Gabon's prime minister announced a new government in a video message recorded thousands of miles away in Morocco, where ailing Gabonese President Ali Bongo is recovering from a stroke.
Recently appointed PM Julien Nkoghe Bekale gave details of the reshuffle in footage broadcast late Saturday on state television, less than a week after the country foiled an attempted coup.
Gabon has been without effective government for months since Bongo suffered the stroke in October during a visit to Saudi Arabia.
A new cabinet was also announced on Saturday evening by presidential secretary Jean-Yves Teale in another video missive recorded in Morocco. No significant changes were made to either the cabinet or the government.
Gabon's constitution states that ministers must take their vows before the president -- but in Bongo's lengthening absence it is unclear how, when and where the ceremony will take place.
On Monday renegade soldiers stormed a state radio station to call for an uprising while ...

New Gabon government announced from abroad

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A news agency says 19 miners were killed when a coal mine collapsed in northern China.
The official Xinhua News Agency says rescuers are looking for two miners who still are missing following the disaster Saturday in the northern province of Shaanxi.
Xinhua says another 66 miners were rescued.
Authorities say the number of fatalities in China's coal mines has fallen sharply over the past decade but the industry still is the world's deadliest.

Report: Chinese coal mine accident kills 19

The Federal Aviation Administration says it has brought about 500 safety inspectors back to work and expects more to return next week, potentially easing strains on the aviation system amid a partial federal government shutdown.
Most of the FAA's 3,000 safety inspectors have been sidelined during the 22-day shutdown.
But the agency is accelerating efforts to bring them back.
Agency spokesman Gregory Martin didn't provide specifics in an email to the Associated Press Saturday.
Inspectors oversee and certify inspections by airline and repair-shop employees. They're not considered essential employees who must work during shutdowns.
The shutdown has hit aviation hard . About 10,000 FAA air traffic controllers are on the job but not getting paid. Some Transportation Security Administration screeners are staying home rather than work without pay.

FAA bringing back safety inspectors sidelined by shutdown

The number of protesters in the latest "yellow vest" rallies across France surged on Saturday, but there was a marked decline in violence despite hundreds of arrests and clashes with police in Paris and other cities.
More than 84,000 people turned out for the ninth round of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron since November, the interior ministry said, up from 50,000 the previous Saturday.
Attendance had declined over the Christmas holiday break, and while Saturday's turnout was higher than the 66,000 protesters on December 15, it was still far below the nearly 300,000 when the rallies began two months ago.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that "responsibility triumphed over the temptation of confrontation" in Paris, where 8,000 protesters marched "without serious incident", up from 3,500 last week.
He also hailed the 80,000 officers deployed nationwide, including 5,000 in the capital.
However several journalists were assaulted at rallies in several cities, as ..

Number of 'yellow vest' protesters surges but violence down

A massive winter snowstorm making its way across the Midwest and into the Mid-Atlantic region dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of Missouri and contributed to at least five deaths, authorities said Saturday.
The storm moved into Kansas and Nebraska from the Rockies on Friday, then east into Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, covering roads and making driving dangerous.
Part of Interstate 44 near St. Louis was blocked for several hours Saturday, and at one point the Missouri State Highway Patrol warned of traffic delays as long as eight hours.
The storm was expected to spread east into the Mid-Atlantic region, with between 7 and 15 centimeters of snow expected in the Washington area, including parts of northern and central Maryland, by Sunday.
Forecasters said heavier snow and higher amounts could fall in mountain areas north of Interstate 64, such as Charlottesville and Staunton, Virginia Missouri had gotten the worst of the storm by Saturday, with the National Weather ...

Storm dumps snow on Midwest; at least 5 dead in crashes

Assailing President Donald Trump for "a crisis of leadership," former Obama Cabinet member Julian Castro joined the 2020 presidential race Saturday as the rush of Democrats making early moves to challenge the incumbent accelerates, while anticipation grows around bigger names still considering a White House run.
Castro, who could end up being the only Latino in what is shaping up to be a crowded Democratic field, made immigration a centerpiece of his announcement in his hometown of San Antonio, less than 200 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Two days after the president visited the border to promote his promised wall, Castro mocked Trump for claiming that the U.S. faces an "invasion" from its ally to the south.
"He called it a national security crisis," Castro said. "Well, there is a crisis today.
It's a crisis of leadership. Donald Trump has failed to uphold the values of our great nation."
Castro, the 44-year-old grandson of a Mexican immigrant, said he was running for president ...

Former Obama housing chief Julian Castro joins 2020 campaign

Over 600 people were evacuated Saturday from the Islamic State group's remaining holdout in eastern Syria, a monitor said, as US-backed fighters prepare for a final assault on the area.
"More than 600 people, mainly women and children, were evacuated on 25 buses sent" by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said that several dozen jihadist fighters were among those evacuated to areas held by the Kurdish-Arab alliance.
The SDF, backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, in September launched an offensive to oust IS from the rump of the once-sprawling "caliphate" it proclaimed in 2014.
Abdel Rahman said some 16,000 people, including 760 IS fighters, have fled the area since the start of December.
But "this is the first time that buses have been provided by the SDF and coalition", he said, suggesting a potential deal had been struck between the warring sides.
The United Nations said Friday ..

600 people leave in first evacuation from Syria IS holdout: monitor

Hours after the SP and BSP announced their alliance without the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party will fight the elections in the state with full force.
Addressing a press conference in Dubai, Gandhi said he has "tremendous respect" for the leaders of the two parties and "they have a right to do what they want to do".
"The BSP and SP have every right to have an alliance. I think the Congress party has tremendous amount to offer to the people of Uttar Pradesh so we will do our best as the Congress party and we will fight with full capacity to spread our ideology."
"BSP and SP have made a political decision. It's on us on how to strengthen the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh and we will fight with our full capacity," he said.
He said the Congress party might give a surprise or two in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh "about what the party is capable of doing and to mobilise people."
Rejecting ...

Congress will fight 2019 polls in UP with full force: Rahul

Mahindra Racing's Jerome D'Ambrosio clinched the Marrakesh race at the Formula E Championships here Saturday.
D'Ambrosio, who started at 10th, had a best timing of 1:22.366.
He defended his lead, crossed the line in first, screaming down the radio, ecstatic with the first time he's taken the chequered flag in his Formula E career.

Mahindra Racing's D'Ambrosio clinches Marrakesh race at Formula E Championships

Hundreds of demonstrators wearing yellow vests took to the streets of London on Saturday, in the largest protest yet in Britain copying the "yellow vest" protests rocking France.
Protesters opposed to the government's austerity programme and demanding a general election marched through the centre of the capital before rallying in Trafalgar Square.
They included two French activists involved in the demonstrations sweeping France since mid-November who were invited by the organisers of the British event.  "We are here in support," said Erick Simon, 61, one of the duo.
"I think that the yellow vest movement in France is the same as the one that is growing in England... people are fed up with poverty, injustice and social and financial injustice." The French protests began in mid-November over a proposed increase in fuel duties, and soon turned violent.
The leaderless movement appeared to be petering out at the end of 2018 but has since regained momentum, with weekly clashes seen in Paris 

Hundreds of 'yellow vest' protesters rally in central London

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday launched the ANC's campaign for legislative elections in May, acknowledging the party's past mistakes and promising to restore democratic institutions and economic growth.
Ramaphosa unveiled a 68-page manifesto before tens of thousands of supporters in the eastern city of Durban, marking the start of four months of hectic campaigning.
The African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since the end of apartheid 25 years ago, is tipped to win the election despite faltering support, internal divisions and a sluggish economy.
The party of Nelson Mandela suffered a slump in popularity under the scandal-ridden presidency of Jacob Zuma, who was ousted last February after nine years at the helm.
"We must acknowledge that mistakes have been made," Ramaphosa said, adding: "After a period of doubt and uncertainty, we have arrived at a moment of hope and renewal.
"The 2019 elections provide an opportunity to restore our democratic ...

Ruling ANC kicks off S Africa election campaign with vow to restore democracy, growth

Hours after the SP and BSP announced their alliance without the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said his party will fight the elections in the state with "full capacity".
Addressing a press conference in Dubai, Gandhi said he has a "tremendous respect" to the leaders of the two parties and "they have a right to do what they want to do".
"BSP and SP have made a political decision. It's on us on how to strengthen the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh and we will fight with our full capacity," he said.
"Congress party has tremendous to offer to the people of Uttar Pradesh. On BSP and SP I have tremendous respect to the leaders of BSP and SP, they have a right to do what they want to do," he said.
Once arch-rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party announced Saturday their tie-up in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, sharing 38 seats each and keeping the Congress out of the alliance.
The parties, however, said 

Congress will fight polls in UP with full capacity: Rahul

A young Saudi woman who caused an international sensation as she sought asylum abroad arrived in Toronto Saturday where she was welcomed with open arms.
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland greeted Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun, 18, after she landed in Toronto, wearing a blue ball cap and a gray hoodie emblazoned in red with the word "CANADA." She posed for photographers with Freeland at her side, but made no statement.
"She had a pretty long journey and is exhausted and prefers not to take questions for the moment," Freeland said.

Young Saudi asylum-seeker arrives in Canada to official welcome

Days after he walked out of a meeting with Congressional leaders when they shot down his border wall funding proposal, US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged the opposition Democrats to visit the White House for talks to end the government shutdown which is now in its record 22nd day.
"I am in the White House waiting for you!" Trump told the Democrats through his Twitter account and threatened that the shutdown could continue for a long time if there is no agreement.
"Democrats should come back to Washington and work to end the shutdown, while at the same time ending the horrible humanitarian crisis at our Southern Border," the president tweeted.
The partial government shutdown on Saturday entered its 22nd day, surpassing the previous record of 21 days. The longest ever shutdown has been due to the stalemate between the ruling Republicans and the Democrats on funding construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border.
Trump has sought USD 5.7 billion in funding from the Congress ..

Trump urges Democrats to visit White House for talks to end govt shutdown

Banned Australian batsman Steve Smith's return to international cricket could be delayed as he is set to undergo surgery on his injured elbow on Tuesday, according to reports.
Smith suffered an elbow injury while playing for the Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League.
When Smith will actually return to cricket is unclear at this stage, though Cricket Australia confirmed on Saturday that the suspended batsman would go under the knife and he will wear a brace for six weeks.
"Steve Smith will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair a ligament in his right elbow. He is expected to wear a brace for six weeks before commencing rehabilitation. Return to play time frames will be clearer once the brace has been removed," a CA spokesperson was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald' newspaper.
The report said that the injury was not expected to have a major affect on his batting long term.
Smith was banned for 12 months for his role in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa ...

Banned Smith set to undergo surgery on Tuesday: Reports

US President Donald Trump on Saturday alleged that some top FBI officials who were either fired or forced to leave by his administration, conspired against him by opening an investigation over whether he was acting on Russia's behalf after he sacked the agency's then director, James Comey, in 2017.
The news of such an investigation was first reported by the New York Times.
In an exclusive report, the prominent American daily reported that the FBI opened an inquiry into whether Trump was working for the Russians in the days after he fired Comey in May, 2017 as the top probe agency's chief.
"Wow, just learned in the Failing New York Times that the corrupt former leaders of the FBI, almost all fired or forced to leave the agency for some very bad reasons, opened up an investigation on me, for no reason & with no proof, after I fired Lyin' James Comey, a total sleaze!" Trump said in a tweet.
"Funny thing about James Comey. Everybody wanted him fired, Republican and Democrat alike. ...

Fired FBI officials conspired against me: Trump

Iran sank Vietnam and Iraq beat Yemen as the neighbours and arch-rivals powered into the Asian Cup round of 16 on Saturday ahead of their highly anticipated group decider next week.
Sardar Azmoun struck both goals in Iran's 2-0 win in Abu Dhabi, while teenager Mohanad Ali's early solo strike kick-started Iraq's 3-0 victory in Sharjah.
Iran and Iraq will meet in Dubai on Wednesday to decide who tops Group D in a repeat of their combustible quarter-final of 2015, which Iraq won on penalties.
Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football's most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing in Abu Dhabi.
"It's a pity our performance didn't produce a couple more goals," Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters.
"But winning is the best medicine in football. To win two games and score seven goals -- I have to praise my players because I am very demanding."
Saman Ghoddos and Mehdi Taremi went close for Asia's top-ranked team before 

Iran, Iraq power into Asian Cup knockout phase

Duanne Olivier took his third five-wicket haul of the series before Pakistan's bowlers fought back on the second day of the third and final Test against South Africa on Saturday.
Olivier grabbed took five wickets for 51 as South Africa gained a first innings lead of 77 at the Wanderers Stadium.
But the hosts were unable to forge a position of dominance, struggling to 135 for five at the close, an overall lead of 212.
Hashim Amla made a patient 42 not out off 90 balls against tight, disciplined bowling, while Quinton de Kock lifted the scoring rate late in the day by scoring 34 not out off 35 balls.
The wickets were shared between four bowlers with medium-pacer Faheem Ashraf taking two for 19 -- with both his wickets coming in his first over -- to reduce South Africa to 45 for four.
Fast bowler Olivier was twice involved in crucial breakthroughs as Pakistan were bowled out for 185 in their first innings.
He ended an hour of frustration for South Africa when he took two wickets in four .

Pakistan fight back in final South Africa Test

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday held talks with Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and discussed measures for stepping up bilateral cooperation in a number of areas, including trade, economy, defence and IT.
Swaraj arrived in the ancient city of Samarkand on Saturday on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan to attend the first India-Central Asia Dialogue, which is expected to focus on a plethora of regional issues including enhancing connectivity to war-ravaged Afghanistan.
Swaraj was received by Uzbek Foreign Minister Kamilov at the airport here. The two leaders held talks at Palace of Forums here and discussed stepping up cooperation in trade, economy, health, education, defence, space, IT and people-to-people ties, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
The MEA spokesperson said that first-ever India-Central Asia Dialogue, with Afghan participation, "will take India's outreach to the region to a new high."
The Dialogue will be co-chaired by Swaraj and ...

Swaraj in Uzbekistan to attend India-Central Asia Dialogue; meets Uzbek FM Kamilov

Protesters skirmished with police in Paris and other cities Saturday as thousands turned out for new rallies against French President Emmanuel Macron, with dozens arrested as officials vowed a crackdown on the violence that has marred the demonstrations since November.
The "yellow vest" marches began calmly amid a heavy police deployment of some 80,000 officers nationwide, with protesters singing the "Marseillaise" national anthem and holding signs including "Insecurity is not a job".
But scores of protesters later clashed with riot police after arriving at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, prompting volleys of tear gas and water cannon as security forces prevented them from reaching the Champs-Elysees.
Nearly 60 people had been arrested in the capital, police said, alongside dozens more elsewhere including the central city of Bourges, the site of another major rally.
The interior ministry said there were 32,000 protesters nationwide as of 2:00 pm (1300 GMT), including 8,000 in Paris. ...

Clashes erupt as France's 'yellow vests' stage fresh protests

A powerful gas explosion tore through a building in central Paris on Saturday, killing two firefighters and a Spanish woman, injuring dozens of people and badly damaging nearby apartments, officials said.
Around 200 firefighters were mobilised to battle the fire that broke out after the blast and evacuate victims and residents in the area, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told reporters at the scene.
The explosion came with the city on edge during the latest "yellow vest" anti-government demonstrations, which have often degenerated into violence and vandalism in Paris and other cities in recent weeks.
Cars were overturned by the blast and glass and rubble was strewn across large swathes of the street after the explosion gutted the lower part of the building. Dozens of residents were treated by rescue workers on the street.
"I was sleeping and was woken up by the blast wave," Claire Sallavuard, who lives on the Rue de Trevise where the explosion occurred, told AFP. "All the ...

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