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Thai PM dissolves parliament, calls election
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha dissolved the country's parliament on Monday, setting up a general election in May as the former coup leader seeks to extend army-backed rule.
Tear gas, arrests as Kenya opposition stages protests
Kenyan riot police fired tear gas Monday to disperse demonstrators gathered in Nairobi for a day of action called by the opposition to protest the country's punishing cost of living crisis, AFP correspondents said.
S.Africa police, soldiers deploy for opposition-led protests
Police and soldiers deployed across South Africa on Monday as the country braced for protests after a left-wing party called for a "national shutdown", sparking fears of a repeat of unrest that turned deadly two years ago.
UN migration agency can't meddle in domestic debates, says boss
The UN's migration agency should not get itself dragged into domestic policy debates, its chief Antonio Vitorino told AFP, as he seeks a second term leading the organisation.
South Africa braces for nationwide protests
South Africa braced for protests on Monday after a left-wing party called for a "national shut-down", sparking fears of a repeat of unrest that turned deadly two years ago.
EU hammers out 2-bn-euro ammunition plan for Ukraine
European Union ministers on Monday will look to sign off on a 2-billion-euro plan to raid their stockpiles and jointly purchase desperately needed artillery shells for Ukraine.
Donor conference seeks to rally quake aid for Turkey, Syria
The EU on Monday will host a conference in Brussels aimed at ramping up funds from international donors to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria.
Dammed thirsty: the cross-border fight for water
With half the world experiencing water scarcity for at least part of the year, the huge dams being built by some countries to boost their power supplies while their neighbours go parched are a growing source of potential conflict.
Boosted by Ukraine war, German arms maker joins DAX index
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall will join Frankfurt's blue-chip DAX index Monday, highlighting the improving fortunes of the country's weapons industry as the Ukraine war spurs demand.
Ukraine watches anxiously as China's Xi visits Kremlin
Ukraine awaits President Xi Jinping's visit to the Kremlin this week with apprehension, fearing that China may ultimately decide to supply its strategic ally with arms, influencing the outcome of the war.
North Korea's Kim leads 'nuclear counterattack' simulation drill
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led two days of military drills "simulating a nuclear counterattack", including the launch of a ballistic missile, state media reported Monday.
UN holds rare conference on global water crisis
With water scarce in some places, in excess elsewhere, polluted or otherwise problematic, the United Nations addresses this week a global crisis that has been long overlooked even as the welfare of billions of people is at stake.
Ex-US Marine accused of helping China was lured to Australia: lawyer
The lawyer of an ex-US Marine accused of training China's military on Monday accused Australia of luring him to the country for arrest and eventual extradition to the United States.
Xi, Putin hail ties ahead of 'journey of peace' to Moscow
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin applauded on Monday the solidity of their alliance as the Chinese leader headed to Moscow for a summit with the internationally isolated Russian president.
N. Korea's Kim led drills 'simulating a nuclear counterattack': KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led two days of military drills "simulating a nuclear counterattack", including the firing of a ballistic missile carrying a mock nuclear warhead, state news agency KCNA reported Monday.
Montenegro president to face pro-European economist in run-off: projections
Montenegro's incumbent President Milo Djukanovic will face a run-off election against Jakov Milatovic, a young economist from the increasingly popular Europe Now Movement, projections of results released by a local NGO suggested on Sunday.
Putin visits Mariupol in first trip to occupied Ukraine territory
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise trip to Mariupol, the Kremlin said Sunday, his first visit to territory captured from Ukraine since the start of Moscow's invasion.
China's Xi heads to Russia in visit for 'peace'
Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a state visit to Russia Monday, a trip Beijing has touted as a "visit for peace" as it seeks to play mediator in Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.
Putin hails China's willingness to help settle Ukraine conflict
President Vladimir Putin on Sunday welcomed China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in ending the conflict in Ukraine, saying Sino-Russian relations were "at the highest point".
Results stream in after tense local elections in Nigeria
Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was in an early lead Sunday evening in his bid for re-election, as Nigeria counted votes following local elections marred by violence and vote buying.
Israeli injured in West Bank shooting as talks seek 'calm'
A shooting attack in the northern West Bank town of Huwara on Sunday left an Israeli seriously wounded, the army and rescuers said, as Israeli and Palestinian officials in Egypt agreed to "restore calm".
UBS agrees to buy Credit Suisse for $2 bn: report
UBS has agreed to take over its troubled Swiss rival Credit Suisse after doubling its offer to $2 billion, the Financial Times reported amid urgent talks Sunday aimed at sparing the embattled bank from a bloodbath when the markets reopen.
Time for Syria to return to Arab fold, UAE president tells Assad during visit
The UAE's president on Sunday told his Syrian counterpart it was time for diplomatically isolated Damascus to be reintegrated into the wider Arab region during a meeting in Abu Dhabi, state media reported.
Kazakhstan votes in snap parliamentary polls
Kazakhstan on Sunday voted in snap parliamentary polls that saw new faces on the ballot, but opposition parties still barred one year after deadly protests shook the Central Asian country.
French government defiant on pensions ahead of crucial votes
France's government on Sunday held its ground over a bitterly contested pension reform rammed through parliament without a vote, a day before it faces crucial no-confidence motions.
Assad in UAE as second post-quake Gulf visit signals growing Arab outreach
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Sunday with Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi, his second Gulf visit since last month's earthquake prompted renewed efforts to bring Damascus back into the Arab fold.
Montenegro votes in presidential polls after months of deadlock
Montenegrins cast ballots Sunday in a presidential contest pitting the Adriatic nation's longest serving leader Milo Djukanovic against a range of rivals hoping to shake up the country's political scene.
Nigeria counts votes after tense local elections
Vote counting was underway in Nigeria on Sunday following local elections marred by reports of violence, bribery and signs of low turnout.
Putin visits Mariupol in first trip to fallen city
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Mariupol, state media reported Sunday, his first to the city since it was captured after a lengthy siege at the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.
North Korea fires short-range ballistic missile
North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, Seoul's military said, the fourth show of force in a week as South Korea and the United States stage major military drills.
China's Xi plays peacemaker on Russia visit
President Xi Jinping heads to Russia on Monday hoping to deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine as China seeks to position itself as a peacemaker.
'No other option': Russia's unequal economic marriage with China
Russia has found itself in an unequal relationship with China since intensifying its pivot toward Beijing after the assault on Ukraine.
Two killed, 10 wounded in eastern Ukraine: regional governor
Russian strikes killed two people and wounded 10 in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Saturday, a regional governor said, accusing Moscow of using cluster bombs in the attack.
France's Borne: resilient technocrat under pressure
France's Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who has pushed through a controversial pensions overhaul without a parliament vote, is an experienced technocrat known for her resilience.
Kazakhstan kicks off snap parliamentary polls
Kazakhstan holds snap parliamentary elections Sunday as the leader of the Central Asian country pushes political reforms that critics say are designed to consolidate power one year after deadly protests.
UBS against the clock in Credit Suisse takeover talks
UBS was up against the clock Sunday in talks to finalise a mammoth takeover of its troubled rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse and reassure investors before the markets reopen.
Kosovo and Serbia fail to sign agreement after marathon talks
Kosovo and Serbia stopped short of signing a potentially landmark deal late Saturday night after holding a marathon round of talks, even as the EU hailed progress toward reaching a long-sought agreement between the arch-foes.
UBS in talks to save Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse is in advanced talks with its larger Swiss rival UBS about a deal to salvage Switzerland's second-biggest bank, in a bid to reassure investors before the markets open next week, several media reported Saturday.
Protesters denounce UK plan to halt migrants' Channel crossings
Anti-racism protesters marched in London on Saturday to denounce the government's controversial plan to tackle cross-Channel migrant crossings by preventing arrivals from applying for asylum.