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'War has taken everything': AFP reporter returns home to Khartoum

It had been nearly two years since AFP journalist Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali set foot in his home in war-torn Khartoum, after the sound of children playing in the street gave way to the fearsome fire of machine guns.

Philippine film legend Nora Aunor dies aged 71

Nora Aunor, considered by many Filipinos as their country's greatest actress and singer, has died aged 71, the government and her family said Thursday.

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Boy loses part of leg to shark bite off Florida coast

A 10-year-old boy had part of his leg amputated after being bitten by a shark while snorkeling on vacation in the Florida Keys, his family has said.

Academy apologizes to indigenous star for historic Oscars abuse

Nearly 50 years after she was booed off the Oscars stage for declining Marlon Brando's award on his behalf in protest at the film industry's treatment of Native Americans, Sacheen Littlefeather has received an apology from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group said Monday.

Walrus that attracted crowds in Oslo fjord euthanised: officials

A walrus nicknamed Freya that attracted crowds while basking in the sun of the Oslo fjord was euthanised, Norway officials said on Sunday.

Police probe 'online threat' to JK Rowling over Rushdie tweet

Scottish police said on Sunday they were investigating an apparent "online threat" made to Harry Potter author JK Rowling in response to her tweet supporting Salman Rushdie following his stabbing.

Rushdie attack suspect pleads not guilty to attempted murder

The man accused of stabbing Salman Rushdie at a literary event pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges Saturday, as the severely injured author appeared to show signs of improvement in hospital.

Attack on Rushdie sparks surge in interest in author's works

The stunning knife attack on author Salman Rushdie has fanned interest in his works -- above all, "The Satanic Verses," which left him living for years under a looming death threat.

Activists accuse Iran of responsibility for Rushdie attack

Iran's rulers bear responsibility for the attack against the British writer Salman Rushdie as the Islamic republic never repudiated a 1989 order issued by its founder calling for the novelist to be killed, activists and opponents charged Saturday.

'Dead fish everywhere' in Germany, Poland, after feared chemical waste dump

Thousands of fish have washed up dead on the Oder river running through Germany and Poland, sparking warnings of an environmental disaster as residents are urged to stay away from the water.

Actor Anne Heche legally dead after crash

Hollywood actor Anne Heche has been declared legally dead, one week after she crashed her car into a Los Angeles building, a spokeswoman said Friday.

Actor Anne Heche 'brain dead' after crash: US media

Hollywood actor Anne Heche has been declared "brain dead" one week after she crashed her car into a Los Angeles building, US media said Friday.

Salman Rushdie in surgery after being stabbed onstage

British author Salman Rushdie, whose writings have made him the target of Iranian death threats, underwent emergency surgery Friday after an assailant stabbed him in the neck at a literary event in New York state.

Salman Rushdie: Magical realist forced to live on the run

British Indian author Salman Rushdie is a master of magical realism who captured global attention as the target of a fatwa that forced him into hiding, and which now drives his fierce defence of freedom of speech.

Salman Rushdie stabbed onstage, rushed to hospital

British author Salman Rushdie, whose writings made him the target of Iranian death threats, was attacked and stabbed in the neck at a literary event on Friday in western New York state.

Rush from potential tenants for Cruyff's boyhood home

Football-mad Dutch tenants are vying for the chance to live in a humble, and affordable, two-bedroom home in Amsterdam where icon Johan Cruyff grew up.

Over 150 endangered vultures poisoned to death in southern Africa

At least 150 critically-endangered vultures were poisoned to death in separate incidents in Botswana and South Africa, conservationists said Friday, warning the killings pushed the birds closer to extinction.

Actor Anne Heche 'not expected to survive' after crash: US media

US actor Anne Heche is "not expected to survive" after suffering a serious brain injury in a car crash in Los Angeles last week, US media has reported.

Tens of thousands trek rugged trail to glimpse Iceland volcano

Tens of thousands of people have braved a steep, rugged trail in Iceland to catch a rare glimpse of an active volcano after it erupted last week, spewing red-hot lava into the sky.

'This freaking tower!': tech saves potty-mouthed stars in vertigo thriller 'Fall'

When you're dangling from a tower 2,000 feet above the desert floor by your fingertips, it may be difficult not to drop a couple of F-bombs -- even if you're a Hollywood actor shooting a PG-13 rated movie.

Ailing beluga put down as last-ditch French rescue bid fails

An ailing beluga whale that strayed into France's Seine river was put down by vets Wednesday after a last-ditch rescue attempt failed because of its rapidly deteriorating health, local officials said.

Ailing beluga put down in last-ditch French rescue bid

An ailing beluga whale that strayed into France's Seine river was put down by vets Wednesday during a last-ditch rescue attempt to keep the animal alive, local officials said.

Ailing Beluga whale dies in French rescue bid

An ailing Beluga whale that strayed into France's River Seine has died during a last-ditch rescue attempt, experts having decided to put the animal down to prevent further suffering, local officials said Wednesday.

Stranded beluga whale removed from France's Seine river

A beluga whale stranded in the Seine river in northern France for more than a week was removed from the water early Wednesday in a risky rescue operation, but officials warned it was in poor health.

France launches rescue op for beluga astray in Seine

French marine experts launched an ambitious operation Tuesday to rescue an ailing beluga whale that swam up the Seine river, to return it to the sea, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.

France readies rescue of beluga astray in Seine

Marine experts will attempt Tuesday to rescue a beluga whale that swam up the Seine river and return it to the sea, officials said, a complex and risky operation for an animal already sick and malnourished.

Hero's burial for former Philippine leader Ramos

Former Philippine president Fidel Ramos, a soldier regarded as one of the country's most effective leaders ever, was interred at the National Heroes Cemetery on Tuesday in a sombre state burial.

Mike Tyson slams 'slave master' Hulu series for 'stealing' life story

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has accused an unauthorized television drama of stealing his life story, comparing the streaming platform behind the upcoming series to a "slave master."

French experts ponder plan to transport whale back to sea

Experts are looking at a plan to transport a malnourished beluga whale that has swum up France's River Seine back to sea before its health deteriorates any further, officials said Monday.

Su-bear-ru: Bear spends night in US couple's car

A bear that let itself into a US couple's car had to spend the night there after shutting itself in.

When the sun switches off the solar panels

The more the sun shines in the southern German town of Aurach, the more likely it is that Jens Husemann's solar panels will be disconnected from the grid -- an exasperating paradox at a time when Germany is navigating an energy supply crisis.

Actress Anne Heche hospitalized after fiery car crash: US media

US actress Anne Heche has been hospitalized in critical condition after crashing her car into a Los Angeles home, US media reported Friday.

Going once, going twice... Pakistan lions up for auction

A Pakistan zoo is auctioning off a dozen lions to private collectors next week to free up space for a pride that won't stop growing.

'Climate criminal': Celebrities rapped over jet use

From a 14-minute flight by Drake's private plane to Taylor Swift's carbon footprint, celebrities are struggling to shake off a firestorm over their jet emissions amid the climate crisis.

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