Featured
Last news
EU will 'do the same' if US imposes tariffs hikes: French finance minister to AFP
French Finance Minister Eric Lombard told AFP on Thursday that the European Union would "do the same" if the United States follows through with 25 percent tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
UK's Starmer pushes Trump for Ukraine guarantees against Putin
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump Thursday to plead for a US "backstop" to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to deter Russia's Vladimir Putin from invading again.
East DR Congo explosions kill at least 11
Two explosions that rocked a city in eastern DR Congo after a meeting of the M23 armed group Thursday have killed at least 11 people and injured around 60, a hospital source told AFP.
Israel sends negotiators after Hamas hands over hostage bodies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched negotiators to Cairo on Thursday after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Russia says talks on annexed Ukrainian land 'non-negotiable'
The Kremlin on Thursday ruled out giving back Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed as part of a future peace deal, setting out a major red line as Russian and US officials met in Istanbul for a new round of talks aimed at normalising relations.
Israel dispatches negotiators after Hamas hands over hostage bodies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched negotiators to Cairo on Thursday after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
UN nature talks in 'end game' to break funding deadlock
Brazil spearheaded a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock at UN nature talks in Rome on Thursday, as nations struggled against the clock to agree a deal over money to halt rapid global species loss.
Thailand deports dozens of Uyghurs to China
Thailand deported dozens of Uyghurs to China on Thursday despite warnings from human rights groups that they would face persecution on their return, drawing swift condemnation from the United Nations.
US cuts overseas aid contracts by more than 90%
The United States has slashed its multi-year aid contracts by 92 percent, as it sought around $60 billion in savings in development and overseas humanitarian programs, the State Department said Wednesday.
Hamas calls on Israel to start talks for next phase of truce
Hamas called on Israel Thursday to enter negotiations for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire after the group handed over the bodies of four hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel frees hundreds of Palestinian prisoners after body handover
Israel freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners on Thursday, shortly after saying Palestinian militant group Hamas handed over coffins believed to contain the bodies of four hostages.
Vietnam jails leading journalist over Facebook posts
A Vietnamese court on Thursday sentenced a leading independent journalist to 30 months in prison over Facebook posts that criticised the government, state media said.
Domestic violence charity cuts ties with Australia's NRL over Trump invite
A leading domestic violence charity severed ties Thursday with Australia's National Rugby League after it invited US President Donald Trump to its season-opening games in Las Vegas this weekend.
North Korea has deployed more troops to Russia: Seoul
North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia and re-deployed several to the frontline in Kursk, Seoul's spy agency told AFP on Thursday.
Taiwan says detects 45 Chinese aircraft in 24-hours, highest this year
Taiwan said Thursday it detected 45 Chinese aircraft near the self-ruled island, the highest number this year and a tally that comes a day after Taipei condemned China's "live-fire" drills off the south.
Tesla owners sour on Musk's venture into US politics
Tom Blackburn was so proud of his Tesla, he even bought one in bright red to stand out. But with company CEO Elon Musk's foray into US politics, he's sworn never to buy from the electric carmaker again.
Proposed 'weather control' bans surge across US states
Fake stories that atmospheric experiments are triggering natural disasters have led to US states pushing blanket bans on weather modification, which experts say may jeopardize current local scientific programs and hinder future research.
Starmer pushes Trump for Ukraine guarantees against Putin
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Donald Trump on Thursday to plead for a US backstop to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to stop Russia's Vladimir Putin from invading again.
Panama AG agrees Hong Kong firm's canal concession is 'unconstitutional'
Panama's attorney general said Wednesday that concession granted to a Hong Kong-based firm to operate ports on either end of the Panama Canal should be scrapped for being "unconstitutional."
Trump ends Chevron permit in major blow to Venezuela
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he was revoking permission for oil giant Chevron to operate in Venezuela, a major blow to the wobbly economy run by leftist adversary Nicolas Maduro.
Musk stars at Trump's first cabinet meeting
Elon Musk starred at Donald Trump's first cabinet meeting Wednesday, with the US president insisting his team was "thrilled" with the extraordinary power given to his billionaire advisor despite reported tensions over his sweeping government cuts.
Zelensky set to meet Trump Friday with Ukraine minerals on table
President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet Donald Trump on Friday to finalize a deal on US access to Ukraine's mineral wealth, hoping to win guarantees of future American support.
Trump rift opens floodgates of disinformation on Ukraine
Disinformation targeting Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky is surging as US President Donald Trump's shift on the war frays relations with Kyiv and threatens to cripple support for the battle-worn nation.
G20 leaders warn declining cooperation threat to global stability
The erosion of multilateralism threatens global growth and stability, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned Wednesday at a G20 finance meeting in South Africa marked by the absence of the US treasury secretary.
Turkey's pro-Kurd party teases 'historic' news from PKK leader
Turkey's leading pro-Kurd party said it was expecting a "historic declaration" Thursday from the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, amid efforts to end a decades-long conflict with Ankara.
Trump eyes 65% staff cut at US environmental agency
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his administration aims to cut around 65 percent of staff at the Environmental Protection Agency, a key regulatory body that works on a range of areas, including climate change.
Britons advised to cut meat, air travel to reach net zero targets
Britons will have to pay more to fly and should forego two-steaks worth of meat a week if the country is to meet net zero targets, the government's advisory body said Wednesday.
UN rejects 'annexation' proposals for Palestinian territories
The UN rights chief on Wednesday rejected as "unlawful" proposals for the annexation of or forced transfer from Palestinian territories, warning they posed a threat to the entire region.
Hamas says to hand over four Israeli hostages' bodies in private
Hamas will forgo its usual handover ceremony when it returns the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Wednesday night, with Israel expected to free more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, the militant group said.
Zelensky eyes Trump meeting Friday, Russia launches deadly strikes
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday he hopes to visit Washington this week to meet Donald Trump and discuss future US support for Ukraine and a minerals deal that had inflamed tensions between the leaders over recent weeks.
Trump threatens to sue authors and media who use anonymous sources
US President Donald Trump, furious over a disparaging new tell-all book about him, threatened Wednesday to sue authors and media outlets that use anonymous sources.
Bosnia Serb leader Dodik found guilty of defying peace envoy
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik was found guilty Wednesday in a landmark trial for defying rulings made by an international envoy charged with overseeing the country's peace accords.