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Lebanon says army will begin implementing Hezbollah disarmament plan
The Lebanese military will begin implementing its plan to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, the government said on Friday following a cabinet meeting, amid opposition from the group and its allies.
Spain's BBVA bank to start Sabadell offer Monday
Spanish banking giant BBVA said on Friday its tender offer for smaller national rival Sabadell would start on Monday after its hostile bid received the stock market regulator's green light.
Seizing Russian assets would risk 'terrible systemic shock' to euro: Belgian FM
Seizing Russian central bank assets immobilised in the 27-nation EU over the Ukraine war risks inflicting major damage on Europe's economy, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot told AFP Friday.
WHO chief lifts global mpox emergency
Mpox no longer represents a global public health emergency, the WHO said Friday, following a steady decline in cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected countries.
Starmer shakes up top team after deputy Rayner quits
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer overhauled his ministerial team Friday in a bid to reset his embattled government after deputy premier Angela Rayner resigned for underpaying a property tax.
Key facts about Trump's 'Department of War' -- aka the Defense Dept
President Donald Trump is rebranding the Defense Department as the Department of War -- a name used when it had more limited responsibilities for US Army forces rather than the entire military.
EU not 'living up to responsibilities' on Gaza war: Belgian FM
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot told AFP Friday that the EU's credibility on foreign policy was "collapsing" due to the bloc's failure to act over Israel's war in Gaza.
US sends 10 fighter jets to Puerto Rico as Venezuela tensions grow
US President Donald Trump is sending 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of his war on drug cartels, sources familiar with the matter told AFP on Friday, as tensions mount with Venezuela over Washington's military build-up in the Caribbean.
Shiite ministers walk out of Lebanon cabinet discussion on Hezbollah disarmament
Shiite ministers walked out of a Lebanese cabinet meeting Friday called to discuss efforts to disarm Hezbollah, state media reported, with the group adamant it would hold onto its weapons.
Lebanon discusses army plan to disarm Hezbollah
The Lebanese government began discussing on Friday an army plan to disarm Hezbollah, which the Iran-backed militant group says plays into the hands of Israel and the United States.
Israel army begins targeting Gaza City high-rises
The Israeli military destroyed a high-rise in Gaza City on Friday, shortly after announcing it would target tall buildings identified as being used by Hamas ahead of Israeli forces' planned conquest of the urban hub.
Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK scent victory at annual meet
Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party Reform UK kicked off Britain's annual party conference season Friday, with the Brexit cheerleader and his buoyant supporters increasingly confident he can be Britain's next leader.
Putin threatens to target any Western troops sent to Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be "legitimate" targets for Russia's army, as Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky said "thousands" could be sent as part of a peacekeeping force.
China to impose temporary duties on EU pork
China said Friday it would impose temporary anti-dumping duties on European Union pork imports, delivering another blow to shaky ties between the economic powerhouses as Brussels vowed to protect its producers.
Conservative Thai tycoon wins parliament vote to become PM
Right-wing Thai tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul was confirmed Friday by parliament as the nation's next prime minister, ousting the dominant populist Shinawatra dynasty.
Lebanon to discuss army plan to disarm Hezbollah
The Lebanese government is set to discuss on Friday an army plan to disarm Hezbollah, which the Iran-backed militant group says plays into the hands of Israel and the United States.
China to impose temporary duties on EU pork over 'dumping'
China said Friday it would impose temporary anti-dumping duties on European Union pork imports, delivering another blow to shaky ties between the economic powerhouses.
US sanctions Palestinian rights groups over ICC probe
The United States has imposed sanctions on three leading Palestinian NGOs, accusing them of supporting International Criminal Court efforts to prosecute Israeli nationals.
Sax-playing pilot Anutin lands Thai prime ministerial vote
Saxophonist, occasional pilot and heir to a construction fortune, Anutin Charnvirakul was once banned from politics but MPs chose him on Friday as Thailand's next prime minister.
Thai tycoon wins parliament vote to become PM
Thai conservative construction magnate Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday won a parliament vote to serve as the nation's next prime minister, according to an AFP tally of lawmakers' ballots.
US AI giant Anthropic bars Chinese-owned entities
Anthropic is barring Chinese-run companies and organizations from using its artificial intelligence services, the US tech giant said, as it toughened restrictions on "authoritarian regions."
Putin threatens to target any Western troops in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that any Western forces deployed to Ukraine would be a "legitimate" target for Moscow's army, a day after Kyiv's allies said they had committed to a troop presence in the event of a peace deal.
Chinese firms pay price of jihadist strikes against Mali junta
Jihadists allied to Al-Qaeda have launched a blitz of raids on Malian industrial sites run by foreign firms, especially Chinese, as a tactic to undermine the ruling junta.
Lebanon to discuss army's plan to disarm Hezbollah
The Lebanese government is set to discuss on Friday an army plan to disarm Hezbollah, which the Iran-backed group opposes, accusing the cabinet of playing into the hands of Israel and the United States.
Trump rebrands Department of Defense as 'Department of War'
President Donald Trump is changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, the White House announced Thursday, insisting the rebrand will project a more powerful image.
Wildfires producing 'witches' brew' of air pollution: UN
Wildfires are releasing a "witches' brew" of pollutants that can end up wrecking air quality a continent away from the blaze, the UN's weather and climate agency said Friday.
Russia rejects Western security guarantees for Ukraine after coalition pledges force
Russia rejected the notion of Western security guarantees for Ukraine on Friday, after more than two dozen countries pledged to join a "reassurance" force to deploy in the wartorn country after any eventual peace deal with Moscow.
Rubio ramps up Ecuador support in tough anti-crime drive
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday promised security aid to violence-wracked Ecuador as he sought to rally the region behind a force-first anti-crime campaign following a US strike on a boat allegedly linked to Venezuela.
North Korea's Kim tells Xi hopes to 'steadily develop' ties: KCNA
North Korea's Kim Jong Un told China's President Xi Jinping that it was his "steadfast will" to "steadily develop" bilateral relations, state media said Friday, after the two leaders met in Beijing.
Trump defends RFK Jr, after heated Congress grilling
US President Donald Trump on Thursday threw his support behind his controversial health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after he was grilled in Congress over decisions to fire scientists and overhaul the nation's vaccine policies.
Thai tycoon leads pack as parliament votes for new PM
Thailand's parliament is set Friday to vote in a right-wing tycoon as prime minister, ousting the nation's dominant political dynasty from office after their leader was sacked by court order.
Thai ex-PM leaves country before parliament votes on leadership
Thailand's influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday he has left the country by private jet, hours before his party looks set to be ousted from top office.