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Iran jails French 'tourist' for eight years for spying
An Iranian court has sentenced a French man to eight years in prison on spying charges, his family and Paris-based lawyer said Tuesday, arguing that Tehran was using him as a "hostage" in talks with the West.

Football reacts to Olembe Stadium Cup of Nations tragedy
Eight people died and 38 injured as fans attempted to enter the Olembe Stadium where hosts Cameroon were playing the Comoros at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

IMF slashes global growth outlook amid Omicron hit
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is creating an obstacle course for the global economy, which will slow growth this year, notably in the world's two largest economies, the IMF said Tuesday.

US ratchets up sanctions pressure against Moscow
The United States on Tuesday warned Moscow of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.

Casino operator to develop 'gaming' resort in UAE
A US-based casino operator on Tuesday announced plans to develop a multi-billion-dollar resort off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a Muslim state in the Gulf where gambling is prohibited.

Europe warns against Russian provocation in Donbass
More than an open Russian invasion of Ukraine, European capitals fear Kiev could be lured into a clash with pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway Donbass region.

IMF warns of possible market correction as interest rates rise
Global equity markets that have see-sawed in recent weeks but show signs of "overvaluation" are at risk of a sharp correction as major central banks raise interest rates, a top IMF official said Tuesday.

Kurds locked in tense Syria prison standoff with IS jihadists
US-backed Kurdish forces tightened the noose Tuesday around armed jihadists hunkering down inside a Syrian prison, with both sides facing a bloodbath or talks to end the five-day-old standoff.

Game's up: Egyptian arrested for taking footballer's place at exam
A young Egyptian man scored an own goal by pretending to take a university exam for professional footballer Mostafa Mohamed, currently playing for the Pharaohs in the Africa Cup of Nations, state media said.

US consumers slightly more hopeful about inflation, economy: data
American consumers were feeling less confident in January amid elevated prices and a Covid-19 resurgence, but their views of the economy and inflation were growing more positive, a survey released Tuesday showed.

Virtuoso keeps Afghan music alive despite Taliban ban
Homayoun Sakhi closes his eyes and runs his fingers along the long neck of his wooden instrument encrusted with mother-of-pearl.

Burkina Faso: from popular uprising to military coup
As Burkina Faso's junta consolidates its position after seizing power in a coup, we look at the recent history of the troubled West African country.

Norway says putting 'tangible demands' to Taliban at aid talks
Norway said it would press the Taliban with "tangible demands" during talks in Oslo on Tuesday, the last day of the hardline Islamists' controversial first visit to Europe since returning to power in Afghanistan.

US threatens stiff sanctions, warns Russia not to 'weaponize' energy
The United States on Tuesday warned Russia of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, and said attempts by Moscow to "weaponize" its enormous oil and gas industry would backfire.

Pro-junta rally in Burkina as UN, neighbours condemn coup
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as France, the UN and the country's neighbours condemned its latest coup.

Neil Young demands Spotify remove his music over Joe Rogan 'disinformation'
Neil Young demanded in an open letter to Spotify to remove his music from the platform he said is spreading vaccine disinformation via the popular podcaster Joe Rogan.

Syrian doctor in German torture trial denies atrocities
A Syrian doctor on trial in Germany for torture and murder while working in military hospitals in his war-torn homeland on Tuesday denied setting fire to a teenage boy's genitals or operating on detainees without anaesthesia.

Ex-Tour champion Bernal undergoes 'successful' surgery after bus crash
The 25-year-old underwent surgery on fractures to his spine, knee and thigh at the Universidad de la Sabana clinic in Bogota late on Monday night following his costly crash earlier in the day.

European stocks rebound, Wall Street sinks as Fed meets
Wall Street stocks sank at the start of trading on Tuesday as the Federal Reserve began a two-day monetary policy meeting, while European stocks rebounded.

Google pushes new plan to overhaul web-tracking cookies
Google on Tuesday announced a new plan to stop using small files known as cookies to track people's web browsing habits, after its previous proposals were roundly criticised.

Sole candidate Tedros set to remain World Health chief
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is all but guaranteed a second term after a procedural vote on Tuesday made him the sole nominee for a leadership election in May.

Fed begins meeting to fight inflation as markets tremble
The Federal Reserve began Tuesday a policy meeting in which central bankers are expected to further signal which weapons they plan to use against inflation and when, amid a selloff on Wall Street that appears set to continue.

Pro-junta supporters rally in Burkina as UN condemns coup
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new ruling junta rallied on Tuesday as France and the UN condemned the West African country's latest coup.

Istanbul permits first flights after snow pummels Mediterranean
Europe's busiest airport in Istanbul welcomed its first flight in 24 hours on Tuesday and Greece declared a public holiday as the eastern Mediterranean neighbours began digging out of a rare snowstorm that ground their capitals to a halt.

Success of US transgender woman swimmer sparks controversy
Lia Thomas has made a splash in US collegiate women's swimming with her dominant performances for the University of Pennsylvania. But just a few years ago, she competed on the men's team.

Berrettini makes history by reaching Australian Open semi-finals
Matteo Berrettini created tennis history by reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a rollercoaster five-set victory over Gael Monfils on Tuesday.

Hector stays on track with giant slalom victory
Sara Hector survived a scare midway through her second run to edge Petra Vlhova to win the giant slalom in Kronplatz, Italy, on Tuesday.

UK PM promises cooperation with police 'partygate' probe
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday vowed to cooperate with police in any formal probe into coronavirus lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street, which has deepened the threat to his position.

AFCON quarter-final moved to another stadium after deadly crush
The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final due to be played at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde will be switched to another stadium after Monday's tragedy left eight people dead, African football supremo Patrice Motsepe said.

Brazilian writer, guru to rightwing Bolsonaro, dead at 74
Olavo de Carvalho, a writer and philosopher who was considered a guru to President Jair Bolsonaro and others in Brazil's far right, has died at age 74, his family said Tuesday.

Yemen rebels lose key battleground area after missile attack on UAE
Yemen's Huthi rebels were expelled from a key battleground district by UAE-trained Giants Brigade fighters, the militia said Tuesday, a day after the insurgents' latest missile attack on Abu Dhabi.

Germany defender Suele poised to leave Bayern Munich - reports
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are set to lose Niklas Suele at the end of the season, with the Germany defender reportedly having turned down a contract extension.