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Putin to confront weak economy at 'Russian Davos', under threat of Ukrainian drones
Russia's Vladimir Putin will address a flagship investment forum in Saint Petersburg on Friday, as the war in Ukraine drags the economy into stagnation and days after brazen Ukrainian drone strikes rocked his home city.
Australian far-right does U-turn on seizing foreigners' homes
A top representative of Australia's far-right One Nation party has clarified the party will not be kicking foreign permanent residents out of their homes if it takes power.
US imposes sanctions on Cuban president, Castro family members
The United States announced new sanctions Thursday on Cuba's president and some of his immediate family, alongside members of the Castro family, in Washington's latest ramping up of pressure on its communist-led neighbor.
Anthropic calls for pause of global AI development
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic suggested Thursday a global pause on building the most powerful AI systems as the latest models are beginning to show signs they could escape human control.
Elon Musk 'trying to whip up division' over UK student's murder: PM
UK leader Keir Starmer accused US tech tycoon Elon Musk on Thursday of "trying to whip up division" in Britain following anger over the police handling of the murder of a white student by a Sikh man.
Dissing critics with humor, Hunter Biden finds social media stardom
Drug use, sobriety, erections... The son of former US president Joe Biden has become an unlikely social media sensation as he takes aim at critics with a mix of self-deprecating humor, biting retorts and salty language.
In open letter to Putin, Zelensky calls for meeting and ceasefire
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky proposed a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin in a rare open letter to the Russian leader Thursday, shortly after the Kremlin chief had conceded Moscow needed to strengthen its air defences amid a spate of Ukrainian attacks.
North Israel residents hold little hope for Lebanon truce deal
Despite living just 300 metres from the border wall separating Israel from Lebanon, Sigalit Levin has little enthusiasm for the new ceasefire deal meant to bring a lasting end to fighting with Hezbollah.
UN nuclear watchdog raises 'proliferation' fears over Iran sites
The UN nuclear agency reaffirmed in a confidential report seen by AFP on Thursday that a lack of access to Iran's nuclear material posed a "proliferation concern" and called on Teheran to act "constructively".
IMF boosting financial support for four African nations over war impact
The International Monetary Fund on Thursday announced it was stepping up financial support for at least four African countries to help them manage the economic fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran.
'In the queue': Busy with Iran, US has little energy for Kyiv
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio faced four different congressional panels this week on Washington's role in various global conflicts, but the war in Ukraine barely came up.
Romanian president nominates EU deputy Tomac as PM to end deadlock
Romanian president Nicusor Dan on Thursday designated pro-European MEP Eugen Tomac as prime minister after a month of wrangling since the last government leader was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Iran leader says dealt enemies 'decisive blow' in Middle East war
Iran's supreme leader said Thursday that the United States and Israel had been dealt a "decisive blow" in the Middle East war, after the government reported "no tangible progress" in negotiations on ending the conflict.
Is Iran's new supreme leader taking up the reins of power?
Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since being appointed, his health condition is a mystery, and it's unclear how much power he wields.
Hezbollah chief rejects truce, demands Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon
Hezbollah's chief on Thursday rejected a conditional truce announced by Lebanese and Israeli envoys, demanding instead a comprehensive ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal as he threatened northern Israel with new attacks.
Brazil may purchase 20 more fighter jets from Sweden
Brazil wants to acquire 20 additional Gripen fighter jets, made by Swedish defence company Saab, on top of the 36 it already has, Sweden's defence minister said Thursday.
UK PM says Elon Musk 'trying to whip up division' over student's murder
UK leader Keir Starmer accused US tech tycoon Elon Musk on Thursday of "trying to whip up division" in Britain following anger over the police handling of the murder of a white student by a Sikh man.
Israel strikes Lebanon after 'last chance' truce announcement
Israel carried out new strikes in Lebanon on Thursday and again threatened Beirut, despite the two countries agreeing to a conditional ceasefire that Lebanon's president called the "last chance" for a durable end to the fighting.
What we know about Kushner's project in Albania
Protesters are furious over a planned luxury tourism complex in Albania that is linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Israel strikes Lebanon after truce announcement
Israel struck south Lebanon on Thursday and threatened new attacks on Beirut despite an announcement hours earlier that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to implement a conditional ceasefire.
Somalia capital rocked by gunfire and fighting overnight
Heavy gunfire rocked Somalia's capital overnight, with smoke rising over the city and armed forces deployed on the streets on Thursday, AFP journalists reported, after clashes erupted between rival political factions ahead of planned protests.
South Korea ruling party fails to flip Seoul in blemish on local poll results
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party swept most seats in local elections but failed to flip the crucial Seoul mayoral seat, official results showed Thursday, in a sign that voters sought to keep a check on its power.
South Korea's ruling party fails to flip Seoul in blemish to local polls showing
South Korea's ruling Democratic Party swept most seats in local elections but failed to flip the crucial Seoul mayoral seat, official results showed Thursday, in a sign that voters sought to keep a check on its power.
N. Korea's Kim vows 'exponential' boost in nuclear forces
Kim Jong Un vowed an "exponential" increase in nuclear military capabilities as state media reported the North Korean leader visited a new atomic facility.
Ukraine strike kills 3 in Russian-occupied Crimea
A Ukrainian strike killed at least three people in Crimea, the region's Moscow-installed authorities said Thursday, a day after Kyiv targeted energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg where Russia was hosting an economic forum.
In Peru's highlands, hopelessness shapes a bitter presidential runoff
Peru's presidential runoff has exposed deep dissatisfaction in the Andean south, where poor rural voters see the election as a bitter choice and say Lima has abandoned them.
China bans New Zealand lawmakers over Taiwan trip
China has slapped a travel ban on a group of New Zealand lawmakers after they recently visited Taiwan, Wellington said Thursday.
Israel, Lebanon agree to conditional ceasefire
Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a "complete cessation" of fire by Iran-backed Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks in Washington.
Iran FM says 'no tangible progress' in talks but Trump says deal close
Iran's foreign minister said Wednesday that "no tangible progress" has been made in negotiations to end the Middle East war as fresh US and Iranian strikes strained a fragile ceasefire.
Cuba has 'technocrats' willing to negotiate, Rubio says
Cuba has "technocrats" ready to negotiate change in the island's governance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday.
Somalia ex-PM says attacked by govt forces in Mogadishu
Heavy gunfire broke out in central Mogadishu on Wednesday as Somalia's former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire said he was attacked by government forces ahead of planned protests.
Ukraine drone strikes causing 'panic' for Kremlin: EU's Kallas to AFP
Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russia are causing "panic" for the Kremlin, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas told AFP Wednesday, saying Moscow was lashing out at Kyiv with increased attacks.