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China says to hike defence spending by 7.2% this year
China's defence spending will rise by 7.2 percent in 2025, the same as last year, Beijing said on Wednesday, as its armed forces undergo rapid modernisation and eye deepening strategic competition with the United States.
America 'is back' Trump touts in Congress speech
Donald Trump declared "America is back" Tuesday in his first address to Congress since returning to power, facing instant Democratic hostility as he touted radical social and economic policies, while hailing his billionaire adviser Elon Musk.
Trump jokes 'nobody has heard' of Lesotho
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday mocked tiny Lesotho as a country "nobody has ever heard of" as he defended his sweeping cuts in aid.
Trump's addresses a tense Congress on partisan night
There was dismay on the left and jubilation on the right as Donald Trump's addressed the US Congress on Tuesday in a tense atmosphere and with Washington's political divisions rarely more visible.
'We're all afraid': Austria moves to deport Syrian refugees
Syrian refugee Khaled Alnomman said he made a big effort to integrate since he fled to Austria 10 years ago, learning to speak German fluently, getting a job as a bricklayer and applying for citizenship.
Trump hails 'unstoppable' America in return to Congress
Donald Trump proclaimed Tuesday that the "American dream is unstoppable" in his first address to Congress since a whirlwind return to power that has roiled the nation and the world.
Trump tariff uncertainty overshadows growth promises: analysts
President Donald Trump's tariffs and the retaliation they attracted will likely weigh on US growth and boost inflation, according to analysts, but, beyond that, uncertainty surrounding the levies threatens to overshadow optimism about his future policies.
China targeting growth of 'around 5 percent' in 2025: official document
China is pushing for economic growth of "around five percent" in 2025, an official document seen by AFP on Wednesday showed, an ambitious goal as Beijing faces down an intensifying trade war with the United States and deepening economic doldrums at home.
Trump gives Chevron a month to 'wind down' Venezuela operations
The United States on Tuesday gave energy giant Chevron just one month to stop its operations in Venezuela, delivering a heavy blow to cash-strapped authorities in Caracas.
Hong Kong firm offloads Panama ports after Trump pressure
Under fierce pressure from US President Donald Trump, Hong Kong firm Hutchison said Tuesday it had agreed to sell its lucrative Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium.
China to unveil 2025 growth goals eyeing trade war woes
China's leadership will on Wednesday unveil their growth goals for the coming year as they eye a mounting trade war with the United States and deepening economic doldrums at home.
Trump to lay out vision to Congress amid Ukraine and trade tensions
President Donald Trump will tout radical plans to reshape the US government and end the Ukraine war Tuesday as he addresses Congress for the first time since his blistering return to power six weeks ago.
Arab leaders endorse plan to rebuild Gaza under Palestinian Authority
Arab leaders endorsed on Tuesday a plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority, presenting an alternative to US President Donald Trump's widely condemned proposal to take over the territory and displace its people.
Car bomb attack in northwest Pakistan kills 12, wounds dozens
At least 12 civilians were killed, including three children, and dozens injured Tuesday evening after two explosive-laden vehicles were detonated at an army compound in northwest Pakistan, officials said, with the attack quickly claimed by a militant group.
'We will endure': Mexican truckers stoic in face of Trump tariffs
Stuck in a queue at the Mexican-US border, truck driver Juan Diego Mendoza said he was worried about the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariffs, but believed Mexicans were resilient enough to cope.
Germany's Merz vows billions for defence, economy
Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that his centre-right CDU/CSU and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) would propose an unprecedented package of billions of euros in extra spending on defence and infrastructure.
Trade war brings fear, uncertainty to Canadian border city
In the Canadian city of Windsor, which survives on the cross-border auto industry, the start of a trade war with the United States has opened a period of fear and uncertainty.
Syria interim president seeks pressure on Israel to withdraw from south
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Tuesday called on the international community to pressure Israel to "immediately" withdraw its troops from the south, as he attended his first Arab summit since assuming office.
How will Mexico respond to Trump's tariffs?
Mexico's targeting by US President Donald Trump's tariffs has put its economy at risk of a recession with a regional free-trade deal in limbo, experts say.
US Supreme Court looks set to shoot down Mexico suit against gunmakers
The US Supreme Court appeared poised on Tuesday to toss out a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico accusing American gun manufacturers of fueling drug trafficking and violence.
Double car bomb attack kills 10 at Pakistan military compound
Suicide bombers belonging to a militant group drove two explosive-laden cars into an army compound in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday evening, triggering massive explosions and killing at least 10 civilians, police told AFP.
Putin hails Myanmar ties as junta chief visits Moscow
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised Russia's developing ties with Myanmar, during a visit by the Asian country's junta chief to its key ally.
Abbas says PA ready to run Gaza as Arab leaders discuss reconstruction
Mahmud Abbas said his Palestinian Authority was ready to reassume control over Gaza, as Arab leaders in Cairo on Tuesday hammered out a plan for rebuilding the devastated territory to counter a widely condemned proposal by US President Donald Trump.
Chaos as Serbia opposition set off flares in parliament to back protests
Serbian opposition lawmakers lit flares and set off suspected tear gas grenades in parliament on Tuesday in support of ongoing anti-corruption protests, with multiple lawmakers injured during the melee.
China, Canada retaliate in 'dumb' Trump tariff war
Donald Trump's trade war against America's largest trading partners escalated Tuesday as huge US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China kicked in, sparking angry retaliation from all three.
Vance denies criticizing British, French armies
US Vice President JD Vance insisted Tuesday he was not targeting France and Britain with remarks he made dismissing the military abilities of countries supporting a possible European peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Tunisia puts opposition figures on mass trial decried as 'absurdity'
The trial of several prominent Tunisian opposition figures accused of national security offences opened on Tuesday, with lawyers and relatives denouncing the case as politically motivated.
Zelensky appeals to Trump after aid halt
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said he wanted to "make things right" with Donald Trump and to work under the US president's "strong leadership" to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Trump to tout new 'American dream' to Congress despite Ukraine, tariff tensions
Donald Trump will tout his high-octane start to his second term in an address to Congress Tuesday, in the face of a nation roiled by his aggressive extension of presidential power and a world unsettled by his shifts on Ukraine and tariffs.
Vance denies having criticized French, British armies
US Vice President JD Vance insisted Tuesday he was not targeting France and Britain with remarks he made dismissing the military abilities of countries supporting a possible European peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
China, Canada retaliate to Trump tariff war
Mounting trade wars between the United States and its largest economic partners deepened Tuesday as huge US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China kicked in, sparking swift retaliation from Beijing and Ottawa.
Ukraine 'determined' to maintain US ties after aid halt
Ukraine on Tuesday sought to maintain bonds with Washington after President Donald Trump ordered US military aid deliveries be suspended following a public clash with counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.