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Polls open in Russian vote to extend Putin's reign
Russians started voting on Friday in a three-day presidential election that is set to hand veteran leader Vladimir Putin another six-year term as the raging conflict in Ukraine spreads further into Russian territory.
Catholic confessions to remain secret under Hong Kong security law: diocese
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong said Friday that confessions by devotees to priests would remain confidential under the city's upcoming national security law.
Missile hits ship off Yemen as rebels threaten wider campaign
A missile strike damaged a merchant ship in the Red Sea off Yemen, marine security monitors said Friday, as the country's Iran-backed Huthi rebels threatened to expand their months-long harassment campaign which has disrupted global trade.
True Italians: the children left waiting for citizenship
When rapper Ghali sang "I'm a true Italian" to 10 million television viewers last month, he spoke for hundreds of thousands of people born to immigrants in Italy who struggle to obtain citizenship.
Al-Shabaab attack on hotel in Somali capital ongoing
Sporadic explosions and gunfire rang out from a popular hotel in the Somali capital early Friday, an AFP correspondent said, many hours after Al-Shabaab fighters attacked the site near the presidential palace.
Scholz and Macron meet in Berlin to mend Ukraine rift
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will receive French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on Friday after tensions between the leaders blew out into the open over differences on how to support Ukraine.
Netherlands to select future attack submarines
The Netherlands was set to announce Friday who it has chosen for a multi-billion-euro contract to build four submarines for its navy, with a consortium headed by France's Naval Group favoured over German and Swedish rivals.
Senegal opposition figures released 10 days before polls
Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and his second-in-command, presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, were released from prison in Dakar on Thursday, 10 days before the country's election.
Hamas health ministry says Israeli fire kills 20 Gazans waiting for aid
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said early Friday that Israeli fire killed 20 people and wounded 155 waiting to receive aid in the besieged territory, where the United Nations has warned of looming famine.
EU's Borrell warns coming months 'decisive' for Ukraine war
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Thursday that the Ukraine war could be decided in the coming months, urging during a visit to Washington for allies to rush aid to Kyiv.
US VP Harris makes historic abortion clinic visit
US Vice President Kamala Harris toured an abortion clinic Thursday, highlighting the key election issue of reproductive rights in what is believed to be the first such visit by a president or vice president.
Russia begins voting as Ukraine steps up border attacks
Russia began voting on Friday in an election set to prolong President Vladimir Putin's rule by six more years, as Kyiv branded the vote a "farce" and launched a barrage of deadly attacks on border regions.
Macron warns against 'limits' on backing Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron warned Thursday that limiting support for Ukraine in its war against Russia could lead to Kyiv's defeat and destroy Europe's credibility and security.
Palestinian leader names adviser Mohammed Mustafa as PM
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has appointed Mohammed Mustafa, a long-trusted adviser on economic affairs, as prime minister, the official Wafa news agency said on Thursday.
Gunfire booms in Haiti as politicians seek to form interim gov't
Gunfire rang out Thursday in Haiti's capital, ending three days of relative calm as politicians pressed on with talks aimed at forming an interim governing body after a gang uprising convulsed the country.
US Senate leader calls for new election in Israel
The leader of the US Senate called Thursday for Israel to hold new elections in the most strident criticism yet by a senior American official of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza.
Haitians struggle to form governing body as gangs vow to fight on
Politicians pressed on Thursday with crucial talks aimed at forming an interim governing body to rescue Haiti from a breakdown in law and order sparked by rampaging gangs and violence.
French parliament votes to slow down fast fashion
France's parliament on Thursday backed a string of measures making low-cost fast fashion, especially from Chinese mass producers, less attractive to buyers.
France's right-wing TV news grilled by lawmakers
A controversial French media baron and his star presenter were grilled this week by lawmakers over their right-wing content that has attracted millions of euros in fines and huge audiences.
Survivors say at least 60 migrants die attempting to cross Med: aid group
At least 60 people died on a migrant boat that lost power as it tried to reach Europe from Libya, an aid group said Thursday, citing accounts from those rescued.
Dutch edge towards technocratic government - without Wilders as PM
The Netherlands is heading towards a partially technocratic government four months after far-right leader Geert Wilders swept to a stunning election win, but without the anti-Islam firebrand as prime minister.
US issues new sanctions on Israeli settlers, West Bank outposts
The United States sanctioned three Israeli settlers and two farming outposts Thursday, accusing them of being involved in "undermining stability in the West Bank."
German defence firm Rheinmetall plans Ukraine arms factories
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall said Thursday it plans to set up at least four factories in Ukraine, as it targets a record 10 billion euros ($10.9 billion) in sales this year.
Captured then released, Ukrainian soldiers return to front
Yuri Feniuk's relatives pleaded with him not to return to the front line in eastern Ukraine when he finally made it home, demoralised and weakened, after nearly one year in Russian captivity.
S.Africa opposition triggers vote row with call for US observers
South Africa's biggest opposition party has triggered a furious row by appearing to call into question the country's hard won reputation for holding fair elections.
US, European stocks rise despite hotter-than-expected producer prices
US and European stock markets were mostly higher Thursday as a mixed bag of indicators failed to deter investors from expecting interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank.
China blasts US TikTok vote as buyout plan emerges
China blasted Washington's "bandit" mentality Thursday after the US House passed a bill that would ban TikTok unless it splits from its Chinese owner, as former Trump treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin said he is preparing a buyout plan.
Backlash at UK government's new extremism definition
The UK government on Thursday unveiled a new definition of extremism to determine which organisations get public funds and meetings with officials, prompting criticism from civic, political and religious groups.
'No future': West Bank village choked off amid Gaza war
Once a bustling Palestinian town with sought-after restaurants and auto mechanics, Huwara in the occupied West Bank has been hit hard by the fallout from Hamas's October 7 attack.
Ukraine steps up border attacks as Putin urges Russians to vote
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged Russians to vote for him at a "difficult" time for the country, hours before polls open and as Kyiv launched a barrage of deadly attacks on Russian border regions.
Senegal president urges immediate amnesty 10 days before polls
Senegal's President Macky Sall has told his government to enact an amnesty law as soon as it is officially published, amid hope a jailed main opposition candidate could be released ahead of the presidential poll in 10 days' time.
Eurozone stock markets hit fresh records on rate cut hopes
The Paris and Frankfurt stock markets hit fresh record highs Thursday as investors eye interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank as inflation cools.
Taiwan, China in joint search for two missing fishermen
Taiwan and China are carrying out a joint search-and-rescue mission for two missing crew members after a Chinese fishing boat capsized Thursday near an outlying Taiwanese island, killing two, Taipei's coast guard said.
Putin urges Russians to back him at polls in 'difficult' time
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged Russians to stay the course in the face of a "difficult period", hours before polls open in a vote set to extend his hardline rule.
UK government's new extremism definition sparks backlash
The UK government on Thursday unveiled a new definition of extremism which will determine which organisations get public funds and meetings with officials, prompting criticism from various civic, political and religious groups.
Markets mixed as traders eye US data, looming Fed meeting
Stock markets were mixed Thursday after a tepid day on Wall Street, with traders looking forward to a string of US data that could help sway Federal Reserve officials ahead of their policy meeting next week.
Boom times for Myanmar opium farmers as coup chaos bites
In a remote corner of Myanmar a line of farmers move through a field of nodding poppies, making small cuts in the greenish-purple pods to release opium resin.
Thai ex-PM Thaksin makes first public appearance since release
Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited his hometown in the kingdom's north on Thursday as he made his first public appearances since being freed early from a jail sentence for graft and abuse of power.
Asian markets mixed as traders eye US data, looming Fed meeting
Asian markets were mixed Thursday after a tepid day on Wall Street, with traders looking forward to a string of US data that could help sway Federal Reserve officials ahead of their policy meeting next week.