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Iran, Sweden free prisoners in Oman-mediated swap
Iran and Sweden announced a prisoner exchange on Saturday that saw a former Iranian official released in Sweden in exchange for a European Union diplomat and a second Swede.
Ahmadis in Pakistan say intimidated ahead of Eid al-Adha feast
Pakistanis from the minority Ahmadi community say they are under increasing pressure from authorities and Islamist groups ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebrations on Monday.
Ukraine-sceptic Pellegrini sworn in as Slovak president
Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Ukraine-sceptic Prime Minister Robert Fico, was sworn in as Slovakia's new president on Saturday, pledging to unite the politically polarised central European country.
Ukraine summit opens in Switzerland, seeking path to peace
World leaders were joining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Switzerland on Saturday for a summit on peace in his country, but with Russia staying away it is seen as the first step in a long process.
Chinese Premier Li urges 'shelving differences' with Australia
Chinese Premier Li Qiang called Saturday for "shelving differences" with Australia as he embarked on a four-day trip dangling the promise of expanded trade despite their geopolitical rivalry.
North Korea building roads, walls inside Demilitarized Zone: Yonhap
North Korea's military has been building roads and walls inside the Demilitarized Zone that separates it from the South, the Yonhap news agency reported Saturday.
Strongman Haftar and sons tighten grip on eastern Libya
The military strongman in the east of divided Libya, Khalifa Haftar, has named one of his sons as army chief, tightening his family's grip on the oil-rich region.
Chinese Premier Li launches trade-friendly Australia visit
China's Premier Li Qiang embarked on a four-day trip to Australia on Saturday, dangling the promise of expanded trade even as the two nations compete for influence in the Pacific.
In Ukraine, soldiers and civilians shrug off Zelensky's summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has lofty ambitions for a summit in Switzerland this weekend, but on the front line and in war-fatigued Kyiv, hopes for any major breakthrough are nearly nil.
Overshadowed by Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine knows no respite
Volodymyr Zelensky, a 66-year-old namesake of the Ukrainian president, opened the gate of his home in the frontline town of Yampil in east Ukraine, where residents have been emptying out.
New China rules allow detention of foreigners in South China Sea
New Chinese coast guard rules took effect Saturday, under which it can detain foreigners for trespassing in the disputed South China Sea, where neighbours and the G7 have accused Beijing of intimidation and coercion.
Leaders head to Ukraine peace summit under shadow of Putin demands
World leaders headed to Switzerland on Saturday for a first summit on peace in Ukraine, after Vladimir Putin demanded Kyiv effectively surrender if it ultimately wants peace negotiations with Moscow.
US ramps up Sudan aid, warns of risk of historic famine
The United States on Friday announced another $315 million for hungry Sudanese as it pressed the warring sides to end obstruction of aid, warning that a famine of historic proportions could unfold without urgent action.
Frustrated voters bet on far right saving France 'in tatters'
Standing outside the Catholic school where he teaches in eastern France, Charles Lauvergne said he was unsurprised the far right did so well in last week's European elections.
French stocks drag down European markets on vote fears
The Paris stock exchange plunged to its worst weekly performance in more than two years on Friday, dragging down other European markets and the euro as investors fret over France's looming snap election.
Trump turns 78 -- and age is increasingly an issue
Donald Trump, whose attempt at a White House return is based in large part on attacking President Joe Biden as old and feeble, turned 78 on Friday -- with growing questions over his own mental and physical health.
France snap vote sparks far-right family reunion
France's snap elections have sparked reconciliation within the country's most prominent far-right family, the latest episode in the saga of the tempestuous Le Pens.
NATO pushes to 'Trump-proof' Ukraine arms deliveries
NATO on Friday agreed to play a bigger role in coordinating weapon deliveries to Ukraine, as part of a Western push to ensure support continues whatever the results of November's US elections.
Farage bullish as hard-right Reform UK pips Tories in poll
Brexiteer Nigel Farage claimed Friday his anti-immigration Reform UK party was now the main opposition to frontrunners Labour in Britain's general election campaign, after a poll put them ahead of the Conservatives for the first time.
Putin says Ukraine must withdraw troops to start peace talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow would only halt its offensive on Ukraine if Kyiv effectively surrenders by pulling its troops out of the east and south and dropping its bid for NATO membership.
G7 hammers China over Russia ties, 'harmful' trade
G7 leaders meeting in Italy Friday hardened their tone against China, warning Beijing to stop sending weapons components to Russia and play by the rules on trade, according to a draft summit statement.
French left vows 'total break' with Macron policies
France's left put up a united front on Friday, vowing a "total break" with President Emmanuel Macron's policies if it wins historic polls, while far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen pledged a "national unity government" if her party emerges victorious.
Hard-right Reform UK leapfrogs Tories for first time in poll
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday played down a "seismic" poll suggesting that his Conservative party has fallen behind the hard-right anti-immigration Reform UK group for the first time.
Israel hits Gaza as tensions surge on Lebanon border
Israeli strikes hit Gaza on Friday as truce talks with Hamas militants failed to progress and tensions surged on Israel's northern border with Lebanon.
China Premier Li backs 'dialogue, not confrontation' in New Zealand
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Friday he supported "dialogue, not confrontation" during a visit to New Zealand where he stirred up hope of new trade avenues.
Pope arrives at G7 for historic address after morning of comedy
Pope Francis arrived at a G7 summit Friday in Italy, the first head of the Catholic Church to take part in the meeting of rich democracies, after a morning clowning with comedians at the Vatican.
European stocks slide on French vote jitters
European stock markets slid and the euro retreated Friday on lingering concerns over France's looming snap election, called after President Emmanuel Macron's party lost to the far right in last weekend's EU vote.
Leading French left-winger Glucksmann backs new left alliance
Leading left-wing French politician Raphael Glucksmann on Friday threw his weight behind a new coalition of the left in the run-up to historic elections, while far-right powerhouse Marine Le Pen pledged a "national unity government" if her party wins the snap polls.
Hard-right Reform UK outstrips Tories for first time in poll: YouGov
The Conservative party of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has fallen behind the hard-right anti-immigration Reform UK party for the first time in a poll by YouGov, which called the development a "seismic shift".
China promoting authoritarian governance in developing world: report
China has organised seminars and training courses for officials in African and Latin American countries, aimed at promoting its single-party system and President Xi Jinping's worldview, a report said this week.
Is there anybody out there? NATO hones Arctic subs' sonar skills
In the icy waters of the Arctic, NATO scientists are dissecting sound waves to improve the West's ability to track Russian submarines, as global warming alters acoustics underwater.
Swiss pull out the stops for Ukraine summit security
Switzerland is undertaking a major security operation around this weekend's summit on Ukraine, aiming to ward off not only physical threats but also cyberattacks and misinformation.
China Premier Li visits Auckland, stirring up hope of new trade
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in New Zealand's northern hub of Auckland on Friday, stirring up hope of new trade avenues among the country's business leaders.
Iraq counts cost of stray bullets fired in anger or joy
At weddings, football matches and other special events, some Iraqi men like to fire salvos of celebratory gunfire into the sky, worrying little about where the bullets might fall.
China waits anxiously for economic plan as gloom reigns
Rows and rows of partially inhabited high-rises sprawl into the suburbs of the northern Chinese metropolis of Tianjin, their empty balconies emblematic of a slowing economy that has not kept pace with the country's ambitions.
Asian markets, yen drop ahead of key Bank of Japan decision
Asian markets and the yen weakened against the dollar Friday ahead of a policy decision by the Bank of Japan, while the euro remained under pressure as critical French parliamentary elections approach.
S. African parliament meets to re-elect weakened ANC president
South Africa's newly-elected parliament meets Friday and is expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government after his ruling ANC cobbled together a coalition deal.
Tesla shareholders back huge payout for CEO Musk, company says
Tesla shareholders voted in favor of a huge compensation package for CEO Elon Musk, endorsing the potential windfall after a Delaware court invalidated it, a company official said Thursday.
Huthi missile attack severely injures sailor on cargo ship: US military
Two cruise missiles launched by Yemen's Huthi rebels struck a bulk cargo carrier in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, severely injuring a sailor who was evacuated by American forces, the US military said.