Chinese support for Russia over the war in Ukraine, renewed tensions over Taiwan and a row over Chinese subsidies giving China's companies an unfair advantage over European competitors.

Can you still send strong messages when you've rolled out the red carpet and chilled the champagne for a state dinner? China's Xi Jinping is being feted in the French capital for his first visit to Europe since 2019, despite trade tensions, spy scandals and insistence that he isolate Vladimir Putin over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Her powerful performances give voice to some uncomfortable truths. Lebanese playwright and director Chrystèle Khodr wades through the ruins of a society in her latest play "Ordalie", exploring the social, political and physical wreckage of her homeland and its history. She tells us more about the quest for justice in contemporary Lebanon, why 19th-century playwright Henrik Ibsen is a fitting contemporary inspiration and how making theatre in a crisis-ridden country is a constant endeavour of creativity and solidarity among artists.

A security guard who was stationed outside Drake's Toronto mansion was shot, resulting in serious injuries. The incident occurred around 2 am local time, with the assailant reportedly fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Inspector Paul Krawczyk, who is leading the investigation, said it is too soon to determine a motive for the shooting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's trip to the Western Balkan state strengthens the so-called steel friendship that has developed between Beijing and Belgrade. In Serbia, China is seen as the strongest ally after Russia.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrived in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on Friday to begin a three day visit of Africa's most populous nation.