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Russia keeps border schools shut as deadly strikes hit Ukraine
Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine said Thursday it would keep schools closed beyond the planned end of the winter holidays following unprecedented shelling by Kyiv's forces, as Ukraine reported several killed in strikes across the country.
IS jihadists claim Iran suicide bombings that killed 84
The Islamic State jihadist group said Thursday that it carried out twin bombings which killed at least 84 people at a memorial ceremony in Iran for slain Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani.
Germany drops planned subsidy cuts after farmers protest
The German government on Thursday dropped part of its plans to cut agricultural subsidies in the face of massive protests from farmers.
Hundreds mourn Hamas deputy leader at Beirut funeral
Hundreds of people attended the funeral in Beirut on Thursday of Hamas number two Saleh al-Aruri who was killed in a Lebanon strike blamed on Israel.
UK's Cameron stresses Balkan peace on visit to Kosovo
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Thursday stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Western Balkans, committing £45 million ($57 million) to shoring up security in the region.
UK party leaders kick off election year
Rishi Sunak said Thursday he had pencilled in later this year for a general election, as he and his main political rival to be Britain's next leader effectively kicked off campaigning.
Iran holds day of mourning for 84 killed in twin blasts
Iran observed a day of mourning Thursday for the at least 84 people killed when twin blasts ripped through a crowd commemorating the slain Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani.
UK's Starmer says election year a 'chance to change Britain'
Britain's main opposition leader Keir Starmer said on Thursday that a much anticipated general election this year will offer the UK the chance to "get our future back".
TotalEnergies to review land buyouts in contested Africa projects
French energy giant TotalEnergies on Thursday said it had launched a review of its land acquisition practices for controversial $10-billion projects in Uganda and Tanzania slammed by environmentalists.
Israel launches deadly Gaza strikes as Mideast tensions rise
Israeli bombing killed dozens of people overnight in Gaza, the health ministry of the Hamas-run Palestinian territory said Thursday, as regional tensions have surged over the almost three-months-old war.
Blinken set for Israel visit as regional war fears mount
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head Thursday to the Middle East as fears mount that Israel's war in Gaza will spread across the region, following deadly blasts in Iran and the killing of a Hamas leader in Lebanon.
Ukraine's mobile air defences have ammo for 'few more attacks': commander
Kyiv's mobile air defences have enough ammunition to withstand a few more powerful attacks, but then will need more Western aid, a senior military commander said Wednesday.
Exiled opposition leader condemns 'sham' Bangladesh election
Bangladesh's election on Sunday will be a "sham" designed to cement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's rule, exiled opposition leader Tarique Rahman has told AFP in an exclusive interview defending his party's boycott.
Asian markets extend new year retreat after Fed minutes
Asian markets continued their disappointing start to the year Thursday, tracking another loss on Wall Street after minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting dampened hopes for an early interest rate cut.
Blinken to head Thursday on new Mideast crisis trip: US official
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will leave Thursday on his fourth crisis trip to the Middle East, an official said, as fears mount that the Israel-Hamas conflict will spiral into a regional war.
Iran blames Israel, US for deadly blasts near grave of Guards general Soleimani
Iran blamed Israel and the United States on Wednesday for twin bomb blasts that killed at least 95 people in the country's south, ripping through a crowd commemorating Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani four years after his death in a US strike.
Iran blames Israel, US for blasts that killed 95 near grave of Guards general Soleimani
Iran blamed Israel and the US on Wednesday for twin bomb blasts that killed at least 103 people in the country's south, ripping through a crowd commemorating Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani four years after his death in a US strike.
US, allies warn Huthis as ship attacks rattle global commerce
Twelve nations led by the United States on Wednesday jointly warned Yemen's Huthi rebels of unspecified consequences unless they halt sea attacks that are increasingly disrupting global commerce.
Hezbollah leader warns Israel against waging war on Lebanon
The chief of Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement, Hassan Nasrallah, warned Israel on Wednesday against waging war on Lebanon, a day after a strike killed Hamas's deputy leader in the southern Beirut stronghold of Hezbollah.
S.Leone ex-president charged over 'coup attempt'
Sierra Leone on Wednesday charged former president Ernest Bai Koroma with treason and other offences for his alleged role in what authorities have called an attempted coup on November 26, authorities said.
Impeachment push against Biden immigration chief
US Republicans announced impeachment proceedings Wednesday against Joe Biden's homeland security chief over the worsening border crisis, as they seek to cement immigration as a major issue in November's presidential election.
'Make Britain great': right-wing upstarts threaten UK Tories
A fringe right-wing political party founded by Eurosceptic populist Nigel Farage is once again posing a headache for Britain's ruling Conservatives before this year's UK general election.
Iran twin blasts kill 103 near grave of Guards general Soleimani
Twin bomb blasts killed at least 103 people in Iran on Wednesday, ripping through a crowd commemorating Revolutionary Guards general Qasem Soleimani four years after his death in a US strike, state media reported.
Gaza war tensions spike after deadly Iran blasts, Lebanon killing
Fears that Israel's war in Gaza could spiral across the Middle East grew Wednesday after a drone strike killed a Hamas senior leader in Lebanon and twin explosions ripped through an Iranian crowd, claiming at least 103 lives.
Global stocks mostly retreat in rally hangover
Global stock markets mostly fell Wednesday as traders took cash off the table after a blockbuster end to 2023, with eyes now on the release this week of US Federal Reserve minutes and jobs data.
Tears, defiance in Palestinian village of slain Hamas deputy
Palestinian mourners broke into sobs as they huddled around defiant family members of slain Hamas deputy Saleh al-Aruri in his village in the occupied West Bank Wednesday, a day after his death in Lebanon.
Bombs kill 103 at Iran memorial for slain general: state media
At least 103 people were killed in Iran Wednesday as two bombs in quick succession struck a crowd commemorating slain general Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his killing, state media reported.
Turkey opens first major trial into earthquake deaths
Turkey on Wednesday opened the first major trial linked to the construction of buildings that crumbled in two massive February 2023 earthquakes that claimed more than 50,000 lives.
Bombs kill 73 at Iran commemorations for slain general: state media
At least 73 people were killed in Iran Wednesday as two bombs in quick succession struck a crowd commemorating slain general Qasem Soleimani on the anniversary of his killing, state media reported.
Taiwan 'will resist' China interference in election: presidential frontrunner
The Taiwanese people "will resist" China's attempts to influence the island's January 13 election, frontrunner presidential candidate Lai Ching-te told AFP on Wednesday as he hit the campaign trial 10 days before the pivotal poll.
Who was Saleh al-Aruri, Hamas deputy killed in Lebanon?
Saleh al-Aruri, the senior Hamas official killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Lebanon, played a key role in building up the Palestinian group's military capabilities and its links with regional allies.
S. Korean opposition leader 'could have been killed' by knife attack: party
South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung narrowly escaped death when he was stabbed in the neck, a party lawmaker said Wednesday, as police were granted a warrant to search his assailant's property.