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Stocks tumble as oil and inflation fan rate hike bets
Asian stocks tumbled Friday as oil prices extended gains and bond yields held at multi-year highs as the Middle East crisis stoked supply concerns and a forecast-topping US inflation report ramped up rate hike bets.
Hong Kong sentences Tiananmen activists to between 5 and 7 years in jail
A Hong Kong court handed three Tiananmen vigil activists jail sentences of between five and seven years on Friday for national security crimes, following a trial that has drawn international condemnation.
Vance assails Democratic 'hate' in fiery US midterm pitch
US Vice President JD Vance accused Democrats of running on "hate" Thursday and urged voters to send them packing in November, using a prime-time convention speech to rally Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
Party leaders trade barbs before Swedish election
Sweden's party leaders traded barbs on housing, schools, jobs and the climate in one of their final televised debates ahead of Sunday's general election, which could see a left-wing government come to power.
Statecraft or scripture: Why Pacific nations want Jerusalem embassies
An ancient Biblical prophecy lies at the heart of a Pacific islands push to open embassies on contested ground in Jerusalem, experts and former diplomats told AFP.
China, Iran among countries that have used AI to aid spying, Anthropic says
Anthropic said Thursday it shut down multiple cases of state-sponsored surveillance operations that used its artificial intelligence (AI) models, and warned that governments and state-aligned actors are increasingly using AI to spy on ethnic minorities and dissidents.
Tremor recorded as Israel says Hezbollah tunnels destroyed in south Lebanon
Israel said Thursday it demolished key tunnels built by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group beneath the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, triggering a 4.1 magnitude tremor.
Russian strike on Ukraine shopping centre kills five
At least five people were killed and nearly 70 others wounded on Thursday when a Russian strike hit a shopping centre in Pavlograd, central Ukraine, the authorities announced.
Surging oil prices, higher bond yields weigh on stocks
Oil prices surged Thursday as advances by Yemeni rebels threatened the flow of crude supplies while yields on long-term US Treasury bonds reached new multi-year highs following data showing an uptick in US wholesale inflation.
Russian strike on Ukraine shopping centre kills at least six
At least five people were killed and nearly 70 others wounded on Thursday when a Russian strike hit a shopping centre in Pavlograd, central Ukraine, the authorities announced.
Canada pledges support for Ukraine air defense as Zelensky visits
Canada offered support Thursday to boost Ukraine's air defenses and help replenish its drone stocks, as the countries pledged to deepen their alliance during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Morocco says not involved in Ceuta migrant influx
Morocco said on Thursday there were "no facts" establishing its involvement in the massive migrant rush into Spain's North African exclave of Ceuta in July.
NGO chief sees 'hypocrisy' in Afghan women's rights calls amid aid cuts
The head of the Norwegian Refugee Council aid group, Jan Egeland, criticised on Thursday what he called the "hypocrisy" of countries demanding rights for Afghan women while cutting humanitarian assistance.
Latin America could see fresh disinformation after Meta changes
As Meta moves to scrap fact-checking for Facebook and Instagram posts across Latin America, experts predict the change will lead to sharply degraded public debate in the region.
UAE to invest 40 billion euros in Germany, including for data centres: Berlin
The leader of the United Arab Emirates was on a state visit to Germany on Thursday that resulted in a promise to invest 40 billion euros ($46.5 billion) into Europe's top economy.
Russia trafficking foreigners to fight in Ukraine, Amnesty says
Russia is illegally trafficking foreigners to fight in Ukraine, Amnesty International said in a report Thursday, citing interviews with prisoners of war whom it said had been deceived into signing Russian military contracts.
Yemen's Houthis seize key city on Red Sea
Yemen's Houthis seized control of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday, with witnesses telling AFP of fighters marching on the area chanting "death to America, death to Israel".
Rubio ends South America swing with Peru security talks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wraps up a whirlwind tour of Latin America in Peru on Thursday, deepening cooperation with a new bloc of conservative governments and pressing the fight against regional drug cartels.
Defiant Iran seeks to bruise Trump ahead of midterms
Iran is intensifying confrontational actions against the United States in the hope of further raising the cost of the conflict for President Donald Trump less than two months ahead of the US midterm elections, analysts say.
In their words: Israeli forces describe AI-backed Gaza killing in new film
A new documentary from two Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers provides damning new testimony about AI-enabled mass killings in Gaza from the men and women who took part, the directors told AFP on Thursday ahead of its premiere in Venice.
Vance takes spotlight as Republicans close Trump-heavy convention
US Republicans return to the stage Thursday to close their midterm convention, still betting that Donald Trump's political magnetism can overcome grim election forecasts -- while giving Vice President JD Vance a prime-time showcase as a potential heir.
Yemen's Houthis seize key city on Red Sea: military source
Yemen's Houthis seized control of the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha on Thursday, a Yemeni military source told AFP, as the Iran-backed group reported fresh strikes by Saudi forces.
Will Israel's right exploit sanctions in run-up to vote?
British-led sanctions over settlement expansion in the West Bank may have the unintended effect of emboldening the Israeli right ahead of elections, analysts and a diplomatic source told AFP.
Wars pose a test as India hosts BRICS summit with China, Russia, Iran leaders
India will host leaders including the presidents of China, Russia and Iran for a BRICS summit on Saturday, with wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as economic challenges, set to dominate talks among the 11-member group.
Macron urges Europe to develop 'crewed spaceflight' programme
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on Europe to develop its own crewed spaceflight capability within a decade as part of a broader push to strengthen the continent's space sector.
North Korea leader's daughter believed to have younger sibling: Seoul
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's daughter and apparent successor is believed to have a younger sibling, South Korea's spy agency said on Thursday, offering a more detailed view of the ruling family's line of succession.
Deals worth billions to be signed as UAE leader visits Germany
The leader of the United Arab Emirates began a state visit to Germany on Thursday, during which deals worth billions of euros will be signed in sectors including energy and technology, Emirati diplomats said.
Wars pose a test as India hosts BRICS summit with Russia, Iran leaders
India will host leaders including the presidents of Russia and Iran for a BRICS summit on Saturday, with wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as economic challenges, to dominate talks among the 11-member group.
'Hopeless, stuck, afraid': US deportees in limbo in Cameroon
Ayana was deported to Cameroon from the United States where she had legally lived nearly all her life and now faces uncertainty, far from her family in an unfamiliar country.
Oil prices flare as Iran tightens grip on Hormuz
Oil prices hovered above $100 a barrel on Thursday, a day after Iran said it attacked more than a dozen vessels trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump promises Americans $5,000 if Republicans win Congress
President Donald Trump on Wednesday promised $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans retain control of Congress in November, coupling the extraordinary claim with a plea for his supporters to "pretend" he was on the ballot.
Sjobo, cradle of Sweden's now-mainstream anti-migrant sentiment
Almost 40 years ago, two-thirds of residents in Sweden's Sjobo municipality voted against welcoming refugees. The stance sparked controversy, but has now become mainstream, resonating with many Swedes ahead of Sunday's general election.