AFP

This collection of images is taken from Agence France Presse, or AFP's 'Pictures of the Year 2016' - a selection of the press agency's most important and powerful photographs from the past year. The news agency, which has photographers around the globe, chooses a selection of their most powerful, moving, shocking or fascinating images, offering a look back at the highlights - and lowlights - of the last 12 months. Some of the photographs capture the most important events of the year, while others have been chosen because…

CHITRAL: A Russian national who went to Pakistan in search of a wife has been arrested and is being questioned by intelligence agencies, officials said Saturday.

PESHAWAR: A former Afghan governor kidnapped nearly two weeks ago in Islamabad was freed Friday after a shoot-out with police, he told AFP, saying he could not identify the men who abducted him.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy made history by winning Pakistan's first Oscar four years ago. Now she's back in Hollywood, hoping to scoop a second Academy Award for her harrowing film about a teenage girl shot in the face by her own family.

GENEVA: Large-scale trials for Zika virus vaccines are at least 18 months away, while establishing a possible link between the virus and two more harmful conditions will likely only take weeks, the World Health Organization said Friday.

NEW DELHI: One of 10 Indian soldiers feared dead after an avalanche six days ago in the remote Himalayas has been miraculously rescued alive, officials said.

PRAGUE: The Czech government paid a $6-million ransom to secure the release last year of two women kidnapped Pakistan, the Respekt weekly reports in its Monday edition.

Cam Newton arrived in Sunday's Super Bowl after a record-breaking season which left long-time observers of the National Football League declaring that he had redefined the role of quarterback.

Iowans flocked to churches, gymnasiums and libraries to be the first voices officially heard in the boisterous months-long nominating process, ahead of Election Day on November 8.

"Top secret" material was sent through Hillary Clinton's private email server during her tenure as secretary of state, it was revealed Friday, just days before voters cast their first ballots in the presidential campaign.