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Macron denounces 'threatening' remarks from Russia after rare phone talks
President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday denounced as "bizarre and threatening" Russia's tone following rare phone talks between the defence ministers of France and Russia, their first contact since 2022.
Macron backs singer Aya Nakamura for Olympics opening ceremony
French President Emmanuel Macron backed the idea on Thursday of Franco-Malian singer Aya Nakamura performing at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics following criticism from conservatives about the prospect.
Europe stocks rise on eve of US payrolls; gold shines
European equities rose Thursday on the eve of key US data, while gold set another record peak on haven demand and hopes of interest-rate cuts.
Philippines to hold joint naval drills with US, Japan, Australia
The Philippines will hold joint naval drills with the United States, Japan and Australia, two diplomatic sources told AFP Thursday, as the four countries deepen military ties to counter China's expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Yellen in China to press officials on industrial subsidies
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in China's Guangzhou on Thursday for meetings to press Beijing over fears the country's industrial subsidies for green energy, cars and batteries could flood global markets with cheap goods.
UN rights council takes a stand against intersex discrimination
The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution Thursday on tackling discrimination against intersex persons, despite opposition from several countries to the terminology used.
Biden and Netanyahu to speak by phone after Israel killed aid workers
The leaders of the United States and Israel were set to speak on Thursday after Washington expressed "outrage" over Israel's killing of seven aid workers and growing concern over its military operations in besieged Gaza.
NATO turns 75 in shadow of Ukraine war -- and Trump
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged the United States to stick together with Europe as the Western military alliance turned 75 on Thursday menaced by an aggressive Russia and the spectre of Donald Trump's return to power.
'Bracing for conflict': Armenians fear Azerbaijani land claims
Peering through the window at a bustling crowd outside the Voskepar village council in northeastern Armenia, mayor Ishkhan Aghbalyan said locals are on edge over arch-foe Azerbaijan's claims to their lands.
Surviving 'hell': the ordeal of former Hamas hostages in Gaza
Nearly six months into the Gaza war, with the families of hostages still held captive by Hamas desperate for their release, many former hostages are finding the words to describe the ordeal of captivity.
War-stranded Sudanese find solace in Saudi's 'Little Khartoum'
Stranded abroad by almost a year of war, Saudi Arabia's swelling Sudanese community are drawn to Riyadh's "Little Khartoum" where they can eat, pray and console each other about the conflict ravaging their country.
Venezuela says US building 'secret' bases in disputed Essequibo
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday accused the United States of building "secret military bases" in Essequibo, an oil-rich region of Guyana that Caracas claims as its territory.
'Angry' South Korean voters turn to fledgling protest party
Fed up with South Korea's government and seeing little hope in the opposition, Cho Young-moon says she'll cast a protest vote in next week's elections -- for a month-old party led by a disgraced politician facing jail.
Biden, Netanyahu to speak Thursday following Gaza aid deaths: US official
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak on Thursday, a US official said, in their first call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers in Gaza.
Peru president's cabinet wins confidence vote amid Rolexgate scandal
Peru's Congress on Wednesday granted a crucial vote of confidence to President Dina Boluarte's new cabinet, allowing it to proceed in office amid a scandal over the leader's luxury Rolex collection.
France denies Russian claim of discussion on potential Ukraine talks
Russia said that its defence minister Sergei Shoigu and French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu discussed the potential for talks on the Ukraine conflict during a rare telephone call on Wednesday, a claim that Paris immediately denied.
Palestinian-US doctor walks out of Biden meeting in Gaza protest
A Palestinian-American doctor said he walked out of a Ramadan event with President Joe Biden at the White House to show solidarity with the people of Gaza against Israel's offensive.
Disney wins proxy fight, turning back activists
Disney's leadership prevailed Wednesday in a high-profile and costly proxy contest against activist investors who had sought to shake up the company's board over concerns about successorship planning.
French, Russian defence ministers hold rare talks after Moscow attack
French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Wednesday told Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in rare telephone talks that France is ready to step up exchanges to battle "terrorism" after the deadly Moscow attack claimed by Islamic State.
Haiti gangs loot national library, threatening historic documents
Haiti's National Library was looted Wednesday by armed gangs terrorizing the Caribbean nation's capital Port-au-Prince amid extended political paralysis, its director told AFP.
Bodies of slain foreign aid workers taken out of Gaza
The bodies of six foreign aid workers killed in an Israeli strike were on Wednesday taken out of Gaza to Egypt for repatriation, a security source said, as Israel faced a chorus of outrage over their deaths.
Is the game up for Israel's great survivor Netanyahu?
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Houdini of Israeli politics and its longest serving prime minister, has been written off many times before.
Swiss set to vote on limiting immigration
Switzerland is set to hold a vote on measures designed to limit immigration to stop the population hitting 10 million before 2050, after enough signatures were deposited Wednesday.
NATO urged to ensure Ukraine arms flow as 100-bn-euro fund floated
NATO foreign ministers on Wednesday debated a proposal to create a 100-billion-euro, five-year fund for Ukraine, as the alliance's chief urged them to guarantee long-term arms supplies for Kyiv's outgunned forces.
Eurozone stocks win inflation boost; Asia hit by Taiwan quake
Eurozone equities rose Wednesday as a sharper-than-expected inflation slowdown stoked European Central Bank rate cut hopes, although London followed Asia and Wall Street lower.
No 'specific' terror threat to Paris Olympics: minister
France's sports minister said Wednesday that there was no "specific" terror threat to the Paris Olympics and that organisers were planning to go ahead with the opening ceremony on the river Seine.
Bodies of foreign aid workers killed in Israeli strike to be repatriated
The bodies of six foreign aid workers killed in a Gaza strike were expected to be transported out of the war-torn Palestinian territory on Wednesday as Israel faced a chorus of outrage over their deaths.
Uganda court rejects bid to overturn harsh anti-gay law
Uganda's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid to scrap a controversial anti-gay law that is considered one of the toughest in the world.
Pope recalls fallen Ukrainian soldier at weekly audience
Pope Francis paid tribute Wednesday to a Ukrainian soldier killed in the war with Russia, holding up the young man's Bible at his weekly audience and calling for a moment of silence for victims of the conflict.
Bodies of foreign aid workers killed in Gaza strike to be repatriated
The bodies of six foreign aid workers killed in a Gaza strike were expected to be transported out of the war-torn Palestinian territory via Egypt on Wednesday as Israel faced a chorus of outrage over their deaths.
Uganda court rejects petition against harsh anti-gay law
Uganda's Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a bid to overturn a controversial anti-gay law that is considered one of the toughest in the world.
Japan PM talks security with Indonesia's Prabowo
Japan will deepen security ties with Indonesia, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told president-elect Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday on the ex-general's second stop after Beijing as he visits Asian neighbours.