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Rocket salvo from Lebanon targets Israel after al-Aqsa clashes
A barrage of rockets fired from Lebanon targeted Israel Thursday, a day after clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians inside Islam's third-holiest site drew warnings of retaliation from around the region.
Airbus to open 2nd plane assembly line in China, double output
European planemaker Airbus said Thursday that it will double its production capacity in China, as it seeks to bolster its footprint in a crucial market and sidestep potential geopolitical risks.
Fresh pension protests hit France before key court ruling
French demonstrators took to the streets Thursday for another day of protests and strikes to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, after the latest talks between the government and unions ended in deadlock.
Fears for Italy's Berlusconi amid reports of leukaemia
Italian former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, dubbed "the immortal" for his longevity in politics, was "stable" Thursday after a night in intensive care but has reportedly been diagnosed with leukaemia.
Dutch to probe Feyenoord-Ajax violence
The Dutch government pledged a top-level investigation on Thursday after Ajax's Dutch Cup semi-final at Feyenoord was halted when a player was injured by an object thrown from the stands.
Iran, Saudi Arabia vow to bring Mideast 'security, stability'
Top diplomats from Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on Thursday, resuming diplomatic relations and pledging to work together to bring "security and stability" to their turbulent region.
Sarcophagus of Pharaoh Ramses II unveiled in Paris
The sarcophagus of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II was unveiled to reporters in Paris on Thursday following its rare journey outside of Egypt.
Tennis missed a chance to ban Russians and Belarusians: Swiatek
Women's world number one Iga Swiatek says tennis authorities missed an opportunity to ban Russian and Belarusian players outright after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, but the moment has passed to do so now, she told the BBC.
Macron says 'counting' on Xi to 'bring Russia to its senses'
French President Emmanuel Macron told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday that he was counting on him to "bring Russia to its senses" over its war in Ukraine.
Asian markets pressured as recession talk builds
Growing fears of a US recession weighed on Asian markets Thursday as traders geared up for the release of key jobs data that could determine the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision.
Chinese tourists to Taiwan Strait shrug off beefed-up security patrols
Tourist groups visiting Pingtan Island -- one of the closest points in southeastern China to Taiwan -- braved blustery seaside weather on Thursday and shrugged off the boosted maritime patrols in the flashpoint waters beyond them.
Macron meets Xi in Beijing, with Ukraine top priority
President Emmanuel Macron met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, as the French leader seeks to dissuade China from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Italy's Berlusconi 'stable' in intensive care
Italian former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, dubbed "the immortal" for his longevity in politics, was "stable" Thursday after a night in intensive care, according to a minister from his party.
Iran-Saudi vow to bring Mideast 'security, stability'
Top diplomats from Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on Thursday, pledging to work together to bring "security and stability" to their turbulent region following a surprise China-brokered deal.
Thousands of migrants stranded in north Niger's scorching desert
A long line of people appears in silhouette, walking along the flat desert in northern Niger.
UN demands Taliban revoke ban on women staff
Top UN officials warned Wednesday that a Taliban government ban on Afghan women working for its mission in the country would violate the world body's charter, and demanded it be revoked.
Mixed results for Brazil's Lula in first 100 days
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has not had much of a honeymoon in his comeback as president of Brazil, delivering mixed results and nursing several wounds -- some self-inflicted -- after 100 days in office.
China deploys warships near Taiwan after Tsai-McCarthy meeting
China sent warships through waters around Taiwan on Thursday as it vowed a "resolute response" to the island's president meeting US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing in Saudi jewel case in police testimony: source
Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday denied any misconduct while being questioned by police over allegations he tried to illegally import millions of dollars' worth of jewelry gifted by Saudi Arabia, a source told AFP.
Asian markets drop as recession talk builds
Growing fears of a US recession weighed on equities Thursday as traders gear up for the release of key jobs data that could determine the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision.
Young Libyans finally able to answer call of e-gaming
In a Tripoli arcade, players banter amid the bleeping and music of video games. Isolated by decades of dictatorship and post-revolution chaos, Libyan gamers are finally taking on the world.
Macron, von der Leyen to press China's Xi on Ukraine
French and EU leaders will on Thursday seek to make Europe's case for bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine in a Beijing meeting with Xi Jinping, a close ally of Vladimir Putin.
Taiwan 'grateful' after US House speaker meeting, China lashes out
Taiwan's president expressed gratitude for a meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday, saying it showed her island was "not isolated" on the international stage -- but Beijing soon after threatened a "resolute" response.
US talks show Taiwan 'not isolated': President Tsai
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy welcomed Taiwan's president in California on Wednesday, in a meeting she said reassured the island's people they were "not isolated" in the face of rising Chinese anger.
Concern, criticism after Israel police storm Jerusalem mosque
Global criticism and concern mounted Wednesday after Israeli police clashed with Palestinians inside Islam's third-holiest site, sparking a military exchange of rockets and air strikes, with fears of further escalation.
US bans visas for Georgian judges over corruption
The United States said Wednesday it would refuse visas for four powerful judges in Georgia over alleged corruption, the latest toughening of its approach toward an ally after concerns of a shift in Tbilisi toward Russia.
Le Pen would beat Macron if French presidential vote repeated: poll
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen would beat Emmanuel Macron if the presidential election of last year were repeated now, a shock poll suggested Wednesday on the eve of fresh protests against the government's pension reform.
Putin accuses Western spies of role in 'terror attacks' in Russia
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Western security services of having helped Kyiv stage "terror attacks" in Russia, after giving an icy welcome to the new US and EU ambassadors.
US House speaker to meet Taiwan president despite China's threats
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sits down with Taiwan's president on Wednesday for a highly symbolic meeting in California that has already prompted outrage and dire warnings from China.
Key ally Poland pledges backing for Kyiv NATO bid
Poland assured on Wednesday its backing for Kyiv's NATO membership bid as Ukraine's leader visited the Polish capital in a show of thanks for support since Russia's invasion.
For deaf Ukrainians, smart watches can be life-saving
It took a second for Andrii Yeger, a deaf Ukrainian, to realise that the waves of energy he felt were coming from a Russian rocket landing near his car.
Possible Trump trial plunges 2024 race into uncharted territory
US voters woke Wednesday to a uniquely volatile 2024 presidential election landscape, where Donald Trump, the leading Republican candidate, now faces trial and the incumbent, Joe Biden, has not even confirmed he's running.
AI bot ChatGPT faces growing scrutiny in Europe
France's data regulator said on Wednesday it had received two complaints about the AI program ChatGPT, as European authorities deepened their scrutiny of the chatbot days after Italy banned it.
UN warns Taliban women staff ban violates world body's charter
A top UN official warned Wednesday that a Taliban government order banning Afghan women from working for its mission in the country "is going to violate" the world body's charter, which rejects gender segregation.
Under French coastguard's eye, migrants cross into English waters
Shortly after the sun rose Wednesday over the Channel, a small black dinghy weighed down by eight migrants crossed into UK waters, the latest illegal arrivals via this contentious route.
'They took my grandson': frontline Ukraine town evacuates children
Kateryna's blue eyes fill with tears as she tells how police ordered her grandson to evacuate from the frontline town of Avdiivka in Ukraine, where she lives in a cellar.
Thai opposition confirms Thaksin's daughter as PM candidate
Thailand's main opposition Pheu Thai party confirmed on Wednesday the daughter of billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as one of its candidates to be prime minister in the kingdom's upcoming election.
Ex-Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi in intensive care
Italian ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who dominated politics for decades, was in intensive care on Wednesday for heart problems, a member of his entourage told AFP.
French pension talks end in 'failure' ahead of new protests
French unions said last-ditch talks with the prime minister on Wednesday had failed to ease tensions over a divisive pension reform and called for record turnout at protest rallies the next day.