as England thrash South Africa in World Cup opener

A former US special representative to Somalia who also served as Washington's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo was named Thursday to be the next United Nations envoy to Somalia, replacing an emissary who was expelled four months ago.
James Swan will replace Nicholas Haysom, who was declared persona non grata by Somalia's government in January after he raised human rights concerns.
Haysom, a South African lawyer and experienced diplomat, was told to leave Somalia after he questioned the government's decision to arrest an Al-Shabaab defector who was running for elected office.
He served in the post for three months.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq announced Swan's appointment, saying he was an "experienced diplomat with a long international career." Haq said he was expected to take up the post as soon as possible.
Swan was US ambassador to the DR Congo from 2013 to 2016, US envoy for Somalia from 2011 to 2013 and US ambassador to Djibouti from 2008 to 2011. He also served as US ...

US diplomat succeeds ousted UN envoy for Somalia

A Florida man escaped from a police officer during a traffic stop and then called the 911 emergency number to complain.
"What do we pay you guys for?" 19-year-old Nicholas Jones said on the call. "I've driven past four cops." An audio recording of the call was posted by the Florida Times-Union on its website.
Jones was pulled over during a traffic stop May 4 in St Johns county, Florida. He made the 911 call about an hour after fleeing in his car.
The startled 911 dispatcher asked Jones to explain what he was talking about.
"I mean he (the police officer) turned his lights on me and got behind me and as he was walking up to my car I did a donut around him and left him," Jones said.
"OK, you want to now see the officer. Or... What's your question?" the dispatcher said.
"Like... My question is ... I'm assuming he put an APB (all-points bulletin, or broadcast) out that has someone looking for my car... so like he definitely got the plate number but I've passed like four cops just driving .

Florida man escapes police, then calls to complain

King Philippe of Belgium on Thursday tasked two politicians with exploring ways that a new government can be formed following elections in which a far-right party scored a surprise second place.
The royal palace said deputy prime minister Didier Reynders, who is also foreign and defence minister, and former deputy premier Johan Vande Lanotte agreed to do the job.
The king "entrusted them with a fact-finding mission aimed at identifying the challenges our country faces, and the possibilities and conditions needed in order to form a federal government," the palace said in a statement.
The pair, who represent the French-speaking south and the Dutch-speaking north, will be in contact with the negotiating officials in the various regions and communities, it said.
While extremely limited, the role of the Belgian monarch is to serve as a facilitator to build a ruling coalition, often a complicated task with the country's two main communities.
The far-right Vlaams Belang came in a surprise ...

Belgian king names pointmen to help forge new government

The UN Security Council on Thursday extended for a year an arms embargo and sanctions on South Sudan despite resistance from African countries, Russia and China.
A US-drafted resolution was adopted by a vote of 10 in favor with five abstentions. Resolutions in the 15-member council require a minimum of nine votes for adoption.
The measure renews until May 31, 2020 an arms embargo on South Sudan along with an assets freeze and global travel ban slapped on eight South Sudanese nationals for their role in fuelling the war.
The United States sharply criticized the three African countries on the council -- Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and South Africa -- for refusing to support continued sanctions on South Sudan.
US acting Ambassador Jonathan Cohen expressed regret that the African countries had shown "an unwillingness to stop the flow of weapons to one of the continent's deadliest civil conflicts."
The United States scored a diplomatic victory when it persuaded the council last year to .

Divided UN renews South Sudan arms embargo

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al-Thani arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to attend three summits, state media said, the highest ranking official to visit the kingdom since the start of a two-year-old Riyadh-led boycott.
"Prime Minister and Minister of Interior arrived in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Qatar News Agency said on Twitter, adding he was received upon arrival by Saudi officials.

Qatar PM in Saudi on first visit since Gulf crisis: Media

Arab and Muslim leaders began gathering in the holy city of Mecca on Thursday for three summits, as host Saudi Arabia seeks to rally support against Iran after a series of attacks that have sparked fears of a regional conflagration.
On the eve of the talks, Riyadh blasted what it called Iranian "interference" across the region and demanded "firmness" over attacks on Gulf oil tankers and pipelines.
That call came just hours after hawkish US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Iran was almost certainly behind the sabotage of four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the UAE coast.
Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels meanwhile have stepped up drone attacks on the kingdom -- one of which resulted in the temporary shutdown of a major oil pipeline.
Saudi Arabia, a staunch US ally, geared up to host leaders from across the Arab and Muslim world for emergency Gulf and Arab summits and a meeting of heads of state from Islamic nations.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Kuwait's emir, 

Arab, Muslim leaders gather in Mecca for Iran-focused summits

Naomi Osaka staged a second successive Roland Garros great escape on Thursday as fellow top seed Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams strolled into the last 32.
World number one Osaka, bidding to add the French Open to her US and Australian Open titles, came back from a set and 2-4 down to defeat former world number one Victoria Azarenka 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Her win came on the back of being just two points from defeat in her tournament opener against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
The 21-year-old held her nerve, despite squandering two match points late in the deciding set, to secure a clash against Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.
"I was lucky to have played Victoria twice before. I knew she had been playing well coming into the tournament," said Osaka.
"It was an unfortunate second round draw for me so I am happy to win."
Osaka finished the two-hour 50-minute encounter on Court Suzanne Lenglen with 52 winners and 43 unforced errors.
She becomes the first top seed to win her two ...

Osaka survives as big daddy Djokovic and Serena stroll

Top seed Naomi Osaka admitted that a 10-minute toilet break by Victoria Azarenka helped her to a second successive Roland Garros great escape on Thursday.
The Japanese star, bidding to add the French Open to her US and Australian Open titles, battled back from a set and a break down to defeat Azarenka 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Both players left Court Suzanne Lenglen before the start of the third set for toilet breaks.
Osaka returned quickly but former world number one and two-time major winner Azarenka disappeared for close on to 11 minutes.
While 21-year-old Osaka bided her time, many observers wondered if the lengthy delay was a deliberate act of gamesmanship.
If it was, it backfired.
"When I went to the bathroom to change, I was freaking out, because I didn't want to get a code violation," explained Osaka.
"So I was, like, rushing and stuff. And then I came back and saw that she wasn't back. That kind of just relaxed me.
"I was in such a rush changing, my hands were shaking during that entire 

Azarenka's 10-minute toilet break helps Osaka crown

South Africa star batsman Hashim Amla retired hurt after being hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer in the World Cup opener against England at the Oval on Thursday.
Amla had made five when he missed an intended pull off the fast bowler, the ball crashing into the grille of his helmet after he was beaten for sheer speed. He had several minutes of on-field treatment before walking off.
The Proteas were then 14 without loss in the fourth over chasing 312 to win on an Oval ground where Amla made a South Africa record 311 not out in a Test against England in 2012.
It was uncertain whether Amla would bat again in the innings, with a statement issued by Cricket South Africa on their Twitter feed saying: "@amlahash has been assessed and is doing fine."
It added: "Due to the sensitive nature of head injuries, he will undergo another reassessment during the course of the innings which will give an indication of his further participation in the match.

South Africa's Amla retires hurt after being hit by Archer bouncer

Kosovo's foreign minister said Thursday he would ban visits by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic after she made "racist" comments, fanning fresh tensions between the neighbours.
"I will not allow the Serbian prime minister to enter Kosovo as long as she maintains a racist and illicit ideology against the people of Kosovo," Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli wrote on his Facebook.
The move comes a day after the Serbian prime minister described Kosovo's leadership as "the worst type of populists" and "people who literally came out of forest".
The latter was a reference to the fact that many top Kosovo politicians were former fighters in the guerilla war against Serbia in the late 1990s.
"These people are terrorists who were not convicted," Brnabic added.
Serbia and its former province, which is mainly ethnic Albanian, still have a bitter and frequently tense relationship two decades after Kosovo broke away and went on to declare independence.
Long-running negotiations to normalise ties ..

Kosovo says it will bar Serbian PM visits for 'racist' comments

A former US special representative to Somalia who also served as Washington's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been tapped to be the next United Nations envoy to Somalia, replacing an emissary who was expelled four months ago.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council in a letter released Thursday that he plans to appoint James Swan as his envoy for Somalia.
Swan, who was also a US deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa and ambassador to Djibouti, will replace Nicholas Haysom, who was declared persona non grata by Somalia's government in January after he raised human rights concerns.
Swan's appointment is expected to be supported by the council, diplomats said.
Haysom, a South African lawyer and experienced diplomat, was told to leave Somalia after he questioned the government's decision to arrest an Al-Shabaab defector who was running in elections.
He served in the post for three months.
The United Nations is seeking to shore up ...

US diplomat to succeed ousted UN envoy for Somalia

President Donald Trump said Thursday he "couldn't care less" whether a US Navy destroyer bears the name of his late rival John McCain, but insisted he would not have ordered hiding the vessel from view during his Japan trip.
US media reported that efforts were made to obscure the USS John S. McCain's name during Trump's visit to an American military facility in Japan on Tuesday, accusations also denied by the Pentagon.
"I don't know what happened, I wasn't involved. I would not have done that," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the incident.
"I wasn't a fan of John McCain and never will be," Trump added, acknowledging he was "very angry" with the senator, a fellow Republican, for blocking Trump's 2017 effort to dismantle the existing health care law.
"But I certainly couldn't care less whether or not there's a boat named after his father." Crew serving aboard the 154-meter (505-foot) vessel, whose uniforms bear the ship's name, were prevented from attending a ...

AFP

AFP

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