Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro rejected demands by European countries to call elections within eight days in an interview broadcast on Sunday, insisting that his country was "not tied" to Europe.
"They should withdraw this ultimatum. No one can give us an ultimatum," Maduro told CNN Turk in an interview dubbed into Turkish from Spanish.
"Venezuela is not tied to Europe. This is complete insolence," Maduro added, as he described the European countries' actions as a "mistake".
European powers including France, Netherlands and Germany on Saturday warned they would recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as president unless Maduro calls elections within eight days.
The United Kingdom and Spain had also given a similar ultimatum.
National Assembly chief Guaido proclaimed himself acting president of Venezuela on Wednesday during a mass opposition rally against Maduro.
Since then, the United States, Canada and many South American countries including Brazil and Colombia have backed Guaido's 

Maduro rejects European demands for new election: CNN Turk interview

PTI Automatic

Pakistan shrugged off a four-match suspension imposed on captain Sarfraz Ahmed with a crushing eight-wicket win over South Africa in the fourth one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
The result levelled the five-match series at 2-2. The deciding match will be in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Pakistan's bowlers set up the win, bowling out South Africa for 164. Imam-ul-Haq made 71 before playing a loose shot when the scores were level as Pakistan cruised to victory with 18.3 overs to spare.
Stand-in captain Shoaib Malik said at the after-match presentation that Pakistan only found out after they arrived at the ground that Sarfraz had been banned under the International Cricket Council's anti-racism code for remarks aimed at South African all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo during the second match in Durban on Tuesday.
The ban had still not been announced by the ICC when Malik walked out for the toss.
Malik handled his bowlers and fielders astutely and South Africa were kept ...

Pakistan bowlers force series decider after Sarfraz ban

Israel's prime minister warned the head of Lebanon's Hezbollah of his army's "lethal" power on Sunday, in reaction to Hassan Nasrallah cautioning the Jewish state against further strikes in Syria.
"The lethal striking force of the IDF (Israeli army) stands facing Hezbollah," Israel's premier Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.
In an interview with Beirut based al-Mayadeen television on Saturday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah had warned Netanyahu that Syria and Hezbollah could "at any moment" decide to "deal with ... Israeli aggression."
"Don't make an error of judgement and don't lead the region towards war or a major clash," Nasrallah said, stating that Hezbollah possessed "high-precision missiles" capable of hitting anywhere in Israel.
Israel's army has since 2013 claimed hundreds of attacks on what it says are Iranian military targets and arms deliveries to Tehran-backed Hezbollah, with the goal of stopping its main enemy Iran from entrenching itself ...

Netanyahu warns Hezbollah chief of Israel's "lethal" power

Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova will not play in the first-round Fed Cup tie as the Czech Republic face Romania on February 9-10, Czech media said Sunday, quoting her manager.
"She defends her titles in St Petersburg the week before that and in Doha the week after," manager Miroslav Cernosek told the website of the DNES broadsheet daily.
"Neither I nor captain Petr Pala expect her to take part," he said, adding however that he expected Kvitova to join the Fed Cup team later.
"She has always played... when she could. She is not one of those looking for excuses," he added.
Fed Cup team spokesman Karel Tejkal declined to confirm the information for AFP.
With Kvitova on the team, the Czechs have won six of the last eight Fed Cups.
In last year's final, they swept the US team 3-0 in Prague.
The 28-year-old Kvitova, the Wimbledon champion from 2011 and 2014, lost to Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 4-6 in the Australian Open final on Saturday.
It was Kvitova's first Grand Slam ...

Kvitova pulls out of Fed Cup tie against Romania

The number of Jews murdered in anti-Semitic attacks around the world in 2018 reached its "highest" level in decades after a mass shooting at a US synagogue, an Israeli government report said Sunday.
A total of 13 Jews were killed in three separate attacks over the year, according to the 2018 Global anti-Semitism Report released on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
A gunman shot dead 11 people at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh in October in America's deadliest ever anti-Semitic attack.
In January, a student was also murdered in California, and in March 85-year-old Holocaust survivor Mirielle Knoll was killed in a brutal attack at her Paris home.
"This marks the highest number of Jews murdered in anti-Semitic attacks since the attacks on the Argentinian Jewish community in the 1990s," the report said.
For the second year running the number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain reached a record high, the report said.
It cited British charity Community Security Trust which 

Anti-Semitic killings in 2018 'highest' in decades: Israel

British MPs seeking to pressure Prime Minister Theresa May this week to renegotiate her Brexit deal should heed EU warnings that it will not succeed, Ireland's foreign minister warned Sunday.
Simon Coveney said attempts by Brexit supporters to remove or set a time-limit on a controversial "backstop" clause on the Irish border would never be accepted by Brussels.
"Listen to what people are saying in Europe," he told BBC television, saying May's Brexit deal was "a balanced package that isn't going to change".
"The European Parliament will not ratify a withdrawal agreement that doesn't have a backstop in it, it's as simple as that," he added.
He was speaking ahead of another showdown between May and the House of Commons over Britain's withdrawal from the EU, which is scheduled for March 29.
MPs this month rejected the divorce agreement she struck with the bloc last year.
One Tuesday night, in a series of votes on parliamentary amendments, they will set out what they want her to do ...

'Listen to Europe,' Dublin tells UK MPs ahead of Brexit votes

An avalanche of mud and rocks crashed into a hotel during a wedding celebration in southeastern Peru, killing at least 15 people, authorities said Sunday.
"The avalanche broke through the walls of the hotel, entering into it with force," the mayor of the city of Abancay, where the hotel is located, told RPP radio.
The mayor, Evaristo Ramos, said about 100 guests had been invited to the wedding party and "there are 15 dead and 34 injured.

At least 15 dead in mudslide at hotel in Peru: Mayor

Pakistan shrugged off the loss of captain Sarfraz Ahmed to suspension as left-arm fast bowler Usman Shinwari took four wickets in six balls and South Africa were dismissed for 164 in the fourth one-day international on Sunday.
Ahmed is returning immediately to Pakistan after being suspended for four games by the ICC for making racist remarks about the Proteas' Andile Phehlukwayo during last week's ODI in Durban.
It gave the visitors an outstanding chance of squaring the five-match series with one match to play.
Stand-in skipper Shoaib Malik handled his bowlers and fielders astutely and South Africa were kept under pressure almost from the time Malik won the toss and sent them in onto a Wanderers Stadium pitch which had early life.
Shaheen Shah Afridi made two early strikes before Hashim Amla (59) and captain Faf du Plessis (57) made half-centuries and put on 101 for the third wicket.
But Malik's use of spinners Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan kept the scoring rate in check and both batsmen 

Shinwari leads Pakistan charge despite Sarfraz absence

Novak Djokovic said he played his "best final in a Grand Slam" to win a record magnificent seventh Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 rout of Rafael Nadal Sunday.
"It's one of the best, if not the best, matches I've played in a Grand Slam final," the Serbian world number one said after winning his 15th major title in just 2hr 4min.
The demolition of second seed Nadal put Djokovic, 31, out on his own ahead of Roger Federer and Roy Emerson, who both won six Australian Open men's singles titles.
The top seed dropped to his knees and kissed the ground after vanquishing his greatest rival.
"It's quite unreal we are still playing at this level and still competing for the biggest titles in sport and it's just an amazing evening," he said, pausing frequently to hold back his emotions.
"Under the circumstances, maybe this is the best quality tennis I have played against Rafa in a final."
- 'This is amazing' -
=====================
"I'm just trying to contemplate on the journey in the last 12 

Djokovic hails Nadal rout as his 'best' Slam final performance

Rafael Nadal said he took a lot of positives out of the Australian Open on his return from injury, despite being thrashed in the final Sunday by Novak Djokovic.
The Spanish second seed had played an outstanding level of tennis at the tournament without dropping a set until he met his arch-rival on Rod Laver Arena.
And he had no answer to the world number one's booming groundstrokes and precision serve to limp out of Melbourne Park 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Nadal said he still wasn't at his best after his injury-plagued 2018.
"Was unbelievable the way that he played, no doubt about that. But at the same time it is true that probably physically I was not able (to compete at that level)," said Nadal.
"Five months without competing, having that big challenge in front of me, I needed something else. That something else probably today, I don't have it yet.
"That's my feeling, to compete at this super high level."
Despite the rout, Nadal said he was content with being able to reach the final given the .

Nadal takes positives out of Australian Open thrashing

Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses his trophy after winning the match against Spain's Rafael Nadal (Photo: Reuters)

Novak Djokovic

The Serbian world number one dominated the Spanish second seed to win his 15th Grand Slam title in just 2hr 4min on Rod Laver Arena

Novak Djokovic crushes Rafael Nadal to lift seventh Australian Open Title

Press Trust of India

Tanks and air defence missile systems rolled through the heart of Saint Petersburg on Sunday as the city formerly known as Leningrad marked the 75th anniversary of the end of a World War II siege that claimed more than 800,000 lives.
The parade in Russia's second city was the first time war-era and modern heavy weaponry, including the famed T-34 battle tank and multiple-launch rocket systems, have trundled past the Hermitage Museum to mark the end of the siege of Leningrad, sparking controversy with some survivors criticising "militarism".
President Vladimir Putin, a native of Saint Petersburg, skipped the show of force in the snow-covered Palace Square, although his itinerary included a visit to a memorial cemetery and several other events.
More than 2,500 servicemen in modern and period uniforms including sheepskin coats and felt boots took part in the parade which also included a flyover of military aircraft.
Hundreds of spectators watched the performance in falling snow and ...

Russia marks end of Leningrad siege with military parade

More than 17 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan, Washington and the Taliban appear closer than ever to some sort of agreement that could bring the insurgents to the table for peace talks.
However with the withdrawal of US troops seen as part of the deal, fears are rising about what an American exit could mean for Afghanistan, with security forces taking staggering losses, the government facing election upheaval, and civilians paying a disproportionate price after nearly two decades of bloodshed.
Here is a rundown of the status of the talks and what can be expected in the future.
The US and Taliban representatives have held several rounds of negotiations in recent months, part of a diplomatic push to get the insurgents to agree to peace talks.  The latest session ended in Qatar on Saturday after six straight days of negotiations -- the longest consecutive sit-down between the two sides to date.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan -- the only countries to ...

US-Taliban talks: As hopes rise of a deal, what comes next?

An alarm warning of an imminent mining dam rupture went up early Sunday in Brumadinho, the same Brazilian community where a dam collapsed killing 34 with hundreds more feared dead, firefighters and the mining company said.
An alarm warning of dangerously high water levels at a dam that is part of the Corrego do Feijao mining complex in southeastern Brazil went off at 5:30 am (0730 GMT), a statement by the mining company Vale said.
A dam at the same mining site burst Friday, spewing millions of tons of treacherous sludge and engulfing buildings, vehicles and roads.
Firefighters said they immediately began evacuating communities near the dam.
"Attention, general area evacuation!" blared a warning through loudspeakers in Brumadinho, population 39,000.
"Find the highest point in the city," the warning said.
Vale's CEO Fabio Schvartsman and Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema earlier warned that the death toll from the Friday rupture could rise.
"From now, the odds are minimal (to find more ..

New alert as hundreds feared dead in Brazil dam disaster

Iraq on Sunday said it would summon the Turkish ambassador over the death of a Kurdish protester after Turkish troops opened fire on demonstrators in the country's northwest.
On Saturday night, Kurdish protesters stormed a Turkish army position in the Shiladzeh region of northwestern Iraq to protest the deaths of four civilians they said were killed last week in Turkish bombardment.
Witnesses said Turkish troops opened fire on the demonstrators, causing casualties and damage.
Iraq's foreign ministry on Sunday denounced the incident, saying one person was killed and several others wounded when Turkish forces "opened fire on citizens in the Shiladzeh area".
"The foreign ministry will summon the Turkish ambassador to hand a protest note about the incident and demand that it not be repeated," it added.
Turkish forces are deployed in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region and often carry out raids and air strikes against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), seen as a "terrorist" group by .

Baghdad to summon Turkey envoy over death of Kurdish protester

British MPs could sit longer hours and their February holiday may be scrapped as the government races to pass its Brexit legislation before Britain leaves the EU on March 29, Downing Street said Sunday.
Prime Minister Theresa May's government is looking at making the House of Commons sit on more Fridays -- which it does not normally do -- and extend debating time well into the evening on some days.
It is also "reviewing" the week-long February recess, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
There are still eight laws the government wants to pass to prepare the statute books for Brexit, covering areas of trade, fisheries and agriculture, immigration, the environment and healthcare.
These includes any bill needed to implement a divorce deal with the EU, which MPs have yet to agree to.
"We remain committed to ensuring all necessary legislation is in place for exit day on March 29, 2019, and it is important to stress we are confident of meeting that commitment," the spokeswoman said.
"We are ..

UK govt may scrap MPs' holiday to pass Brexit laws

Communities were cut off, farmers stranded and cows washed offshore as heavy rain pelted northeast Australia Sunday, with one major river breaking 118-year-old floodwater records.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Queensland's Daintree River rose to 12.60 metres -- a level not seen in over a century -- and local authorities warned that some residents in remote areas could be cut off for days.
The heritage listed Daintree Rainforest received more than 300 millimetres of rain in just 24 hours and Northern Queensland is bracing for monsoonal conditions for the rest of the week.
Residents in this tropical region of Australia are used to a heavy wet season, but the recent deluge has cut off a ferry line that is the only means of accessing some areas.
Port Douglas Shire Council Mayor, Julia Leu, told AFP those who are still in their homes could be cut off for two days, with no power or phone service.
Meanwhile the conditions have caused havoc for farmers and livestock.
One family of four were .

Record breaking floods hit north Australia

A member of Thailand's most popular all-girl band has apologised for wearing a shirt with a Nazi flag featuring a swastika, after her TV appearance drew "shock and dismay" from the Israeli embassy Saturday.
Images of Hitler, swastikas and other Nazi regalia are fairly commonplace on T-shirts and memorabilia in Thailand, a phenomenon blamed on a lack of awareness about world history.
The latest faux pas was committed by Pichayapa "Namsai" Natha, one of the singers of BNK48, when she wore the red-and-black top complete with swastika during the group's televised rehearsal on Friday.
The deputy chief of mission of the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok took to Twitter to express "shock and dismay" at the outfit, noting that Sunday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
"Presenting Nazi symbols by the band's singer hurt the feelings of millions around the world, whose relatives were murdered by the Nazis," said Smadar Shapira.
The 19-year-old singer was expected to meet with the ambassador of 

Thai pop idol condemned for Nazi swastika T-shirt

Pope Francis winds up a global gathering of young Catholics on Sunday with a giant open-air mass for hundreds of thousands of pilgrims before leaving Panama.
The pope, who on Saturday admitted the Church had been "wounded" by a deepening clergy sex abuse crisis, will celebrate the second open-air mass of his visit at a park on the outskirts of Panama City.
After mass, scheduled for early in the morning to avoid high temperatures, the 82-year-old pope will meet young people living with AIDS and HIV at the Good Samaritan home in the city.
Francis will thank hundreds of World Youth Day volunteers at a stadium in the afternoon before a farewell ceremony and a flight back to Rome.
The pope acknowledged Saturday that the Church was "wounded by sin" in a homily addressed to priests and seminarians reeling from sexual abuse scandals and coverups.
Celebrating mass at the landmark Cathedral of Santa Maria La Antigua in Panama City, Francis warned of the "weariness of hope that comes from seeing 

Pope winds up World Youth Day events in Panama with giant mass

Four Iraqi policemen were killed Sunday in two back-to-back bomb blasts at one of their positions north of the capital, near a former jihadist bastion, local officials and officers said.
"At around 8:00 am, the police officers were taking up their post at the southern entrance of Al-Sharqat," the town's mayor, Ali Dodah, told AFP.
"One bomb went off, killing two police officers and wounding eight. An hour and a half later, as reinforcements arrived, a second bomb went off," Dodah said.
A police officer speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the first blast's toll to AFP and said the second explosion killed two officers and wounded three.
And a medical source at Al-Sharqat's hospital confirmed a total of four officers were killed.
Al-Sharqat, around 250 kilometres north of Baghdad, was held by the Islamic State group until autumn 2017.
It was one of the last areas recaptured by the government, which announced several months later that it had ousted IS from Iraq.
But hit-and-run ..

Four police dead in back-to-back bomb blasts in Iraq

An alarm warning of an imminent mining dam rupture was activated early Sunday in Brumadinho, the same Brazilian community where a dam collapsed killing 34 and leaving some 300 missing, firefighters and the mining company said.
The alarm went off at 5:30 am (0730 GMT) warning of dangerously high water levels at a dam that is part of the Corrego do Feijao mining complex, a statement by the Vale mining company said. A dam at the same mining site burst Friday, spewing millions of tons of sludge, sweeping away and burying buildings and people in its path.
Firefighters said they were evacuating communities near the dam.

AFP

AFP

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