AFP news

US State Department To Cut Positions, Rights Offices

President Donald Trump's top diplomat Marco Rubio on Tuesday unveiled a restructuring of the US State Department that will cut positions and scale back human rights offices, saying the "bloated" organization was ideologically out of sync with the administration.

Embalming And Make-up: Pope's Body Prepared For Lying-in-state

Ahead of his lying-in-state, Pope Francis's body was made ready to withstand Rome's warm spring weather with a temporary embalming and a touch of make-up, an expert told AFP. The body of the 88-year-old, who died on Monday, will be on display for three days in Saint Peter's Basilica from Wednesday before his funeral on Saturday.

Pilgrims Gather As Pope Francis Begins Lying In State

Pope Francis's coffin began its transfer to St Peter's Basilica Wednesday for three days of lying in state, with thousands of well-wishers gathering to pay their respects to the leader of the world's Catholics before he is laid to rest.

IMF Slashes China Growth Forecasts As Trade War Deepens

The IMF said Tuesday it now believed China's economy will only grow by four percent this year, well below Beijing's official target as it fights a mounting trade war with the United States that threatens to hammer the global economy.

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