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Billionaire ex-PM and retired NATO general make Czech presidential run-off
Billionaire former prime minister Andrej Babis and retired NATO general Petr Pavel topped the first round of the Czech presidential election on Saturday.
Former Bolsonaro minister arrested over Brazil riot
A former minister under defeated Brazilian ex-president Jair Bolsonaro was arrested early Saturday, local media reported, in connection with last week's sacking of government buildings.
Ukraine says key infrastructure hit in Russian strikes
Ukraine reported a fresh wave of attacks and hits on key infrastructure facilities on Saturday, a day after Russia claimed to have captured the ravaged eastern town of Soledar following a long battle.
China appoints security hardliner to head Hong Kong office
The hardline head of Hong Kong's national security agency has been appointed China's top representative in the city, state media said on Saturday, as Beijing tightens its grip since 2019 democracy protests.
Iran executes accused British spy by hanging: judiciary
Iran on Saturday executed former top defence official and dual British national Alireza Akbari, who was accused of spying for UK intelligence, the judiciary reported.
Peru president insists 'I will not resign' as protests continue
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte insisted Friday she will not step down, after another day of protests and roadblocks throughout the country saw calls for her resignation and the arrest of a trade union leader with supposed links to Maoist rebels.
North of Soledar, Ukrainians yearn for peace
In Siversk, a town north of Soledar that could be next in line for the Russian advance, Oleksandr Kuzenko and his neighbours took solace in an old tradition Friday as they hunkered down in their basement shelter.
Raft of single-use plastic items to be banned in England: govt
England will ban a wide range of single-use plastic items from October including plates and cutlery in order to limit their "devastating" effect on the environment, the government said Saturday.
Union leader arrested as protests continue in Peru
Police in Peru announced the arrest of a trade union leader with supposed links to Maoist rebels as roadblocks and protests against President Dina Boluarte continued throughout the country on Friday.
Japan PM tells Biden that new era requires more military muscle
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Friday alongside US President Joe Biden to modernize his country's military, warning that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had opened a dangerous new era and could embolden China.
French Muslim union sues nation's biggest literary star Houellebecq
The Union of Mosques in France is suing the controversial French novelist Michel Houellebecq for discrimination, hate speech and inciting violence in remarks to an interviewer, the organisation told AFP on Friday.
'Bad shape': Azerbaijani blockade of Karabakh drags on
A blockade by Azerbaijanis of the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh has left supermarkets and pharmacies in the territory's capital Stepanakert with bare shelves, further isolating the beleaguered majority-Armenian population.
Polisario holds leadership poll under shadow of Morocco-Algeria tensions
The Polisario movement, which seeks independence in disputed Western Sahara, started meeting Friday for leadership elections in the shadow of mounting tensions between host Algeria and Morocco, which controls most of the territory.
Morocco-Algeria spat spills into football with African cup no-show
The decades-long rivalry between North African neighbours Morocco and Algeria has spilled onto the football pitch, leaving the Moroccan team out of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Iran top diplomat hopes for restoration of Saudi ties
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope during a visit to Lebanon Friday that diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh could be restored through dialogue between the two regional arch-rivals.
Russia claims control of Soledar, Ukraine says fighting ongoing
Russia said Friday its forces had wrested control of the war-scarred town of Soledar in east Ukraine, its first claim of victory in months of battlefield setbacks, but Ukraine said there was no takeover.
Election 'correction' plan found at Brazil minister's home
A document found at the home of Brazil's former justice minister proposed emergency steps for the "correction" of October elections in which his then-boss, Jair Bolsonaro, lost the presidency.
Sudan post-coup talks 'open' to holdout groups: US envoy
The US ambassador to Sudan has called on ex-rebels who were not part of an initial post-coup deal to join the talks aimed at restoring a transition to civilian rule.
Stocks mixed on bank downturn worries
European equities rose Friday but US shares slid as banks' earnings reports tempered buoyant sentiment over slowing US inflation.
Logistical challenge looms for Ukraine over promised tanks
The imminent arrival in Ukraine of Western-made light tanks and armoured vehicles, as well as possibly heavy tanks, means Kyiv will need to quickly train up troops to use and maintain the sometimes complex equipment, analysts say.
German lawmakers to recognise Yazidi 'genocide' in Iraq
Germany's lower house of parliament will next week recognise the 2014 massacre of Yazidis by Islamic State group jihadists in Iraq as a "genocide", lawmakers told AFP Friday.
'We need Western tanks': Ukraine's crews warn of frontline losses
Perched on the nose of the Soviet-designed tank near the Donetsk front line, one soldier in Ukrainian commander Maksym's brigade was cradling a can of kitten food repurposed as a paraffin candle.
Stocks extend gains on slowing US inflation, upbeat European GDP
Global equities mostly rose Friday but the dollar struggled as slowing US inflation fuelled speculation that the Federal Reserve would take a softer approach to its monetary tightening campaign.
Morocco team await Algerian green light to fly in for CHAN
Morocco's football team was waiting at Rabat airport Friday for a green light to take off for Algeria, the kingdom's arch-rival which is hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
S.Africa's first democratic parliament speaker dies aged 90
Anti-apartheid activist Frene Ginwala, the speaker of South Africa's first democratic elected parliament -- and the first woman to hold the office -- has died aged 90, the country's presidency said on Friday.
Russia says it controls battered Ukraine town of Soledar
Russia said Friday its forces had wrested control of the war-scarred town of Soledar in east Ukraine, Moscow's first claim of victory in months of battlefield setbacks.
Peru closes Machu Picchu airport as nationwide protests persist
Rail and air links to Peru's famed Machu Picchu site had been cut early Friday after a flare-up in weeks-long protests that has killed dozens.
Ukraine says it is 'de facto' part of NATO
Ukraine has effectively become a NATO member, its defence minister has said, despite the military alliance's reluctance to get embroiled in a wider conflict with Russia.
Ukraine resisting 'high intensity' offensive in Soledar
Ukraine said Friday it was resisting a "high intensity" Russian offensive in Soledar, a nearly completely destroyed town in the eastern Donetsk region that is now the epicentre of the war.
Most markets rise as US inflation boosts Fed slowdown hopes
Asian markets mostly rose again Friday and the dollar remained under pressure after data showing another slowdown in US inflation fuelled bets the Federal Reserve will take a softer approach to its monetary tightening campaign.
Japan racks up new security deals with eyes on China
Space defence, US troop deployments and a "hugely significant" deal with Britain: Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is collecting more than souvenirs on his whirlwind diplomatic tour.
Violent spark followed by a fizzle: Is 'bolsonarismo' spent?
Brazil's democracy has withstood a vicious initial assault by die-hard backers of vanquished far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro who on Sunday sacked the symbolic seats of a government since recently in leftist hands.