WORLD

  Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | AFP |  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, named heir to the region’s most powerful throne last month, took temporary charge of the country Monday as the king left on holiday. Prince Mohammed’s father, King Salman, issued a royal decree deputising his son to “manage …

Drinking coffee could be your secret elixir, scientist says Here’s another reason to start the day with a cup of coffee: Scientists have found that people who drink coffee appear to live longer. Drinking coffee was associated with a lower risk of death due to heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, …

Washington, United States | AFP | For two months, Robert Mueller — the lanky, 72-year-old independent prosecutor investigating the Russia scandal — has worked in virtual silence in a nondescript government office building in downtown Washington. But even without saying a word, the former FBI director and no-nonsense prosecutor has …

Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced mounting pressure Sunday over new security measures at a sensitive Jerusalem holy site after a weekend of violence left eight people dead, with fears more unrest could follow. Israeli officials signalled they may be open to changing the measures …

Paris, France | AFP | A poll out Sunday shows the popularity rating of France’s new President Emmanuel Macron has slumped 10 points to hit 54 percent over the past month. While Macron has made a strong start on the world stage and won a solid majority in parliament, his first …

Pyongyang, North Korea | AFP | The Westerners lined up on Sunday before giant statues of North Korea’s founder Kim Il-Sung and his son and successor Kim Jong-Il and, on command from their guide, bowed deeply. It is a ritual that the Trump administration intends to stop US tourists performing, with …

Beijing, China | AFP |  At a small park outside the Beijing home of late Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, security officers sat around a stone table surrounded by shrubbery, scrutinising everyone who neared the gate they guarded. More than a week after the Nobel Peace Prize winner succumbed to …

Monaco, Principality of Monaco | AFP |  Jamaican sprint superstar Usain Bolt ran a season’s best of 9.95 seconds to win the 100m at Friday’s Diamond League in Monaco. In his second appearance in Europe in his farewell season, Bolt produced a trademark strong second segment to beat out American …

Paris, France | AFP |  Neymar’s decision to post a photo of himself in thoughtful contemplation sparked a fresh wave of speculation that he is on the verge of sealing a world record 222-million-euro ($256.8 million) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. The Instagram picture, even accompanied by a matching …

  Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP |  An Emirati state minister Friday welcomed changes to Qatar’s anti-terror legislation as a “positive” step in the crisis between Doha and four Arab neighbours which accuse it of backing extremists. Qatar announced a decree by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani late …