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Trump approves firing squad for convicted US military base shooter

President Donald Trump has approved the execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, a US Army psychiatrist who shot dead 13 people at a military base in 2009, the Pentagon said on Monday.

Separatists win Quebec election in test for Canada PM

Separatists won provincial elections in Quebec Monday, with a promise to hold a vote on leaving Canada after US President Donald Trump leaves office, testing Prime Minister Mark Carney's message of national unity.

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Kenya police arrest demonstrators as hundreds protest new tax hikes

Kenyan police fired tear gas and arrested at least a dozen demonstrators Tuesday as hundreds of people gathered near parliament to protest tax hikes, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

London regains stock market crown as turmoil hits Paris

The London Stock Exchange is once again Europe's biggest stock market by valuation after reclaiming the crown from Paris as France is rocked by political turmoil.

Biden to ease immigration pathway for spouses of US citizens

President Joe Biden on Tuesday will unveil new rules easing the process for undocumented spouses of US citizens to obtain permanent residency status, the White House said.

Same-sex marriage rights around the world

With Thai lawmakers voting to legalise same-sex marriage Tuesday, we look at the situation across the globe.

Seoul fires warning shots as N. Korean soldiers cross border again

Dozens of North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified border Tuesday but retreated after warning shots were fired, Seoul said, the second such incident in two weeks as Pyongyang reinforces its frontiers with the South.

Australia flags concern over 'ham-fisted' China diplomats

Australia voiced concern Tuesday about the "ham-fisted" actions of two Chinese diplomats at a press event, tarnishing a highly touted visit in which Premier Li Qiang has sought to celebrate trade and friendship.

'Victory for the people': Thailand set to approve same-sex marriage

Thai lawmakers met Tuesday to vote on legalising same-sex marriage, putting the kingdom on the cusp of becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise marriage equality.

Putin hails N. Korea's support for Ukraine war ahead of Pyongyang visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday hailed North Korea for "firmly supporting" Moscow's war in Ukraine ahead of a visit to Pyongyang set to boost defence ties between the two nuclear-armed countries.

EU leaders see top jobs deal returning von der Leyen by end June

EU leaders punted their final decision on the bloc's top jobs to an end-of-June summit Monday, but the contours of a deal returning Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission chief were apparent following their talks in Brussels.

Venezuelan opposition leader denounces 37 arrests of activists this year

Thirty-seven political and social activists have been detained in Venezuela in the runup to July 28 elections in which Nicolas Maduro will seek a third, consecutive presidential term, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Monday.

White House slams 'cheapfake' clips portraying Biden 'freezing'

The White House on Monday criticized Republicans for spreading videos purported to show President Joe Biden's mental and physical decline, saying the images had been deceptively cut and manipulated.

Putin says N.Korea 'firmly supporting' Russia operations in Ukraine: KCNA

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised North Korea for "firmly supporting" Moscow's war in Ukraine ahead of his visit to Pyongyang aimed at boosting ties between the nuclear-armed allies.

Thai senate set to approve same-sex marriage

Thai lawmakers will vote Tuesday on legalising same-sex marriage, putting the kingdom on the cusp of becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise marriage equality.

Von der Leyen tipped for nod, as EU leaders haggle over top jobs

EU leaders meeting in Brussels Monday appeared increasingly to line up behind Ursula von der Leyen for a new term heading the powerful European Commission -- but a push from her conservative camp for a bigger slice of the bloc's top jobs threatened to drag out the horse-trading.

NATO chief seeks costs on China over Russia support

NATO's chief called Monday for China to face consequences if it keeps up support to Russia, as he said that a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine was the only way to end the war.

Russian nuclear-powered submarine leaves Cuba

A Russian nuclear-powered submarine and other naval vessels on Monday left the port of Havana after a five-day visit to Cuba, the communist state off Florida's coast.

Biden envoy in Israel as northern border tensions flare

A US envoy held talks with top Israeli leaders to press for de-escalation on the Lebanese border, as an Israeli official said Hezbollah had fired thousands of projectiles towards Israel since the start of the Gaza war.

France election campaign starts with Macron facing struggle

France began a frantically short election campaign Monday, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrist alliance facing an uphill struggle to avoid a new defeat at the hands of the far right.

EU leaders huddle on top jobs, with von der Leyen tipped for nod

EU leaders huddled in Brussels on Monday to thrash out how to divide up the bloc's top jobs, with early signals putting Ursula von der Leyen on track for a second term as chief of the powerful European Commission.

Stock markets edge higher, oil climbs

Stock markets edged higher on both sides of the Atlantic on Monday despite fading hopes for US interest rate cuts and worries about political upheaval in Europe, while oil prices rose.

Putin to visit N. Korea as Kremlin floats possible 'strategic' treaty

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to North Korea on Tuesday, in a rare visit that may see Moscow sign a "strategic partnership treaty" with Pyongyang, the Kremlin said.

France cutting troops in West, Central Africa to 600: sources

France is planning to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to around 600 troops in line with President Emmanuel Macron's plans to limit the French military footprint in the region, three sources told AFP.

Lull in Gaza fighting despite blasts in south

Israel struck Gaza on Monday and witnesses reported blasts in the besieged territory's south, but fighting has largely subsided after a day of relative calm and as Muslims marked Eid al-Adha.

Top jobs on EU leaders' menu, with von der Leyen in pole position

EU leaders gather Monday in Brussels to thrash out over dinner how to distribute the bloc's top jobs, with Ursula von der Leyen seemingly on track for a second term heading the European Commission.

Farage says hard-right party intends to become 'real' UK opposition

Brexiteer Nigel Farage said Monday that his hard-right Reform UK party intends to use next month's general election to ultimately supplant the ruling Conservatives as Britain's main opposition party.

Philippine, Chinese ships collide near hotspot reef

Philippine and Chinese vessels collided near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on Monday, with both sides accusing the other of being to blame for the incident.

Over $1 bn to be pledged for Africa vaccine sovereignty: France

More than one billion dollars will be pledged towards ramping up vaccine production in Africa at a summit held in Paris later this week, France said on Monday.

Stock markets diverge tracking US, Europe outlooks

Stock markets diverged Monday with traders assessing the Federal Reserve's plans for interest-rate cuts and Europe's political landscape before looming general elections.

France's snap election campaign starts after Macron's risky gamble