Featured
Last news
Iran-US deal under strain after Swiss talks postponed
A newly signed deal to end the Middle East war was already under strain on Friday, after talks in Switzerland were postponed and fighting flared between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
South Korean leader says told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'
Assistance from Russia had rendered sanctions imposed on nuclear-armed North Korea "ineffective", South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday after discussing the matter with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Stocks rally falters, oil rises as US-Iran talks postponed
Stock markets were mixed on Friday and oil prices rose after Switzerland said planned talks following up on the US-Iran agreement had been postponed, dealing a blow to the week-long rally.
S. Korean leader says he told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'
Closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have rendered sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear programme "ineffective", South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday.
Switzerland says US-Iran talks postponed
Switzerland announced Friday that planned talks following up on the deal to end the Middle East war had been postponed, hours after US Vice President JD Vance's departure for the Alpine country was cancelled.
Seoul record leads most Asian markets higher, crude extends losses
Tech firms powered Seoul's Kospi index to another record on Friday, while oil prices extended losses after traffic began to resume in the Strait of Hormuz under the US-Iran agreement.
Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer
Veteran UK Labour politician Andy Burnham emphatically won a crunch by-election on Friday, securing a parliamentary seat and clearing the way for a widely expected leadership challenge against beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
100 Colombian guerrillas disarm in deal with leftist government
About 100 guerrillas laid down their weapons Thursday in a jungle area of southern Colombia under a deal with leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has sought peace with armed rebels, AFP journalists witnessed.
US Vice President Vance postpones trip to Switzerland for Iran talks
US Vice President JD Vance postponed a trip to Switzerland for talks that were originally slated for Friday to discuss next steps with the US-Iran agreement on ending the war in the Middle East, according to the White House.
From private enterprise to property: Cuba's reforms unpacked
Cuban lawmakers on Thursday adopted nearly 200 free-market reforms in a desperate bid to end a severe crisis and secure the end of a crippling US fuel blockade.
'Last ride': US says goodbye to Air Force One as Qatari jet awaits
Is it goodbye Air Force One, hello Qatar Force One?
Venezuela govt, opposition hold US-backed talks on democratic transition
Members of Venezuela's interim government met with the country's opposition party Thursday to discuss a "roadmap for a dialogue on a democratic transition," the US State Department said.
Cuba adopts historic package of free-market reforms
Cuban lawmakers Thursday adopted nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.
Votes being counted in UK by-election set to decide PM Starmer's political fate
Counting was under way late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.
US faces tough path to new Iran nuclear deal
The United States is about to embark on difficult negotiations with the Iranian government, whose survival of a massive US-Israeli military assault has undercut American leverage while bolstering the Islamic republic.
Cuba unveils historic package of free-market reforms
Cuba on Thursday unveiled nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.
Polls close in UK by-election set to decide PM Starmer's political fate
Polls closed late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.
Ex-presidents and stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Library
All living US ex-presidents -- with the notable absence of current White House occupant Donald Trump -- joined a star-studded lineup Thursday for the opening of Barack Obama's presidential center in Chicago.
Vance warns Israel against criticizing US-Iran deal
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday issued an extraordinary rebuke to Israeli critics of the Iran deal, warning them not to alienate their "only powerful ally" left in the world.
Iran's supreme leader says approved deal as US lifts ports blockade
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that he had approved despite reservations a deal signed by President Donald Trump to end the Middle East war, as the US lifted a blockade of Iranian ports.
Ex-presidents, stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Center
All living US ex-presidents -- with the notable absence of current White House occupant Donald Trump -- joined a star-studded lineup Thursday for the opening of Barack Obama's presidential center in Chicago.
Vance defends Iran deal, eyes Swiss talks
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended the deal to end the Iran war, saying he would likely head to Switzerland for talks to turn it into a long-term agreement.
Israel FM cuts contact with EU top diplomat over 'apartheid' remarks
Israel's foreign minister said Thursday he was severing all contact with the European Union's top diplomat over reported remarks in which she allegedly compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.
US lifts Iran ports blockade as uncertainty clouds Swiss Iran talks
The US on Thursday lifted a blockade of Iranian ports imposed during the Middle East war after President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict, as uncertainty surrounded planned talks in Switzerland aiming to take the accord further.
Brazilian police probe senator close to Lula
Brazilian police investigating a banking scandal carried out raids Thursday against targets including a senator allied with President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, bringing the affair closer to his government as he seeks reelection in October.
Oil sinks on Mideast deal, but Fed outlook knocks equities
Oil prices dropped further Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal to end four months of war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker and cargo traffic.
Knicks celebrate NBA win with huge New York parade
Thousands of New York Knicks fans flooded Manhattan on Thursday for a heavily guarded victory parade, turning the city into a sea of blue and orange to mark their basketball team's NBA Finals victory.
Foreign aid cuts push up migrant flows, IOM chief warns
Cuts in development aid by wealthy countries tend to drive up displacement away from the world's poorest regions, the head of the UN's International Organization for Migration warned in an interview with AFP on Thursday.
Cuba leader admits 'urgent changes' needed to overcome crisis
Cuba's communist model needs "urgent changes" to overcome a major crisis which cannot be solely blamed on a crippling US oil blockade, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in his frankest admission yet of the need for radical reforms.
Labour rival eyes win in poll key to UK PM's fate
UK voters went to the polls on Thursday in a historic local election that could determine the future of beleaguered Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and shape the next government.
Trump's Iran deal sparks anger among Republican hawks
US President Donald Trump's deal with Iran has opened a rare breach with Republican hawks, who warn that the agreement falls far short of the sweeping victory he promised and could leave Tehran richer, stronger and still able to threaten the region.
Swiss heading towards referendum on new nuclear plants
Switzerland's parliament on Thursday approved a divisive government plan to build new nuclear power stations, overturning a 2018 ban and putting the country on course for a referendum.