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Taiwan parties mass for rallies on eve of pivotal vote
Tens of thousands of supporters flocked to noisy, colourful rallies for Taiwan's three main political parties on Friday, as the candidates made a last push for votes in an election that China has warned could take the island closer to war.
Dozens die in Israeli bombardment of central and southern Gaza
Israeli strikes killed dozens in Gaza overnight Thursday-Friday, sources on both sides said on the 98th day of the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Israel hits back at 'distorted' genocide case
Israel said Friday it was not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people, as it hit back at what it called a "profoundly distorted" and "malevolent" genocide case against it at the UN's top court.
US, UK strikes pound Yemen rebels, adding to fears of wider war
US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthis who say they act in solidarity with Gaza.
Sunak to visit Kyiv Friday to set out new 'support package'
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Kyiv on Friday to launch "a major new package of support" for Ukraine and increase military funding for this financial year to £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), his office said.
'No consent at 14': French actor fuels #MeToo movement
A French actor has accused a director 25 years her senior of manipulating her into a relationship as a teenager, contributing to criticism that the arts have provided cover for abuse.
US, UK air strikes pound Yemen as Mideast conflict spreads
Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces acting in solidarity with Hamas.
Wars to cast pall over meeting of global VIPs in Davos
The world's political and business elites will convene in Davos next week, with wars in Gaza and Ukraine set to dominate the annual gabfest in the Swiss Alps.
Troops restore order after riots in Papua New Guinea
Troops patrolled the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital on Friday, under a state of emergency following riots that killed 16 across the country's two largest cities.
Biden warns Huthis of further steps after US, UK strikes
President Joe Biden said Thursday that US and British air strikes against Yemen's Huthis were "defensive" and warned of further measures if the Iran-backed rebels keep attacking ships in the Red Sea.
US, UK air strikes pound Yemen after weeks of Red Sea attacks
Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces.
Blinken to meet senior Chinese official on eve of Taiwan vote
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet a senior Chinese official in Washington on Friday on the eve of Taiwan's elections, as the United States seeks to discourage Beijing from taking action against Taipei.
India flexes maritime muscles by boosting Arabian Sea force
Dramatic drone footage showing Indian commandos hunting pirates after an attack in the Arabian Sea illustrates New Delhi's "significant" expansion of a muscular maritime force reflecting global ambitions, analysts say.
Presidency beckons for Guatemala's Arevalo despite judicial onslaught
Bernardo Arevalo has survived months of judicial machinations to stop his inauguration Sunday as Guatemala's new president -- the target, according to himself and observers, of a corrupt elite desperate to cling to power.
Biden sells economic strength, but voters aren't buying yet
US President Joe Biden has good news to sell on the economy as he seeks reelection in November -- but voters don't seem to be buying it.
Biden says US, UK struck Yemen's Huthis in 'defensive action'
President Joe Biden said Thursday that US and British forces had launched air strikes against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen in "defensive action" after attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
Ahead of inauguration, Guatemala court shields VP-elect from arrest
Guatemala's highest court issued an order Thursday shielding vice president-elect Karin Herrera from arrest amid rumors she could be detained in a move that would derail her inauguration and that of president-elect Bernardo Arevalo this weekend.
Zelensky urges fresh support in trip to Baltic states
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on partners to provide decisive political and military support during a visit Thursday to his staunch Baltic allies, as other backers waver on aid.
2023 -- a year of hypocrisy and rights suppression, says HRW
The past 12 months marked a grim year of suppression of human rights, with world leaders ignoring violations in Sudan and Gaza, and against marginalized groups like the Uyghurs, a monitor said Thursday.
Macron tilts French cabinet to right in reshuffle
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday replaced his foreign minister but maintained other key figures in their posts, in a reshuffle that tilted his cabinet to the right and leaves all the top ministries in the hands of men.
Macron replaces foreign minister in reshuffle: presidency
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday replaced his foreign minister but maintained other key figures in their posts in a reshuffle that tilted his cabinet to the right and left all top ministries in the hands of men.
'They aroused our ire': Ecuador vows to crush gangs
Ecuador's armed forces were engaged in a brutal standoff with organized crime Thursday, deploying more than 22,400 soldiers to put down a campaign of terror waged by gangs that has claimed 16 lives.
Pentagon inspector to probe US defense chief's hospitalization
The Pentagon's independent inspector general will investigate US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's failure to report his hospitalization to the rest of the government, a memo released Thursday said.
Zelensky urges 'new European arsenal' as he seeks fresh support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for more European weapons production and warned that any pause in the conflict would only benefit Russia.
Israel bombs Gaza as Blinken says no regional escalation
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday the Israel-Hamas conflict was not "escalating" across the Middle East, while Israel pounded southern Gaza more than three months into the war.
Two killed in third deadly Kabul explosion in less than a week
Two people were killed and 12 wounded in an explosion in western Kabul on Thursday, police said, in the third deadly blast to hit the Afghan capital in less than a week.
2023 'formidable' year for rights suppression globally, HRW warns
The past 12 months marked a "formidable" year for suppression of human rights, with world leaders ignoring violations in Sudan and Gaza, and against marginalized groups like the Uighurs, a monitor said Thursday.
Attacks on Red Sea shipping mount, but confronting Huthis carries risks
A spate of attacks by Yemeni rebels on Red Sea shipping has disrupted the vital trade route, but experts say stopping them appears difficult at best -- and risky at worst.
Zelensky warns conflict 'pauses' would help Russia re-arm
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday warned that any "pauses" in Ukraine's defence against the Russian invasion would only help Moscow to re-arm and allow it to "run us over".
Israel bombs Gaza as Blinken ends regional tour
Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip Thursday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended a days-long regional tour aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas war from spreading.
Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania join forces to hunt Black Sea mines
NATO members Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania signed an agreement Thursday on demining the Black Sea to ensure safe passage after Russia's war in Ukraine.
Zelensky says 'pauses' in conflict would help Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Thursday that any "pauses" in Ukraine's defence against the Russian invasion would only help Moscow to re-arm and allow it to "run us over".
Israel accused at UN court of Gaza 'genocide'
South Africa on Thursday accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, arguing that even the deadly October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions, as it launched a landmark case at the top UN court.
Israel strikes southern Gaza as Blinken in Egypt for talks
Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip Thursday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Egypt on the final leg of regional talks aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas war from spreading.
Papua New Guinea declares state of emergency after deadly riots
Papua New Guinea's prime minister declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital on Thursday, after 15 people were killed in riots as crowds looted and burned shops.
13 wounded in Russian strike on hotel in Ukraine
Two Russian missiles struck a hotel in Ukraine's second city Kharkiv, injuring 13 people including foreign journalists, local authorities said Thursday.
Markets track Wall St gains ahead of key inflation data
Stock markets rose Thursday as investors gear up for the release of major US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the Federal Reserve's timetable for cutting interest rates.
Taiwan prepares for cyber D-Day in China invasion scenarios
Millions of people offline, banks knocked out and the world's most advanced semiconductor industry paralysed -- Taiwan's doomsday scenario includes not just invading Chinese troops but also a wave of attacks against its cyber infrastructure.
China calls Taiwan poll frontrunner a 'severe danger' days from crucial vote
China warned Taiwan's voters Thursday to make the correct choice in the island's weekend elections, describing the presidential frontrunner as a "severe danger" who would threaten peace by following the "evil path" of independence.