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At 87, pope defies expectations with epic voyage
By embarking aged 87 on the farthest journey of his papacy, Pope Francis is doing something some believed impossible -- and seeking to silence those who doubt his ability to fulfil his role.
From Indonesia to Singapore: Four stages of pope's trip
Pope Francis will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore over the next fortnight in his most ambitious trip in 11 years leading the worldwide Catholic Church.
Pope heads to Southeast Asia in ambitious trip
Pope Francis embarks Monday on a 12-day trip to Southeast Asia, the longest and farthest of his papacy that will challenge the 87-year-old's increasingly fragile health.
Solomon Islands voices 'concern' over Pacific police deal
Solomon Islands aired reservations Friday about a landmark Pacific policing deal brokered by Australia, saying it should not preclude them from working alongside newfound ally China.
Harris says in first interview US ready to move on from Trump
Kamala Harris declared Thursday that Americans are ready to turn the page on Donald Trump and chart a new path for the country, in her first major interview since her dramatic entry into November's presidential election.
UN aid official questions world's 'humanity' as Gaza war rages
A top UN aid official on Thursday questioned "what has become of our basic humanity," as the war in Gaza rages and humanitarian operations struggle to respond.
Harris rejects 'flip-flop' claims in first campaign interview
Kamala Harris played down Republican claims she had shifted her stance on key issues Thursday as she gave the pivotal first interview of her presidential campaign.
'More died than remained alive': Kyiv honours fallen soldiers
Kateryna Nosko hung two portraits on a wall in Kyiv as Ukraine marked a day of remembrance on Thursday for the soldiers who died defending the country under the shadow of Russia's invasion.
France, Serbia sign Rafale fighter jet deal during Macron visit
Serbia signed a contract to purchase 12 Rafale warplanes from France's Dassault Aviation on Thursday during a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Belgrade.
IAEA chief hopes to meet Iran's new president soon to kickstart dialogue
The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog hopes to visit Iran soon for talks with newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a confidential report seen by AFP on Thursday.
Two days of Israeli raids kill at least 16 Palestinians in West Bank
Israel on Thursday pressed a large-scale military operation in the occupied West Bank, leaving at least 16 Palestinians dead in two days despite UN concerns it was "fuelling an already explosive situation".
Poland slashes subsidies for right-wing Law and Justice party
Poland's electoral commission on Thursday announced cuts to the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party's subsidies after ruling it misused public funds to finance its campaign before the parliamentary election in October.
Paralympic sport offers Ukraine's veterans 'new life', says goalball player
Paralympic sports can provide a "new life" for Ukrainian war veterans maimed in the war with Russia, Ukraine goalball player Fedir Sydorenko told AFP on Thursday.
US Army criticizes Trump staff over 'push' at cemetery visit
The US Army on Thursday took aim at Donald Trump's staff over a visit by the Republican presidential candidate to the country's most hallowed resting place for its war dead.
'Hit my heart': trial of Hong Kong editors leave journalists in tears
When sedition charges against Hong Kong news editors Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam were first read out in court, former employees of the now-shuttered Stand News broke down in tears in the public gallery.
Few sleep soundly in Russia's border region under attack
It is only after dark in the Russian city of Kursk when locals say the fear really starts to creep in.
Near Gaza border, loved ones shout messages to Hamas-held hostages
Wearing a sticker on her shirt that read "328" -- the number of days her son has been held hostage -- Rachel Goldberg-Polin went near the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday to deliver a message.
Oscar-winner blasts Trump's 'mean' handling of migrant children
Film legend Errol Morris said the separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents by Donald Trump's US administration was "inhumane and cruel" as his new documentary about the policy premiered at the Venice Film Festival Thursday.
France's Macron hosts Starmer as UK seeks to reset Europe ties
UK premier Keir Starmer was welcomed warmly Thursday in Paris by French leader Emmanuel Macron, as the new centre-left British government seeks to relaunch post-Brexit ties with Europe.
Philippines says US offered to escort supply ships in disputed sea
The United States has offered to escort Manila's resupply missions to outposts in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippine military chief said Thursday, following Beijing's intensifying efforts to block them.
Biden 'looking forward' to talks with Xi in coming weeks: Sullivan
US President Joe Biden is looking forward to talks with Xi Jinping in the "coming weeks", top White House aide Jake Sullivan told the Chinese leader Thursday as they met for rare talks in Beijing.
Hong Kong outlet Stand News and editors found guilty of sedition
Hong Kong pro-democracy news outlet Stand News and its two former chief editors were found guilty of sedition on Thursday, the first conviction of its kind since the city came under Chinese rule in 1997.
China still committed to 'stable' US ties, Xi tells Sullivan
Chinese President Xi Jinping told top White House aide Jake Sullivan Thursday that Beijing remained committed to good ties with the United States, despite "great changes".
Biden aide Sullivan meets Xi, Chinese military brass in Beijing
Top White House aide Jake Sullivan held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, after a senior military official warned the United States to stop "collusion" with Taiwan in a rare one-on-one meeting.
Top Biden aide, Chinese military brass hold rare talks in Beijing
A senior Chinese military official warned the United States to stop "collusion" with Taiwan while top White House aide Jake Sullivan stressed the importance of stability in the tense Strait in a rare one-on-one meeting Thursday, both sides said.
Top Biden aide, Chinese military brass clash on Taiwan in Beijing talks
A senior Chinese military official warned the United States to stop "collusion" with Taiwan while top White House aide Jake Sullivan stressed the importance of stability in the tense Strait in a rare one-on-one meeting Thursday, both sides said.
Fighter jet deal at centre of Macron's Serbia trip
Expectations are high that France and Serbia will sign a deal worth billions of euros to supply fighter jets to the Balkan country during a visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Belgrade this week.
Biden aide Sullivan raises Taiwan, South China Sea concerns with Beijing military
Top White House aide Jake Sullivan raised the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea while planning more direct military talks in a rare one-on-one with a senior Chinese army official Thursday, Washington said.
Harris faces key test with first campaign interview
US Vice President Kamala Harris will give her first interview Thursday since becoming the Democratic standard-bearer, after intense criticism from Republicans that she has been hiding from tough questions.
Biden aide Sullivan lauds 'rare' talks with Chinese military in Beijing
Top White House aide Jake Sullivan met a senior Chinese military official Thursday, praising the "rare" one-on-one as he wrapped up a visit to Beijing with plans for presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping to speak soon.
Haiti gangs 'aren't even worried' by Kenyan police
Two months after the first Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti, little progress has been made against the country's rapacious gangs -- and the buildup of an international policing mission appears stalled.
California lawmakers pass AI safety bill
A bill aimed at regulating powerful artificial intelligence models passed California's legislature on Wednesday, despite outcry that it could kill the technology it seeks to control.
Venezuelan opposition vows to make Maduro 'yield' on election 'fraud'
Venezuelan opposition supporters gathered in Caracas on Wednesday, chanting "Liberty!" as their leader came out of hiding to lead a protest against President Nicolas Maduro's reelection, widely denounced as fraudulent.
Swifties harness their power for Kamala Harris
Taylor Swift has yet to weigh in on the US presidential race, but some of her superfans are already stumping for Kamala Harris.
Deadly Israeli raids in West Bank as Gaza war rages
Israel launched a large-scale operation Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, where the army said it killed Palestinian fighters, as the nearly 11-month-old Gaza war showed no signs of abating.
US slaps new sanctions on Israeli settlers over West Bank violence
The United States on Wednesday announced new sanctions on West Bank settlers over violence against Palestinians, urging greater accountability efforts by its ally Israel, which responded with anger to the move.
Top officials plan Biden-Xi call despite tensions
Top US and Chinese officials on Wednesday discussed plans for Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping to talk in coming weeks, despite exchanging warnings over regional tensions.
Guatemala journalist's jail conditions akin to 'torture': UN experts
A group of UN experts said Wednesday that a prominent Guatemalan journalist who has been in prison for more than two years was being kept in inhumane conditions "that may amount to torture and put his life in danger."
Deadly Israeli raids in West Bank as Gaza war rages on
Israel launched a large-scale operation Wednesday in the occupied West Bank, where the army said it killed Palestinian fighters, as the nearly 11-month-old Gaza war showed no signs of abating.