Madrid, Spain | AFP | Spanish judicial authorities revealed Friday that the “ghost airport” of Ciudad Real, a symbol of the country’s financial excess in the boom years, had been sold off for 56 million euros ($62 million). Spain’s construction and property sectors boomed until the downturn hit seven years …

Washington, United States | AFP | The US Army is commissioning 22 women as infantry and armor officers under historic new rules allowing females to serve in ground combat roles, USA Today reported Friday. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in December announced a sweeping directive to open all military occupations to …

Bamako, Mali | AFP Mali and the European Union agreed Friday to combat immigration into Europe by financing projects to fight its causes and promote legal migration, according to a joint statement released on Friday. Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, began a …

Basel, Switzerland | AFP Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter told AFP Friday he “is available” to appear as a witness at a United States trial into mass corruption in world football. “Yes. When they need me to defend FIFA, I will be available,” Blatter said, when asked if he would …

Kigali, Rwanda | AFP A Rwandan court on Friday sentenced former politician Leon Mugesera to life in prison for inciting the 1994 genocide. Judge Antoine Muhima said Mugesera had taken part in “public incitement to commit genocide” as well as inciting torture and ethnic hatred, though he was found not …

Moscow, Russia | AFP Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday acknowledged the accuracy of the Panama Papers revelations, but claimed funds had been spent on musical instruments as he blamed the leak on the United States. The Papers revealed that Putin’s associates, notably cellist Sergei Roldugin, “secretly shuffled as much …

Juba, South Sudan | AFP On a dusty patch of earth cut into thick bush on the outskirts of South Sudan’s capital, hundreds of rebel soldiers who took part in a more than two-year civil war have set up a new base. The camp is basic: a few blue tents …

Paris, France | AFP | Atletico Madrid ousted holders Barcelona from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday while Bayern Munich also advanced to the semi-finals by eliminating Benfica. Atletico overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit with a 2-0 win against Barca at the Vicente Calderon secured thanks to …

Paris, France | AFP | The ICC’s failure to try top Kenyan leaders for crimes against humanity in the country’s worst violence since independence spells “doom” for global efforts to fight impunity, former Kenyan leader Raila Odinga told AFP. Despite this setback, African countries must not quit the International Criminal …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | “Goals are in my DNA,” concluded Cristiano Ronaldo after spearheading a famous Real Madrid comeback with a hat-trick to see off Wolfsburg and reach the Champions League semi-finals for a record sixth straight season. The three-time World Player of the Year’s self-appraisals are rarely humble. …