A Beijing-brokered deal between rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia marks major diplomatic progress which could reshape relations across the region which has witnessed decades of conflict and violence.

The suspected Iraqi immigrant is said to have belonged to an al-Qaeda cell which carried out a series of deadly bombings in Baghdad. Belgian prosecutors said the attacks killed at least 376 people.

"4,211 km" is the distance between Tehran and Paris. It's also the title of a new play by French-Iranian director Aila Navidi showing at France's famed Avignon theatre festival next month. The show centres around a young woman named Yalda Farhadi, born in France to Iranian dissidents who never give up their dream of returning to their home country.

The Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers discussed regional security during their meeting in Tehran. The two long-term rivals restored diplomatic ties in March, following Beijing-brokered negotiations.

A day after securing a record-high winning margin in parliamentary elections, conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has been sworn in as prime minister. He has vowed to implement "deeply-needed" economic reforms.

A series of Islamic countries have criticized the burning of pages of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm as part of an authorized protest. Turkish President Erdogan was among them, amid NATO talks with Sweden.

Although she initially faced opposition from her relatives, this Iraqi woman persevered in her desire to learn how to protect herself with martial arts, advocating for girls and women to do the same.

Although Baghdad maintained diplomatic ties with Syria during the civil war, no Iraqi prime minister has visited Damascus for over a decade.

Progressive parties have won a recent election in Thailand, but unelected lawmakers were able to block Pita Limjaroenrat from becoming prime minister.

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Little-known politician Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will serve as caretaker prime minister until elections take place. The ceremony on Pakistan's Independence Day comes amid ongoing political turmoil in the country.

In an exclusive interview with DW, Niger's new prime minister, Lamine Zeine, has signaled a readiness for talks with regional bloc ECOWAS. He warned Niger will not be forced down a political path.