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S. Korea crisis deepens with election frontrunner retrial, resignations
South Korea's political chaos deepened Thursday after a retrial was ordered for a presidential frontrunner over alleged election law violations and two key government figures quit ahead of a snap election next month.

Police deploy in force for May Day in Istanbul, arrest hundreds
Police arrested nearly 400 people in Istanbul on Thursday, with parts of Turkey's biggest city paralysed in a bid to prevent May Day demonstrations, officials said.

'Not a commodity': UN staff rally over deep cuts
Hundreds of UN staff rallied in Geneva Thursday over deep funding cuts, especially from key donor the United States, which have led to mass-layoffs and threatened life-saving services around the world.

Flintoff proud as Afghan refugee protege plays for Lancashire second team
Andrew Flintoff has revealed his pride at seeing 'Field of Dreams' protege Adnan Miakhel, a refugee from Afghanistan, make his first appearance for Lancashire’s second team.

Peruvian cardinal accused of abuse challenges late pope's sanction
As Pope Francis's body lay in state in the Vatican last week, one of the mourners -- with eyes downcast and hands clasped -- was a disgraced cardinal from Peru.

Bangladesh begins three days of mass political rallies
Three days of political rallies began in Bangladesh on Thursday with rival groups to stage mass demonstrations in Dhaka, drumming up support for eagerly anticipated elections following an uprising last year.
Religious schools close in Pakistani Kashmir as tensions rise with India
Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir shut more than 1,000 religious schools Thursday over fears of possible military action from India in retaliation for last week's deadly attack.

Millions of children to suffer from Trump aid cuts
When he grows up, five-year-old Ahmad wants to be "stronger than Spider-Man".

US calls on India and Pakistan to 'de-escalate'
The United States has appealed to India and Pakistan to de-escalate after a deadly attack in Kashmir, as New Delhi on Thursday said that both sides again traded border gunfire overnight.

Europe far-right surge masks divisions
Hard-right and far-right parties are riding high in polls across Europe but their electoral success conceals divisions which could become major sources of tension if they win power, according to analysts.

Ukraine's chief rabbi sings plea to Trump to side with Kyiv
Ukraine's chief rabbi Moshe Azman stood in front of a microphone inside a studio and started to sing "Donald Trump, it's time to fight in the name of light" to a catchy rock rune.

Serbian students, unions join forces for anti-corruption protest
Serbia's trade unions will for the first time join a protest Thursday called by student leaders, six months after the deadly train station tragedy that sparked mass demonstrations against corruption.

UK WWII veteran remembers joy of war's end, 80 years on
Centenarian Dorothea Barron recalled the wave of relief she felt when she heard World War II had finally come to an end.

Myanmar junta lets post-quake truce expire
Myanmar's military junta let a truce declared to spur aid efforts after last month's earthquake expire on Thursday, a ceasefire that monitors say it consistently violated with air strikes.

UK local elections test big two parties
Britain's two main parties are tipped to suffer losses Thursday in local elections likely to confirm the rise of hard-right populists and portend the splintering of a century-long political duopoly.

Istanbul lockdown aims to prevent May Day marches
Istanbul authorities on Wednesday closed metro trains, buses and Bosphorous ferries, paralysing Turkey's biggest city in a bid to prevent May Day demonstrations.

Morales vows no surrender in bid to reclaim Bolivian presidency
Bolivia's ex-leader Evo Morales has told AFP he will not back down in his bid to regain power, despite being dogged by allegations of abusing a minor and being barred from seeking a fourth term.

Ukraine, US sign minerals deal, tying Trump to Kyiv
The United States and Ukraine on Wednesday signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid.

Ukraine, US say minerals deal ready as Kyiv hails sharing
The United States and Ukraine said Wednesday they could sign a long-anticipated minerals deal within the day, with Kyiv saying it secured promises of control over its resources.

US economy unexpectedly shrinks, Trump blames Biden
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year on an import surge triggered by Donald Trump's tariff plans, although the president pinned the blame squarely on his predecessor.

Everything is fine: Trump's cabinet shrugs off shrinking economy
Contraction? What contraction? As far as US President Donald Trump and his cabinet were concerned on Wednesday all was well with the economy -- and with everything else.

Trump praises Musk as chief disruptor eyes exit
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Tesla boss Elon Musk could stay working for the White House as long as he wanted but understood the tycoon wanted to get back to his businesses.

Syria reports Israeli strikes after warning over Druze as sectarian clashes spread
Syria said Israel launched new strikes near Damascus on Wednesday, after sectarian clashes left nearly 40 dead in two days and Israel warned against attacks targeting the Druze minority.

Migrants' dreams buried under rubble after deadly strike on Yemen centre
Africans in search of a better future became the latest casualties of Yemen's decade-long conflict after a deadly strike blamed on the United States hit a migrant detention centre, killing dozens of people.

Microsoft president urges fast 'resolution' of transatlantic trade tensions
Microsoft President Brad Smith called Wednesday for a swift resolution of trade tensions between the United States and Europe, during an interview with AFP in Brussels.

US economy unexpectedly shrinks on import surge before Trump tariffs
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year due largely to a surge in imports as businesses and consumers stockpiled ahead of the introduction of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

US economy unexpectedly shrinks on import surge ahead of Trump tariffs
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports as businesses and consumers stockpiled ahead of the introduction of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

US economy unexpectedly shrinks in first three months of Trump presidency
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of this year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports ahead of the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Burkina junta rallies supporters after claimed coup 'plot'
Several thousand people rallied in support of Burkina Faso's ruling junta Wednesday, days after the military authorities said they had uncovered a "plot" to overthrow the government.

US economy unexpectedly contracts in first three months of Trump presidency
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of this year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports ahead of the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Pakistan says India planning strike after deadly Kashmir attack
Pakistan said on Wednesday it had "credible intelligence" that India was planning an imminent military strike and vowed to retaliate, as worries of spiralling conflict grew over a deadly attack in Kashmir.

Iran hangs man as Israeli spy after 'unfair' trial: activists
Iran on Wednesday executed a man convicted of espionage for Israel and involvement in the killing of a Revolutionary Guard but activists said he was sentenced to death after an unfair trial and a confession obtained by torture.