Brussels, Belgium | AFP | Ninety-three journalists and media staff were killed around the world in the course of their work in 2016, with Iraq and Afghanistan the deadliest countries, the International Federation of Journalists said Friday. The IFJ said the figure, 19 less than in 2015, was for journalists …

Beijing, China | AFP |  China will ban all domestic ivory trade and processing by the end of 2017, state media reported Friday, in a move hailed by activists as a “game changer” for African elephants. African ivory is highly sought after in China where it is seen as a …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP |  Saudi Arabia has invited regional rival Iran to discuss a return of its nationals to next year’s hajj after Iranians were excluded from the pilgrimage following a major diplomatic row, reports said Friday. The Al-Hayat daily reported that Riyadh’s pilgrims minister Mohammed Bentin had …

Islamabad, Pakistan | AFP |  China’s State Grid Corporation is set to build a $1.5-billion power line across Pakistan to enable the transmission of 4,000 megawatts of electricity from the country’s north to south, the government said Friday. Pakistani and Chinese officials signed an investment agreement in Beijing on Thursday …

Frankfurt am Main, Germany | AFP | The euro, used by nearly 340 million people each day, celebrates its 15th birthday on Sunday. Like a teenager in the throes of adolescence, the euro has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent years, but still manages to enjoy firm support across …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | After turning the tide on the ground in Syria with his country’s military might, Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to cement his authority by forging an unlikely peace deal. The Kremlin strongman on Thursday announced a new truce and talks between Damascus and rebel …

Mumbai, India | AFP | Indians rushed to change their bank notes Friday before a deadline to deposit invalid rupee notes closed, as Prime Minister Modi defended his controversial move to reduce cash in use. His shock November 8 announcement rendered 86 percent of India’s currency void, giving customers until …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has urged the English Football Association to ban children under 10 heading balls amid growing fears of brain injuries. A new study from the University of Stirling found heading a ball could cause memory problems for 24 hours and …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | A post-mortem examination on the body of pop icon George Michael, who died on Christmas Day after a chart-topping career and years of drug-taking, has proved “inconclusive”, police said on Friday. “The cause of death is inconclusive and further tests will now be carried …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | President Vladimir Putin said Friday said he would not expel any Americans in response to Washington turfing out dozens of Russian diplomats over alleged election interference. The Kremlin strongman’s shock decision came after Russia’s foreign ministry asked him to send home 35 US diplomats in …