VANCOUVER, April 30 (Reuters) - Palestinian soccer federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israel FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman in a heated moment at the FIFA Congress on Thursday.

Both men were called to the stand by FIFA President Gianni Infantino but Rajoub declined to shake hands with Arab-Israeli Suliman.

The Iranian film crew behind "Roya", which recounts the torment and trauma of a political prisoner in Tehran's Evin prison, urged the Iranian people "not to be forgotten" at the film's German premiere.

Director Mahnaz Mohammadi, 51, likened the "existence of the Iranian people today" to the unbearable life endured by the film's imprisoned protagonist, Roya.

Mohammadi, in an interview with AFP on Wednesday at the screening at a Berlin cinema, said Iranian prisoners are being put to death every four to six hours in the country "without justice".

April 30 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Ali al-Zaidi on his nomination to be next prime minister of Iraq on Thursday, saying that he looked forward to a highly productive new relationship.

Iraq's alliance of Shi'ite political blocs, the Coordination Framework, ​on Monday named Zaidi as ‌its nominee for the post of prime minister, a coalition statement said.

"We wish him success as he works to form a new Government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraq," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Gyms and cafes have reopened in Tehran as life returns to a familiar rhythm under a ceasefire following weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes, but for IT worker Mayhar such everyday amenities are out of reach as financial pressures mount.

Trendy cafes in affluent northern Tehran were busy on Wednesday night, the start of Iran's weekend, with men and women sipping colourful drinks and strolling the streets.

But the sense of normalcy belies the economic pains weighing on many Iranians in the capital and beyond, as Tehran and Washington face off with market-rattling blockades.

By Crispian Balmer

ROME, April 30 (Reuters) - The entire jury of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition has resigned, organisers said on Thursday, a week after the panel announced it would not hand out awards to artists from Russia or Israel.

The Biennale did not give a reason for the move, which marks a dramatic escalation in a dispute that has thrown one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art events into turmoil days before its May 9 opening.

By Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Tom Perry and Samia Nakhoul

BEIRUT, April 30 (Reuters) - A growing rift between top Lebanese officials has thrown a wrench into Saudi efforts to help Lebanon's leaders forge a united position over historic negotiations with Israel, Lebanese sources and foreign officials told Reuters on Thursday.

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump faces a deadline on Friday to end the Iran war or make the case to Congress for extending it, but the date is most likely to pass without altering the course of a conflict that has lapsed into a standoff over shipping routes.

Ending the war appears highly unlikely.

By Sam Tobin and Muvija M

LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to take action to protect the Jewish community in Britain, acknowledging that Jews were scared a day after two men were stabbed in north London following a spate of antisemitic attacks in the British capital.

Starmer, who has faced severe criticism from some in the Jewish community for the government's response, promised more police in Jewish areas, a crackdown on those spreading antisemitism, and new legislation to deal with state-sponsored threats from the likes of Iran.

The international jury of the upcoming Venice Biennale Art Exhibition resigned Thursday in a row over the organisation's decision to allow Russia to participate in this year's event.

The resignations came a week after the jury said it would exclude countries from awards if the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for war crimes against their leaders -- meaning Russia and Israel.

The exhibition is due to open on May 9.

BEIJING, April 30 (Reuters) - China and the U.S. should prepare for "important high-level exchanges", Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, while warning the Taiwan issue is "the biggest point of risk" for relations.

"The Taiwan issue concerns China's core interests," Wang told Rubio, adding that the U.S. should "keep its promises and make the right choices in order to open up new space for China-U.S. cooperation and make due efforts for world peace", an official summary of the call released by Wang's ministry showed.