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UN chief urges G20 'leadership' on stalled climate talks

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on G20 leaders gathering in Rio de Janeiro to rescue stalled concurrent UN climate talks in Azerbaijan by showing "leadership" on cutting emissions.

Senegal counts votes as new leaders eye parliamentary win

Senegal began counting votes Sunday after parliamentary elections in which the new government is aiming for a resounding majority to deliver the ambitious reform agenda that swept it to power eight months ago.

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Kenya presidential hopeful Ruto picks ex-Kenyatta aide as running mate

Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday picked a former aide turned fierce critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta to be his running mate in the country's high-stakes election in August.

Palestinians mourn Israel's creation amid outcry over funeral raid

Palestinians rallied Sunday to mark the "Nakba," or catastrophe, 74 years after Israel's creation, with condemnation spreading over a police raid on the funeral of a slain journalist.

Finland confirms NATO bid as West claims heavy Russian losses in Ukraine

Finland on Sunday confirmed its bid for NATO membership as a bulwark against Russia, redrawing the balance of power in Europe after decades of military non-alignment.

Finland announces 'historic' NATO bid, as Sweden holds key meet

The Finnish government officially announced its intention to join NATO on Sunday, as Sweden's ruling party was to hold a decisive meeting that could pave the way for a joint application.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos amid patriotic outpouring

From odes to embattled military units to expressions of love for the motherland, Ukrainians are embracing tattoos amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Russian radio voices sow fear in Ukraine war zone

The portable radio in the dark cellar of the rocket-damaged kindergarten was transmitting news in Russian over whistling airwaves about the Kremlin's military triumphs in Ukraine.

Russia artist is 76-year-old voice of protest on Ukraine

Yelena Osipova barely slept ahead of Russia's pomp-filled Victory Day celebrations on May 9.

Australia PM makes final push for re-election

Australia's conservative prime minister sounded the gun on the last lap of a bitterly-fought election campaign Sunday, admitting "not everything went to plan" during the country's pandemic response.

Fierce fighting in Ukraine's east but Eurovision win lifts spirits

Ukraine's forces were fighting off a fierce Russian onslaught on the east of the country Sunday, after a Eurovision victory gave the country a much-needed boost of morale.

Finland to announce NATO decision as Sweden holds key meet

The Finnish government is expected to officially announce its intention to join NATO on Sunday, as Sweden's ruling party holds a decisive meeting that could pave the way for a joint application.

Discontent simmers as Okinawa marks 50 years since US rule ended

The Japanese island of Okinawa marks 50 years since the end of US rule Sunday, with discontent simmering about the ongoing presence of American troops and fears about growing regional tensions.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed becomes UAE president after brother's death

The UAE's long-time de facto ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was named as president on Saturday, confirming his rise to power a day after the death of former leader Sheikh Khalifa.

Finland seeks to reassure Russia about NATO bid

Finland on Saturday sought to allay Moscow's fears about its bid to join NATO, as fierce fighting raged in Ukraine's east, slowing down a hoped-for Russian advance.

After outcry, Israel police to probe actions at journalist's funeral

Israel's police chief on Saturday ordered an investigation into the actions of officers at the funeral of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, after they charged the procession and beat pallbearers, sparking global outrage.

Fierce fighting in Ukraine's east slowing Russian advance

Ukraine on Saturday claimed it was holding back a Russian assault in the eastern Donbas region and vowed to extract its last remaining fighters from a besieged steel plant.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed elected UAE president after brother's death

The UAE's long-time de facto ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was elected as president on Saturday, official media said, a day after the death of former leader Sheikh Khalifa.

In a haze of disinfectant, China struggles with invisible enemy

Leaving a fine mist of disinfectant in their wake, China's hazmat-clad health workers are cleaning homes, roads, parcels and even people -- but more than two years into the pandemic, experts say it is a futile measure against Covid-19.

School still smoulders a week after being hit in razed Ukraine village

The charred basement at the bottom of a heap of rubble that was once a two-storey grade school was still hot a week after a military strike Ukraine says killed 60 people sheltering from Russian bombs.

Outcry after Israel police beat mourners at journalist funeral

The US and EU led an international outcry Saturday after Israeli police charged the funeral procession in Jerusalem of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and beat pallbearers who almost dropped her coffin.

Intense fighting in east Ukraine as Europe pledges more military aid

Intense fighting raged in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region where Russia has been concentrating its forces without making significant progress, while "very difficult negotiations" were under way over the fate of the last besieged defenders in the city of Mariupol.

NATO membership prospect brings relief for border Finns

Troubled by the war in Ukraine, Finnish pensioner Martti Kailio, 73, keeps his hunting rifle to hand at his home in Hiivaniemi, overlooking the Russian border on the other side of a lake.

Macron starts second term with challenges mounting

French President Emmanuel Macron formally begins his second term in office on Saturday, maintaining suspense about his new government ahead of parliamentary elections next month that will shape his next five years in power.

Colombia elections: the spectre of political assassination

Every time Colombian leftist presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, who leads opinion polls, steps out in public the scene is striking: he is surrounded by a wall of nervous-looking bodyguards brandishing bullet-proof shields.

Nicaragua ends sentencing of opposition figures, negotiations next?

Earlier this week, Nicaragua finished sentencing 45 opponents of President Daniel Ortega's government to up to 13 years in prison for allegedly "undermining" national security.

Thousands expected to rally across US for abortion rights

Thousands of activists are gearing up to take to US streets Saturday in a national day of action calling for safe and legal access to abortion.

EU hikes military aid for Ukraine as NATO expansion faces roadblocks

Europe pledged another half billion dollars in military support for Kyiv on Friday as Sweden and Finland's moves toward joining NATO hit multiple hurdles.

Mexico president vows justice as report says teen raped and murdered

Mexico's president on Friday promised justice to the parents of a teenager whose death triggered a public outcry, after an independent forensic report concluded that she was raped and murdered.

Georgia's breakaway region to hold referendum on joining Russia in July: leader

The leader of Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia on Friday set July 17 as a date for a referendum on joining Russia.

Pentagon chief urges 'immediate' Ukraine ceasefire in call with Russian counterpart

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine Friday in talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, but their first call since the war began resolved no immediate issues, the Pentagon said.

Puerto Rico boat wreck victims mostly Haitian

The majority of migrants traveling in a boat that capsized off the coast of Puerto Rico were Haitians, authorities said Friday, adding that of the 11 dead, all were women.

Russian military woes continue in Ukraine's east: experts

When Russia shifted its focus to the Donbas in eastern Ukraine after failing to seize Kyiv, Western powers feared an onslaught that would see Ukrainian forces crumble within days.

Democrats urge Americans to stand up for abortion rights

US Democrats called Friday for a giant mobilization for abortion rights on the eve of a nationwide day of protest against an expected Supreme Court move to end federal protections for the procedure.

Ukraine's key IT sector booming despite Russian invasion

Ukraine's IT sector is booming despite the Russian invasion. Workers with stickers on their laptops recline on beach chairs outside a warehouse for start-ups in the east Ukraine city of Lviv giving off major Silicon Valley vibes.

EU sees reopening of Iran nuclear talks but US cautious

The European Union said Friday it had unblocked stalled talks with Iran after a mission to Tehran but the United States raised doubts on whether it was enough to revive a nuclear deal.

Queen visits horse show after health concerns

Queen Elizabeth II put in a rare public appearance on Friday, just days after ill health and old age forced her to pull out of the opening of the UK parliament for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Turkey opposes NATO membership for Finland, Sweden

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said Turkey did not have a "positive opinion" on Finland and Sweden joining NATO, throwing up a potential obstacle for the nations' membership bid.

10 killed in deadliest recent Syria rebel attack

Syrian rebels killed 10 soldiers in northern Syria Friday, in the deadliest such attack since a truce deal reached over two years ago, a war monitor and state media said.

Lebanese activists launch mock 'lollar' currency

Lebanese activists Friday rolled out mock banknotes featuring paintings of a gutted central bank or the Beirut port explosion to denounce high-level corruption that has helped to wreck the country.

The gas 'poker game' between Russia and Europe

The drop in Russian gas flows to the European Union has had no major effect on supplies, but it raises pressure on the region to wean itself from Moscow's energy.

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