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Controversial former Chinese ambassador appointed to European affairs post
China's controversial former ambassador to France Lu Shaye has been appointed to a prestigious post in charge of European affairs, Beijing announced Thursday.
Japan's 'geeky' PM Ishiba to navigate Trump relations
Days after Donald Trump's 2016 election victory, Japan's then-prime minister Shinzo Abe rushed to deliver him a gold-plated golf club, becoming the first leader to visit and setting the tone for a relationship both men said was close.
Israel orders army to plan to let Palestinians leave Gaza
Israel's defence minister ordered the army on Thursday to start making preparations to allow for "voluntary" departures from the Gaza Strip, after US President Donald Trump floated a proposal to move Palestinians out of the territory.
Most markets track Wall St gains, USPS rethink provides boost
Asian and European markets rose Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street and following the US Postal Service's U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong Kong, though trade war fears continue to dampen sentiment.
US skipping G20 talks due to S. Africa's 'anti-American' agenda: Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday he would skip Group of 20 talks this month in South Africa, accusing the host government of an "anti-American" agenda.
Most Asian stocks track Wall St gains, USPS rethink provides boost
Asian markets rose Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street and following the US Postal Service's U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong Kong, though trade war fears continue to dampen sentiment.
Pain and anger as Turkey marks two years since quake disaster
Tens of thousands of survivors held torchlit vigils across southern Turkey at 4:17 am Thursday, expressing pain and anger as they marked the exact moment two years ago when a devastating earthquake struck, claiming more than 53,000 lives in Turkey and some 6,000 in neighbouring Syria.
Bangladesh protesters raze buildings linked to ousted leader
Hundreds of Bangladeshi protesters smashed down buildings connected to ousted former leader Sheikh Hasina on Thursday, hours after students with excavators began demolishing a museum to her father.
AI risks 'disaster' without 'cast-iron guarantees': expert
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems must come with "cast-iron guarantees" against mass harm to humans, especially as the likelihood of their integration into weapons grows, a leading expert has told AFP.
Chagos islanders' dream of return now waiting on Trump
Chagos islanders still dream of returning home five decades after being expelled by Britain, but with Donald Trump in the White House they may have to wait a little longer.
US government vessels to sail free through Panama Canal: State Dept
The United States said Wednesday that its government vessels would be allowed to sail for free through the Panama Canal, following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump.
Asian markets advance after Wall St gains, US Postal Service U-turn
Asian markets rose Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street and following the US Postal Service's U-turn on a ban on parcels from China and Hong Kong, though trade war fears continue to keep sentiment at bay.
US aid cuts come at deadly moment for malaria control
The sudden freezing of US aid to malaria projects comes as deadly new variants are spreading in Africa and could have a devastating impact, the head of a major NGO told AFP.
US waives aid ban to boost Haiti mission
The United States said Wednesday it was making an exemption in President Donald Trump's aid freeze to support a security mission in troubled Haiti, although some assistance was put on hold.
UN chief warns against Gaza 'ethnic cleansing' after Trump comments
The UN chief warned Wednesday against ethnic cleansing in Gaza as he rejected US President Donald Trump's bombshell proposal for the United States to take control of the Palestinian territory and displace all its people.
US appears to backtrack as Trump Gaza plan sparks global outcry
US President Donald Trump's administration appeared to backtrack Wednesday after his proposal to take over Gaza sparked uproar, with the UN chief warning against "ethnic cleansing" in the Palestinian territory.
Merkel urges parties to calm pre-election 'turmoil'
Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday urged politicians to dial back tensions ahead of elections this month after her centre-right CDU party sparked uproar by accepting the far right's support.
Guatemala promises surge in deportation flights, courting Rubio
Guatemala's leader promised Wednesday to allow a surge of deportation flights from the United States as he won a show of support from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a boost after simmering tensions in the Central American country.
Pentagon says 10 'high-threat' migrants being held at Guantanamo
Ten "high-threat illegal aliens" have arrived at Guantanamo and are being held at the notorious American base in Cuba, the Pentagon said Wednesday, without providing details on their alleged offenses.
French PM survives no-confidence vote
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Wednesday survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, winning some breathing space after less than two months in office but still facing an uncertain future.
M23, Rwandan troops launch fresh DR Congo offensive
The M23 armed group and Rwandan forces launched a new offensive on Wednesday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, days before the Rwandan and Congolese presidents are due to attend a crisis summit.
Following Trump, Argentina quits World Health Organization
Argentina said Wednesday it will pull out of the World Health Organization, following in the footsteps of the United States and citing similar complaints over the UN body's management of the Covid-19 pandemic.
WHO worker aims to raise $1 bn to cover US pullout
When the World Health Organization's top donor the United States announced its withdrawal, one employee launched an online fundraiser to plug the gap -- and her efforts have already raised more than $100,000.
Tesla sales fall in Germany as Musk backs far right
Tesla sales plunged in Germany last month, official data showed Wednesday, after billionaire owner Elon Musk waded into the country's election campaign by vocally backing the far right.
US trade gap swells as Trump renews scrutiny of deficits
The US trade gap swelled last year to its second-largest on record, government data showed Wednesday, as deficits come under the spotlight with President Donald Trump's return to the White House.
M23, Rwanda troops launch fresh east DR Congo offensive
The M23 and Rwandan forces on Wednesday launched a new offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, seizing a mining town in South Kivu province, as they resumed their advance towards the regional capital Bukavu.
International backlash after Trump proposal to take over Gaza
Many global leaders expressed opposition Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said he wanted to take control of the Gaza strip and "permanently" resettle Palestinians in other countries.
US trade gap swells in 2024 as deficits under fresh scrutiny
The US trade gap swelled last year to nearly $920 billion, according to government data released Wednesday, as deficits come under the spotlight with President Donald Trump's return to the White House.
Rubio sees Guatemala leader keen to please US
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seeking cooperation on migration Wednesday in Guatemala, whose leader, an anti-corruption advocate, is eager to please the new US administration to bolster his standing at home.
EU seeks new import fee on e-commerce packages
The European Commission announced Wednesday it would seek to impose new fees on e-commerce imports, as part of efforts to tackle a surge of "harmful" products into the bloc -- the bulk of them from China.
Stocks, dollar drop as tariff tensions intensify
Stock markets mostly fell, the dollar slid and and gold hit a record high Wednesday over fears about a trade war between superpowers China and the United States.
Kremlin calls Zelensky's readiness for Putin talks 'empty words'
The Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying he was ready for direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as "empty words".