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Solomons leader claims neutrality to UN but defends China ties
Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavare on Friday told the United Nations his South Pacific country remains neutral despite growing ties with China, charging that he has been "vilified" for the relationship with Beijing.
Blinken urges calm on Taiwan in talks with China
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Friday for calm over Taiwan as he met his Chinese counterpart, as soaring tensions showed signs of easing a notch.
Italy's Meloni heads south in final vote push
Italian far-right leader Giorgia Meloni closed her campaign for weekend elections in Naples Friday amid speculation her long-forecast victory may be marred by a shift in support in the south.
Europe faces dilemma on Russians fleeing Putin's draft
The European Union is facing a tough balancing act over how to deal with Russians fleeing military mobilisation, as some countries look to block entry and others offer possible refuge.
US, China top diplomats meet to contain high tensions on Taiwan
The top US and Chinese diplomats met Friday in New York as soaring tensions show signs of easing, but Beijing issued a new warning against support for Taiwan.
Germany's Scholz to visit Gulf states on energy hunt
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will on Saturday begin a two-day tour of Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, in the hope of sealing new energy deals with the fossil fuel exporters.
Ukraine war saps Russian sway over Caucasus, Central Asia
As the invasion of Ukraine drains Russia's forces, Moscow's grip on its former Soviet backyard in the Caucasus and Central Asia is loosening with unpredictable consequences, experts say.
Detained Russian protesters face conscription or jail
Mikhail Suetin expected to be detained when he protested Russian mobilisation, but he never imagined he would be ordered to enlist in the very army he was denouncing.
UK axes EU-inherited cap on banker bonuses
Britain on Friday axed a cap on bankers' bonuses aimed at boosting London's finance sector after Brexit, raising anger amid a cost-of-living crisis.
World markets plunge on growing recession fears
Stock markets tumbled, the pound crashed against the dollar and oil prices slumped Friday on growing recession fears after central banks this week ramped up interest rates to fight decades-high inflation.
One dead, 21 missing as boat capsizes off Cambodia
One person died and more than 20 are missing at sea after a boat carrying Chinese nationals sank off the coast of Cambodia, an official said Friday.
Iran braces for counter rallies as protest deaths mount
Internet access remained severely restricted in Iran ahead of counter rallies on Friday, after a week of protests over the death in police custody of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini that have left at least 17 dead.
Markets endure further losses as central banks turn screws
Asian markets fell again Friday as part of a global sell-off fuelled by recession fears after central banks around the world ramped up interest rates to fight decades-high inflation.
Britain to unveil anti-inflation budget as recession looms
The UK's new government on Friday unveils multi-billion-pound measures aimed at supporting households and businesses hit by the highest inflation in decades.
Russia holds breakaway polls in Ukraine
Moscow-held regions of Ukraine begin voting Friday on whether to become part of Russia, in referendums that Kyiv and its allies have condemned as an unlawful land grab.
US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea to 'deter' Pyongyang
A US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea Friday for the first time in nearly five years, ahead of joint drills in a show of force aimed at the nuclear-armed North.
Conflict tourism: Kashmir hottest new destination for Indians
Standing on a fortified Kashmir street, an Indian tourist poses triumphantly for her husband's camera, clutching the national flag in each hand and flanked by two soldiers carrying rifles.
Asian markets suffer further losses as central banks turn screws
Asian markets fell again Friday as part of a global sell-off fuelled by recession fears after central banks around the world ramped up interest rates to fight decades-high inflation.
US seeks action, possible UN resolution, on Myanmar junta
The United States is seeking more pressure on Myanmar's junta through the United Nations and is urging the international community not to recognize upcoming elections, a senior official said Thursday.
Brazil's business sector still supports Bolsonaro, but with reservations
Brazil's business sector, which views the economic policies of leftist presidential hopeful Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with suspicion, will again vote for incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, but this time with more reservation, experts say.
US, China top diplomats to meet on high tensions on Taiwan
The top US and Chinese diplomats meet Friday in New York as soaring tensions show signs of easing, but Beijing issued a new warning against support for Taiwan.
War leaves Ukraine farming village queueing for food
Ukraine's farmland is famed for its rich black soil and considered a breadbasket for the world, but on Thursday, after months of war, residents of a frontline farming village were queueing for food.
At UN, Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of 'unspeakable atrocities'
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan used his address before the United Nations Thursday to accuse Azerbaijan of "unspeakable atrocities" during the latest clashes between the two rivals, including mutilating the bodies of dead soldiers.
Soviet-era rocket launchers still serving on Ukraine frontline
For a handful of Ukrainian gunners camping under a clump of trees not far from the Russian lines, the day passes beside a BM-21 Grad rocket launcher waiting for firing orders.
Clarence and Ginni Thomas: judge, activist and right-wing power couple
Clarence Thomas, the most conservative justice on the US Supreme Court, and his wife Ginni, an activist tied to Donald Trump's bid to challenge his 2020 defeat, are adamant there is a firewall between their careers.
Meloni fires up supporters as Italy's right eyes historic win
Giorgia Meloni led her right-wing allies in staging a joint rally Thursday ahead of their expected victory in weekend elections, in which the one-time Mussolini supporter hopes to become Italy's first female prime minister.
Canada launches review of cannabis legalization four years on
Canada on Thursday launched a long-awaited review of its cannabis regulations, four years after becoming the first major economy to legalize its recreational use.
Israel PM: World must use 'force' if Iran builds nuclear bomb
The international community should use "military force" if Iran develops nuclear weapons, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid told the United Nations on Thursday, as he reiterated support for creation of a "peaceful" Palestinian state.
Blinken demands action on Putin at UN showdown on Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday demanded that President Vladimir Putin be held to account as he faced Russia in a Security Council session in which the United Nations catalogued abuses in Ukraine.
Britons held in Ukraine back home after prisoner swap
Five British men released from detention by Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine in a prisoner swap, are now back home, a group campaigning for their liberation said Thursday.
'I don't want to die': Russians flee abroad after Putin's call-up
Dmitri flew to Armenia with just one small bag, leaving behind his wife and children, adding to the thousands fleeing Russia to avoid serving in the war against Ukraine.
Markets drop as central banks hike rates
Stock markets retreated on Thursday as the US Federal Reserve and European central banks unleashed more hefty interest rate hikes that aim to stomp inflation but raise fears of recession.
Inflation-hit Turkey cuts rate for second month
Turkey's central bank on Thursday cut its policy rate for the second straight month despite an annual inflation rate that has reached 80 percent and is still moving higher.
Death toll from Iran unrest climbs to 17 as internet restricted
The death toll from Iran's wave of popular unrest shot up to at least 17 on Thursday as popular anger has flared over the death in custody of the young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.
Erdogan emerges a key mediator in Ukraine war
A mysterious reference on US television to an imminent Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap highlights Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's unique role as mediator and friend of both sides in time of war.
Viktor Medvedchuk: Putin's man in Ukraine exchanged for prisoners
Ukrainian tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk, one of 56 prisoners handed over to Russia on Wednesday in exchange for 215 imprisoned soldiers, was seen as President Vladimir Putin's top ally in Kyiv and defended the Kremlin's interests for years.
Iran protests pose new test for clerical leadership
Women setting their headscarves ablaze and chanting anti-regime slogans. Pictures of the leadership defaced and burned. Vehicles belonging to the security forces set on fire.
Iran curbs internet access as protests claim 11 lives
Iran restricted internet access Thursday after days of protests and unrest that have claimed at least 11 lives, following the death of a young woman in the custody of the morality police.
Markets tumble again as Fed hikes rates, warns more pain to come
European stocks sank Thursday following sharp losses in Asia and on Wall Street, but the dollar spiked after the Federal Reserve signalled more hefty US interest rate hikes.