Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday banned rallies due this week in the capital Kinshasa over the extended rule of President Joseph Kabila despite global concern over a crackdown. Mineral-rich but chronically poor, politically unstable and saddled with a reputation for entrenched corruption, DR …

Monaco, Principality of Monaco | AFP | The world governing body of athletics on Sunday maintained its suspension of Russia, saying the country still had not done enough to clamp down on doping. Rune Andersen, the head of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)’s anti-doping Task Force, said “several key …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City maintained their march towards the Premier League title with a gripping win at Huddersfield, while Ashley ensured Manchester United remain their closest rivals. Liverpool and Chelsea shared the spoils, but Alexis Sanchez lifted Arsenal. Here AFP Sport looks at five things we …

Islamabad, Pakistan | AFP | Pakistan’s law minister Zahid Hamid has resigned, state media reported Monday, meeting a key demand of Islamist protesters who have clashed violently with security forces and blockaded the capital Islamabad for weeks. Hamid “has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to steer …

Karangasem, Indonesia | AFP | A rumbling volcano on the resort island of Bali could erupt at any moment, authorities warned Monday as they raised alert levels to maximum, accelerated a mass evacuation and closed the main airport, leaving tourists stranded. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been …

Huddersfield, United Kingdom | AFP | Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City as a team for all seasons as the Premier League leaders survived a stern test at rain-lashed Huddersfield on Sunday. Guardiola’s side reestablished an eight-point lead over second-placed Manchester United thanks to a gritty second half fightback at the …

Yangon, Myanmar | AFP | Pope Francis arrived in mainly Buddhist Myanmar Monday on a highly sensitive visit to a country facing sharp global criticism for the alleged ethnic cleansing of its Rohingya Muslim minority. The 80-year-old pontiff, the first to travel to Myanmar, was welcomed by children from different …

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Saudi Arabia’s crown prince vowed to “pursue terrorists until they are wiped from the face of the earth” as officials from 40 Muslim countries gathered Sunday in the first meeting of an Islamic counter-terrorism alliance. “In past years, terrorism has been functioning in all of …

Al-Husayniyah, Egypt | AFP | The young Egyptian imam who survived the Sinai mosque massacre that killed 305 people vowed Sunday from his hospital bed to go back and resume the sermon he never finished. Mohammed Abdel Fattah, 26, was delivering the Friday sermon at the North Sinai Rawda mosque when …

Rome, Italy | AFP | Pope Francis set off Sunday on his 21st and possibly most delicate overseas trip yet, a six-day visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh against the backdrop of the unfolding Rohingya refugee crisis. The 80-year-old pontiff’s plane left Rome en route for Yangon, Myanmar’s main city, shortly …