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All eyes on 'decisive' Qatar in hostage release efforts
Boasting good relations with both Western governments and Hamas, the emirate of Qatar has emerged as the key power in efforts to release the hostages seized by the Palestinian militant group from Israel even as other states show readiness to help.
Climate 'loss and damage' talks end in failure
A crucial meeting on climate "loss and damages" ahead of COP28 ended in failure Saturday, with countries from the global north and south unable to reach an agreement, according to sources involved in the talks.
First aid trucks enter besieged Gaza from Egypt
The first aid trucks arrived in the war-torn Gaza Strip from Egypt on Saturday, AFP journalists said, bringing desperately needed humanitarian relief to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave under Israeli siege.
Exiled former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif arrives home for comeback bid
Three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived back in Pakistan Saturday after four years of self-imposed exile, primed to make a political comeback ahead of elections.
Not so radical: Meloni marks one year in power
From fringe far-right leader to a "friend" of Joe Biden, Italy's Giorgia Meloni marks one year in office this weekend having confounded expectations.
'Sliver of hope' as Hamas releases hostages, but Gaza aid stalled
Hamas released two American hostages held in Gaza on Friday, offering a "sliver of hope" to desperate families, as Israel pounded the densely-populated territory where millions are still awaiting promised aid deliveries.
Latin American presidents to meet in Mexico for migration summit
When a dozen Latin American presidents and foreign ministers meet on Sunday in Mexico, they'll face a huge task: finding a solution to migration flows roiling two continents as people make their way to the United States.
Biden requests $106 bn for Ukraine, Israel, border
President Joe Biden requested urgent military aid for Ukraine and Israel in a massive $106 billion security package Friday, but he faces a tough battle to get it through a paralyzed US Congress.
Uncertainty still surrounds Gaza hospital strike
Was Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza hit by Israeli fire? Or did it become the victim of a misfired Palestinian rocket? How many civilians were killed?
US budget deficit widens to $1.7 tn on lower tax revenue
The US budget deficit for the past year widened to $1.7 trillion, government data showed on Friday, in a development that could add pressure on President Joe Biden as he seeks reelection in 2024.
Macron says Qatar played 'very important role' in release of US hostages held by Hamas
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said Qatar had played a key role in the release by Palestinian militant group Hamas of two American hostages held since its attack against Israel on October 7, adding he was confident of further releases.
Hamas frees two US hostages as Israel readies Gaza invasion
Israel confirmed on Friday that Hamas had released two Americans among more than 200 hostages abducted earlier this month as it kept up its unrelenting bombing of Gaza in response to the Islamists' unprecedented attacks across the border.
Republicans back to drawing board in quest for US House leader
A damaging, weeks-long Republican leadership crisis deepened further Friday, leaving the paralyzed US legislature unable to perform even basic functions like funding the government and addressing growing national security concerns.
Hamas hostage relatives urge Red Cross to help free them
Relatives of some of the 200 people taken hostage by Islamist group Hamas in its October 7 assault in Israel urged the Red Cross Friday for help, saying more had to be done to free them.
Republicans drop Trump ally as US House speaker nominee
Republicans dropped conservative hard-liner Jim Jordan as their nominee to lead the US House of Representatives in a secret ballot Friday after he failed to secure victory on the floor for the third time.
US, EU show united front on Israel, Ukraine
President Joe Biden and European Union leaders delivered a message of unity Friday on the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine wars, despite worries that political paralysis in Washington could hamper US aid for its allies.
Republican-led US House rejects Trump ally's third bid for speaker
Lawmakers voted to reject hard-line conservative Jim Jordan's bid for speaker of the US House of Representatives for a third time on Friday, compounding the chaos that has left the government without a functioning legislative branch for weeks.
Soldiers rally, locals flee as Israel northern border heats up
Soldiers are everywhere and the last residents are hurriedly packing in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona where Israel fears Lebanon's Hezbollah could open up a second front in its war with Hamas.
Italy's Meloni announces separation from partner after sleazy remarks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Friday she was separating from her partner, with whom she has a daughter, after he was recorded making sleazy comments.
Italy's Meloni says leaving partner after sleazy remarks
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Friday she was separating from her partner, with whom she has a daughter, after he was recorded making sleazy comments.
Biden requests $106 bln package, including Ukraine, Israel funds
US President Joe Biden urgently requested Friday military aid for Ukraine and Israel in a massive $106 billion national security package, but Republican paralysis in Congress means it will hit an immediate wall.
Deposed Niger president's lawyers deny escape bid
Lawyers for Niger's ousted president on Friday rejected claims by the new military rulers that he had tried to escape, as France said its forces would be gone from the West African country by year's end as planned.
Lebanon national carrier halves flights amid fears of Israel war
Lebanon's national carrier Friday said it was cutting more than half of its flights as tensions along the border with Israel prompted more Western countries to warn against travel to Lebanon.
Gazans await 'life and death' aid, Israel readies invasion
Thousands of tonnes of "life and death" aid for Gaza should be delivered soon, the United Nations said Friday, to relieve a "beyond catastrophic" situation after unrelenting Israeli bombing in response to an unprecedented Hamas attack.
Leaderless US House ends week where it started - in limbo
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives was closing out a third week of dysfunction Friday, no nearer to replacing its ousted leader and with no realistic plan to end one of its worst institutional crises in decades.
For displaced Gazans, fear and suffering on the road south
Fadwa al-Najjar said she walked for 10 hours with her family from the north of war-torn Gaza to reach a UN camp for displaced Palestinians, witnessing terrifying scenes along the road.
Rushdie urges end to fighting between Israel and Hamas
Author Salman Rushdie on Friday called for a "cessation" in fighting between Israel and Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, saying he was filled with "horror" and "foreboding".
Gaza aid 'in next day or so' as Israel girds for offensive
Trucks of international aid for Gaza should be rolling "in the next day or so", the United Nations said Friday, with Palestinians desperate for life-saving supplies after sustained bombing from Israel, still reeling from its bloodiest-ever attack.
Russia extends detention of second US journalist
Russia on Friday ordered Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva to be detained three more days, after prosecutors said she had failed to register as a "foreign agent".
Thierry Breton: the Frenchman taking on US big tech
The European Union's self-styled digital enforcer, Thierry Breton, doesn't mince his words when it comes to big tech.
Gaza aid 'in next day or so' as Israel rallies troops for invasion
Trucks stuffed with international aid for Gaza should be rolling "in the next day or so," the United Nations said Friday, with Palestinians desperate for life-saving supplies after relentless bombing from Israel, still reeling from its bloodiest-ever attack.
Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India in row over separatist killing
Canada said Thursday it had withdrawn 41 diplomats from India as a result of the fallout from a bitter dispute over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil.