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Syria leader heads to Turkey to discuss rebuilding, Kurds

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa visits Ankara on Tuesday for talks with Turkey's leaders on rebuilding his land and the volatile issue of Kurdish fighters near the countries' border.

Trump to host Netanyahu for crucial Gaza ceasefire talks

Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump will discuss the future of the Gaza ceasefire Tuesday as the Israeli prime minister becomes the first foreign leader to visit the White House since the US president's return to power.

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Manila deploys coast guard ship to counter China patrols

The Philippines said Sunday it had deployed a coast guard ship to challenge Chinese patrol boats attempting to "alter the existing status quo" of the disputed South China Sea.

Sahra Wagenknecht, Germany's combative 'left-wing conservative'

After a lifetime in opposition, Germany's hard-left standard-bearer Sahra Wagenknecht has shaken up the political scene with a blend of pro-poor, Moscow-friendly and anti-immigration policies.

Croatia's populist president appears set for re-election

Croatians vote Sunday in a presidential runoff with the incumbent Zoran Milanovic appearing set to win a second term, in what would be a blow to the scandal-hit governing party.

Seoul confirms Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers

South Korea's National Intelligence Service on Sunday backed up Ukraine's account of having captured two wounded North Korean soldiers this week in Russia, after Kyiv said they were being questioned.

South Korea's Yoon will not attend first impeachment hearing

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend the first hearing of his impeachment trial next week because of safety concerns, his lawyer said on Sunday.

French far-right firebrand Le Pen buried in private ceremony

Jean-Marie Le Pen, co-founder of France's main postwar far-right movement, was buried Saturday in a private ceremony in his native Brittany amid tight security.

Sudan paramilitary leader says 'lost' Al-Jazira state capital

Sudanese paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo said Saturday his Rapid Support Forces had "lost" key Al-Jazira state capital Wad Madani, as the military and allied armed groups entered the city after more than a year of paramilitary control.

French far-right firebrand Le Pen's buried in private ceremony

Jean-Marie Le Pen, co-founder of France's main postwar far-right movement, was buried Saturday in a private ceremony in his native Brittany amid tight security.

German far-right outlines radical programme as protesters rally

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party set out a radical programme on Saturday at a party congress ahead of next month's snap general election as thousands of protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to the party.

Syria, Lebanon pledge firm ties after years of tensions

Syria's new ruler and Lebanon's prime minister pledged on Saturday to build lasting ties during the first visit by a Lebanese head of government to Damascus since the start of the civil war in 2011.

Ukraine says questioning POWs it claims are North Koreans

Ukraine said Saturday that it was questioning two wounded soldiers it claimed are North Koreans taken prisoner while fighting for Moscow in Russia's Kursk region.

France hands over second army base in Chad amid withdrawal

France on Saturday handed over its second army base in Chad as part of an agreement with the country's authorities to withdraw its military forces.

Sudan army says enters key paramilitary-held Al-Jazira state capital

The Sudanese military and allied armed groups launched an offensive Saturday on key Al-Jazira state capital Wad Madani, entering the city after more than a year of paramilitary control, the army said.

French far-right firebrand Le Pen's funeral begins amid tight security

The private funeral for the co-founder of the main French postwar far-right movement Jean-Marie Le Pen began Saturday amid heightened security after his death aged 96 exposed polarising attitudes toward a figure who for decades shook and shocked the country.

Franco-Algerian influencer to stand trial in March

A Franco-Algerian influencer, arrested as part of an investigation into online hate videos, appeared before French prosecutors on Saturday and will stand trial in March, authorities said.

Protests delay start of German far-right party's key meet

A key congress of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was delayed Saturday as thousands shouting "No to Nazis" protested outside the venue in the eastern town of Riesa.

Japan to give Indonesia high-speed patrol boats in security deal

Japan will give Indonesia two high-speed patrol boats, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Saturday, as Tokyo seeks to boost regional maritime security cooperation in the face of growing assertiveness by China.

UK treasurer says London 'natural home' for Chinese finance

British treasurer Rachel Reeves said Saturday that London was a "natural home" for Chinese finance as she began a visit to Beijing in the shadow of bond market turmoil back home.

Family to bury Jean-Marie Le Pen after death divided France

The co-founder of the main French postwar far-right movement Jean-Marie Le Pen is to be buried Saturday at a strictly family-only funeral after his death aged 96 exposed polarising attitudes towards a figure who for decades shook and shocked the country.

Thousands of South Koreans protest as president digs heels in

Thousands of South Koreans began gathering in the capital for rival demonstrations on Saturday, as investigators prepare another attempt to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree.

Germany races to secure stricken 'Russian shadow fleet' oil tanker

Germany was racing Saturday to secure a heavily loaded tanker stranded off its northern coast, towing the stricken ship it said was part of Russia's sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" away from shore to avert an oil spill.

UK finance minister begins China visit amid govt bond crisis

British finance minister Rachel Reeves began a visit to China on Saturday, seeking to revive dialogue with the world's number two economy as UK borrowing costs soar.

Biden blasts 'shameful' Meta decision to scrap US fact-checking

US President Joe Biden blasted Meta Friday for scrapping fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in the United States, calling the move "really shameful" after a global network warned of real-world harm if the tech giant expands its decision to other countries.

Inauguration of Venezuela's Maduro draws international condemnation

Nicolas Maduro's inauguration on Friday for a third term as Venezuela's president drew widespread admonishment from countries that have accused him of stealing the July election.

France warns Algeria against escalation of influencers showdown

France threatened on Friday to "retaliate" if Algeria escalates a diplomatic row that has flared up over the arrests of Algerian social media influencers accused of inciting violence.

BRICS aims to 'build' global ties as Trump takes office: Brazil

Brazil will seek to build relationships and not worsen an already tense global mood, while holding the rotating presidency of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, a top official told AFP.

US, UK unveil widespread sanctions against Russia's energy sector

The United States and Britain on Friday announced sanctions against Russia's energy sector, including oil giant Gazprom Neft, just days before outgoing President Joe Biden leaves office.

Belarus opposition leader eyes 'opportunity' for change

Exiled Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has told AFP the forthcoming presidential election there will be a "sham" and urged dissidents to prepare for an opportunity to change their country.

Palestinian family wants justice for children killed in Israel strike

Batoul Bsharat was playing with her eight-year-old brother Reda in their village in the occupied West Bank. Moments later an Israeli drone strike killed him and two of their cousins.

Weakening of Hezbollah allowed Lebanon to fill vacant presidency

The weakening of Hezbollah in last year's war with Israel allowed Lebanon's long deadlocked parliament to reach consensus around a president who has the confidence of the international community.

UN says 3 million Sudan children facing acute malnutrition

An estimated 3.2 million children under the age of five are expected to face acute malnutrition this year in war-torn Sudan, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Turkey raps France, says US only counterpart in northeast Syria

Turkey's top diplomat ruled out any role for French troops in Syria Friday, saying Washington was its only interlocutor as US officials sought to head off Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters.

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