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Security Council to meet on Ukraine as US warns of Russia sanctions

The UN Security Council meets Monday to discuss the Ukraine crisis, with Washington vowing to hold Moscow to account as it works with NATO allies to beef up sanctions should Russia invade its neighbor.

Hong Kong cabinet minister steps down over tapas party

A Hong Kong cabinet minister resigned on Monday for attending a birthday party alongside dozens of officials and lawmakers just days after the city's government had called on people to avoid large gatherings to fight a coronavirus outbreak.

Eyeing new term, Macron walks tightrope on vaccinations

Emmanuel Macron's uncompromising stance against the unvaccinated has drawn praise from supporters, but his combative Covid strategy could backfire in a French presidential election that is far from a foregone conclusion.

North Korea confirms most powerful missile test since 2017

North Korea confirmed Monday it had fired its most powerful missile since 2017, capping a month-long blitz of launches that has raised the spectre of leader Kim Jong Un restarting nuclear tests.

Syrian Kurdish forces end mop-up operations in IS-hit jail

US-backed Kurdish forces on Sunday said they had defeated all Islamic State group fighters left inside the Syrian jail that the jihadists stormed 10 days ago, sparking battles that left over 370 dead.

North Korea says Sunday test was Hwasong-12 missile

North Korea confirmed it had fired a Hwasong-12 "mid-range ballistic missile", state media reported Monday, the first time it has tested a weapon that powerful since 2017.

Anger, reflection as N.Ireland marks 50 years since 'Bloody Sunday'

Relatives of 13 civil rights protesters shot dead in Northern Ireland by British soldiers 50 years ago demanded justice on Sunday, as they commemorated one of the darkest days in modern UK history.

Russia says wants 'respectful' ties with US

Russia said Sunday it wants "mutually respectful" relations with the United States and denied posing a threat to Ukraine, as the UK said it was preparing fresh sanctions against Moscow.

Turmoil ahead for Italy after bruising presidential vote

The re-election of President Sergio Mattarella in Italy has temporarily averted a political disaster and may ease the passing of key reforms, but Machiavellian plotting by political parties has just begun, analysts warn.

Socialist reign at stake in Portugal election

Portugal voted Sunday in a close-fought election, with no party expected to garner a majority in parliament in a fragmented political landscape that could see the far right make huge gains.

Socialist reign at stake in Portugal election, far right eyes big gains

Portugal votes Sunday in a tight election, with no party expected to garner a majority in parliament in a fragmented political landscape that could see the far right make huge gains.

North Korea test-fires most powerful missile since 2017

North Korea on Sunday tested its most powerful missile since 2017, ramping up the firepower for its record-breaking seventh launch this month as Seoul warned nuclear and long-range tests could be next.

China pursues gold in global image by hosting Olympics

China warns almost daily against "politicising" this week's Beijing Olympics, but for its rulers, hosting the Games has always been about far more than sport and the medal count.

'No justice': N.Ireland marks 'Bloody Sunday' amid Brexit backdrop

The Northern Irish city of Londonderry commemorates one of the darkest days in modern UK history on Sunday when, 50 years ago, British troops opened fire without provocation on civil rights protesters.

Italy's President Mattarella re-elected, easing crisis

Italy's parties Saturday voted overwhelmingly for outgoing President Sergio Mattarella to remain for another term, averting the political chaos that a failure to elect his successor could have sparked in the eurozone's third-largest economy.

Hundreds of truckers pour into Ottawa to protest vaccine requirements

Hundreds of truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital Ottawa on Saturday as part of a self-titled "Freedom Convoy" to protest vaccine mandates required to cross the US border.

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella re-elected, easing crisis

Italy's parties Saturday voted overwhelmingly for outgoing President Sergio Mattarella to remain for another term, averting the political chaos a failure to elect his successor could have sparked in the eurozone's third-largest economy.

DR Congo court sentences 51 to death in murder of UN experts

A military court in Democratic Republic of Congo Saturday sentenced 51 people to death, several in absentia, in a mass trial over the 2017 murder of two UN experts in a troubled central region.

Young feminist, Iran-born old hand to lead German Greens

Germany's Green party elected fresh leadership Saturday just a month after joining its first national government in 16 years, crowning a duo mixing new blood with outspoken policy experience.

Ukraine calls on West to be 'firm' in Russia talks

Kyiv on Saturday urged the West to remain "vigilant and firm" in its talks with Russia, as US President Joe Biden announced a small troop deployment to eastern Europe amid fears Moscow could invade Ukraine.

Truckers, others pour into Ottawa to protest vaccine requirements

Hundreds of truckers drove their giant rigs into the Canadian capital Ottawa on Saturday as part of a self-titled "Freedom Convoy" to protest vaccine mandates required to cross the US border.

Italian parties to elect outgoing president, leaving Draghi as PM

Italy's parties were set Saturday to vote for outgoing President Sergio Mattarella to stay on for another term, averting the political chaos a failure to elect his successor could have sparked in the eurozone's third-largest economy.

Italian parties to beg outgoing president to stay on

Italy's warring parties were set Saturday to beg outgoing President Sergio Mattarella to stay for another term, fearing political chaos due to a possible failure to elect his successor.

11 arrested after deadly West Papua nightclub fight

Eleven people have been arrested after a deadly clash at a nightclub in Indonesia's easternmost region, police said on Saturday.

Hong Kong university covers up Tiananmen crackdown tribute

Hong Kong's oldest university covered up one of the last public tributes to the deadly 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on Saturday, as Beijing continues to muzzle dissent in the financial hub.

Hong Kong university cover up Tiananmen crackdown tribute

Hong Kong's oldest university covered up one of the last public tributes to the deadly 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown on Saturday, as Beijing continues to muzzle dissent in the financial hub.

US radio sets out to break Russian 'propaganda wall'

With Russian troops massed on Ukraine's border, US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is trying to break through a "wall of Russian propaganda", its director for Europe told AFP.

Vietnamese bid farewell to father of mindfulness

Tens of thousands of Vietnamese on Saturday bidded farewell to the late monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh -- one of the world's most influential religious leaders -- ahead of his cremation ceremony in the country's Buddhist heartland.

Taiwan will not send delegation to Beijing Olympics ceremonies

Taiwan will not send an official delegation to the opening or closing of the Beijing Winter Olympics due to China's strict pandemic controls and flight disruptions, the self-ruled island's governing body for sport said.

Saudis near Yemen border learn to live with Huthi fire

Huthi fire from Yemen this month on the UAE, traditionally a haven of security in a turbulent Middle East, stirred alarm at home and abroad, but for many Saudis it's nothing new.

Honduras lawmaker crisis heads to court

The crisis in Honduras's Congress -- where rival factions of new President Xiomara Castro's left-wing Libre party have elected separate leaders -- headed to the country's Supreme Court on Friday, with both sides asking justices to settle the dispute.

Biden to send troops to eastern Europe amid Ukraine diplomacy push

US President Joe Biden on Friday sought to maintain pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, announcing a small troop deployment to eastern Europe even as top Pentagon officials backed a renewed push for diplomacy.

Canada truckers head for Ottawa to protest vaccine mandate

Hundreds of Canadian truckers converged on Ottawa Friday for a major demonstration against vaccine mandates to cross the Canada-US border.

New push for diplomacy as Ukraine urges calm over Russia threat

Top Pentagon officials on Friday backed a renewed push for diplomacy to avert conflict in Ukraine, after President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western leaders to avoid stirring "panic" over the Russian troop buildup on his country's borders.

Bridge collapses just before Biden infrastructure speech

A bridge collapse Friday in Pittsburgh provided a symbolic backdrop for President Joe Biden's trip to the city to tout his $1 trillion infrastructure plan -- and try rebuilding his own crumbling approval ratings.

Russian invasion of Ukraine would be 'horrific': Pentagon

The Pentagon said Friday that the destruction and human cost of a full-scale incursion by Russian forces into Ukraine would be "horrific," but that there was still time for diplomacy to avoid a war.

Ukraine tells West not to 'panic' over Russian troop buildup

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday called on Western leaders to avoid stirring "panic" as Ukraine faces a Russian troop buildup on the border that has sparked fears of an invasion.

Estonian PM warns against 'any steps towards Russia'

Europe and the US should be "very careful" not to make concessions to Russia, Estonia's prime minister told AFP on Friday, insisting that Moscow alone can de-escalate the situation.

IMF says 'understanding' reached with Argentina, more work needed

The IMF confirmed Friday it had reached a deal with Argentina on a massive loan repayment, though the Washington-based crisis lender stressed further approvals are needed before reaching a final agreement.

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