Western Balkans countries agreed on Thursday to lower and eventually abolish roaming charges, in a rare act of neighbourly goodwill in region riven with political feuds.
Starting in July, the deal will cut roaming charges by 27 per cent across Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Kosovo.
The plan is to then "completely" abolish the charges by 2021, according to announcement from the Serbian government.
Home to some 17 million people, all of Western Balkans countries except for Albania were once part of former Yugoslavia, before it fractured in the 1990s through a series of wars that left 130,000 dead.
The EU-backed accord was signed at a digital summit in Belgrade and welcomed by enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn, who tweeted "Great news...as of July you #RoamLikeAtHome".
Unlike a similar 2014 agreement, this one includes Albania and Kosovo, a former Serbian province whose independence Belgrade refuses to recognise 20 years after they were split by ...

Western Balkans to abolish roaming charges by 2021

PTI Automatic

Cats are able to distinguish their own names from other similar-sounding words, even when said by strangers, according to new research released Thursday.
While dogs' ability to respond to verbal commands from humans has been known for centuries, much less is understood about how cats react to spoken cues.
Researchers in Japan decided to test how well cats are able to distinguish the meanings of words that sound similar to each other.
They studied 78 cats from households and a cat cafe and found most were able to recognise their own names from other words that had the same length and stress - even when an unfamiliar person was speaking.
"Many cat owners know that cats understand their own names," said Atsuko Saito, from Sophia University's Department of Psychology, told AFP.
"However, there is no scientific evidence about that ability. And people who have no experience keeping cats do not know about the cats' high cognitive ability.
"They seem to associate their name to some rewards or 

Clever kitty: Cats know their names

Facebook is working to prevent livestreams of terror attacks such as the one in New Zealand but it does not plan to introduce a delay on live feeds, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said.
Zuckerberg, in an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" broadcast on Thursday, also said he had confidence in measures put in place by Facebook to prevent interference in next year's US presidential election.
Zuckerberg said a delay on livestreaming "might" have limited views of the Christchurch attacks, which were streamed on Facebook Live by the self-avowed white supremacist who carried them out.
The attacks left 50 people dead and sparked criticism of Facebook in some quarters for providing the online tool which allowed the assailant to livestream the carnage in two New Zealand mosques.
Zuckerberg said putting a delay on live streams would "fundamentally break what livestreaming is for people.
"Most people are livestreaming, you know, a birthday party or hanging out with friends when they can't be ...

No plans to delay livestreams despite NZ massacre: Facebook's Zuckerberg

The boss of James Bond's favourite carmaker Aston Martin on Thursday said he was "pissed off" at the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.
Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer was questioned by reporters about whether the luxury group was less exposed to a hard Brexit than the rest of the sector.
"We are less exposed but equally pissed off," he said, prompting laughter in the press room of a conference hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The UK industry organisation has long argued that a no-deal Brexit would ramp up costs and damage supply chains -- while tariffs would undermine competitiveness and bite into profits.
Palmer admitted Thursday that Aston Martin -- whose cars play a starring role in the fictional British spy's blockbuster films -- was able to pass on rising costs more easily than most competitors.
"From a pricing point of view, we have more elasticity around pricing because it is a luxury good," said Palmer.
"So, if tariffs come in place, you ...

007 carmaker lashes out at prospect of no-deal Brexit

Maltese former foreign minister George Vella was named the country's new president on Thursday, taking over from Marie Louise Coleiro Preca who was one of Europe's few female ceremonial heads of state.
Vella, 76, said his presidency would be impartial and just.
"I am convinced that whoever needs help should receive it as a right not as charity. We need to be aware that there is material poverty among our people," he said.
Vella, a doctor, is a pro-life campaigner and has come out strongly against the introduction of abortion.
"As a doctor, I will fight for the health of this country and the respect for life from start to finish of every individual," Vella said.
Vella was nominated by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the choice was approved by parliament. His tenure will span five years.

Former foreign minister George Vella Malta's new president

Singaporean authorities made a record seizure of nearly 13 tonnes of pangolin scales worth some USD 38.7 million, officials said Thursday, calling it the largest such haul globally in recent years.
Government agents found the shipment bound for Vietnam from Nigeria as they were checking a 40-foot container at a customs station on Wednesday, discovering the haul packed in 230 bags.
"This is the largest shipment of pangolin scales seized in a single haul globally in recent years," a government press release read.
Local media reported that some 17,000 pangolins were killed to fill the bags, which were packed in a shipment declared as containing "frozen beef".
The press release added that another 177 kgs (390 pounds) of cut and carved elephant ivory worth about USD 88,500 were also found alongside the scales.
Authorities across Southeast Asia have been trying to stop the rampant poaching and smuggling of pangolins, the world's most heavily trafficked mammal.
The animals, also known as ...

Singapore seizes record shipment of pangolin scales

Saudi Arabia's trade minister announced a one-billion-dollar aid package for Iraq during a visit to Baghdad on Thursday, pledging stronger bilateral ties as the kingdom competes with rival Iran for influence over Iraq.
Majed al-Qasabi also inaugurated a new Saudi consulate in Baghdad, one of four planned branches to open in Iraq after decades of no diplomatic links between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters alongside Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadban, Qasabi said the relationship had entered "a new phase".
"There's no doubt that this exchange, this discussion, is a two-way street that will strengthen these ties," said Qasabi, wrapping up a two-day visit.
Saudi Arabia would provide Iraq with USD 1 billion in loans for development projects, said Qasabi, plus USD 500 million to boost exports and a gift of a 100,000-seat sports stadium to be built on Baghdad's outskirts.
A joint Saudi-Iraq business council also proposed dozens of opportunities in Iraq for Saudi private investors and 

Saudi Arabia grants Iraq loans as consulate opens

Japanese prosecutors Thursday re-arrested Carlos Ghosn on fresh allegations of financial misconduct, as the former auto tycoon slammed an "outrageous and arbitrary" detention and vowed he would "not be broken."
In the early hours, officials raided the central Tokyo apartment the 65-year-old Ghosn has called home since winning bail last month after more than 100 days of detention on different charges.
It was the latest twist in a rollercoaster drama that has gripped Japan and the rest of the world since his shock arrest at a Tokyo Airport on November 19.
Prosecutors said Ghosn had been detained over transfers of Nissan funds totalling USD 15 million between late 2015 and the middle of 2018. They suspect Ghosn used USD 5 million of that for personal expenditure.
"The suspect... was responsible for overseeing the whole of Nissan's operations and performing his duty loyally so as not to cause losses to Nissan, but he betrayed that duty in order to benefit himself," they said in a ...

Ghosn vows he won't be 'broken' after re-arrest in Tokyo

Four activists in southwestern China have been handed prison sentences over liquor labels commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre -- two months before the crackdown's 30th anniversary, said rights groups and relatives.
China forbids public discussion of the military's brutal suppression of the demonstrations, often detaining those who attempt to raise it.
The four men were arrested nearly three years ago for advertising and selling alcohol with labels that said "Always remember June 4th, 1989", using a play on words and numbers to represent the banned date.
The label also showed an illustrated rendition of "Tank Man", a renowned photograph of a single individual facing down a column of armoured vehicles in 1989.
Three of the men -- Fu Hailu, Zhang Juanyong, and Luo Fuyu -- were sentenced earlier this week at a Chengdu court to three years in prison, including time already served for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", according to human rights groups and relatives.
They were ..

Four Chinese activists sentenced over liquor labels

The body of an Israeli soldier missing since the 1982 Lebanon War has been found by the Russian and Syrian armies, President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu visited Putin in Moscow five days before he is to seek a fifth term in office in a difficult election.
"Our military together with Syrian partners found the place of his burial," Putin said, referring to Sergeant First Class Zachary Baumel.
"We are very happy that he will be able to receive the right military honours in his homeland," Putin said, adding that Russia would send the remains to Israel.
Netanyahu said Baumel would be laid to rest in Israel Thursday evening.  "There will be a very moving ceremony tonight," he said.
"Zachary's friends and family will take part."
Putin's statement contradicted an earlier report by the Israeli army which announced Wednesday that the body had been recovered and returned to the country.
Neither Putin nor Israel gave ...

Body of Israeli soldier missing since 1982 found by Russian army: Putin

A major casino resort on Singapore's waterfront is to get a USD 3.3 billion expansion, including a new tower featuring luxury rooms and a 15,000-seat arena, its owner said.
Marina Bay Sands, with its three towers and boat-shaped top level, is one of the best-known buildings in the city-state and a major tourist attraction.
Since opening in 2010, the resort has attracted over 330 million visitors, and is part of a strategy by the government to draw more tourists to the city.
Owner Las Vegas Sands, which also operates casinos in the US and Macau, said Wednesday it had struck an agreement with the Singapore government for the Singapore dollars 4.5 billion (USD 3.3 billion) expansion.
The new hotel tower will feature around 1,000 rooms, all suites, as well as a rooftop swimming pool and restaurant.
It will also feature ballrooms and exhibition halls.
The new arena is aimed at attracting top performers from around the world.
"New luxury hotel accommodations and a world-class entertainment .

Singapore casino resort to get USD 3.3 billion expansion

Turkey on Thursday accused the US State Department of making false claims after a meeting between top US and Turkish diplomats to discuss tense ties between the NATO allies.
Washington and Ankara are at odds over issues including US support for a Syrian Kurdish militia viewed as terrorists by Ankara and Turkey's purchase of a Russian missile system over US objections.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks on Wednesday during the Turkish official's visit to Washington as part of 70th anniversary celebrations of the NATO alliance.
The US State Department said Pompeo had warned Ankara of "devastating consequences" if Turkey launches an offensive in Syria and urged the "swift resolution" of legal cases involving US citizens and US mission employees under investigation in Turkey.
Pompeo also pressed Causoglu about Turkey's plans to buy the S-400 missile defence system from Russia, which Washington has warned could put Ankara at risk of ..

Turkey says US failed to report true content of Pompeo talks

The crew of the Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last month killing 157 people, repeatedly followed procedures recommended by Boeing, but were unable to regain control of the jet, according the investigators' report released Thursday.
The initial report, unveiled by Ethiopian Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges, cast further doubt on the system controlling the Boeing 737 MAX 8 model, which has been grounded worldwide for almost a month.
"The crew performed all the procedures repeatedly provided by the manufacturer, but was not able to control the aircraft," said Dagmawit Moges, unveiling results of the preliminary probe into the crash.
The report recommends "the aircraft flight control system shall be reviewed by the manufacturer," she said.
"Aviation authorities shall verify that the review of the aircraft flight control system has been adequately addressed by the manufacturer before the release of the aircraft for operations," she added.
The release of the report came after the ..

Ethiopian crew followed procedure, but unable to control jet: report

The head of Ethiopian Airlines said Thursday he was proud of the efforts of the pilots in trying to stop their jet from crashing, as he repeated condolences to the families of the 157 people who died.
"We are very proud of our pilots' compliances to follow the emergency procedures, and high level of professional performances in such extremely difficult situations," CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said in a statement.
"All of us at Ethiopian Airlines are still going through deep mourning for the loss of our loved ones, and we would like to express our deep sympathy and condolences for the families, relatives and friends of the victims," he added.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO 'proud' of crashed pilots' efforts to save flight

China wants its domestic league to be the best in Asia and "number six in the world" as the country ramps up its ambitions to become a major footballing power by 2050.
The Chinese Super League (CSL) has made headlines in recent years by luring big-name players and coaches from Europe with hefty salaries. But Chinese players are yet to make an impact with the national team 72nd in the FIFA rankings and only Wu Lei, the Espanyol forward, playing regularly in a major European league.
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) and football-fan President Xi Jinping have big plans, however, and want to host and even one day win the World Cup.
A better CSL is a priority, Li Yuyi, the CFA vice-president and CSL chairman, said, in the hope that will ultimately benefit the national side.
"We will work hard to develop our league to be in the top in Asia and number six in the world," Xinhua news agency quoted Li as saying.
"It is a general rule that if a team had a good result in the World Cup, it ...

China vows to have best football league in Asia

The US State Department has a new spokeswoman and, keeping up the trend for President Donald Trump's administration, she has links to Fox News.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Morgan Ortagus, a former US intelligence analyst and national security contributor to Fox News, has become the new spokeswoman -- the face of the United States on the global stage through regular press briefings.
"Morgan brings outstanding credentials and a record of public service to the position," Pompeo said in a statement.
"Morgan will no doubt help the State Department fulfill its mission of promoting and defending the administration's foreign policy priorities for the American people and among the international community," he said.
She replaces Heather Nauert, who came to Trump's attention as a host of "Fox and Friends," one of the television-loving president's favorite programs.
Trump said he would appoint Nauert to become US ambassador to the United Nations, but she withdrew herself from ...

New State Department spokeswoman, new Fox News connection

German chemicals giant Bayer confirmed Thursday reports it had suffered a hacking attack, but insisted that so far no data appeared to have been stolen.
The Leverkusen-based group "detected indications of (hacker group) Winnti infections at the beginning of 2018," a spokesman told AFP, confirming reports by German public broadcasters BR and NDR.
"There is no evidence of data outflow," he added.
Hackers from the so-called Winnti group, believed to be linked to the Chinese state, were first spotted using malicious software to spy on Bayer's activities in early 2018 and were present in company networks until late last month, the media reports said.
Bayer said that "in close collaboration with" private cyber security organisation DCSO and police in North Rhine-Westphalia state it had "identified, analysed and cleaned up the affected systems."
The two public broadcasters reported that state police had declined to comment on the investigation for "tactical reasons".
For its part, Bayer said 

Bayer confirms cyber attack but says no data stolen

The EU on Thursday condemned a decision to strip Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido of immunity from prosecution, calling it a "serious violation" of the constitution that undermined the chances of a peaceful solution to the country's crisis.
"The EU rejects the decision taken by the non-recognised National Constituent Assembly to lift Juan Guaido's parliamentary immunity," EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said, in a statement on behalf of all 28 members of the bloc.
Lawmakers in Venezuela's Constituent Assembly, which is loyal to President Nicolas Maduro, authorised the high court to prosecute Guaido for proclaiming himself the country's ruler.
"This decision constitutes a serious violation of the Venezuelan Constitution, as well as of the rule of law and separation of powers, as the only body authorised to lift the immunity of members of the parliament is the National Assembly," Mogherini said.
"These acts undermine a political way out of the crisis and only lead to ...

EU condemns stripping of immunity from Venezuela's Guaido

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as growing expectations that China and the United States will reach a trade agreement were offset by profit-taking after an extended rally.
Hopes Britain will avert crashing out of the EU next week also instilled some optimism on trading floors, with the pound extending gains.
High-level talks between the world's top two economies resumed Wednesday in Washington, with reports saying they are edging towards an agreement to bring the curtain down on a long-running row that helped batter markets last year.
Bloomberg News said the deal they are working on would give China until 2025 to meet pledges on purchases and to let US firms wholly own their businesses in the country.
It said the aim was to get everything in place for presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to sign off on a trade deal.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow the talks were "making good headway" but added: "We're not there and we hope this week to get closer."
The Bloomberg report ..

Asia markets mixed as rally is stunted by profit-taking

Renault's internal probe into  allegations of financial wrongdoing by former CEO Carlos Ghosn has revealed "new elements" that have been passed onto the authorities, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday.
"There are new elements that emerged within the framework of the probe that I asked for a few weeks ago," Le Maire told the BFM news channel, hours after Ghosn, who was also chairman of Nissan, was rearrested in Japan.
"These elements have been passed onto the judiciary and the judiciary will evaluate these elements," he added, without giving details about the nature of the new information.
"I tell you that I have asked for total transparency. We owe this to our compatriots," Le Maire said, noting that he had last year asked for a detailed internal probe from Renault.
Japanese authorities arrested the 65-year-old early Thursday less than a month after he was dramatically freed on bail following more than 100 days in detention.
The auto tycoon, in a statement, ...

France says 'new elements' in Ghosn case passed to judiciary

The Philippines on Thursday branded as "illegal" the recent presence of hundreds of Chinese ships near a disputed island in the South China Sea -- a rare public rebuke of Beijing by Manila, which has largely set aside the once tense standoff.
Control over the South China Sea is a point of regional contention because trillions of dollars of goods pass through it, and rich petroleum reserves are thought to sit deep beneath its waters.
Under President Rodrigo Duterte, however, Manila has largely set aside its previously confrontational stance on China's claims in favour of seeking trade and investment from Beijing.
Pag-asa, also called Thitu island, is held by the Philippines, but in the first three months of the year at least 275 Chinese fishing and coast guard vessels were sighted in the area, the Philippines military said.
"The presence of Chinese vessels near and around Pag-asa (island) ... is illegal," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.
"Such actions are a .

AFP

AFP

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