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As rumours emerged of a papal visit, some of Cameroon's Catholics voiced fears the trip would give longtime President Paul Biya a chance to polish his image six months on from deadly protests following his contested re-election.

The new leader of South Africa's second-largest party, the Democratic Alliance, said Monday he would recast it beyond its white-voter base, betting that the country's once rigid racial divides are easing.

Colombian reggaeton star Karol G delivered rhythm, dance, charisma and Latin empowerment in her headlining performance at Coachella on Sunday.

Oil prices surged and stock markets broadly fell Monday after US-Iran peace talks broke down and President Donald Trump announced a plan to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, ratcheting up fears for Middle East energy supplies.

Pope Leo XIV began a landmark visit to Algeria Monday in the first trip to the Muslim-majority country by a pontiff that risked being overshadowed by criticism from US President Donald Trump.

A desperate voice crackled down the phone -- Mariano Nkogo Mba Nchama's 22-year-old son pleaded for help to get home to Equatorial Guinea from Ukraine, where he is fighting for the Russian army.

Germany on Monday unveiled 1.6 billion euros ($1.9 billion) in fuel price relief for households and businesses struggling with the energy shock unleashed by the Middle East war.

Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025 and now risks hanging more in the the wake of the war against the US and Israel, two NGOs said Monday, urging the West to put capital punishment "at the heart" of any negotiations with Tehran.

After years of holdups and bitter horse trading, EU leaders breathed a resounding sigh of relief at Viktor Orban's crushing defeat in Hungary's elections.

Pope Leo XIV began a landmark visit to Algeria Monday in the first trip to the Muslim-majority country by a pontiff that risked being overshadowed by criticism from US President Donald Trump.

Tadej Pogacar may have missed out on a historic Paris-Roubaix triumph but the world champion can still re-write the record books this season.

Congratulations from across Europe poured in Monday for Hungarian political newcomer Peter Magyar, who defeated nationalist Viktor Orban in elections seen as a blow to right-wing populism worldwide.

The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed, and despite the Iranian military warning that it would treat any such action as an act of piracy.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday Germany will slash fuel taxes as households struggle with the energy shock from the Middle East war, while warning the conflict will have long-lasting economic consequences.

Pope Leo XIV headed to Algeria on Monday at the start of an 11-day tour of Africa, the first international trip of his papacy that risked being overshadowed by criticism from US President Donald Trump.

Peru's Keiko Fujimori looked set to face a runoff against a conservative rival after a troubled first-round presidential election on Sunday marred by logistics foul-ups, police raids and allegations of fraud.

Brazilian singer Luisa Sonza brought her newly released album "Brutal Paraiso" to Coachella this weekend in a performance she described as "a unique experience."

The US military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports on Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed with President Donald Trump blaming the Islamic republic's refusal to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

A woman will command Australia's army for the first time since its founding 125 years ago, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Monday as he unveiled the "deeply historic" appointment.

Marcus Rashford had his chance against Atletico Madrid, but failed to take it -- or any of the next five that came along on a frustrating European night.

Iranian authorities executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, the highest number since 1989, two NGOs said Monday, warning it risked using capital punishment even more extensively after protests in January and the war against Israel and the US.

The Denver Nuggets, fueled by 23 first-half points from Nikola Jokic, beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-118 on Sunday, notching their 12th straight victory to clinch the Western Conference third seed on the last day of the NBA regular season.

Cooper Flagg's spectacular rookie NBA season ended in injury Sunday as he left the court with an ankle sprain during the Dallas Mavericks' win against the Chicago Bulls.

US President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he is "not a big fan" of Pope Leo XIV, after the global leader of Catholics made a plea for peace.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called China's trade imbalance with the European Union "unsustainable" on Monday, as he began a three-day visit to Beijing where he hopes to strengthen economic ties.

Oil prices surged and stocks sank Monday after US-Iran peace talks fell apart and Donald Trump announced a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, adding to fears of energy supplies from the Middle East.

Doc Rivers is departing as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after the NBA team concluded its lackluster regular season Sunday, US media reported.

The Toronto Raptors rolled past the Brooklyn Nets 136-101 and landed the Eastern Conference fifth seed on Sunday as the final pieces of the NBA post-season puzzle fell into place on the last day of the regular season.

Worsening wildfires, soaring heatwaves and rising water levels have prompted Greek officials to take a closer look at protecting priceless archaeological sites that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The battered wooden trunk had been in the family for a century -- shifted from attic to barn to garage as it was handed down through the generations. No one knew a cinematic treasure was inside.

Winning back-to-back Masters titles has Rory McIlroy yearning for even more major success.

Liverpool have a mountain to climb to oust holders Paris Saint-Germain from the Champions League but are hoping the Anfield factor can salvage a bitterly disappointing season.