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Israel says it mistakenly killed three Gaza hostages
Israel said its troops had killed three Gaza hostages after mistaking them for a threat, with the armed forces expressing "deep remorse" over a "tragic incident" that sparked protests in Tel Aviv.
Fresh record for Dow at end of week dominated by central banks
The Dow edged to a fresh record Friday, extending a rally on a mixed day for global equities after this week's central bank announcements.
Israel reopens Gaza aid crossing as US pushes for restraint
Israel reopened an aid crossing into Gaza on Friday as staunch ally the United States urged more restraint in its all-out offensive against Hamas.
Shipping firms suspend Red Sea traffic after Yemen rebel strikes
Two of the world's largest shipping firms, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, said Friday they were suspending passage through a Red Sea strait vital for global commerce, after Yemeni rebel attacks in the area.
UK's new Hinkley nuclear plant reaches milestone
The UK's planned Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant reached a major milestone on Friday, with the installation of a steel dome that will cover its first reactor building, operator EDF said.
Fighting engulfs Sudan aid hub, sparking new exodus
Fighting between the Sudanese army and paramilitaries engulfed the aid hub of Wad Madani Friday triggering an exodus of civilians already displaced by eight months of war, an AFP correspondent reported.
'It's finished!': IEA boss says COP28 bid farewell to fossil fuels
While the UN's COP28 climate summit marked a pivot moment, when the world pledged to say "goodbye" to fossil fuels, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol told AFP on Friday, it needs to now urgently boost finance for the energy transition in developing countries.
Mexico's Maya Train opens, despite environmental concerns
Mexico's Maya Train, a flagship project of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, was set to open Friday with a promise of prosperity for one of the country's most impoverished regions, but also dogged by accusations that it has devastated the environment.
Israel opens Gaza aid crossing as pressure mounts for restraint
Israel opened a new aid crossing into Gaza on Friday as key backer the United States urged more restraint in its all-out offensive against Hamas.
EU leaders vow to overcome Orban block on Ukraine aid
EU leaders Friday pledged to find a way around Hungary's veto on a 50-billion-euro aid package for Ukraine, after Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the desperately needed support.
Yemen rebels hit cargo ship in latest Red Sea attack
Yemen's Huthi rebels struck a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Friday, causing a fire on deck in the latest of a near-daily series of attacks in the commercially vital waterway.
Stocks labour to extend Fed-fuelled rally
World stock markets laboured Friday to build on the previous day's rally as investors recalibrated their outlook for 2024 after the Federal Reserve held rates but indicated it would cut next year.
Kremlin lauds Hungary PM for blocking EU aid to Ukraine
Russia congratulated Hungary on Friday for blocking EU financial aid to Ukraine at a Brussels summit that nonetheless saw EU leaders overcome Budapest's opposition to agree Kyiv starting membership talks.
'Give birth to more soldiers': hardline Russia turns on abortions
Russia's radical conservative turn since it invaded Ukraine is changing life inside the country, with even the long-held right for women to have abortions being questioned.
Israel social security data reveals true picture of Oct 7 deaths
A more precise picture of Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel has emerged from social security data, confirming the unprecedented scale of the violence but also challenging some initial testimonies.
Israel presses Gaza assault as top US official visits
Israel pressed its offensive in Gaza on Friday despite mounting international calls for restraint, with key backer the United States saying the war to crush Hamas must not lead to a long-term Israeli occupation of the territory.
Stocks attempt to extend Fed-fuelled rally
World stock markets attempted Friday to build on the previous day's rally as investors recalibrated their outlook for 2024 after the Federal Reserve held rates but indicated it would cut next year.
'Foreigner' claims dog DR Congo presidential candidates
"Fake Congolese" or "candidate of the aggressor country" -- some of the accusations being bandied around on social media in a bid to ruin reputations in the run-up to DR Congo's presidential vote.
Dutch court clears export of F-35 parts to Israel
The Netherlands can continue to deliver parts for F-35 fighter jets being used by Israel in the Gaza Strip, after a Dutch court Friday threw out a case brought by a group of human rights organisations.
Georgia will fail as independent state outside EU: jailed ex-leader
Georgia's imprisoned opposition leader and former president Mikheil Saakashvili has warned that Tbilisi's failure to secure European Union membership would put at risk its very existence as an independent nation.
France steps up Mideast effort with FM's Lebanon trip
France's foreign minister travels to Lebanon on Saturday as part of diplomatic efforts by President Emmanuel Macron's government to help contain the Middle East conflict.
Israel presses Gaza offensive in war it says will last 'months'
Israel pressed its offensive in the Gaza Strip on Friday after telling key backer the United States that the war to crush Hamas will last "more than several months".
Israel battles Hamas in war it says will last 'months'
Israel pressed its offensive in the Gaza Strip on Friday after telling key backer the United States that the war to crush Hamas will last "more than several months".
Venezuela, Guyana agree not to 'use force' to settle land dispute
The presidents of Venezuela and Guyana pledged after direct talks on Thursday not to resort to force to settle a long-simmering -- and recently reheated -- territorial dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region, a joint statement said.
Orban blocks EU aid for Ukraine after membership talks agreed
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday blocked 50 billion euros in EU aid for Ukraine, after leaders side-stepped his opposition to agree to open talks with Kyiv on joining the bloc.
Yellen urges China to shift from 'unfair' state-driven economic policy
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called Thursday for China to shift from a state-driven approach in economic policy, saying that this can discourage investors.
Venezuela, Guyana leaders meet to 'de-escalate' tensions
The presidents of Venezuela and Guyana met Thursday in the Caribbean for talks that analysts said could "de-escalate" tensions but would do little to resolve their countries' long-standing -- and now reheating -- territorial dispute.
Global stocks mostly rise as ECB, BoE press pause after Fed pivot
Global equities mostly rose Thursday as the ECB and Britain pressed pause on rates after the Fed had sent Wall Street soaring on a pivot toward interest rate cuts next year.
US urges Israel to scale down Gaza offensive
The United States told Israel on Wednesday to scale down its war on Hamas in Gaza in the "near future," with President Joe Biden urging it to take more care to save civilian lives in Gaza.
EU calls Orban's bluff and strikes deal to open Ukraine talks
EU leaders agreed Thursday to open talks with Ukraine and Moldova on joining the bloc, despite an earlier threat from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban to veto the plan.
Israel tells top US official war will last 'months'
Israel's defence minister warned Thursday the war with Hamas would last "more than several months" as he met a top US official amid a rift between the allies over mounting civilian casualties.
Europe stocks rally on Fed pivot, as ECB, BoE press pause
European equities leapt Thursday with Frankfurt and Paris briefly striking all-time peaks, after the Federal Reserve sent Wall Street soaring on a pivot toward interest rate cuts next year.
Top US official due in Israel as pressure mounts over Gaza deaths
Israel bombarded Gaza on Thursday in its war against Hamas militants as a top White House adviser travelled to Jerusalem with a rift growing over civilian casualties.
Russian nationalist turned critic goes on trial in Moscow
A former top commander of Russian-backed fighters in eastern Ukraine went on trial in Moscow on Thursday on charges of extremism for criticising the Kremlin's military strategy towards Kyiv.
Russian judge re-opens possibility of jail for rights defender
A Russian court on Thursday overturned its decision to fine a veteran human rights campaigner and co-chair of the Nobel-Prize-winning group Memorial, who was convicted earlier of discrediting Russian forces.
France probes death of actress who first denounced Depardieu
French investigators are looking into the death of an actress who was one of the first to accuse film star Gerard Depardieu of sexual assault, prosecutors said this week.
Japan's Kishida replaces four ministers over kickbacks scandal
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida replaced four ministers Thursday as the unpopular leader reels from a major corruption scandal in the ruling party.
EU leaders battle Orban over Ukraine support
EU leaders met Thursday to boost their long-term support for Ukraine in its fightback against Russia's invasion and secure a European future, but faced a defiant challenge from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
UK PM Sunak says open to tweaking Rwanda bill
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday he was open to toughening up his controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda, which has divided his ruling Conservative party.