Featured
Last news
Veteran Tajik leader's absence raises health questions
Tajikistan's long-time leader Emomali Rakhmon has not appeared in public for two weeks, raising questions about the health of the president of the Central Asian nation bordering Afghanistan and China.
EU must 'tear down barriers' to become 'global giant': von der Leyen
The EU must "tear down the barriers" that prevent it from becoming a truly global economic giant, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday, ahead of leaders' talks on making the 27-nation bloc more competitive.
Stock markets rise, dollar dips as traders await US jobs
Asian and European stock markets rose Wednesday while the dollar slipped as investors weighed weak US consumer data that boosted the case for more interest rate cuts ahead of key jobs figures due later in the day.
US grand jury rejects bid to indict Democrats over illegal orders video
Federal prosecutors failed to bring charges Tuesday against six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to refuse illegal orders, outraging President Donald Trump, who had called for jail time, US media reported.
Asian stock markets rise, dollar dips as traders await US jobs
Asian stock markets rose Wednesday while the dollar slipped as investors weighed weak US consumer data that boosted the case for more interest rate cuts ahead of key jobs figures due later in the day.
Australia charges two Chinese nationals with foreign interference
Australian police said Wednesday they have charged two Chinese nationals with foreign interference, accusing them of spying on a Buddhist group at the behest of police in China.
Bangladesh to vote on democratic reform charter
Bangladesh votes on Thursday in the first parliamentary elections since a 2024 uprising ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year iron-fisted rule -- and also holds a landmark referendum for sweeping democratic reforms.
Netanyahu to push Trump on Iran missiles in White House talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will push Donald Trump on Wednesday to take a tougher stance in nuclear talks with Iran, after rushing to Washington to stiffen the US president's resolve.
Asian stock markets mixed as traders weigh US data, await jobs
Asian stock markets fluctuated Wednesday after a strong start to the week as investors weighed weak US consumer data that boosted the case for more interest rate cuts but stoked concerns about the world's number one economy.
Charcoal or solar panels? A tale of two Cubas
The US oil siege, which has worsened an already severe energy crisis, has created two classes of Cubans: those who use generators or solar panels to power their ovens, and those who have resorted to cooking over open fires.
Several wounded in clashes at Albania opposition rally
Protesters clashed with police in the Albanian capital on Tuesday, with opposition supporters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones at government buildings and officers responding with tear gas, AFP journalists saw.
Anti-Khamenei slogans in Tehran on eve of revolution anniversary: social media footage
Some residents of the Iranian capital Tehran on Tuesday chanted slogans against the Islamic republic and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the eve of the most significant annual commemoration of the 1979 Islamic revolution, according to footage posted on social media.
Ukrainian athlete vows to wear banned helmet at Winter Olympics
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych vowed Tuesday that he would wear a helmet that depicts victims of the war with Russia "on race day" at the Milan-Cortina Games despite a ban imposed by Olympic chiefs.
US commerce chief admits Epstein Island lunch but denies closer ties
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted Tuesday to having lunch on the private island of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2012, but denied closer ties, amid bipartisan calls for his resignation.
Stocks mixed as muted US retail sales spur caution
Stock markets were largely mixed Tuesday as traders assessed mixed company earnings and the outlook for the tech sector ahead of key economic data releases, with lacklustre US retail sales data keeping investors cautious.
Macron wants more EU joint borrowing: Could it happen?
French President Emmanuel Macron has revived the idea of joint EU borrowing that has long been divisive in the European Union, although the bloc has shifted its position on the issue to head off several crises.
Starmer says UK govt 'united', pressing on amid Epstein fallout
A defiant British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to move on Tuesday from fevered speculation about his future after fighting off strident calls to resign over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Could the digital euro get a green light in 2026?
The push for a digital euro has gained greater urgency as Europe seeks to bolster its financial sovereignty, with hopes the proposal will move forward this year after European lawmakers Tuesday backed the plans.
'Everything is destroyed': Ukrainian power plant in ruins after Russian strike
Russia had been widely expected to launch a massive strike on Ukraine, but the evening crew at one of the country's frequently targeted power stations could do nothing to prepare.
EU lawmakers back plans for digital euro
EU lawmakers backed plans Tuesday for a digital euro, a project that has split the bloc but has gained greater urgency as Europe seeks to bolster its financial sovereignty.
Starmer says UK govt 'united', presses on amid Epstein fallout
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to move on Tuesday from speculation about his future after fending off serious calls to resign over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Stocks mostly rise tracking tech, earnings
Stock markets mostly rose Tuesday as traders assessed company earnings and the outlook for the tech sector, ahead of key US economic data releases this week.
Bangladesh police deploy to guard 'risky' polling centres
Bangladesh's police chief said Tuesday that more than 150,000 officers will be deployed for this week's elections, warning that more than half of polling stations were flagged as vulnerable to violence.
Israel PM to meet Trump with Iran missiles high on agenda
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington Wednesday, seeking to press him to adopt a tougher line on Iran's ballistic missile programme in the next round of talks.
Macron says wants 'European approach' in dialogue with Putin
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he wants to include European partners in a resumption of dialogue with Russian leader Vladimir Putin nearly four years after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Georgia waiting 'patiently' for US reset after Vance snub
Georgia said Tuesday it was "patiently" waiting for a reset in US ties, as US Vice President JD Vance visited neighbours Armenia and Azerbaijan but skipped Tbilisi -- once Washington's closest regional ally.
Barcelona's unfinished basilica hits new heights despite delays
Barcelona's eternally unfinished Sagrada Familia has grown to become the world's tallest church, but a conflict with residents threatens to delay the finish date for the monument designed over 140 years ago.
South Korea police raid spy agency over drone flight into North
Investigators raided South Korea's spy agency on Tuesday as they probed possible government links to a drone incursion over the North Korean border.
South Korea police raid spy agency over drone flights into North
Investigators raided South Korea's spy agency on Tuesday as they probed possible government links to a drone shot down over North Korea earlier this year.
Japan election results confirm super-majority for Takaichi's party
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won 315 seats in weekend snap elections, giving it a two-thirds majority, official results confirmed Tuesday.
Zelensky defends Ukrainian athlete's helmet at Games after IOC ban
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has defended a Winter Olympian's right to wear a helmet featuring athletes killed during the war with Russia after skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych said the IOC banned it at the Games.
Despite Trump, Bad Bunny reflects importance of Latinos in US politics
President Donald Trump called Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance a "slap in the face" to the United States.