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Facing Russia 'threat', France to restore voluntary military service
President Emmanuel Macron is set this week to announce that France is restoring military service on a voluntary basis in the face of the growing threat posed by Russia, just under three decades after conscription was abolished in the country.
Pakistan denies deadly strikes after Afghanistan vows retaliation
Afghanistan's Taliban government vowed on Tuesday to "respond appropriately" to deadly overnight air strikes it blamed on Pakistan, a claim Islamabad denied, as tensions spiked a day after a suicide bombing in a Pakistani city.
EU says must 'step up' against China rare earths 'racket'
The European Union must ramp up efforts to break its dependence on China for rare earths faced with export curbs that amount to a "racket" by Beijing, the bloc's industry chief Stephane Sejourne said Tuesday.
Trump Ukraine push spurs clamour for EU to use Russian assets
The US push to ram through a lopsided plan for Ukraine has amped up calls for the EU to take a decision soon on using Russian frozen assets to fund Kyiv -- as Europe frets it risks losing key leverage.
EU, Africa talks hone in on closer ties in Angola
European leaders sought to put some meat on the bones of pledges to boost ties with Africa on Tuesday as an Angola summit with their African counterparts entered its final stage.
Stocks diverge tracking Fed rates outlook, tech rebound
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Tuesday following a tech-led rally on Wall Street that soothed fears of an AI bubble.
Afghanistan vows retaliation against Pakistan for deadly strikes
Afghanistan's Taliban government vowed Tuesday to "respond appropriately" to overnight strikes it blamed on neighbouring Pakistan that killed 10 people, as tensions spiked the day after a suicide bombing in a Pakistani city.
EU nations must recognise gay marriages recorded in member states: court
A top European court on Tuesday ruled that an EU nation had to recognise a gay marriage recorded in another member state, following a complaint by two Poles married in Germany.
Afghanistan vows 'appropriate' response after Pakistan strikes kill 10
Afghanistan's Taliban government vowed Tuesday to "respond appropriately" to overnight border strikes it blamed on Pakistan that killed 10 people, as tensions soar following a suicide bombing in Peshawar a day earlier.
Stock markets advance as odds for another Fed rate cut grow
Investors on Tuesday welcomed more dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials reinforcing hopes it will cut interest rates next month, while a tech-led rally on Wall Street soothed recent AI bubble worries.
UK hoping budget eases pressure of high energy bills
Pub landlord James Fitzgerald will wait a while longer to switch on the outside Christmas lights at the Thatched House in London, as high energy bills cause financial pain across Britain.
Ukraine, Russia trade deadly strikes as negotiators hammer at deal
Ukraine and Russia counted casualties Tuesday after trading deadly overnight strikes, as negotiators scrambled to revise a framework to end the nearly four-year conflict ahead of a US-imposed deadline.
Mexican farmer protest blocks US border bridge
Hundreds of farmworkers and truck drivers blocked the Mexican side of a major border bridge with the United States on Monday as part of an ongoing national farmers' strike.
US stocks rise again on AI rebound, revived Fed rate-cut hopes
Wall Street stocks rallied Monday, extending a rebound as fresh hopes for a US interest-rate cut boosted sentiment after last week's rollercoaster ride fueled by worries of an AI tech bubble.
US judge dismisses cases against Trump foes Comey and James
A federal judge on Monday dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, dealing a blow to US President Donald Trump's efforts to prosecute his political opponents.
Sudan's RSF declares truce after army rejects US plan
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Monday announced a unilateral three-month ceasefire a day after the army dismissed a US truce proposal from international mediators.
US pressed Ukraine to accept deal at Geneva talks, official says
The United States pressed Ukraine to accept its proposals to end the war with Russia during talks in Geneva on Sunday, a senior official told AFP, despite Kyiv protests that the plan conceded too much to Moscow.
Hezbollah mourns top commander killed in Israel strike, Iran Guards urge revenge
Hezbollah held a funeral on Monday for its top military chief and other members of the militant group a day after a deadly Israeli strike on south Beirut, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards urged revenge.
China's Xi pushes Taiwan issue in call with Trump
Chinese leader Xi Jinping pressed the ever-sensitive issue of Taiwan in a phone call Monday with US President Donald Trump, as he stressed the need to build on a fragile trade truce between the two superpowers.
Sudan's displaced and exhausted doctors treat fellow El-Fasher survivors
Overwhelmed health workers rushed from patient to patient in makeshift tents in Sudan, trying to help even though they too had barely escaped the fall of El-Fasher to paramilitary forces.
Two-year S.African sit-in for reparations says still ignored
Dozens of elderly people who have camped outside South Africa's Constitutional Court for two years to demand reparations for their suffering under apartheid had hoped the just-ended G20 summit would bring attention to their plight.
Venezuela rejects US terrorist designation as 'ridiculous lie'
Venezuela on Monday rejected a US terrorist designation of an alleged drug cartel as a "ridiculous lie" amid a major American military buildup in Caribbean waters.
Europe demands more work on US deal for Russia-Ukraine war
Germany said Monday that Russia has to be present at talks on ending the Ukraine war as Europe and Kyiv pressed for more work on a US proposal seen as heavily favouring Moscow.
Hezbollah mourns top commander killed in Israeli strike
Hezbollah will hold a funeral on Monday for its top military chief and other members of the militant group, a day after Israel killed them with a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs.
Stocks rise as US rate hopes soothe nerves after torrid week
Stock markets in Asia and Europe rose Monday as fresh hopes for a US interest rate cut provided some calm after last week's rollercoaster ride fuelled by worries of a tech bubble.
UK budget tests Labour govt's credibility
Britain's centre-left Labour government unveils its annual budget Wednesday, with expected tax rises to curb debt and fund public services threatening to further dent its weak poll ratings.
Turkey basilica emerges from lake, illuminating early Church life
When it was discovered a decade ago, the 4th-century basilica of Nicaea was totally submerged, its importance to early Christian history hidden beneath a lake in northwestern Turkey.
Far-right Australian politician dons burqa in parliament
A far-right Australian politician sparked outrage Monday after donning a burqa at the country's parliament, in a display that other lawmakers slammed as "racist".
Pope heads to Turkey, Lebanon in first overseas trip
Pope Leo XIV embarks on his debut overseas trip Thursday, travelling to Turkey and Lebanon to promote Christian unity and urge peace efforts amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Asian stocks rise as US rate hopes soothe nerves after torrid week
Asian markets mostly rose Monday as fresh hopes for a US interest rate cut provided some calm after last week's rollercoaster ride fuelled by worries of a tech bubble.
Washington, Kyiv say a peace deal must 'fully uphold' Ukraine sovereignty
Washington and Kyiv said Sunday that any eventual deal to halt the war with Russia must fully uphold Ukraine's sovereignty, after "constructive" talks between US, Ukrainian and European officials in Geneva.
EU, Africa leaders to talk trade and minerals, as Ukraine looms large
European and African leaders gather in Angola Monday for a summit aimed at deepening economic and security ties that will serve as a backdrop to emergency talks on Ukraine.