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UK minister condemned for unapproved comments on 'pro-Palestinian mobs'
UK interior minister Suella Braverman's position looked increasingly precarious on Thursday after she criticised policing of pro-Palestinian marches in comments made without Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's approval.
'Never again' is now: Scholz vows to protect Germany's Jews
Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Thursday to protect Germany's Jews against a "shameful" upsurge in anti-Semitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, on the anniversary of the Nazi Kristallnacht pogrom that began the Holocaust.
8 Palestinians killed in Israeli raid on Jenin: ministry
Eight Palestinians were killed Thursday in an Israeli raid on Jenin in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said as AFP journalists reported intense fighting.
Spain PM offers amnesty to Catalan separatists in controversial deal
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has clinched a controversial deal to remain in power by offering amnesty to Catalan separatists, raising tensions across the country.
Europe stocks climb as traders await Fed guidance
European stock markets rose Thursday as investors awaited fresh signals from the Federal Reserve about the direction of US interest rates, but Hong Kong dipped and Shanghai flatlined on renewed concerns over the Chinese economy.
EU opens probe into TikTok, YouTube over child protection
The EU announced investigations on Thursday into YouTube and TikTok to find out what action the US and Chinese-owned platforms are taking to ensure the safety of minors on their platforms.
Gaza aid conference presses for ceasefire
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday opened a conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza by calling for a "ceasefire", echoed by other delegates looking to support the Palestinian territory under bombardment by Israel since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
UK minister condemned for attacking policing of pro-Palestinian protests
British interior minister Suella Braverman sparked outrage on Thursday for accusing police of double standards before a politically charged pro-Palestinian rally on Armistice Day, the latest incendiary rhetoric from the hardline Conservative.
Macron calls for 'ceasefire' at Gaza aid conference
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for a "ceasefire" in Gaza when he opened a conference on aid for the Palestinian territory, under bombardment by Israel since the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Spain PM strikes key deal with Catalan separatists: source
Spain's prime minister has clinched agreement with Catalan separatists, a source told AFP on Thursday, in a deal that will enable him to remain in power but that has raised tensions and sparked protests in the country.
Blinken warns N. Korea, Russia military ties 'growing and dangerous'
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Thursday that military ties between North Korea and Russia are "growing and dangerous", and called on China to restrain Pyongyang.
Armed rebellion risks break-up of Myanmar: junta-backed president
Myanmar's junta-backed president said the country is at risk of breaking apart if the military cannot crush a joint offensive by ethnic armed groups along the border with China, state media reported Thursday.
Thwarted Thai PM candidate Pita vows to run again: AFP interview
Thwarted Thai election winner Pita Limjaroenrat vowed Thursday to run for prime minister again, defying conservative forces that blocked him from the job earlier in the year and despite a looming court case.
US, South Korea condemn North Korean arms transfers to Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday condemned North Korea for sending arms to help the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as he held meetings with top officials in key ally South Korea.
Israel pounds Gaza City as tens of thousands flee their homes
Israeli air strikes pounded Gaza City Thursday as soldiers battled street-by-street with Hamas militants, and tens of thousands of Palestinians desperate for safety fled their homes southwards in the besieged territory.
Republican presidential hopefuls spar as Trump rallies nearby
Five Republican presidential candidates clashed on the debate stage Wednesday over Ukraine, China, abortion and the future path of the party, while saving some of their ire for the absent frontrunner, Donald Trump.
Indonesian presidential candidate evokes dictator's era
Maria Catarina Sumarsih protests weekly near Indonesia's presidential palace, hoping to get justice for her university student son who was shot dead by the army after the 1998 fall of dictator Suharto.
Fiery Republican presidential hopefuls debate as Trump rallies nearby
Five Republican presidential hopefuls clashed on the debate stage Wednesday over Ukraine, China, and the future path of the party, while saving some of their ire for the absent frontrunner, Donald Trump.
Putin, Erdogan and Raisi make visits in Central Asia
Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Kazakhstan on Thursday, while Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi are expected in Uzbekistan, amid renewed diplomatic interest in the region.
Dodging regulators, US gamblers bet big on 2024 election
Like many American political watchers, a Nevada resident named Domer had an opinion about who would emerge from turmoil within the Republican Party to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives.
Blinken in Seoul for talks as N. Korea-Russia boost military ties
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting key regional ally South Korea on Thursday for talks set to focus on security, as North Korea ramps up military cooperation with Russia.
US strikes Iran-linked weapons storage site in Syria
US warplanes carried out a strike on an Iran-linked weapons storage facility in eastern Syria on Wednesday in response to attacks against American personnel, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
US senator tells AFP Gaza civilian toll 'too high'
A US senator said Wednesday that it is "vital" for Israel to carry out a more targeted offensive in the Gaza Strip to limit civilian casualties.
Oil slumps below $80 as stocks wobble
Brent crude fell below $80 per barrel for the first time since July on Wednesday, while stocks struggled, as concerns about the economic outlook weighed on investors.
In devastated Gaza with the Israeli military
Gaza City's suburbs began to appear after about 30 minutes of navigating broken roads. We were approaching the focal point of the fight between Israel and Hamas in the territory.
Tens of thousands flee as Israel tightens Gaza City 'stranglehold'
Tens of thousands of Palestinians fled the fighting and bombardment in Gaza on Wednesday, as Israel said it was tightening the "stranglehold" around Hamas and again rejected a ceasefire without the release of hostages.
Turkey's two top courts go to war over jailed politician
Turkey teetered on the edge of political crisis Wednesday as one top court filed a criminal complaint against members of another over its order to release a jailed opposition politician.
Pro-Palestinian London rally to go ahead despite govt concerns
A pro-Palestinian rally looks set to take place in London on Saturday, despite government concerns that it could clash with the solemn annual commemorations for Britain's military war dead.
US abortion policies loom over Republican debate in Miami
Republican presidential candidates will meet in debate on Wednesday -- again snubbed by clear frontrunner Donald Trump -- as the party's increasingly hardline position on abortion faces scrutiny after disappointing state elections results a day earlier.
Swedish town wants inhabitants to 'say hi' to each other
The Swedish town of Lulea, home to some 80,000 inhabitants, has launched a campaign encouraging residents, who are reputed to be introverts, to stark talking to each other.
Cate Blanchett urges stand against 'dangerous myths' on migrants
The EU must lead the way in rejecting "dangerous myths" fuelling a rise in hardline anti-migration policies as the world grapples with mass displacements, actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett said Wednesday.
Ivanka Trump takes stand in New York civil fraud trial
Ivanka Trump, the former US president's daughter, took the stand on Wednesday in the civil fraud trial threatening to cripple the family business empire.
US, European stocks up as traders weigh earnings, rates outlook
US and European stocks advanced Wednesday as investors digested a barrage of company results and assessed the US Federal Reserve's interest rate plans, while oil plumbed more multi-month lows on energy demand worries.
France's divisions exposed by march against anti-Semitism
A call for a weekend march in Paris against anti-Semitism sparked bitter squabbling between political parties Wednesday despite a surge in anti-Semitic incidents in the country.
Russia hands captive Ukrainian soldiers heavy sentences
Russian military courts on Wednesday sentenced two Ukrainian soldiers to 19 and 20 years in prison for allegedly shooting civilians in separate incidents in Mariupol in 2022.
Number of Afghans returning from Iran spikes: border official
The number of Afghans coming home from Iran has doubled in the past month, a top border official said Wednesday, with returnees reporting growing pressure to leave.
Switzerland ends electric car tax exemption
Switzerland on Wednesday scrapped a tax exemption for imports of electric cars, whose growing presence on Swiss roads has cut into tax revenues.
Thousands flee as Israel tightens 'stranglehold' around Gaza City
Thousands of Palestinians were fleeing on foot Wednesday in a surge away from the fighting and intense bombardment in Gaza as Israel said it was tightening the "stranglehold" around Hamas.
Appeal hearing opens into Sarkozy's 2012 campaign fraud
A Paris court on Wednesday began hearing former president Nicolas Sarkozy's appeal against his conviction for illegal campaign financing in a failed 2012 re-election bid.