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UK's Starmer campaigns in key election battleground Scotland
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer visited Scotland on the second day of general election campaigning on Friday, targeting a key battleground as his party bids to reclaim power for the first time in 14 years.
Celebrations as new biopiracy treaty agreed at UN
Representatives of Indigenous peoples celebrated Friday at the United Nations following the agreement of a treaty against the pillaging of their traditional knowledge and genetic resources, like those from medicinal plants.
Taiwan's Kinmen Island lives life 'as usual' despite Chinese drills
After a night at sea, fishers unloaded their haul on a port in Kinmen on Friday, saying there was "no real impact" from war games that Chinese forces were running around self-ruled Taiwan.
Ukraine says has 'stopped' Russia in Kharkiv, now pushing back
Ukrainian forces have "stopped" Russia from advancing further into the northeastern Kharkiv region and are now counter-attacking, but Moscow is intensifying its assault on other parts of the front, Ukraine's army said Friday.
At China's window to Taiwan, unification is only a matter of time
Chinese tourists clamber over rocks to gaze at the misty horizon that holds Taiwan, the island that Beijing insists will not be self-ruled for very much longer.
Migration, infrastructure woes fuel S.Africa poll disinformation
Propagandists and scammers are exploiting xenophobia and anger over failing infrastructure to unleash a wave of disinformation ahead of South Africa's most contested polls since 1994, experts warn.
Russia 'bogged down' in battle for border town, Ukraine says
Russian forces have become "bogged down" trying to capture the northeastern border town of Vovchansk, but were putting intense pressure on Ukraine's army in the east, Kyiv's top general said Friday.
Norway struggles to keep ultra-rich tempted by exile
You can check out -- but you still have to pay! Norway is looking for ways to hang onto its ultra-rich who are increasingly moving abroad to escape one of the rare European countries to impose a wealth tax.
China warns of Taiwan 'war' as military drills encircle island
China said on Friday that Taiwan's leadership was pushing the self-ruled island into war and warned of further "countermeasures", as Beijing conducted military drills around the territory.
Mines, unexploded ordnance a daily menace for Afghanistan's children
The black mushroom cloud had barely faded in Ghazni province before kids clustered around the edge of the crater created by the mine, one of the devices that kills a child every other day in Afghanistan.
China's war drills practise seizing Taiwan
Chinese warships and fighter jets surrounded Taiwan on Friday in the second day of drills that Beijing said were testing its ability to seize the self-ruled island, days after its new president was sworn in.
Don't expect UN peacekeepers to stop wars, chief tells AFP
The world cannot look to UN peacekeepers as a way of stopping wars, whether in Gaza or other active conflict zones, the department chief told AFP, citing the famous Blue Helmets' inherent limitations.
Ukraine's soldier musicians thank America, urge more help
Ukrainian opera singer Yurii Ivaskevych traded his tuxedo for military fatigues to fight the Russian invasion. When he lost his leg in a mine explosion last year, music called him again.
Mexican presidential candidate far from hometown hero
In the rural Mexican town where opposition presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez grew up, the smiling face of her ruling party rival looks out from posters plastered around the streets.
China says drills around Taiwan test 'seizure of power' capability
Beijing on Friday said ongoing drills encircling Taiwan were testing the military's ability to seize power over the self-ruled island, days after a new president was sworn in.
US imposes visa restrictions, reviewing cooperation with Georgia
The United States was imposing new visa restrictions and reviewing relations with Georgia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, after it pushed forward a Russian-style "foreign influence" law that triggered mass protests.
Five key points in proposed pandemic agreement
Countries are trying to finalise a global agreement on how to prepare for and avert pandemics by Friday evening, after two years of negotiations triggered by the horrors of Covid-19.
Kenyan president warns debt clouds Africa climate potential
Africa's vast potential in the global fight against climate change is at risk due to the heavy burden of debt and lack of international investment, Kenyan President William Ruto said Thursday.
Biden woos Kenya's Ruto with major ally status on state visit
US President Joe Biden said he would make Kenya a major non-NATO ally Thursday as he hosted Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for a lavish state visit aimed at competing with Russia and China for influence in Africa.
French PM seeks to narrow EU poll gap in far-right TV duel
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and far-right party leader Jordan Bardella locked horns Thursday in a TV debate ahead of European elections, as the ruling party of President Emmanuel Macron seeks to narrow a yawning gap in polls.
Louisiana lawmakers vote to restrict abortion pill
Republican lawmakers in the southern US state of Louisiana gave final approval Thursday to a bill that would criminalize possession of abortion pills without a prescription.
Biden woos Kenya's Ruto with state visit, major ally status
US President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet Thursday for his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, unveiling plans during a lavish state visit to name Kenya a major non-NATO ally as Washington competes for influence on the continent against Moscow and Beijing.
Germany's far-right AfD cast out by EU partners
Germany's AfD party was expelled Thursday from its far-right group within the European Parliament after a series of scandals involving a high-profile lawmaker, in the closing stretch of an EU election race in which the radical right is riding high.
Nine dead, scores hurt as stage collapses at Mexico election rally
An election rally in northern Mexico descended into tragedy after a gust of wind sent the stage careening into the crowd, killing at least nine people, including a child, authorities said.
Iran's Raisi buried after dying in helicopter crash
Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi was laid to rest on Thursday, concluding days of funeral rites attended by throngs of mourners after his death in a helicopter crash, state media reported.
Biden woos Kenya's Ruto with state visit
President Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet Thursday for his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto, who was making the first state visit to Washington by an African leader in more than 15 years at a time when the United States is losing ground on the continent to China and Russia.
Deadly strikes rock Kharkiv as Russia claims fresh advances
Russian strikes on Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv killed at least seven people with dozens more wounded, authorities said Thursday, as Moscow claimed fresh advances on the front line.
Israel launches deadly Gaza strikes, says ready for new truce talks
Israel launched devastating air strikes on Gaza early Thursday while also saying it is ready to resume stalled talks on a truce and hostage release deal with Hamas to pause the war raging since October 7.
Escaped Iran director arrives in Cannes
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof arrived at the Cannes Film Festival Thursday after his dramatic escape from his homeland after being sentenced to eight years in prison.
Tens of thousands bid farewell to Iran's Raisi ahead of burial
Tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets Thursday to bid farewell to president Ebrahim Raisi ahead of his burial in his home town after he was killed in a helicopter crash.
French PM duels with far-right chief in bid to close poll gap
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and far-right party leader Jordan Bardella will lock horns Thursday in a TV debate ahead of European elections, as the ruling party of President Emmanuel Macron seeks to stave off disaster at the ballot box.
Fatal strikes rock Kharkiv as Russia claims fresh advances
Russian strikes on Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv killed at least seven people, authorities said Thursday, as Moscow claimed fresh advances on the front line.
UK parties hit campaign trail as election battle starts
UK political leaders kicked off six weeks of campaigning on Thursday, firing the first angry shots in their electoral battle before the country votes for a new government on July 4.
Biden woos Kenya's President Ruto with key state visit
US President Joe Biden is rolling out the red carpet Thursday for his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto with a diplomacy-heavy state visit and a lavish White House dinner with all the trimmings.
China holds Taiwan war games, vows blood of 'independence forces'
China on Thursday encircled Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft in war games, as it vowed the blood of "independence forces" on the self-ruled island would flow.
Israel says ready to resume truce talks as Gaza war grinds on
Israel bombed Gaza on Thursday even as it said it was ready to resume stalled talks on a truce and hostage release deal with Hamas to pause the war raging since October 7.
China holds war games around Taiwan, vows flowing blood
China on Thursday encircled Taiwan with naval vessels and military aircraft in war games, as it vowed the blood of "independence forces" on the self-ruled island would flow.
UN to vote on declaring Srebrenica genocide memorial day
The UN General Assembly will vote Thursday on establishing an annual day of remembrance for the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, despite furious opposition from Bosnian Serbs and Serbia.
UK parties hit campaign trail as general election looms
UK political leaders kicked off six weeks of campaigning on Thursday, outlining their electoral battle plans before the country goes to the polls in a general election on July 4.