Women who lived under the harsh rule of the Taliban urged senior Afghan politicians to ensure their hard-won freedoms are not bargained away when they talk peace with the insurgents on Tuesday.
The Afghan Women's Network said their rights should not be used as a "political tool" in dealings with the Taliban, who barred women from schools and jobs and drastically curtailed their personal liberties when they ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
Their appeal comes as the Taliban meets with a high-ranking Afghan delegation in Moscow, and a week after the insurgents held unprecedented talks with United States negotiators.
The Taliban said the Moscow meeting -- their most significant with Afghan politicians in recent memory -- would discuss the withdrawal of foreign troops, peace terms and its vision for governance.
The two-day gathering is separate from the US-Taliban negotiations in Doha in January, that ended with both sides touting "progress" and a draft framework which could pave the ..

We are not a 'political tool': Afghan women on Taliban talks

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Yemen's Saudi-backed government began a new round of UN-brokered talks with Shiite Huthi rebels in Jordan on Tuesday on a troubled prisoner swap deal that mediators say hangs in the balance.
The huge prisoner exchange agreed in Stockholm in December is seen as a crucial confidence-building measure in the UN-led push to bring the warring sides to negotiations on ending four years of devastating conflict.
Both sides have said repeatedly they remain committed to the agreement that could see thousands of prisoners released by each side.
During two days of talks in the Jordanian capital last month, they submitted lists of the detainees they each want to see freed, but deep distrust prevented them coming up with a final list of names for the exchange.
At the end of January, the rebels released a captured Saudi soldier while Riyadh set free seven Huthi prisoners but they are the only detainees exchanged under the deal so far.
UN envoy Martin Griffiths said he hoped the two sides would be ...

Yemen foes in new talks on troubled prisoner swap deal

Tiny, testy and eye-catching with a colourful fin plumage, the Siamese fighting fish was on Tuesday named Thailand's national aquatic animal.
Known in the West as a betta fish, the underwater brawler is popular in home aquariums for its iridescent body and many-hued tail.
The government said in a statement that the cabinet greenlighted a proposal for the "fighting fish to be the national fish", citing its historical and cultural significance.
It brings up feelings of nostalgia for older generations in Thailand -- which changed its name from Siam in 1939. They remember a time when the fish were traded and sparred in childhood games.
"Most Thais when they were young, especially in rural areas, caught the fish from canals and ponds," Sakda Sihapat, a caretaker at the Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery in Samut Prakhan, told AFP.
The gallery is a 15-minute trip from Bangkok by boat across the Chao Phraya river -- said to be the betta's native swimming grounds.
But Thailand's waterways have ...

Thailand makes Siamese fighting fish national aquatic animal

Bangladesh on Tuesday called up uncapped pace bowler Ebadot Hossain for this month's Test series against New Zealand, replacing the injured Taskin Ahmed.
For the three-match one-day international series that starts in Napier on February 13, Taskin will be replaced by the experienced Safiul Islam.
Taskin has been ruled out of the tour with a torn ligament after he was recalled into both the ODI and Test squads following an impressive show in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 tournament.
He was the competition's leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps until he was hit by injury on Friday.
"We've chosen Ebadot for Test because he bowls hitting the seam. Shafiul will come into the ODI side as he is in fine form in BPL and he is also experienced," said chief selector Minhajul Abedin.
Newly called-up Ebadot was a finding of a talent hunt programme in 2017. The 25-year-old has claimed 59 wickets in 19 first-class matches.
Bangladesh will play three ODIs and three Test matches .

Bangladesh call up uncapped fast bowler for New Zealand

Pope Francis held a historic public mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics at a stadium in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, capping the first ever papal visit to the Gulf where Islam was born.
The pontiff waved at the enthusiastic crowd carrying yellow Vatican flags and banners as he rode in an open-top Popemobile into Zayed Sports City Stadium, where an altar with a large cross was set up for the unprecedented open-air service in a country that normally restricts worship to inside churches.
The UAE borders Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, but unlike its larger neighbour, which outlaws all non-Muslim places of worship, Abu Dhabi allows Christians among its large migrant workforce to practise their faith discreetly.
Francis, who has made outreach to Muslim communities a cornerstone of his papacy, wrapped up his historic three-day visit with the mass.
The pope's public comments in Abu Dhabi have centered on calls to end wars across the Middle East and protect ..

Pope Francis holds historic public mass in UAE

Apple has reached an agreement with French authorities over 10 years of back taxes, the US firm told AFP on Tuesday, confirming information published by the French magazine L'Express.
The magazine reported that the firm paid nearly 500 million euros ($570 million) to resolve the case in a confidential settlement reached in December. A source familiar with the case confirmed the amount to AFP.

Apple says reaches agreement on French back taxes

President Ashraf Ghani is being pushed to the sidelines as the Taliban ignores his overtures for peace and negotiates instead with his friends, and enemies, over the future of Afghanistan.
From Doha to Moscow, the insurgents are meeting an array of envoys with competing interests in Afghanistan, from the United States eager to withdraw their troops to political leaders in Kabul jostling for power.
Experts say regional powers -- including US foes Iran and Russia -- are angling for an audience with the Taliban, who are already outlining their vision for Islamic rule once foreign troops leave.
The elephant in the room is Ghani, whose US-backed administration has not been invited to the table, despite a failed year-long effort to spark a dialogue with the Taliban.
"The sad irony is that Afghanistan's government is in danger of getting written out of the script of its own peace process," analyst Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, told AFP.
Ghani's allies in Washington 

Taliban takes centre stage as Kabul cut out of peace talks

Eight people have died in an overnight blaze at an apartment block in Paris that is being treated by police as  possible arson attack, officials said Tuesday.
The fire on the top floors of an eight-storey building in the rue Erlanger in the wealthy 16th district of southwest Paris is one of the most deadly in the capital in years.
Pictures from the fire brigade showed flames leaping out of top floor windows and firemen climbing ladders to rescue terrified residents from thick black smoke.
Described as a "scene of incredible violence", the blaze left around 30 people -- including six firefighters -- with injuries.
"One person has been arrested. It's a woman. She's currently in custody," Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said from the scene on Tuesday morning.
An investigation has been opened into the criminal charge of causing death by arson.
The fire started at about 1:00 am (0000 GMT) and was finally brought under control more than five hours later by around 200 firefighters.
Fire service .

Eight dead in possible arson attack at Paris apartment block

Cristiano Ronaldo's move from Real Madrid has seen Juventus's popularity rocket in China, up nearly 70 percent by one measure, as top European clubs vie for supremacy in the Asian country.
The Portuguese forward has made his presence felt on the pitch, netting 17 goals in 22 Serie A games to put Juventus well on course to retain their Italian league title.
Ronaldo, who cost Juventus about 110 million euros last summer, was at it again at the weekend, scoring twice before the Turin side were held 3-3 at home by Parma.
Off the pitch, the Portuguese -- who turned 34 on Tuesday -- has made a similarly emphatic impact in China, the world's second-biggest economy and home to a growing number of football supporters.
In the week of Ronaldo's transfer in July last year, Juventus added 308,000 followers across the Twitter-like Weibo, social media and messaging app WeChat, and video app Douyin (known elsewhere as TikTok), the Italian club said.
That popularity has held, Juventus say, its number .

Ronaldo effect: Chinese fans drop Real Madrid for Juventus

Google parent Alphabet reported quarterly earnings beating Wall Street expectations on Monday, but shares slipped, with investors apparently focused on rising costs at the technology giant.
Alphabet reported a profit of USD 8.9 billion in the fourth quarter on revenue that was up 22 per cent to USD 39.3 billion from the same period a year earlier.
"With great opportunities ahead, we continue to make focused investments in the talent and infrastructure needed to bring exceptional products and experiences to our users, advertisers and partners around the globe," said Alphabet chief financial officer Ruth Porat.
Alphabet shares were down 3.3 per cent to USD 1,103.50 in after-market trades that followed release of the earnings figures from the final three months of last year.
Expenses rose to USD 31 billion compared with USD 24.6 billion in the same period a year ago.
"You do have to watch them in regard to costs, because their costs can drift out of line," said independent Silicon Valley 

Google parent Alphabet hit by rising costs

A woman has been arrested over a deadly blaze that killed eight people in Paris and police are treating the fire as a possible arson attack, a prosecutor said Tuesday.
Speaking at the scene, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that a woman who lived in the building in rue Erlanger in the wealthy 16th district had been detained by police.
The fire service had previously said that seven people had died, but that the toll could rise further.

1 arrested, arson suspected in Paris fire: prosecutor

Pope Francis arrived at an Abu Dhabi sports stadium Tuesday to hold a public mass for an estimated 170,000 Catholics on the first ever papal visit to the Muslim Gulf.
The pope waved at an enthusiastic crowd carrying Vatican flags and banners as he drove into Zayed Sports City Stadium, where an altar with a large cross was set up for the open-air service in a country that borders the birthplace of Islam.
Francis, who has made outreach to Muslim communities a cornerstone of his papacy, is wrapping up an historic three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.
"How beautiful it is for brothers to be joined under this sky," said an MC in Arabic shortly after the pope's arrival around 10:00 AM (0600 GMT).  Pope Francis' trip has been warmly welcomed by Catholic migrants in the UAE, home to large Filipino and Indian communities.
Asian nationals make up about 65 percent of the population and are crucial to all sectors in the Gulf state, from construction to services and hotels.
The ..

Pope Francis arrives to hold public mass in UAE

Two bodies were discovered in Australia's flood-ravaged northeast on Tuesday as continuing heavy rain prompted authorities to warn of further flash flooding in the hours ahead.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison toured the region where "once-in-a-century" floods have inundated thousands of homes and closed airports and schools, leaving cars and houses submerged.
As stormwaters receded in some areas, he warned of a difficult recovery ahead.
"It's just going to be tough, going to be tough for a while," Morrison said, expressing sympathy for young families who had lost their homes.
"The real work is to make sure that they can get through the clean-up and rebuild their lives." In hard-hit Townsville, more than 650 people have been evacuated from their homes and about 11,000 houses remained without power Tuesday. Around 9,000 more have asked for help.
Police said late Tuesday that two bodies had been discovered in Townsville floodwaters following a search for two men in their 20s, who were last 

Two dead in Australia floods as fresh warning issued

Berlin-based airline Germania has filed for bankruptcy and cancelled all flights with immediate effect, the company said early Tuesday.
The airline with 37 aircraft had flown mainly Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern holiday routes for German sun-seekers on package trips, and said it transported over four million passengers a year.
"Unfortunately, we ultimately failed to successfully complete our financing efforts to meet short-term liquidity needs," said managing director Karsten Balke in a statement.
"We very much regret that, as a consequence, we had no choice but to file for bankruptcy."
The company blamed "unforeseen developments" for its cash shortage such as "steep kerosene price increases over the summer of last year with a simultaneous fall of the euro against the US dollar" as well as a high number of technical services required by its fleet of aircraft.
Balke said that "we especially regret the impact that this step has on our employees", who had done their ...

Germania airline says filed for bankruptcy, cancels all flights

Federal prosecutors in New York have asked members of President Donald Trump's inaugural committee to hand over documents linked to donations and spending, US media reported Monday.
The subpoena from the Manhattan US attorney's office requires the committee to turn over documents related to donors and donations, attendees at committee events, paperwork related to the legal requirements attached to donations as well as the possibility of donations made by foreign nationals, CNN reported.
The network, which said it had obtained a copy of the subpoena, said it showed prosecutors were investigating a wide range of crimes including conspiracy, false statements, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, disclosure violations, violations of laws prohibiting contributions by foreign nations and contributions in the name of another person.
It also specifically seeks all communications with one donor, a Los Angeles venture capitalist named Imaad Zuberi, as well as the firm with which he is ...

Trump inaugural committee ordered to hand over documents to prosecutors: reports

When US President Donald Trump delivers his second State of the Union speech to Congress on Tuesday, his guests will include Joshua Trump, a sixth grader passionate about science and animals.
The youngster isn't a member of the president's family, but instead a boy from Wilmington, Delaware, who has been bullied in school as a result of his last name, according to a short statement issued the White House.
"He appreciates science, art, and history," the statement said.
"He also loves animals and hopes to pursue a related career in the future," it continued, adding young Trump's hero and best friend is his Uncle Cody, a member of the United States Air Force.
"Unfortunately, Joshua has been bullied in school due to his last name. He is thankful to the First Lady and the Trump family for their support," the statement concluded.
The president, first lady, and the 535 members of Congress are permitted to invite guests to the annual speech, a key fixture in the American political calendar ...

US president invites bullied boy named Trump to annual speech

Isacio Calleja who won two league titles with Atletico Madrid and the 1964 European championships with Spain died on Monday aged 82, his former club announced.
Born in 1936 Calleja joined Atletico in 1958 and the defender remained with the club until his retirement 425 matches later in 1972.
"Today is a sad day for the rojiblanca. Atletico Madrid is in mourning after the death of our ex player Isacio Calleja" the club announced on their website.

Atletico's Isacio Calleja dies aged 82

Liverpool wasted another chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League as a sub-par performance from Jurgen Klopp's men was punished in a 1-1 draw at West Ham on Monday.
Less than a week after missing the opportunity to go seven points clear of Manchester City with a 1-1 draw against Leicester, Liverpool's lead is now just three over the champions, who can now go top with victory at Everton on Wednesday.
Sadio Mane put the visitors in front at the London Stadium, but Michail Antonio quickly levelled and West Ham had the better chances to claim all three points when Declan Rice and Mark Noble failed to hit the target.
After posting a perfect record against opposition with the top six in their first 23 league games, Liverpool have now slipped up twice in as many matches to mount the tension in their chase for a first title in 29 years.
Klopp's side looked like a side playing under pressure in a lacklustre display as the absence of the injured Jordan Henderson, Georginio ..

Lacklustre Liverpool slip up again at West Ham

Neymar celebrated his 27th birthday with a glittering party in Paris on Monday evening joined by family, Paris Saint-Germain teammates and a smattering of celebrities.
DJ Bob Sinclair, Brazilian singer Wesley Safadao and world surf champion Gabriel Medina were among the 200 guests at the fashionable Pavillon Gabriel near the Champs-Elysees.
The world's most expensive footballer, nursing a right foot injury, greeted his guests leaning on distinctive red crutches in keeping with the colour theme for the 'Nuit Rouge (Red Night)'.
Among his club colleagues in attendance were captain Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Neymar, who turns 27 on Tuesday, will miss both legs of Paris Saint-Germain's upcoming Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United with a metatarsal injury suffered last month.

Neymar celebrates birthday in style and on crutches

Seven people died and another was seriously injured in a building fire in a wealthy Paris neighbourhood on Monday night, the fire service said.
"The toll could still increase because the fire is still in progress on the 7th and 8th floors" of the eight-storey block, a fire service spokesman said at the scene.
The blaze in the French capital's trendy 16th arrondissement also left 27 people -- including three firefighters -- with minor injuries.

Seven dead in Paris building blaze: fire service

Much has changed at Manchester City in the three seasons since Pep Guardiola took charge tasked with turning the wealth of the club's Abu Dhabi backers into domination of English football.
However, if Guardiola's men are to reel in Liverpool to become the first side in a decade to retain the Premier League, Sergio Aguero is likely to be the primary source of goals just as the Argentine has been for the past seven seasons.
Aguero was a City legend from the moment he won the club's first title in 44 years with virtually the last kick of the campaign in his debut season.
But the 30-year-old is now staking a claim to be regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest ever imports, particularly if he spearheads a fourth title triumph in eight years in England.
Already firmly established as City's all-time leading scorer, Aguero's hat-trick in Sunday's 3-1 win over Arsenal was his 14th for the club, his 10th in the league - just one short of Alan Shearer's all-time record.
It also took his 

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