Featured
Last news
France's Macron calls for 'sustainable' defence industry effort
France's President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for a "sustainable" effort to scale up weapons production following the Russian invasion of Ukraine as he laid a foundation stone for a much-needed gunpowder factory.
Kyiv adopts mobilisation law as Moscow strikes facilities across country
Ukrainian lawmakers approved Thursday an army mobilisation bill that will keep more long-serving soldiers fighting Russia's offensive, as Moscow pounded energy facilities in another "massive" air raid across the country.
Biden hosts first Philippines-Japan summit as China looms
US President Joe Biden holds the first ever summit with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines Thursday to show support for Manila against China's growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.
Russia attacks Ukraine energy sites, Kharkiv overnight
Russia on Thursday launched a "massive" aerial attack on Ukraine, Kyiv said, hitting the northeastern city of Kharkiv again and targeting energy facilities across the country.
Myanmar troops withdraw from border hub, ethnic rebels say
Myanmar junta troops have withdrawn from their positions in a major trade hub near the Thai border following days of clashes, an ethnic armed group said Thursday, in a further blow to the embattled military.
Most equity markets fall as US inflation data dims rate cut hopes
Most markets edged down Thursday after forecast-topping US inflation dealt a blow to hopes for a June interest rate cut and forced traders to re-evaluate the outlook for monetary policy, with a warning that the next move could even be a hike.
Polish parliament begins long-awaited abortion debate
Poland's parliament on Thursday will open a long-awaited debate on liberalising abortion laws in the majority Catholic country, with splits in the ruling coalition suggesting an uncertain outcome.
Ukraine director revives 'lost' Mariupol theatre after imprisonment
The day after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, theatre director Anatoliy Levchenko was due to stage an opening night in Mariupol.
Asia tracks Wall St losses as US data deals blow to rate cut hopes
Asian markets reversed Thursday after forecast-topping US inflation dealt a hefty blow to hopes for a June interest rate cut and forced traders to re-evaluate the outlook for monetary policy, with a warning that the next move could even be a hike.
Spaceland: Biden woos Japan PM with Paul Simon and moonshots
When you want to impress guests, it helps to have Moon rockets and superstar singer-songwriters on call -- and US President Joe Biden has both.
'Lame duck' S. Korean president reels from election debacle
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol promised "reform" and the head of his ruling party resigned on Thursday after a disastrous election increased the opposition's stranglehold on parliament.
Biden, Japan PM boost defense ties with eye on China
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled their countries' biggest ever upgrade in defense ties Wednesday during a White House state visit focused on countering a resurgent China.
Hot US inflation data hits Wall Street stocks, lifts dollar
Wall Street stocks fell Wednesday after US inflation data dimmed the chances for imminent Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, while the yen hit a 33-year low against a strengthening dollar.
Hedging Trump says Arizona abortion ban goes too far
Donald Trump on Wednesday said Arizona went too far with its abortion ban based on a 19th century law but he defended his role in ending nationwide abortion rights, in his latest balancing act on a critical election issue.
Spaceland: Biden woos Japan PM with moonshots and Paul Simon
When you want to impress guests it helps to have moon rockets and superstar singer-songwriters on call -- and US President Joe Biden has both.
Peru prosecutors seize Rolexes president said were a loan
Peruvian prosecutors on Wednesday seized three Rolex watches and a bracelet at the heart of a scandal engulfing President Dina Boluarte, who said the items had been loaned to her.
Hamas leader's family killed in Gaza strike as truce talks drag on
An Israeli strike Wednesday killed three of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh's sons in Gaza, the Palestinian leader and Israel's military said, as war rages in the Palestinian territory despite ongoing truce negotiations.
Biden urges House vote on Ukraine aid as Republican chief stalls
President Joe Biden on Wednesday urged the US House of Representatives to vote immediately on billions of dollars in Ukraine aid, as the chamber's Republican speaker hesitates in the face of pressure from Donald Trump and his allies.
Missiles kill 7 in Ukraine as deadly drone strike hits Russia
Missiles hit two regions in Ukraine on Wednesday killing seven people, local authorities said, while a governor in Russia said a drone strike killed three people in a village close to the border.
Biden, Japan PM hail defense boost with eye on China
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled the biggest ever upgrade in US-Japan defense ties Wednesday during a lavish White House state visit aimed at countering a rising China.
US inflation accelerates, dampening rate cut hopes
US consumer inflation continued to accelerate last month, according to government data published Wednesday, reducing the chances of an early interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve in a tense election year.
EU parliament adopts sweeping asylum reform
The EU parliament on Wednesday adopted a sweeping reform of Europe's asylum policies that will both harden border procedures and force all the bloc's 27 nations to share responsibility.
Top French court upholds 'veggie burger' label
France's top administrative court Wednesday waded back into a battle over the labelling of veggie burgers, suspending a decree banning plant-based products from being described as meat.
Biden hails 'unbreakable' Japan ties during PM's lavish state visit
President Joe Biden hailed "unbreakable" US-Japanese ties Wednesday as he hosted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a White House state visit featuring a major upgrade in defense ties against a resurgent China.
Biden hails 'unbreakable' US-Japan ties at start of Kishida summit
President Joe Biden hailed "unbreakable" US-Japanese ties Wednesday as he greeted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a lavish White House summit featuring a major upgrade in defense ties against China -- and music by Paul Simon.
Thai soldiers on alert as Myanmar border clashes enter second day
Thai armoured cars patrolled the town of Mae Sot Wednesday as the deep boom of artillery thundered across the border in Myanmar where the junta and an ethnic armed group fought for a second day near a vital trade hub.
US consumer inflation accelerates in March, dampening rate cut hopes
US consumer inflation continued to accelerate last month, according to US government data published Wednesday, reducing the chances of an early interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve.
Markets mainly rise as traders jockey before US inflation data
Equities mostly rose Wednesday as traders awaited key US inflation data that could have a bearing on Federal Reserve interest rates, and on the eve of a European Central Bank's latest monetary policy decision.
China's Xi tells ex-Taiwan leader 'external interference' cannot block unification
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that "external interference" would not stop Beijing from unifying with Taiwan, as he met the self-ruled island's former leader in a rare display of cross-strait dialogue.
Spain says Israel's 'disproportionate response' in Gaza a global threat
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that Israel's "disproportionate response" in the Gaza war with Hamas risks "destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world".
Gazans mark 'saddest' Eid with little to celebrate or eat
Gazans did their best to celebrate the end of Ramadan in the driving rain on Wednesday, as the war raged on with 14 killed, including children, in a strike on their home, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said.
South Korea opposition set for landslide in parliamentary election
South Korea's opposition was set to triumph in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, with exit polls suggesting it increased its majority in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Biden treats Japan PM to state visit with eye on China
US President Joe Biden hosts a lavish state visit for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Wednesday, featuring a major upgrade in defense ties against China -- and music by Paul Simon.
Too busy for politics? S. Korea's young voters on what motivates them
High youth unemployment, feuding politicians and a cost of living crisis: young South Korean voters told AFP what was on their minds as they voted -- some for the first time -- in elections Wednesday.
Most markets rise as traders jockey ahead of US inflation data
Equities mostly rose on Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street, with investors lasering in on the release of crucial US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the outlook for interest rates.
How the EU wants to reshape its asylum system
The European Parliament votes Wednesday on a landmark reform of EU laws on asylum-seekers and irregular migrants.
After Mideast tour, Spain PM to address MPs on Gaza
Spain's Pedro Sanchez, whose criticism of the Gaza war has raised tensions with Israel, on Wednesday addresses parliament on the conflict in remarks expected to clarify plans to recognise a Palestinian state.
Biden says Israel making 'mistake' in handling of Gaza war
US President Joe Biden issued some of his sternest criticism yet of Israel's war on Hamas, calling its approach a "mistake" as the country faces a Wednesday court deadline to prove it is not throttling aid to hunger-stricken Gaza.
Yoon faces rebuke in slugfest South Korea vote
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced a reckoning from voters Wednesday in parliamentary elections seen as a referendum on his rule following a campaign that skirted many of the country's real problems.