Featured
Last news
European stocks slide on French vote jitters
European stock markets slid and the euro retreated Friday on lingering concerns over France's looming snap election, called after President Emmanuel Macron's party lost to the far right in last weekend's EU vote.
Leading French left-winger Glucksmann backs new left alliance
Leading left-wing French politician Raphael Glucksmann on Friday threw his weight behind a new coalition of the left in the run-up to historic elections, while far-right powerhouse Marine Le Pen pledged a "national unity government" if her party wins the snap polls.
Hard-right Reform UK outstrips Tories for first time in poll: YouGov
The Conservative party of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has fallen behind the hard-right anti-immigration Reform UK party for the first time in a poll by YouGov, which called the development a "seismic shift".
China promoting authoritarian governance in developing world: report
China has organised seminars and training courses for officials in African and Latin American countries, aimed at promoting its single-party system and President Xi Jinping's worldview, a report said this week.
Is there anybody out there? NATO hones Arctic subs' sonar skills
In the icy waters of the Arctic, NATO scientists are dissecting sound waves to improve the West's ability to track Russian submarines, as global warming alters acoustics underwater.
Swiss pull out the stops for Ukraine summit security
Switzerland is undertaking a major security operation around this weekend's summit on Ukraine, aiming to ward off not only physical threats but also cyberattacks and misinformation.
China Premier Li visits Auckland, stirring up hope of new trade
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in New Zealand's northern hub of Auckland on Friday, stirring up hope of new trade avenues among the country's business leaders.
Iraq counts cost of stray bullets fired in anger or joy
At weddings, football matches and other special events, some Iraqi men like to fire salvos of celebratory gunfire into the sky, worrying little about where the bullets might fall.
China waits anxiously for economic plan as gloom reigns
Rows and rows of partially inhabited high-rises sprawl into the suburbs of the northern Chinese metropolis of Tianjin, their empty balconies emblematic of a slowing economy that has not kept pace with the country's ambitions.
Asian markets, yen drop ahead of key Bank of Japan decision
Asian markets and the yen weakened against the dollar Friday ahead of a policy decision by the Bank of Japan, while the euro remained under pressure as critical French parliamentary elections approach.
S. African parliament meets to re-elect weakened ANC president
South Africa's newly-elected parliament meets Friday and is expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government after his ruling ANC cobbled together a coalition deal.
Tesla shareholders back huge payout for CEO Musk, company says
Tesla shareholders voted in favor of a huge compensation package for CEO Elon Musk, endorsing the potential windfall after a Delaware court invalidated it, a company official said Thursday.
Huthi missile attack severely injures sailor on cargo ship: US military
Two cruise missiles launched by Yemen's Huthi rebels struck a bulk cargo carrier in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, severely injuring a sailor who was evacuated by American forces, the US military said.
Biden, Zelensky hail $50 billion G7 loan for Ukraine
G7 leaders agreed Thursday on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a move Joe Biden said showed Moscow "we're not backing down".
Biden, Zelensky sign 'historic' 10-year security deal
Presidents Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky signed a landmark 10-year security deal between Washington and Kyiv on Thursday in what the Ukrainian leader called a historic day in the fight against Russia's invasion.
UN Security Council demands end to Darfur city's siege
The UN Security Council on Thursday demanded an end to the siege of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region, where fighting between government and paramilitary forces has provoked a humanitarian crisis.
Chaos on French right as Macron's snap poll upends politics
French right-wing parties were mired in infighting Thursday as campaigning intensified for snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron, while his government faces a more unified challenge from the left.
S.Africa's ANC strikes 11th-hour deal to form government
South Africa's long-standing ruling ANC said Thursday it has reached an agreement with several other parties to form a coalition, after failing to win an outright majority in May's general election.
US, France push back against Italy over G7 abortion stance
The US and France pushed back Thursday against a reported attempt by Italy to water down a G7 leaders' declaration on abortion by removing a reference to "safe and legal" terminations.
Armenian protesters rally after violent clashes with police
Thousands of Armenians staged a new rally Thursday against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a day after clashes between anti-government protesters and police left more than 100 injured.
Afghanistan to send three women and three men to compete at Olympics
Afghanistan will send a team of three women and three men to the Paris Olympics as demanded by the International Olympic Committee following the return to power of the Taliban in August 2021, the IOC announced on Thursday.
Trump back in Washington, feted by Republican lawmakers
Donald Trump enjoyed an effusive welcome on his return to Washington on Thursday as he rallied support from Republican lawmakers following his criminal conviction in New York.
'Alarm bells ringing': Dembele calls on France stars to vote in key elections
France star Ousmane Dembele admitted on Thursday the political situation in the country had "set alarm bells ringing" and said he and his teammates intended to vote in upcoming legislative elections even if they are still involved at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Kenya eyes budget deficit with new tax hikes
Kenya's finance minister on Thursday presented the East African nation's biggest ever budget, alongside contentious tax proposals to help plug a hole in the public finances.
G7 leaders reach 'political deal' on new Ukraine funds: US
G7 leaders agreed at a summit in Italy Thursday on a new $50-billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a US official said.
Battles rage in Rafah after US says Gaza truce still possible
Israeli helicopters struck Gaza's Rafah Thursday, residents said, with Hamas militants reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible.
Musk says Tesla shareholders voting for his pay by 'wide margins'
Tesla boss Elon Musk claimed victory in a closely-watched shareholder vote to approve on Thursday a multibillion-dollar pay package seen as critical in keeping the mercurial CEO at the electric auto company.
France racing to build giant army camp for Paris Olympics security
To house the thousands of soldiers tasked with keeping the Paris Olympics safe, France is building the largest army camp its mainland has seen since World War II, at breakneck pace.
Migrant shipwreck victims pursue case against Greek coastguard
A year after one of the Mediterranean's worst migrant shipwrecks killed more than 600 people, lawyers for survivors pursuing a criminal case against the Greek coastguard gave fresh details on the case Thursday.
Shevchenko hopes Euro 2024 will remind world of Ukraine's pain
Ukrainian football great Andriy Shevchenko has told AFP his country's presence at Euro 2024 that kicks off on Friday has been a triumph over adversity and will "remind the world of what we are going through".
Chaos on French right as Macron snap poll reshapes politics
French right-wing parties were mired by infighting Thursday as campaigning intensified for snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron, but his government faces a more unified challenge from the left.
Battles in Gaza's Rafah after Blinken says truce still possible
Israeli helicopters struck Gaza's Rafah on Thursday, residents said, with Hamas militants reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible.