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China waits anxiously for economic plan as gloom reigns
Rows and rows of partially inhabited high-rises sprawl into the suburbs of the northern Chinese metropolis of Tianjin, their empty balconies emblematic of a slowing economy that has not kept pace with the country's ambitions.
Asian markets, yen drop ahead of key Bank of Japan decision
Asian markets and the yen weakened against the dollar Friday ahead of a policy decision by the Bank of Japan, while the euro remained under pressure as critical French parliamentary elections approach.
S. African parliament meets to re-elect weakened ANC president
South Africa's newly-elected parliament meets Friday and is expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government after his ruling ANC cobbled together a coalition deal.
Tesla shareholders back huge payout for CEO Musk, company says
Tesla shareholders voted in favor of a huge compensation package for CEO Elon Musk, endorsing the potential windfall after a Delaware court invalidated it, a company official said Thursday.
Huthi missile attack severely injures sailor on cargo ship: US military
Two cruise missiles launched by Yemen's Huthi rebels struck a bulk cargo carrier in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, severely injuring a sailor who was evacuated by American forces, the US military said.
Biden, Zelensky hail $50 billion G7 loan for Ukraine
G7 leaders agreed Thursday on a new $50 billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a move Joe Biden said showed Moscow "we're not backing down".
Biden, Zelensky sign 'historic' 10-year security deal
Presidents Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky signed a landmark 10-year security deal between Washington and Kyiv on Thursday in what the Ukrainian leader called a historic day in the fight against Russia's invasion.
UN Security Council demands end to Darfur city's siege
The UN Security Council on Thursday demanded an end to the siege of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region, where fighting between government and paramilitary forces has provoked a humanitarian crisis.
Chaos on French right as Macron's snap poll upends politics
French right-wing parties were mired in infighting Thursday as campaigning intensified for snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron, while his government faces a more unified challenge from the left.
S.Africa's ANC strikes 11th-hour deal to form government
South Africa's long-standing ruling ANC said Thursday it has reached an agreement with several other parties to form a coalition, after failing to win an outright majority in May's general election.
US, France push back against Italy over G7 abortion stance
The US and France pushed back Thursday against a reported attempt by Italy to water down a G7 leaders' declaration on abortion by removing a reference to "safe and legal" terminations.
Armenian protesters rally after violent clashes with police
Thousands of Armenians staged a new rally Thursday against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a day after clashes between anti-government protesters and police left more than 100 injured.
Afghanistan to send three women and three men to compete at Olympics
Afghanistan will send a team of three women and three men to the Paris Olympics as demanded by the International Olympic Committee following the return to power of the Taliban in August 2021, the IOC announced on Thursday.
Trump back in Washington, feted by Republican lawmakers
Donald Trump enjoyed an effusive welcome on his return to Washington on Thursday as he rallied support from Republican lawmakers following his criminal conviction in New York.
'Alarm bells ringing': Dembele calls on France stars to vote in key elections
France star Ousmane Dembele admitted on Thursday the political situation in the country had "set alarm bells ringing" and said he and his teammates intended to vote in upcoming legislative elections even if they are still involved at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Kenya eyes budget deficit with new tax hikes
Kenya's finance minister on Thursday presented the East African nation's biggest ever budget, alongside contentious tax proposals to help plug a hole in the public finances.
G7 leaders reach 'political deal' on new Ukraine funds: US
G7 leaders agreed at a summit in Italy Thursday on a new $50-billion loan for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets, a US official said.
Battles rage in Rafah after US says Gaza truce still possible
Israeli helicopters struck Gaza's Rafah Thursday, residents said, with Hamas militants reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible.
Musk says Tesla shareholders voting for his pay by 'wide margins'
Tesla boss Elon Musk claimed victory in a closely-watched shareholder vote to approve on Thursday a multibillion-dollar pay package seen as critical in keeping the mercurial CEO at the electric auto company.
France racing to build giant army camp for Paris Olympics security
To house the thousands of soldiers tasked with keeping the Paris Olympics safe, France is building the largest army camp its mainland has seen since World War II, at breakneck pace.
Migrant shipwreck victims pursue case against Greek coastguard
A year after one of the Mediterranean's worst migrant shipwrecks killed more than 600 people, lawyers for survivors pursuing a criminal case against the Greek coastguard gave fresh details on the case Thursday.
Shevchenko hopes Euro 2024 will remind world of Ukraine's pain
Ukrainian football great Andriy Shevchenko has told AFP his country's presence at Euro 2024 that kicks off on Friday has been a triumph over adversity and will "remind the world of what we are going through".
Chaos on French right as Macron snap poll reshapes politics
French right-wing parties were mired by infighting Thursday as campaigning intensified for snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron, but his government faces a more unified challenge from the left.
Battles in Gaza's Rafah after Blinken says truce still possible
Israeli helicopters struck Gaza's Rafah on Thursday, residents said, with Hamas militants reporting street battles in the southern city after top US diplomat Antony Blinken said a truce was still possible.
Kenya to present budget with new tax hikes
Kenya's finance minister is due to present Thursday the East African economic powerhouse's biggest ever budget, alongside a contentious finance bill that contains a raft of new or increased taxes.
Chinese premier warns against 'chasm' in ties with New Zealand
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Thursday his nation's differences with New Zealand must not become a "chasm", pledging greater trade and "friendship" after touching down in Wellington for rare bilateral talks.
'We have to dig in': Kyiv braces for long-haul power cuts
Staff at Kyiv's beloved puppet theatre had prepared for months to launch their latest premiere in early June. Then the Russian strikes picked up, and the theatre's electricity supply shut off.
Argentines battle police as Milei reforms clear Senate hurdle
Argentine President Javier Milei's controversial economic reform package narrowly won preliminary Senate approval late Wednesday, after police and protesters violently clashed outside Congress throughout the day.
Chinese Premier Li starts New Zealand, Australia visits
Chinese Premier Li Qiang touted trade and "friendship" as he started a tour of New Zealand and Australia on Thursday, a rare visit that comes as both hosts grapple with Beijing's influence in the Pacific.
Trump in Washington to woo Republican lawmakers
Donald Trump returns to Washington on Thursday to rally support from Republican lawmakers and the business community following his historic criminal conviction in his New York hush money trial.
Fires, tear gas as Argentine police clash with protesters
Hundreds of security force members fired tear gas and water cannon Wednesday at rioting demonstrators protesting in Buenos Aires Wednesday against proposed economic reforms.
Fires, teargas as Argentine police clash with protesters
Hundreds of security forces fired teargas and water cannon at rioting demonstrators in Buenos Aires who were protesting Wednesday against proposed economic reforms, according to AFP reporters.
US Fed holds interest rates and pencils at just one cut this year
The US Federal Reserve left its key lending rate unchanged on Wednesday and penciled in just one rate cut this year, down from the three expected in March after inflation stalled in the first quarter.
G7 leaders agree to unblock $50 bn for Ukraine by end of 2024: France
Group of Seven leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with $50 billion via the use of frozen Russian assets by the end of the year, the French presidency said on Wednesday.
Brother of Nicaragua's Ortega hospitalized: exiled press
The dissident brother of Nicaraguan strongman Daniel Ortega, who the president has accused of "treason," has been hospitalized, according to exiled press.
Haiti's PM vows security boost and corruption crackdown
Haiti's Prime Minister Garry Conille said Wednesday that greater security and a crackdown on corruption would be priorities for his newly installed government in the troubled Caribbean nation.
Zelensky discusses peace summit on Saudi visit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, said he discussed preparations for a peace summit this weekend with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Trump's spectre haunts Biden's G7 trip
When US President Joe Biden meets world leaders at a lavish Italian resort this week he will be shadowed by an invisible and, for now, uninvited guest: Donald Trump.
NATO to agree Ukraine support plan after Hungary given opt-out
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban agreed on Wednesday that Budapest would "not block" plans for the alliance to play a bigger role in coordinating arms deliveries to Ukraine.