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Eight dead as Somali forces battle Al-Shabaab at besieged hotel
At least eight civilians have been confirmed dead in an attack by Islamist militants on a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, an official said Saturday, as security forces continued to battle gunmen holed up inside.
Mexico arrests ex-top prosecutor over disappearance of 43 students
Mexico on Friday arrested a former attorney general who led a controversial investigation into the disappearance of 43 students in 2014 -- one of the country's worst human rights tragedies.
Al-Shabaab gunmen attack Mogadishu hotel, casualties reported
Al-Shabaab fighters attacked a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu in a hail of gunfire and explosions on Friday, with casualties reported, security sources and witnesses said.
Global stocks mostly fall amid central bank concerns
European and US stocks mostly fell Friday, with investors focused firmly on central bank interest rate hikes as the US dollar rallied.
Putin to allow inspectors to visit Russia-occupied nuclear plant
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed that independent inspectors can travel to the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the French presidency said Friday, as fears grow over fighting near the site.
New $775 mn US arms package to bolster Ukraine offensive ops
The US Defense Department on Friday announced a new $775 million arms package for Ukraine aiming to help Kyiv turn the tables and begin regaining territory occupied by Russian forces.
North Syria violence kills 21 civilians: monitor
At least 21 civilians including children were killed Friday in separate bombardments in the latest flare-up of violence along Syria's northern border with Turkey, Kurdish authorities and a war monitor said.
Islamic State 'Beatle' jailed for life by US court
A member of the notorious Islamic State kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" was sentenced to life in prison by a US court on Friday for the deaths of four American hostages in Syria.
Nicaragua detains dissident bishop for 'provocative' activities
After two weeks under police siege at his home, Nicaraguan bishop and government critic Rolando Alvarez was detained Friday for "destabilizing and provocative" activities, authorities said.
Putin allows inspectors to visit Russia-held nuclear plant via Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed that a team of independent inspectors can travel to the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant via Ukraine, the French presidency said on Friday.
US announces new $775 mn arms package for Ukraine
The US Defense Department on Friday announced a new $775 million package of defense equipment and ammunition for Ukraine, including various types of missiles, artillery and mine-clearing systems.
Islamic State 'Beatles' member jailed for life by US court
A member of the notorious Islamic State kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" was sentenced to life in prison by a US court on Friday for the deaths of four American hostages in Syria.
Stocks mostly retreat over recession fears
Stock markets mostly dropped on Friday, with investors focussed firmly on the outlook for interest rate hikes as central banks battle to bring down sky-high inflation.
Putin, Marcon urge Ukraine nuclear inspections 'as soon as possible'
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French counterpart Emmanuel Macron called Friday for independent inspections at Europe's largest nuclear plant, as Putin warned fighting there could bring about a "catastrophe".
North Syria violence kills 19 civilians: monitor
At least 19 civilians were killed during two separate incidents in the latest flare-up of violence along Syria's northern border with Turkey, a war monitor said on Friday.
Nicaraguan police remove bishop from his home: church
Nicaraguan police on Friday forcefully removed Catholic bishop and government critic Rolando Alvarez from his official residence after two weeks under siege, said Church and rights groups who had no news on his whereabouts.
Myanmar junta chief says military open to negotiations with Suu Kyi after her trial
Myanmar's military chief said Friday the junta is open to negotiations with ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to end the crisis sparked by its coup after her trials in a junta-run court have concluded.
Sri Lanka's ousted leader hopes to return home: party
Sri Lanka's deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seeking to return home from his exile in Thailand and has asked his successor to guarantee his safety, his party announced Friday.
UN chief to visit Odessa as Russian strikes batter Donbas
UN chief Antonio Guterres was expected in war-scarred southern Ukraine's main port of Odessa on Friday, a day after he said Turkey and Ukraine hoped to scale up their landmark grain export deal with Russia.
Asian, European markets mixed as investors assess Fed outlook
Markets drifted on Friday as investors tried to assess the Federal Reserve's plans for lifting interest rates to fight inflation, with mixed data and differing opinions by bank officials providing little clarity.
Vanuatu parliament dissolved as power struggle heads to court
A controversial decision to dissolve Vanuatu's parliament looked set to be challenged in court, as opponents accused the country's embattled prime minister of illegally dodging a Friday vote of no confidence.
North Korea rejects Seoul's aid offer as 'height of absurdity'
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday rejected Seoul's offer of economic assistance in return for denuclearisation steps, calling it the "height of absurdity" and a deal Pyongyang would never accept.
Vitaliy Kim: south Ukraine leader with a sardonic side
Vitaliy Kim has a wicked sense of humour. Perhaps it's necessary: he is governor of Ukraine's southern region of Mykolaiv, where a fresh faceoff with Russian troops is rumoured to loom.
Germany's Scholz faces grilling over tax fraud scandal
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will answer to a committee on Friday as part of investigations into a financial scandal that cost the government billions, as the leader struggles to shed suspicions over his possible role in the huge tax fraud scam.
N Korea rejects Seoul's aid-for-denuclearisation offer
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday rejected Seoul's offer of economic assistance in return for denuclearisation steps, calling it the "height of absurdity".
Danger part of job in Mexico's coal mining heartland
Water is the worst enemy of Mexican miner David Huerta, who once survived an accident similar to the one that has trapped 10 workers in a flooded tunnel for more than two weeks.
Lula keeps big lead over Bolsonaro in new Brazil presidential poll
A new poll ahead of Brazil's presidential election in October shows former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva maintaining a significant lead over Jair Bolsonaro, but the right-wing incumbent is gaining ground.
Truth commission faults Mexico military over 43 missing students
A truth commission investigating one of Mexico's worst human rights tragedies said Thursday that military personnel bore responsibility, either directly or through negligence, in the disappearance of 43 students in 2014.
Jailed Saudi woman tweeter shrugged off risk: friend
A Saudi woman given 34 years in prison for tweets critical of the government knew people were informing on her but did not take it seriously, a friend said Thursday.
Erdogan warns of 'another Chernobyl' after talks in Ukraine
Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Thursday of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine during his first face-to-face talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky since Russia's invasion began, echoing pleas from the UN's chief.
Zelensky hails Turkish leader's visit as Russian strikes batter Kharkiv
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday hailed a visit to his war-ravaged country from Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Russian strikes battered the eastern region of Kharkiv, leaving several dead and dozens injured.
Kenya's election commission in eye of vote storm
Feuding officials, questionable calculations and accusations of intimidation and violence -- Kenya's election body is once again under the glare of public scrutiny.