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US backs Japan over Putin trip to disputed islands
The United States recognises Japan's sovereignty over islands visited by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the US ambassador to Tokyo said Friday.
Farage declares victory as count still underway in UK by-election
Hard-right British politician Nigel Farage declared a "resounding victory" early Friday but said he would not attend the official result announcement in an unusual by-election that pitted him against joke candidate Count Binface.
'Shock' gloves for US immigration agents fuel potential abuse fears
Plans to equip US immigration enforcement agents with gloves capable of delivering debilitating electric shocks have fueled concerns over potential abuses by a force that critics say is already over-zealous and under-trained.
UK vote count under way in Farage, Binface showdown
Vote counting was under way early Friday after an unusual English by-election shunned by mainstream parties, pitting influential hard-right leader Nigel Farage against Count Binface, a man with a rubbish bin on his head.
Vance says low oil prices are top US goal in Iran conflict
Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the top US priority in the Iran war was keeping oil and gasoline prices low for Americans, with preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon ranking second.
US stocks gain after benign inflation data, oil prices retreat
Wall Street stocks advanced Thursday with the S&P 500 finishing at a fresh record as investors welcomed further signs of easing US inflation while oil prices pulled back.
Indicted Raul Castro reappears after months out of public view
US-indicted Cuban leader Raul Castro received a standing ovation as he appeared in public for the first time in months Thursday, attending an event in Havana to mark the centenary of his brother Fidel's birth.
Stocks gain as US inflation worries ease, oil slips
Stock markets mostly advanced Thursday as investors welcomed further signs of easing US inflation, making the prospect of higher interest rates in the world's biggest economy less likely.
Israel sends troops to settler siege as US ambassador slams 'act of terror'
Israeli forces on Thursday moved against rogue settlers laying siege to Palestinians amid unusually strong US criticism, even as Israel inaugurated an emblematic settlement elsewhere in the West Bank.
Zambia voters weigh Hichilema's economic record
Zambians went to the polls Thursday in an election focused on economic hardships in the copper-rich nation, where President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term.
US ambassador denounces settler siege as Israel dispatches troops
Israeli forces on Thursday moved against rogue settlers who have besieged Palestinians amid unusually strong US criticism, even as Israel inaugurated a major settlement elsewhere in the West Bank.
Taiwan chokes mobile internet speeds in drill for Chinese attack
Millions of people in Taiwan were forced indoors and mobile internet speeds slowed for 30 minutes on Thursday during a simulation of a Chinese attack on the island democracy.
Taiwan says AI agents used in cyberattacks targeting island
Overseas hackers used artificial intelligence agents to help carry out a wave of cyberattacks targeting Taiwanese government agencies in July, the island's digital affairs ministry said Thursday.
Japan protests Putin's first visit to disputed islands
President Vladimir Putin visited Thursday Russia's far-eastern Kuril islands for the first time, prompting a "strong" protest by Japan which also claims the territory.
Zambia votes with president's economic record on the line
Zambia went to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.
Putin visits Kuril islands claimed by Japan
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the far-eastern Kuril islands for the first time on Thursday, prompting a "strong" protest by Japan which also claims the territory.
Senators demand inquiry into conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
Congressional Democrats demanded answers Wednesday about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, following reports of food shortages, broken plumbing and mental health crises during the aircraft carrier's record-setting deployment.
Farage and Count Binface go head-to-head in snap UK poll
Voters in eastern England head to the polls Thursday for a by-election triggered by hard-right Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, but amid a boycott by mainstream parties his main rival is a joke candidate called Count Binface
Venezuela govt, opposition wrap up round of post-Maduro talks
Venezuela's interim government and opposition representatives on Wednesday wrapped up a first round of talks aimed at reconciling the nation following the US ouster of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.
Five things to know about Zambia as it goes to the polls
Copper-rich Zambia, once known for defaulting on its debt, heads to the polls Thursday in an election that will test whether President Hakainde Hichilema has convinced voters his economic reforms are paying off.
President's economic record on the line as Zambia votes
Zambians go to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.
'Imposing ignorance': US climate science under siege
A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.
Caracas protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting political transition talks in Venezuela's capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and opposition, AFP journalists observed.
'Trying to bury the science': US climate research under siege
A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.
Eurovision to bar countries at war from hosting
Eurovision Song Contest organisers announced rule changes Wednesday excluding any country in an armed conflict from hosting the competition and increasing the mininum age of competitors.
Protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting transition talks in the Venezuelan capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and the opposition, AFP journalists observed.
Trump sued over sale of access to Truth Social posts
Two US media groups on Wednesday sued President Donald Trump over his move to charge for early access to his often market-moving Truth Social posts.
US equities gain as inflation report eases fear of rate rise
US equities inched up and the dollar slipped Wednesday as July's inflation data came in as expected, taking pressure off the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates.
Zhu Rongji, trailblazing ex-premier who transformed China's economy
Zhu Rongji, China's former premier who died on Wednesday aged 97, championed free-market policies and delivered far-reaching economic reforms during his five years at the helm.
'To make the civilians leave': Russia pummels Ukraine's petrol stations
A streak across the sky, then a muffled blast. Near Izyum in eastern Ukraine, another petrol station has just been blown to pieces.
Japan brushes off Australian PM's melon drama
Tokyo on Wednesday played down comments by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about melons gifted to him by his Japanese counterpart that have triggered a row Down Under, stressing the leaders' good relationship.
Australian delivery drivers win 'world-leading' pay rise
Hundreds of thousands of gig workers in Australia have been granted a huge pay rise from next week under a decision by the country's workplace relations tribunal lauded as "world-leading".