Featured
Last news
Syria hails US lifting of Assad-era sanctions
Syrian authorities on Saturday announced an interior ministry restructuring that includes fighting cross-border drug and people smuggling as they seek to improve ties with Western nations that have lifted sanctions.
Bangladesh govt calls for unity to stop 'return of authoritarianism'
Bangladesh's interim government, which took over after a mass uprising last year, warned on Saturday that unity was needed to "prevent the return of authoritarianism".
Gaza civil defence says 15 killed in Israeli strikes
Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes killed at least 15 people on Saturday across the Palestinian territory, where Israel has ramped up its military offensive in recent days.
Russia strikes Kyiv as hundreds more POWs exchanged with Ukraine
A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv Saturday wounded at least 15 people, even as Russia and Ukraine continued the biggest prisoner swap since the start of Moscow's invasion.
'Seventh heaven': Tears and laughter as Ukrainian POWs return
Waxy and emaciated, Konstantin Steblev spoke to his mother for the first time in three years after being released as part of the biggest ever prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia strikes Kyiv after first stage of major prisoner swap
A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv Saturday wounded at least 15 people, just as Russia and Ukraine were in the middle of a major prisoner swap.
Highlights from Cannes as film festival wraps up
The Cannes film festival is set to hand out its coveted main awards Saturday after a politically charged fortnight of screenings and celebrity sightings.
Kyiv under attack as Ukraine, Russia begin major prisoner swap
At least eight people were wounded in a drone and missile attack on Kyiv Saturday, city authorities said, just as Russia and Ukraine were in the middle of a major prisoner swap.
UN chief says Gaza war in 'cruelest phase' as aid trucks looted
The United Nations chief said Friday that Palestinians were enduring "the cruelest phase" of the war in Gaza, where more than a dozen food trucks were looted following the partial easing of a lengthy Israeli blockade.
Trump greenlights Nippon Steel 'partnership' with US Steel
US President Donald Trump on Friday threw his support behind a new "partnership" between US Steel and Japan's Nippon Steel, sending the American firm's share price skyrocketing on hopes of an end to the long-running saga over foreign ownership of a key national asset.
US Steel shares skyrocket after Trump greenlights Nippon 'partnership'
Shares of steelmaker US Steel skyrocketed on Friday after President Donald Trump announced his support for a "partnership" with Japan's Nippon Steel.
UN expert says Guatemalan anti-corruption fighters persecuted
A United Nations human rights expert warned Friday of intensifying persecution of independent judges, lawyers and others fighting corruption in Guatemala, urging its contentious attorney general to stop "criminalization."
UN expert calls for end of Gaza blockade in Cannes
UN expert Francesca Albanese at the Cannes Festival on Friday called for Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza completely instead of allowing aid to trickly into the war-torn territory.
Suriname president vows oil bonanza won't hit carbon-negative status
Ahead of oil-rich Suriname's election, the country's president tells AFP that a looming energy windfall will not spell a shift away from climate-friendly policies.
Ukraine, Russia begin biggest prisoner swap of war
Ukraine and Russia began a major prisoner exchange Friday, which if completed would be the biggest swap since Moscow invaded more than three years ago.
Latest round of US-Iran nuclear talks ends in Rome
Iranian and US negotiators closed on Friday a fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome with "some but not conclusive progress", mediator Oman said, after a public disagreement over Tehran's uranium enrichment.
Trump fires new tariff threats at Apple and the EU
President Donald Trump ratcheted up the US trade war on Friday, threatening to impose a new 25 percent levy against Apple, and a 50 percent tariff on the European Union.
Leningrad Siege survivor, 84, fined over peace placard
Lyudmila Vasilyeva, 84, survived the Siege of Leningrad in World War II as a child. Now, the Russian pensioner has been prosecuted for calling for peace in Ukraine and says she feels "hurt" over what her country has become.
Trump fires new tariff threats at Apple and EU
President Donald Trump ratcheted up the US trade war on Friday, threatening to impose a new 25 percent levy against Apple, and a 50 percent tariff on the European Union.
Merz, Xi discuss Ukraine war, trade woes amid global 'chaos'
Germany's Friedrich Merz urged Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday to support a Ukraine ceasefire push and discussed thorny economic ties, in the leaders' first call since Merz became chancellor.
Iran, US hold new round of nuclear talks in Rome
Iranian and US negotiators met in Rome on Friday for a fifth round of nuclear talks, after a public disagreement over Tehran's uranium enrichment.
Bangladesh minister says Yunus 'not going to step down'
Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus "needs to remain" in office as interim leader to ensure a peaceful transition of power, a cabinet member and special adviser to Yunus said Friday.
S.Africa minister rejects 'genocide' claim with statistics
South Africa does not face a "white genocide" and claims that most victims of murders on farms are white are a distortion of statistics, the police minister said Friday, dismissing statements by US President Donald Trump.
Dismayed Chinese students ponder prospects after Trump Harvard ban
Dismayed Chinese students feared for their international futures on Friday after US President Donald Trump revoked Harvard University's right to enrol foreign nationals.
Ban on ousted ex-ruling party divides Bangladesh voters
The banning of fugitive ex-leader Sheikh Hasina's party offers a sliver of justice for Bangladeshis demanding she face trial for crimes against humanity but also raises concerns about the inclusivity of elections.
Trump admin revokes Harvard's right to enroll foreign students
Donald Trump's administration has revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign nationals, putting the future of thousands of students at risk, with China on Friday slamming the "politicization" of educational exchanges.
German growth upgraded on pre-tariff export surge
Germany's economy grew more than previously thought at the start of the year, as its exports surged before US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs, official data showed Friday.
Iran, US to hold new round of nuclear talks in Rome
Iranian and US negotiators meet in Rome on Friday for a fifth round of nuclear talks, after a public disagreement over Tehran's uranium enrichment.
US tariff tensions test Southeast Asian leaders at regional summit
Southeast Asian leaders will express deep concern over US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz when they meet at a summit Monday, warning that the unilateral move posed huge challenges to economic growth and stability in the region, according to a draft statement seen by AFP.
The pioneering Vietnamese professor taught by French maths genius
As American bombers flew overhead, pioneering professor Hoang Xuan Sinh completed her thesis by the light of a kerosene lamp in the Vietnamese jungle, with letters from French maths genius Alexandre Grothendieck as her only guidance.
Asian stocks bounce back after Treasury-led sell-off
Asian equities stabilised Friday following the previous day's US bond-fuelled sell-off with traders tracking a slight pullback in Treasury yields as Donald Trump's signature tax-cutting budget passed a key congressional vote.
Did George Floyd protesters miss their moment for change?
Outrage over George Floyd's killing by police catapulted Black Lives Matter into one of the largest protest movements in US history, with angry crowds chanting the slogan at rallies from Los Angeles to Washington.