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Markets mixed as traders eye US data, looming Fed meeting
Stock markets were mixed Thursday after a tepid day on Wall Street, with traders looking forward to a string of US data that could help sway Federal Reserve officials ahead of their policy meeting next week.
Boom times for Myanmar opium farmers as coup chaos bites
In a remote corner of Myanmar a line of farmers move through a field of nodding poppies, making small cuts in the greenish-purple pods to release opium resin.
Thai ex-PM Thaksin makes first public appearance since release
Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited his hometown in the kingdom's north on Thursday as he made his first public appearances since being freed early from a jail sentence for graft and abuse of power.
Asian markets mixed as traders eye US data, looming Fed meeting
Asian markets were mixed Thursday after a tepid day on Wall Street, with traders looking forward to a string of US data that could help sway Federal Reserve officials ahead of their policy meeting next week.
Haiti works at govt transition as gang leader vows to fight on
A powerful Haitian gang leader pledged Wednesday to continue the fighting that has plunged the country into chaos, as stakeholders work toward establishing a transitional governing body to replace the outgoing prime minister.
N. Korean leader unveils and 'drives' new battle tank
North Korea leader Kim Jong Un drove a "new-type main battle tank" while overseeing military training exercises, state media said Thursday, as Seoul and Washington wrap joint drills to improve deterrence.
'Stronger than ever,' Venezuelan opposition candidate refuses to yield
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is pushing forward on the presidential campaign trail, traversing the country to energize supporters despite having little chance of overcoming the hurdles the state has placed in her way.
UK government unveils new extremism definition
The UK government on Thursday unveiled a new definition of extremism, as church leaders warned it risked disproportionately affecting Muslim communities.
Thai ex-PM Thaksin makes first public appearance since release: AFP
Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited a Bangkok temple Thursday in his first public appearance since being freed early from a jail sentence for graft and abuse of power.
Haiti works at govt transition as gang leader pledges to fight on
A powerful Haitian gang leader pledged Wednesday to continue his fight that has plunged the country into chaos, after the crisis-wracked nation's prime minister agreed to step aside and be replaced by a transitional governing body.
European stocks advance as Wall Street pulls back
European stock markets rose Wednesday, with Paris and Frankfurt setting new records, while Wall Street saw a gloomy close as traders await fresh data.
Haiti's emboldened gangs could scuttle political solution
After years of chaos in Haiti, ultraviolent gangs have turned into their own power centers, posing a massive challenge as the international community pushes a political solution for the country's crisis.
Haitians scramble to form governing body amid gang violence
Haitian stakeholders were working feverishly Wednesday to form a transitional governing body, after Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign in hopes of restoring order to the impoverished nation as it faces a deep crisis of gang violence.
Dutch far-right firebrand Wilders says won't be PM
Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders said Wednesday that he would not be prime minister despite his stunning election win in November, due to a lack of support across the political spectrum.
Biden and Trump gird for marathon White House race
Eight months ahead of the US presidential election, the campaign moves from the parties' nominating contests to the trench warfare of what promises to be one of the longest, most brutal head-to-head showdowns in memory.
Nigeria vows not to pay ransom to school students' kidnappers
Nigeria's president has ordered security forces not to pay a ransom for the release of more than 250 school pupils seized by gunmen last week, the country's information minister said on Wednesday.
Oliver Stone: Charges against Trump are 'ridiculous'
Maverick American director Oliver Stone told AFP that the legal proceedings against Donald Trump are "all political" and that the ex-president was a victim of "lawfare" -- when prosecutions are used to silence political figures.
EU parliament adopts 'pioneering' rules on AI
The European Parliament gave final approval on Wednesday to the world's most far-reaching rules to govern artificial intelligence, including powerful systems like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
EU media freedom law approved by lawmakers
The EU is set to better protect journalists from political pressure and surveillance under an unprecedented media freedom law approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Attack on Navalny ally Volkov likely 'organised by Russia': Lithuania
Lithuanian intelligence services on Wednesday said that the attack on Russian opposition figure Leonid Volkov, a close ally of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was likely "organised by Russia".
German stocks, bitcoin hit record highs
Europe's main stock markets rose Wednesday with Frankfurt scaling historic heights on hopes of interest rate cuts, while London gained ground as slender UK economic growth sparked talk of an end to recession.
Anglican head warns UK's new extremism definition risks division
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the global Anglican communion, warned on Wednesday that a new definition of extremism set to be unveiled by the UK government risks stoking division.
Race to rush aid to Gaza as EU warns hunger 'a weapon of war'
Donor nations, aid agencies and charities pushed on with efforts Wednesday to rush food to war-torn Gaza by land, air and sea after the EU top diplomat said starvation had become "a weapon of war".
What is ByteDance, the TikTok parent in US crosshairs?
From its birth in a Beijing apartment 12 years ago, ByteDance grew into one of the world's biggest tech firms -- best known in most countries as the creator of TikTok.
Putin says Russian nuclear weapons 'more advanced' than in US
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday lauded Moscow's nuclear arsenal and warned that he was ready to deploy the weapons if Russia's sovereignty was threatened.
China warns proposed TikTok ban will 'come back to bite' US
Beijing warned on Wednesday that a proposed ban on Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok would "inevitably come back to bite the United States".
Markets mixed as traders struggle to keep up with Wall St rally
Asian markets were mixed Wednesday as investors struggled to keep up with Wall Street, though forecast-beating US inflation data did little to dent expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates this year.
Moldova battles for soul of pro-Russian Gagauzia
Language teacher Sorina Stoianova has found herself at the forefront of Moldova's efforts to counter Russian influence in its rebel Gagauzia region, which borders Ukraine.
Spanish ship en route to Gaza with desperately needed aid
A Spanish aid boat was en route to Gaza on Wednesday, opening a new maritime corridor intended to allow deliveries of desperately needed food to the Palestinian territory ravaged by months of war between Israel and Hamas.
Most markets track Wall St gains as US data fails to damp rate hopes
Asian markets mostly rose in line with Wall Street on Wednesday as forecast-beating US inflation data did little to dent expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates this year.
Dozens abducted in new Nigeria kidnapping: sources
Gunmen abducted dozens of people from a northwestern Nigerian village on Tuesday, according to two local representatives and a UN source, just days after the kidnapping of more than 250 pupils from a school in the same region.
Wronged UK postmasters to have convictions quashed
Hundreds of UK subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted for dishonesty due to a faulty software scandal will have their convictions automatically quashed, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office said on Wednesday.
Biden sends Ukraine aid as Poles warn of Russia threat
US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday a $300 million emergency weapons package to prop up Ukraine while Congress blocks further aid, as Poland's leaders visited the White House to warn of the growing threat from Russia.
Navalny ally Leonid Volkov in hospital after attack in Lithuania
Leonid Volkov, a close ally of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday after being attacked outside his home in Lithuania, local police told AFP.
Navalny ally Leonid Volkov attacked outside home in Lithuania
Leonid Volkov, a close ally of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was attacked outside his home in Lithuania on Tuesday, independent Russian media outlets and Navalny's spokeswoman said.
Haiti sees major step but crisis could still worsen
A political transition deal in Haiti marks a key step forward for the violence-ravaged country but far more needs to be done, with some experts warning the situation could deteriorate further.
US announces emergency Ukraine aid, as Poles warn of Russia threat
US President Joe Biden announced an emergency $300 million military aid shipment for Ukraine on Tuesday, as Poland's leaders visited the White House to warn of the growing threat from Russia.
Putin 'only understands force:' Russian chess legend
Kremlin critic and chess legend Garry Kasparov on Tuesday called for a stronger Western response to Moscow's aggression in Ukraine and said Russian dissident voices must be included in efforts to stand up to Vladimir Putin.
Sidestepping Congress, White House announces Ukraine aid
The White House announced Tuesday a stopgap $300 million package of vital military aid to Ukraine, sidestepping Republicans in Congress amid fears that Russia's invasion is gaining ground.