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US, Russia top diplomats hold 'frank' first talks since war
The top diplomats of the United States and Russia spoke Friday for the first time since the Ukraine war, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken describing a "frank" exchange as he pushed to free two Americans.
German, Turkish diplomats spar in Istanbul
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday urged Turkey to respect human rights during a testy visit at which she sparred openly with counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Stocks climb, oil jumps
European and US stock markets climbed Friday despite persistent recession concerns, while oil prices surged.
Blinken leads US bid to counter Russian charm offensive in Africa
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel next month to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the State Department announced Friday, as Washington ramps up diplomacy in Africa to counter a Russian charm offensive.
Blinken to counter Russian charm offensive in Africa
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel next month to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the State Department announced Friday, as Washington ramps up diplomacy in Africa to counter a Russian charm offensive.
Russia, Ukraine trade blame over strike on POW jail
Moscow and Kyiv on Friday accused each other of bombing a jail holding Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian-held territory, with Russia saying 40 prisoners and eight prison staff were killed.
Macron counts on Saudi prince to 'ease' Ukraine war effects
French leader Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to work "to ease the effects" of the Ukraine war, Macron's office said Friday, after talks in Paris that marked the full diplomatic rehabilitation of the Saudi leader.
Soldiers in civilian areas: A touchy topic in Ukraine
The daily strikes on residential areas in eastern Ukraine have raised sensitive questions about military personnel deploying in civilian areas, as well as the activities of local informants.
Tug-of-war: Ukraine celebrates its tank-towing farmers
Towed away gleefully as if it were parked illegally, the Soviet-era armoured personnel carrier doesn't look so intimidating as it is paraded before the delighted Ukrainians gathered to celebrate its seizure.
Asian markets rise as US data boosts hopes of slower Fed hikes
Asian stocks rose Friday after data showing another contraction in the US economy boosted hopes that the Federal Reserve will slow its pace of interest rate hikes.
Top Argentina lawmaker named economy 'super minister' as crisis drags on
Argentina's government on Thursday appointed the head of the country's lower house of Congress, Sergio Massa, as the new economy "super minister," as Buenos Aires attempts to surmount an economic crisis marked by soaring inflation.
Venezuela, Colombia agree to reestablish embassies from August 7
Venezuela and Colombia will reestablish diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level when leftist president-elect Gustavo Petro takes office in Bogota on August 7, representatives of the South American neighbors said Thursday.
Biden, Xi agree to hold face-to-face summit
President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to schedule their first in-person summit during a sometimes tense phone call Thursday where Xi warned the United States not to "play with fire" in Taiwan.
Macron defies anger to welcome Saudi strongman
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday warmly welcomed Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, defying anger sparked by hosting the controversial strongman less than four years after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
US House passes bill to boost domestic chip manufacturing
The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday to boost domestic production of semiconductors, the in-demand microchips that power everything from smartphones to cars and weapons.
In US, the definition of 'recession' is moving target
Now that the US economy has posted two consecutive quarters of negative growth, is it in recession? Opinions are starkly divided, and President Joe Biden is definitely in the No camp.
Macron greets visiting Saudi crown prince with handshake: AFP TV
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris with a long handshake, despite outrage from rights groups over their meeting.
UK rivals for PM hold first clash in front of Tory members
British Conservatives Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss Thursday began their first grilling in front of party members as they wage a bitter duel to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Ethiopia athletics chief urges govt to ease access to Tigray
Ethiopia's athletics chief on Thursday urged the federal government to ease access to the war-torn region of Tigray, which is home to several medallists from the recently concluded World Athletics Championships.
Xi warns Biden not to 'play with fire' over Taiwan
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned his US counterpart Joe Biden not to "play with fire" over the self-ruled island of Taiwan during a lengthy phone call Thursday that the White House said aimed to steady the superpowers' rocky relationship.
ICC issues arrest warrant for C.Africa rebel leader
The International Criminal Court said Thursday it had issued an arrest warrant for a Central African Republic rebel leader for war crimes and crimes against humanity during civil strife in 2013.
Deadly Russian strikes target military bases in central Ukraine
Russian strikes on military facilities and residential buildings across war-scarred Ukraine Thursday left several dead in attacks President Volodymyr Zelensky described as "missile terrorism".
Wall Street shrugs off US economy contracting
Wall Street stocks rose on Thursday despite data showing the US economy contracted for a second straight quarter as investors took it as a signal the Federal Reserve may slow interest rate hikes.
Hundreds of war-displaced Afghans return east
Hundreds of internally displaced Afghans who had taken refuge in the capital left for their homes in the country's eastern provinces Thursday, almost a year after the war that forced them to flee ended.
Wall Street dips as US economy slips
Wall Street stocks slid on Thursday despite data showing the US economy contracted for a second straight quarter.
Pakistan pull out of India chess event over Kashmir torch relay
Pakistan have withdrawn from the world's biggest international chess tournament in protest at hosts India holding a torch relay for the event through disputed Kashmir, officials said Thursday.
Saudi prince stays in 'world's most expensive home' during Paris trip
During his trip to France to meet President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is staying at a lavish chateau dubbed "the world's most expensive home" when he purchased it in 2015.
Europe equities subdued after post-Fed surge on Wall Street
European stock markets ran out of steam Thursday as investors digested another hefty Federal Reserve interest rate hike and awaited vital US economic growth data and key results from big-hitters Amazon and Apple.
China's industry minister faces corruption probe
China's minister for industry and information technology is being investigated for alleged corruption, state media reported Thursday, the latest senior cadre to be snared by Beijing's sweeping crackdown.
Macron defies rights criticism to host Saudi strongman
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday was to host Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, defying criticism the invitation is deeply inappropriate barely four years after the murder by Saudi agents of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Mayor of Kharkiv says nowhere in Ukraine's second city 'safe'
The unmistakable boom of shellfire echoed around the bomb-scarred buildings of western Kharkiv as the mayor of Ukraine's one-time Soviet capital prepared for his interview.
Ukraine voices 'sadness' over 'Vladimir Putin' chant in Istanbul
Ukraine's envoy to Turkey on Thursday expressed "sadness" over a chant of "Vladimir Putin" that rang out at a Champions League qualifying round football match in Istanbul involving Dynamo Kyiv.
'A dirty game': Young Kenyans shun election hype
As a familiar campaign jingle brings the Kenyan crowd to their feet, Hellen Atieno joins her compatriots and sways to the catchy tune at a political rally in the lakeside city of Kisumu.
North Korea's Kim says 'ready to mobilise' nuclear weapons
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country was "ready to mobilise" its nuclear deterrent in any future military clash with the United States and South Korea, state media said Thursday.
Nicaraguan opposition leader Suazo sentenced to 10 years in jail: group
Nicaraguan opposition leader Yubrank Suazo, who took part in protests against President Daniel Ortega's government in 2018, was sentenced on Wednesday to 10 years in prison, his group said.
Macron hosts Saudi crown prince despite rights outrage
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris on Thursday, defying criticism that the invitation is deeply inappropriate barely four years after the murder by Saudi agents of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Biden hails Democrats' breakthrough on health, climate spending bill
President Joe Biden hailed a breakthrough Wednesday in getting a major chunk of his seemingly doomed healthcare and climate crisis agenda through Congress after Senate Democrats overcame divisions.
Resuming talks with Russia, Blinken offers 'substantial' deal on prisoners
The United States has made a "substantial proposal" to Russia to free Americans including basketball star Brittney Griner, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, as he announced he will speak to his Moscow counterpart for the first time since the Ukraine war.
In US, even the definition of 'recession' is controversial
In Washington circles, saying the "R" word comes with a bit of risk.