Featured
Last news
Stocks mostly rise after more central bank rate hikes
European and US stock markets mostly rose on Thursday after the European Central Bank and Bank of England raised interest rates, joining the US Federal Reserve in moving once again to cool sky-high inflation.
Zelensky warns of Russia 'revenge' as EU chief visits
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday warned that Russia was building up its troops to take "revenge" on the West nearly a year into Moscow's invasion.
European stocks climb after rate decisions
European stock markets rose on Thursday after the European Central Bank and Bank of England raised interest rates, joining the US Federal Reserve in moving once again to cool sky-high inflation.
Macron vs the unions: What happens next in France?
French President Emmanuel Macron is facing his biggest standoff with France's trade unions since coming to power in 2017, with the outcome of a series of strikes and protests seen as decisive for both sides.
European stocks jump before rate decisions
European stock markets rallied Thursday before interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank and Bank of England and following the US Federal Reserve's latest hike aimed at cooling sky-high inflation.
Pakistan mosque suicide bomber 'was in police uniform'
The suicide bomber who killed more than 80 police officers at a mosque inside a sensitive compound earlier this week entered wearing a uniform and helmet, a provincial police chief said Thursday.
Russia evokes WWII to blast EU ahead of summit in Kyiv
Russia accused the West of wanting to inflict a lasting defeat against Moscow and lashed out against EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who is in Kyiv ahead of a Ukraine summit.
Pope urges Congolese youth to build better future
Pope Francis on Thursday urged tens of thousands of young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo to work towards a better future and shun corruption in the deeply Catholic country, which is plagued by violence in its east.
Netanyahu in Paris to press Macron on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday, hoping to gain support against Iran's nuclear programme but shadowed by an upsurge of violence in the region.
Markets mixed as early Fed-fuelled rally peters out
Markets were mixed Thursday, with investors unable to maintain an early rally despite a strong lead from Wall Street fuelled by hopes the Federal Reserve's campaign of interest rate hikes could be close to an end.
Israeli warplanes strike Gaza following rocket fire
Israeli warplanes struck Gaza early Thursday, drawing retaliatory rocket fire from Palestinian militants, as violence flared despite US calls for "urgent steps" to restore calm.
Asian markets track Wall St higher after softer Fed tone
Most Asian markets rose Thursday and the dollar weakened further on hopes the Federal Reserve's campaign of interest rate hikes could be close to an end after it acknowledged progress in its long-running battle against inflation.
Russia strikes Ukraine residential building, Kyiv warns of fresh offensive
Rescuers searched for survivors in the rubble of an apartment building in eastern Ukraine on Thursday after a Russian strike destroyed it, as Kyiv said it expected a major offensive on the first anniversary of Moscow's invasion.
Bakhmut's last residents brace for Russian advance
As Moscow's forces push to encircle the frontline hotspot of Bakhmut, the battle-scarred town's last residents say they will not budge if the Russians arrive.
Philippines expands US access to military bases
The United States and the Philippines announced a deal Thursday to give US troops access to another four bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to counter China's military rise.
Israeli air strikes hit Gaza Strip
Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip early Thursday, which Palestinian fighters reacted to by firing rockets in the latest bout of unrest in the region.
Russians mark Stalingrad anniversary in shadow of Ukraine conflict
President Vladimir Putin is set to preside Thursday over commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory at the Battle of Stalingrad, one of the bloodiest in World War II.
US, S. Korea hold air drills as N. Korea warns of 'all-out showdown'
South Korea said Thursday it had staged joint air drills with the United States featuring strategic bombers and stealth fighters, prompting Pyongyang to warn that such exercises could "ignite an all-out showdown".
Peru Congress again rejects snap poll despite protests
Peru's congress on Wednesday voted down another bid to advance elections from April 2024 to this year, a move sought by President Dina Boluarte to calm unrest that has left dozens dead in seven weeks of anti-government protests.
Philippines to expand US access to military bases: official
The United States and the Philippines are expected to announce a deal Thursday that will give US troops access to another four military bases in the Southeast Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to deter Chinese aggression in the region.
Bid to advance elections to quell Peru protests fails in congress
Peru's congress on Wednesday voted down another bid to advance elections from April 2024 to this year, a move sought by President Dina Boluarte to calm unrest that has left dozens dead in seven weeks of anti-government protests.
Jamaica ready to join international force in Haiti
Jamaica is ready to participate militarily in an international force in Haiti, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, an intervention the UN has been calling for without success for months to counter record violence by criminal gangs.
US stocks rally, dollar falls after Fed decision
Wall Street stocks rallied and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve enacted a smaller interest rate hike while acknowledging progress in the fight against inflation.
Lula candidate wins Brazil Senate chief post
A lawmaker backed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was reelected the leader of Brazil's Senate Wednesday, fending off a challenge from a rival supported by far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.
US firm offers Ukraine advanced drones for $1
A leading US maker of advanced military surveillance drones announced Wednesday that it was willing to sell two to Ukraine for just $1, and called on the US government to approve the deal.
Republican leader says debt cliff talks with Biden went well
The United States took a small step back from the risk of a catastrophic debt default Wednesday after the new Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, said talks with President Joe Biden went well -- even if a deal has yet to be reached.
El Salvador's Bukele defends 'gangster' mega-prison
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday defended a newly-unveiled mega-prison built to house 40,000 alleged gangsters rounded up in his campaign against violent crime.
Ukraine lawmaker calls on US to target China, India energy purchases
A senior Ukrainian lawmaker called Wednesday for the United States to impose secondary sanctions on China and India if they keep buying Russian energy, urging total solidarity against Moscow's invasion.
US urges Tunisia democratic efforts after paltry voter turnout
The United States called Wednesday on Tunisia to show greater democratic inclusion after just 11.4 percent of voters took part in a second round of elections for a toothless legislature.
Saudi says no objection to Russia joining Asian football body
Saudi Arabia would not object to Russia joining the Asian Football Confederation, its sports minister told AFP on Wednesday, as Russian officials search for ways to return to international competition.
Germany says goodbye to Ukraine-bound tanks
Germany's defence minister on Wednesday showed off the tanks Berlin is preparing to send to Kyiv, but recognised a "bitter loss" for the under-equipped Bundeswehr.
Ukraine targets oligarch, ex-minister in graft clampdown
Ukraine expanded a clampdown on corruption on Wednesday, launching coordinated searches of residences linked to a divisive oligarch and former interior minister as well as tax offices in the capital.
Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, effectively delaying polls
Myanmar's military authorities announced a six-month extension to a state of emergency on Wednesday, effectively delaying elections the junta had pledged to hold by August, as they battle anti-coup fighters across the country.
Ukraine raids homes, offices in graft clampdown
Ukraine expanded a clampdown on corruption on Wednesday launching coordinated searches of residences linked to a divisive oligarch and former interior minister as well as tax offices in the capital.
Stocks rise, dollar eases before Fed rate decision
Stock markets struggled for direction and the dollar dipped Wednesday, with all eyes on the size of the Federal Reserve's latest US interest-rate hike to cool inflation.
After tanks, Ukraine allies under pressure to send warplanes
Western countries have only just approved sending battle tanks to Ukraine, but Kyiv is already requesting F-16 warplanes to help repel the Russian invasion.
'We can't be blackmailed': Kosovo PM not giving in against Serbia
With pressure mounting from US and European allies to strike a deal with arch-rival Serbia, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti vowed on Wednesday to resist any attempt at "blackmail" in the face of a looming deadline from the West to reach an agreement.
Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, likely delaying polls
Myanmar's junta was granted a six-month extension to a state of emergency, state media reported Wednesday, likely delaying elections the military had pledged to hold by August.
Total CEO expected in Mozambique after gas project halted
The head of French energy giant TotalEnergies is expected this week to visit Mozambique, where a multi-billion-dollar gas project has been on hold since a 2021 jihadist attack, according to government sources.