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'Scapegoating': Iran's Bahais feel brunt of crackdown
Peyvand Naimi was at work on January 8 when they came for him.
Forest fire burns through Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash
A large forest fire was burning through the Chernobyl exclusion zone on Friday following a drone crash near the defunct nuclear plant the previous day, Ukrainian authorities said.
More than 3,000 attacks on Ukraine healthcare since start of war: WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday it had registered more than 3,000 attacks on Ukraine's healthcare system since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Gulf clash threatens hopes for quick US-Iran deal
A new clash between US and Iranian forces in the Gulf dented optimism for a negotiated peace Friday, despite President Donald Trump insisting a shaky truce was still holding while the sides inch towards a deal.
South Koreans gear up to roar on football team from rival North
Hundreds of South Koreans will cheer for a North Korean women's football team when it makes a rare trip across the border for a continental semi-final this month, civic groups told AFP on Friday.
Taiwan welcomes Paraguay leader as China ramps up pressure
Taiwan rolled out the red carpet for Paraguay President Santiago Pena on Friday, as the democratic island shores up ties with its only South American ally in a rebuff to China's diplomatic pressure.
Stocks fall as US-Iran clashes spark peace talks fears
Stocks sank Friday as US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz jolted hopes for a deal to end the war and reopen the crucial waterway.
Russia, Ukraine trade major attacks ahead of Kremlin's WWII celebrations
Russia and Ukraine launched major attacks on each other on Friday, with a two-day unilateral ceasefire that Moscow had declared around its World War II commemorations appearing to be in tatters.
Inside the jails where Russia breaks Ukraine prisoners 'like dogs'
The young Ukrainian lieutenant talked back too much so his Russian jailers beat him to a pulp.
Oil jumps, stocks fall as US-Iran clashes spark peace talks fears
Stocks sank and oil prices jumped Friday as US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz jolted hopes for a deal to end the war and reopen the crucial waterway.
'No medicine for my son': Sudanese struggle to survive in new war zone
In an overcrowded camp in Sudan's Blue Nile state, Awatif Awad has been fighting to keep her five children alive as the region becomes a new front line in the country's three-year war.
North Korea to deploy new artillery along border with South
North Korea plans to deploy a new type of artillery along its southern border, state media said Friday, potentially putting Seoul within striking range as Pyongyang deepens its hostility towards South Korea.
Trump heads for Xi summit overshadowed by Iran war
US President Donald Trump heads for a superpower summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping next week hoping the Iran war will not spoil the mood in Beijing.
Russia says intercepted drones as its unilateral truce begins
Russia said Friday it intercepted drones bound for Moscow after warning of a potential retaliatory strike on Kyiv despite a two-day unilateral ceasefire it declared around its World War II victory holiday.
New York governor orders US immigration agents to unmask
New York's governor on Thursday ordered federal immigration agents operating in her state to not wear masks, a move likely to be challenged by President Donald Trump's administration after courts overturned a similar effort in California.
Venezuela admits death of political prisoner in custody nearly one year later
Venezuela's prisons ministry on Thursday acknowledged the death in custody of a political prisoner nearly a year after his passing and after his mother spent months searching for him.
CPJ demands progress on US probe of journalist Abu Akleh killing, four years on
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Thursday called for US authorities to relaunch their investigation into the Israeli military's killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was gunned down while reporting for Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank in 2022.
Brazil's Lula and Trump hail positive talks after rocky relations
President Donald Trump and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday hailed a positive three-hour meeting in Washington, as the ideological opposites sought to smooth tensions.
Rail fare to World Cup final stadium is cut ... to $105
The price of a roundtrip rail ticket from New York to the nearby stadium that will host the final and seven other matches at football's World Cup is being cut from $150 to $105, following outrage from fans, an official said Thursday.
Trump gives EU until July 4 to ratify deal or face tariff hike
President Donald Trump on Thursday said the European Union must ratify its trade deal with the United States by July 4 or face "much higher" tariffs, after European officials fell short of agreement on the pact.
Civilians lynched in Mali witch hunt after jihadist, rebel attacks
Abdoulaye Diarra was beaten and burnt alive near his home in the Malian capital, wrongly accused of being a "terrorist" because of his shabby clothes and long hair.
US targets Cuban military, mine in new sanctions
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Cuban military conglomerate that controls nearly 40 percent of the island's economy, as well as a Canadian mining company, as part of a mounting pressure campaign.
Trump says he would not pay $1,000 to watch US at World Cup
President Donald Trump said in an interview published Thursday that he would not pay the $1,000-plus ticket price for the United States' first World Cup match, piling pressure on FIFA over its sky-high costs.
Twin jihadist-claimed attacks kill more than 30 in Mali
Two attacks in central Mali claimed by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists have killed more than 30 people, local, security and administrative sources told AFP on Thursday.
Zelensky warns against attending Russia's parade as Moscow repeats threats
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday warned allies of Russia against attending its May 9 WWII victory parade, as Moscow doubled down on its threat to strike Kyiv on the day.
New Israel-Lebanon talks planned as US awaits Iran response to peace deal
Israeli and Lebanese envoys will sit down for a fresh round of peace talks in Washington next week, even as Israel presses its campaign against the militant group Hezbollah in spite of a ceasefire.
IOC lifts Olympic ban on Belarus but Russia 'still suspended'
The IOC on Thursday lifted its ban on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place.
EU prosecutors probe alleged misuse of funds linked to France's Bardella
European Union prosecutors have launched a probe into a possible misappropriation of EU funds, after a complaint alleged France's far-right National Rally had used European grants to benefit its leader Jordan Bardella, a source close to the case told AFP Thursday.
No tanks, no internet, simmering discontent: Putin to host nervous May 9 parade
No military hardware, internet shutdowns, Ukrainian drone threats and simmering discontent: President Vladimir Putin will host Moscow's Victory Day parade Saturday amid signs some Russians are tiring of more than 50 months of war.
Russia scolds ally Armenia for hosting Zelensky
Russia said Thursday that it was "incomprehensible" its ally Armenia hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a European summit earlier this week, and cautioned the country against deeper European integration.
Women linked to IS fighters charged with slavery after landing in Australia
Counter-terrorism forces arrested two women for slavery on Thursday as they returned to Australia from Syria, where they allegedly committed "crimes against humanity" while supporting Islamic State jihadists.
Oil prices drop awaiting Mideast peace progress
Oil prices fell and global stock markets traded mixed Thursday awaiting an update on a US plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.