Athens News - News from Athens, the political, economic and cultural centre of Greece, the European Union and the whole world

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack that extended into a second day Sunday, as the two powers seek to topple the Islamic republic.

The United States and Israel launched waves of strikes Saturday against targets in Iran, sparking swift retaliation by the Islamic republic.

An explosion followed by successive gunfire were heard in central Kabul on Sunday, AFP journalists reported, with the Taliban government saying Afghan forces were shooting at a fresh incursion by Pakistani aircraft.

Jubilant Iranian Americans on Saturday took to the streets from Boston to Los Angeles to cheer the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and voice hope for a brighter future for their homeland.

If William Shakespeare were working today in film, he would want his movies shown in theaters instead of going straight to streaming, the Oscar-nominated producers of "Hamnet" say.

Diane Warren has become something of a fixture at Hollywood's annual Oscars ceremony.

If there's one thing the 21st century has in spades, it's conspiracy theorists -- many of them angry, unhinged people hacking at their keyboards about grievances real and imagined.

A cargo ship teems with workers in hard hats at the Port of Houston, the latest US vessel headed to Venezuela after President Donald Trump lifted restrictions to boost oil production in the crisis-hit country.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid will miss at least three games with a right oblique strain, the NBA team said Saturday.

The United States and Israel on Saturday defended their attacks on Iran, which called resulting civilian deaths a "war crime" during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham hailed his side's "mental resolve" after they keep their cool to score two late tries in a thrilling 30-27 defeat of the Auckland Blues.

Explosions rocked Dubai's Palm Jumeirah man-made island and drone debris caused a fire at the Burj Al Arab ultra-luxury hotel as waves of Iranian missiles targeted the UAE on Saturday, authorities said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader since 1989 and sworn enemy of the West, was killed Saturday in the opening salvo of a massive US and Israeli attack, President Donald Trump said, as he urged the overthrow of the Islamic republic.

British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean triumphed Saturday at the Brit Awards, claiming four prizes at the UK's biggest annual music celebration held for the first time in Manchester, northwest England.

Iranians in Los Angeles took to the streets to cheer the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Saturday, joining protests in support of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran across the North American diaspora.

Coach Rob Penney labelled the Canterbury Crusaders' first win of the Super Rugby season a "turning point" after the defending champions swept aside the Waikato Chiefs.

The White House on Saturday released a photo of US President Donald Trump and a handful of his top advisors monitoring the progress of joint US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

Bradley Barcola scored and Desire Doue had a penalty saved as Paris Saint-Germain held on for a 1-0 win away to Le Havre on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to four points.

Barcelona's teenage star Lamine Yamal scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 4-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday that took the Catalan giants four points clear at the top of La Liga.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was dead, after Israel and the United States launched an attack of unprecedented scale aimed at bringing down the Islamic republic.

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, a pillar of its theocratic system since the Islamic revolution whose death was announced by US President Donald Trump on Saturday, saw off multiple crises over the decades, remaining defiant to the very end.

Inter Milan bounced back from Champions League elimination with Saturday's 2-0 win over Genoa which continued their march towards the Serie A title.

President Donald Trump made his case for war against Iran early on Saturday as US and Israeli forces bombed the Islamic republic, saying conflict was required to eliminate "imminent threats" from Tehran.

The United States and Israel launched waves of strikes Saturday against targets in Iran, sparking swift retaliation by the Islamic republic which responded with missile attacks across the region.

Countries around the world voiced fears of a Middle East conflagration after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran Saturday, and Iran targeted US bases in the region in retaliation.

Pep Guardiola is confident Erling Haaland's injury will not be a "big issue" after the Manchester City striker missed his side's vital 1-0 win against Leeds on Saturday.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot said his side have played better this season and lost, but underlined the impact of set pieces after Saturday's 5-2 win over West Ham.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that there were "many signs" Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was dead, after Israel and the United States launched an attack of unprecedented scale against the Islamic republic.

Manchester City shrugged off the absence of Erling Haaland to close to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a 1-0 win at Leeds on Saturday, while Liverpool beat West Ham 5-2 to climb into fifth.

Harry Kane scored twice and Joshua Kimmich bagged a late winner as Bayern Munich came back to win 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and move 11 points clear in the Bundesliga.

Antoine Semenyo fired Manchester City to a gritty 1-0 win over Leeds on Saturday as the Premier League title chasers closed the gap on leaders Arsenal without Erling Haaland.

Romelu Lukaku kept Napoli on course for a Champions League spot with a last-gasp winner in Saturday's 2-1 victory over rock-bottom Verona, the Belgium forward's first goal of the season.

The US-Israeli strikes launched on Iran Saturday could become an extended operation, with strategic goals both multiple and complex -- aiming to decapitate the Islamic republic and eviscerate its security capabilities.

"War is no good but it's better than the regime killing our children," said a 39-year-old Iranian in Istanbul, saying he was "happy" US and Israeli warplanes were attacking Iran.

A disappointed Salman Agha said his team had "underperformed" after they exited the T20 World Cup on Saturday, but held back from making an "emotional" decision on his future as Pakistan captain.

Even shorn of stars retained by the France Six Nations squad, Top 14 champions Toulouse hammered rock-bottom Montauban on Saturday, running in ten tries in a 68-13 win.

A law regulating artificial intelligence went into effect in Vietnam on Sunday, making it the first country in Southeast Asia with a comprehensive framework on the booming technology.

The US and Israel launched an attack of unprecedented scale against Iran on Saturday, reportedly killing more than 200 people, with Tehran launching a retaliatory missile barrage that sent people running for cover across the Middle East.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday hugged weeping children and promised aid as he visited southeastern cities where 70 people have died in landslides caused by torrential rains.