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Diplomats hold US-Iran preparatory discussions at Swiss retreat
Diplomats from several countries were meeting Saturday at a Swiss retreat in a bid to maintain dialogue on the preliminary US-Iran deal to halt the Middle East war, said Bern.
Israel strikes south Lebanon despite truce announced with Hezbollah
Israel carried out deadly strikes in south Lebanon on Saturday and Hezbollah maintained it had the right to respond, hours after the United States announced a renewed ceasefire in fighting that had strained a fledgling deal with Iran.
Indian guru urges broader view of yoga
Indian yoga expert and teacher Varun Veer said ahead of International Yoga Day on Sunday that its Western form is often reduced to the physical dimension, but the millennia-old practice is also mental and spiritual.
Iran's treatment at World Cup 'a dark point' for football: official
Iran's treatment at the World Cup in North America is a "dark point" in the history of the competition, a leading Iranian football official said Friday.
'Like China': Cubans welcome reforms but exiles remain skeptical
The revolution was televised -- but many Cubans missed it because they had no electricity.
Qatar-gifted Air Force One replacement unveiled
US President Donald Trump unveiled on Friday a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, which he dubbed a "flying White House."
Venezuelan opposition figure heads to US after transition talks
Venezuelan opposition figure Dinorah Figuera told AFP on Friday she is traveling to the United States for meetings, a day after returning from years in exile to initiate dialogue with Venezuela's interim government.
From Versailles to a Swiss mountain: a week of dizzying Iran diplomacy
From the corridors of power in Washington to a Swiss mountaintop resort, via Tehran and a French spa, it has been a dizzying week of diplomacy on Iran -- marked by surprise twists and a last-ditch hunt for a printer in the Palace of Versailles.
Outrage in Italy after Trump says Meloni 'begged' for photo op
Italy reacted angrily on Friday after reported comments by US President Donald Trump mocking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with the foreign minister cancelling a planned US visit.
Israel, Hezbollah agree ceasefire as US-Iran deal under strain
Israel and Hezbollah agreed a ceasefire on Friday, a US official said, after deadly exchanges between the two sides in Lebanon put a deal to end the Middle East war under strain less than two days after it was signed.
Ebola spreading 'fast' in DR Congo, warns WHO
The fatal Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading rapidly, the World Health Organization warned Friday, despite accelerating efforts to tackle the virus.
US-Iran deal under immediate strain as fighting flares in Lebanon
Deadly exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon put a newly signed deal to end the Middle East war under further strain on Friday, after the postponement of planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland.
Italian FM cancels US visit over reported Trump comments
Italy's foreign minister on Friday cancelled a visit to the United States over reported comments by US President Donald Trump that appeared to mock Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Oil prices, shares steady after US-Iran talks postponed
Oil prices and stock markets stabilised Friday after postponement of Mideast peace deal talks and following big movements for markets this week on hopes of an end to the US-Iran conflict.
Burnham vows 'new path' for UK as he eyes bid to oust PM Starmer
Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham won a crunch by-election on Friday, resoundingly securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for his expected bid to oust beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Iran-US deal under strain after Swiss talks postponed
A newly signed deal to end the Middle East war was already under strain on Friday, after talks in Switzerland were postponed and fighting flared between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
South Korean leader says told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'
Assistance from Russia had rendered sanctions imposed on nuclear-armed North Korea "ineffective", South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday after discussing the matter with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Stocks rally falters, oil rises as US-Iran talks postponed
Stock markets were mixed on Friday and oil prices rose after Switzerland said planned talks following up on the US-Iran agreement had been postponed, dealing a blow to the week-long rally.
S. Korean leader says he told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'
Closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have rendered sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear programme "ineffective", South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday.
Switzerland says US-Iran talks postponed
Switzerland announced Friday that planned talks following up on the deal to end the Middle East war had been postponed, hours after US Vice President JD Vance's departure for the Alpine country was cancelled.
Seoul record leads most Asian markets higher, crude extends losses
Tech firms powered Seoul's Kospi index to another record on Friday, while oil prices extended losses after traffic began to resume in the Strait of Hormuz under the US-Iran agreement.
Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer
Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday, securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
100 Colombian guerrillas disarm in deal with leftist government
About 100 guerrillas laid down their weapons Thursday in a jungle area of southern Colombia under a deal with leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has sought peace with armed rebels, AFP journalists witnessed.
US Vice President Vance postpones trip to Switzerland for Iran talks
US Vice President JD Vance postponed a trip to Switzerland for talks that were originally slated for Friday to discuss next steps with the US-Iran agreement on ending the war in the Middle East, according to the White House.
From private enterprise to property: Cuba's reforms unpacked
Cuban lawmakers on Thursday adopted nearly 200 free-market reforms in a desperate bid to end a severe crisis and secure the end of a crippling US fuel blockade.
'Last ride': US says goodbye to Air Force One as Qatari jet awaits
Is it goodbye Air Force One, hello Qatar Force One?
Venezuela govt, opposition hold US-backed talks on democratic transition
Members of Venezuela's interim government met with the country's opposition party Thursday to discuss a "roadmap for a dialogue on a democratic transition," the US State Department said.
Cuba adopts historic package of free-market reforms
Cuban lawmakers Thursday adopted nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.
Votes being counted in UK by-election set to decide PM Starmer's political fate
Counting was under way late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.
US faces tough path to new Iran nuclear deal
The United States is about to embark on difficult negotiations with the Iranian government, whose survival of a massive US-Israeli military assault has undercut American leverage while bolstering the Islamic republic.
Cuba unveils historic package of free-market reforms
Cuba on Thursday unveiled nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.
Polls close in UK by-election set to decide PM Starmer's political fate
Polls closed late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.