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US, EU assail Russia in rare meeting in Southeast Asia
The US and European Union's top diplomats on Friday assailed Russia's foreign minister as being negative and unconstructive in a rare sit-down appearance with him at a Southeast Asian gathering in Jakarta.
Senegal opposition leader named election champion despite jail sentence
Senegal's main opposition party on Friday declared its firebrand leader Ousmane Sonko would be its candidate in upcoming presidential elections, brushing aside questions about his eligibility following a jail sentence.
Russian lawmakers approve bill banning gender reassignment
Russian lawmakers in the lower house of parliament on Friday voted overwhelmingly in favour of new legislation that would make gender reassignment illegal, further cementing an ultra-conservative, anti-Western drive in society.
Re-elected Uzbek president says accepts 'constructive opposition'
Uzbekistan's president said Friday he welcomed political competition after winning a third term in elections that observers say lacked pluralism.
Thailand's next PM: if not Pita, then who?
The Thai parliament's rejection of reformist democrat Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for prime minister has sparked a flurry of behind-the-scenes jostling ahead of a fresh vote by lawmakers to elect the country's leader next week.
Blinken rallies SE Asia against 'coercion', in swipe at China
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed unity Friday with Southeast Asian nations against "coercion", in a thinly veiled reference to Beijing, as host Indonesia warned at talks that the region should not become a proxy for global rivalries.
Myanmar junta hints at extending state of emergency
Myanmar's junta chief hinted the military may further extend a state of emergency and delay promised elections in comments published Friday, saying greater efforts were needed to end unrest.
Thai lawmakers to hold new PM vote after reform candidate stumbles
Thailand's parliament confirmed Friday it would vote again for a new prime minister next week, after military-appointed lawmakers foiled liberal frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for the top job.
Big power disputes in spotlight at Southeast Asia security meet
Top diplomats from the United States, China and Russia attend a security meeting on Friday with Southeast Asian foreign ministers, with the spotlight on the disputed South China Sea, the Ukraine war and North Korea's missiles.
Thai parliament to hold another PM vote after reformist candidate falls short
Thailand's parliament confirmed Friday it would vote again on a new prime minister next week, after pro-royalist lawmakers foiled liberal frontrunner Pita Limjaroenrat's bid for the top job.
Indonesian president warns ASEAN 'can't be proxy' of any country
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday said ASEAN cannot become a proxy for other countries, as US-China tensions rise over issues in the Asia-Pacific.
Wang tells Blinken to 'work with China' on improving US ties
Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi has urged Washington to "work with China" to improve ties during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday.
'A story about me': Cambodian TV epic grows 'cult' of Hun Sen
Gunfire crackles, trucks explode and a shooting star announces the birth of a future ruler in an 80-episode dramatisation of Cambodian leader Hun Sen's life, now airing three days a week in the run-up to one-sided national elections.
Modi honoured for France's Bastille Day in shadow of riots
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be guest of honour for France's Bastille Day celebrations on Friday, which are set to take place under tight security two weeks after the country was swept by riots.
Syria opens key aid corridor to rebel-held areas
Syria will let humanitarian aid flow through its main border crossing into rebel-held areas, reopening a conduit that had closed after a Security Council stalemate, the country's UN ambassador said Thursday.
US climate envoy locks horns with Republicans ahead of China trip
US climate envoy John Kerry hit back Thursday at claims that he uses a carbon-spewing private jet as he was grilled by Republican lawmakers on the State Department's environmental agenda ahead of a trip to China.
Karabakh separatists urge Russia to open corridor to Armenia
A separatist official in Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan on Thursday called on Russia to ensure free movement on the only road linking the breakaway region to Armenia, warning of dire humanitarian consequences.
International Criminal Court opens new probe into Sudan violence
The International Criminal Court has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in Sudan, its chief prosecutor said Thursday, expressing "great concern" over escalating violence.
UN concerned over 'attempts to impact' Guatemala election
The UN added its voice Thursday to growing concern over perceived election interference in Guatemala after a court ruling hobbled one of the two finalists in a presidential runoff next month.
Aid group's rescue ship held 'indefinitely' in Italy
Aid group SOS Mediterranee on Thursday accused Italy of hampering its work after the authorities there ordered its migrant rescue ship Ocean Viking held "for an indefinite period" in port.
Senegal boat carrying 41 migrants reaches Canary Isles
A boat carrying 41 migrants that set off from Senegal landed in Spain's Canary Islands, the emergency services said Thursday as rescuers continued searching for three other missing boats from Senegal.
'End of AIDS' still possible by 2030: UN
"The end of AIDS" is still possible by 2030, the United Nations insisted Thursday, but cautioned that the world's deadliest pandemic could only be halted if leaders grasped the opportunity.
Putin has 'already lost' Ukraine war, Biden says
US President Joe Biden said Thursday that Russia's Vladimir Putin has already lost the war in Ukraine, expressing hope that Kyiv's counter-offensive would force Moscow to the negotiating table.
Thousands rally in anti-LGBTQ protest in Malawi
About 5,000 demonstrators on Thursday staged an anti-LGBTQ protest in Lilongwe, the capital of the conservative southern African nation of Malawi, where same-sex relationships are illegal.
Iran's Raisi visits fellow outlier Zimbabwe ahead of key vote
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday urged nations targeted by Western sanctions to band together as he hosted the leader of fellow international outlier Iran.
Blinken warns Beijing on hacking as US, China keep dialogue going
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Beijing's top diplomat on Thursday of consequences over hacking after a breach blamed on China again threatened to undermine a nascent stability in ties between the two powers.
Sudan war summit urges calm, UN reports mass grave in Darfur
A summit of African leaders from war-torn Sudan's neighbours Thursday urged an end to the fighting, as UN experts reported a mass grave had been discovered in the country's Darfur region.
EU, Japan talk cooperation on raw materials
The EU and Japan are working on a cooperation agreement for raw materials to whittle down China's dominance in the sector, leaders said in Brussels on Thursday.
UN court rejects Nicaragua claims in Colombia sea row
The UN's top court dismissed Nicaragua's claims against Colombia Thursday in a decades-long Latin American legal battle over an oil and fish-rich swathe of the Caribbean Sea.
Germany bolsters approach to more 'assertive' China
Germany on Thursday adopted a tougher strategy toward a more "assertive" China, its top trade partner, in a move Beijing warned could "damage cooperation and mutual trust".
Hundreds arrested following Kenya protests
Kenya's interior ministry on Thursday said more than 300 people including a lawmaker had been arrested following violent anti-government protests that left nine dead.
China's top diplomat says Beijing, Moscow to deepen ties
China's top diplomat said Thursday Beijing would strengthen ties with Russia in areas of strategic communication and coordination, as the allies' contacts grow closer after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year.