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Syria reports Israeli strikes as clashes with Druze spread

Syria said Israel launched new strikes near Damascus on Wednesday, after sectarian clashes left nearly 40 dead in two days and Israel warned against attacks targeting the Druze minority.

Despite war's end, Afghanistan remains deep in crisis: UN relief chief

Climate change, women's rights, displacement, poverty: Afghanistan remains a priority as it faces overlapping crises, the UN's relief chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Wednesday, deploring "brutal" aid budget cuts.

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Global mourning as Pope Francis dies of stroke aged 88

Pope Francis died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on Monday of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church.

Global mourning as Pope Francis dies aged 88

Pope Francis died of a stroke, the Vatican said on Monday, amid widespread mourning for the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church.

Racist gunman jailed for life over US supermarket massacre

The racist gunman who killed 23 people at a crowded supermarket near the Mexico border was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday after admitting capital murder in one of the deadliest shootings in US history.

In Lourdes, Catholic pilgrims mourn the 'pope of the poor'

In Lourdes, a place of pilgrimage for Christians worldwide, faithful caught by surprise by the death Monday of Pope Francis, prayed for the "pope of the poor".

Iraq's top Shiite cleric says Pope Francis sought peace

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Shiite Islam's highest authority in Iraq, offered his condolences on Monday for the death of Pope Francis, praising his work promoting "peace and tolerance".

Mourners flock to world's churches to grieve Pope Francis

As the news of Pope Francis's death broke, Christians and non-believers alike made their way towards churches across the world, paying tribute to a pontiff renowned as a champion of the vulnerable.

Pope Francis' death at 88 prompts worldwide mourning

Pope Francis died on Monday aged 88, prompting mourning across the Christian world for the energetic reformer who inspired devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists during a 12-year papacy.

15 potential successors to Pope Francis

The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor.

The papabili - 15 potential successors to Pope Francis

The April 21 death of Pope Francis triggered a period of mourning in the Catholic Church, but also kick-started the race for his successor.

Argentina mourns loss of papal son

Grief-stricken Argentines massed at Buenos Aires Cathedral early Monday, to collectively mourn the loss of their late pontiff, compatriot and hero, Pope Francis.

African leaders praise Pope Francis's 'legacy of compassion'

African leaders praised the "legacy of compassion" and "commitment to inclusivity" of Pope Francis as they joined global mourning over his death on Monday.

'The voice of god': Filipinos wrestle with death of Pope Francis

Church bells rang out across the Philippines early Monday evening as Asia's bastion of Catholicism mourned the death of Pope Francis.

Prayers, disbelief in East Timor after Pope Francis death

Locals in Catholic-majority East Timor held prayers after the death of Pope Francis on Monday, while others refused to accept the news of the late pontiff's passing.

World leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis, dead at 88

World leaders remembered Pope Francis as "a beacon of compassion", as the death on Monday of the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics prompted a global outpouring of grief.

World leaders react to the death of Pope Francis

World leaders remembered Pope Francis as "a beacon of compassion," as the death on Monday of the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics prompted a global outpouring of grief.

Vatican postpones sainthood for 'God's influencer' after pope's death

Sunday's scheduled canonisation of the Catholic Church's first millennial saint has been postponed to a later date after the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican said on Monday.

Pope's death prompts CONI to call for sporting postponements, minute's silence

The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) called for all sporting events due to take place in Italy on Monday to be postponed following the death of Pope Francis and for "a minute's silence to be observed at events throughout the week".

Stunned and sad, faithful gather at St Peter's to remember Francis

A hush reigned over the normally boisterous St Peter's Square on Monday as the faithful and the curious alike gathered at the seat of Catholicism to mark the death of Pope Francis.

Asian scam centre crime gangs expanding worldwide: UN

Asian crime networks running multi-billion-dollar cyber scam centres are expanding their operations across the world as they seek new victims and new ways to launder money, the UN said on Monday.

Pope Francis is dead at 88

Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88.

The beautiful game: Pope Francis's passion for football

His predecessor loved Mozart, but Pope Francis's passion was football, for him "the most beautiful game" and also a vehicle to educate and spread peace.

Pope Francis has died aged 88

Pope Francis, an energetic reformer who inspired widespread devotion from Catholics but riled traditionalists, died on Monday aged 88.

'Grandpa robbers' go on trial for Kardashian heist in Paris

A group of suspects nicknamed the "grandpa robbers" goes on trial at the end of April, charged with stealing jewellery worth millions from US reality TV star Kim Kardashian in Paris in 2016.

Turkey bans elective C-sections at private medical centres

Turkey has imposed a ban on elective Caesarian-section births at private healthcare facilities without a medical justification under new health ministry regulations published this weekend in the government's official gazette.

Frail Pope Francis takes to popemobile to greet Easter crowd

Pope Francis called for freedom of thought and tolerance in his Easter Sunday address, as the weakened pontiff made a hoped-for holiday appearance, even circling St Peter's Square in his popemobile.

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaching Easter truce

Russia and Ukraine on Sunday accused each other of violating an Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pope wishes 'Happy Easter' to faithful in appearance at St Peter's Square

Pope Francis appeared in front of thousands of Catholic faithful at St Peter's Square on Sunday for Easter, despite the 88-year-old pontiff's frail health that has kept him from most Holy Week events.

Exec linked to Bangkok building collapse arrested

Thai authorities said they have arrested a Chinese executive at a company that was building a Bangkok skyscraper which collapsed in a major earthquake, leaving dozens dead.

Zelensky says Russian attacks ongoing despite Putin's Easter truce

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said Russian forces were continuing their shelling and assaults along the front line despite Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing a surprise but brief Easter truce.

Six drowning deaths as huge waves hit Australian coast

A fisherman died after being swept off rocks near Sydney on Sunday, stretching the Easter weekend death toll of drownings to six as huge waves battered Australia's east coast.

Social media helps fuel growing 'sex tourism' in Japan

Young women standing idly around a park in Tokyo's west suggest that a giant statue of Godzilla is not the only attraction for a record number of foreign tourists.

Recovering pope expected to delight crowds at Easter Sunday mass

Pope Francis is expected to delight Catholics all over the world during Easter celebrations at the Vatican on Sunday, just weeks after he was fighting for his life in hospital while suffering from pneumonia.

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