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Trump 'gold card' visa granted to one person so far: US commerce chief
Only one person has been approved for US President Donald Trump's "gold card" visa program so far, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday, referring to a million-dollar residency card unveiled last year.
Trump to meet Lebanon, Israel envoys on truce extension
US President Donald Trump will meet Lebanese and Israeli envoys at a new round of peace talks Thursday, with Beirut seeking a one-month extension of a shaky ceasefire set to expire.
Bolivia, Chile move to restore ties severed 50 years ago
The foreigner ministers of Chile and Bolivia met Thursday in a step toward restoring relations severed 50 years ago, the latter's foreign minister said.
Italy dismisses talk of replacing Iran at World Cup
Italy has played down suggestions that its national team could replace Iran at the World Cup, following reports that an envoy to US President Donald Trump had asked FIFA to consider the move.
New multilateral force for gang-plagued Haiti to deploy soon, UN told
The new multinational force tasked with combating gangs in Haiti will deploy in "phases" over the coming months, a special representative for the force said Thursday.
Stocks waver, oil up as US-Iran peace talks stall
Stock prices were broadly lower Thursday, retreating after recent gains as investors tempered their enthusiasm for a quick end to the Middle East war.
US eases access to marijuana for medical use
The US government on Thursday made it easier for Americans to use cannabis for medical reasons by reclassifying the drug and enabling more research into its safety and efficacy.
Trump orders Iran mine-layers sunk, as Iran tolls tankers
President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy on Thursday to destroy any Iranian boat caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, putting more pressure on a fraying ceasefire as disruption from the Gulf stand-off battered the world economy.
UK, France sign three-year deal to stop migrant crossings
Britain and France on Thursday signed a new three-year deal to stop undocumented migrants making the risky journey across the Channel in small boats.
Pope Leo ends Africa visit with open-air mass in Equatorial Guinea
Pope Leo XIV on Thursday held an open-air mass in Equatorial Guinea in front of tens of thousands of followers, wrapping up his first major international tour that began with harsh criticism of his stance on Iran from US President Donald Trump.
Romania headed for fresh turmoil as largest party quits coalition
Romania's Social Democratic Party on Thursday said it had quit the coalition government of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, triggering a new political crisis in the turmoil-weary country.
More than 500 killed in Tanzania poll violence: govt
Tanzania's electoral violence last year left at least 518 dead, a government-appointed commission said Thursday, giving a figure far below opposition estimates and failing to say who was responsible.
Iran defies US blockade to claim tolls from Hormuz shipping
Iran has banked the first proceeds from the tolls it is exacting on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a senior official said Thursday, as disruption triggered by the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic continued to batter the world economy.
Iran economy looks set to withstand US naval blockade
A US naval blockade of Iranian ports is likely to squeeze Iran's oil output in the coming weeks but claims it will throw the Islamic republic into economic free fall remain premature, analysts say.
Clearing Hormuz Strait mines could take six months: report
A Pentagon assessment said it could take six months to completely clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines, which could keep oil prices high, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
South Korea's Samsung workers rally in thousands as strike looms
Tens of thousands of Samsung Electronics workers rallied in South Korea on Thursday to demand higher pay and bonuses, as their threat of a weeks-long strike hung over the technology giant.
Iran says won't reopen Hormuz if US upholds naval blockade
Iran vowed it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the United States continues to blockade its ports, in a tense standoff on Thursday that has dominated the ceasefire in the Middle East war.
UN leadership hopefuls stress need for peace and restoring confidence
Contenders for next UN secretary-general made their case this week for a United Nations more invested in peace, but avoided taking positions that could antagonize the member states who will choose the world body's next chief.
France must avoid becoming 'hostage' on critical minerals: trade minister
France and "like-minded countries" must work together to avoid becoming "hostages" on critical minerals used in everything from phones to solar panels, Paris's trade minister said Thursday.
US says China used 'intimidation' to block Taiwan leader's Africa trip
The United States slammed China's "intimidation campaign" on Wednesday after several African countries were reportedly pressured by Beijing to derail an official trip by Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te by revoking overflight permits.
Sellers in China trade hub seek tariff reprieve from Trump visit
Labourers sweated as they wheeled bags of clothes, shoes and accessories to a sprawling wholesale market in southern China, where shop owners hoped an upcoming visit by Donald Trump would see an easing of tariffs hitting their exports.
Stocks sink and oil rises with Iran, US no closer to peace talks
Asian stocks fell and oil prices rose Thursday as the United States and Iran appeared no closer to holding fresh peace talks and Tehran continued to refuse to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump, his 'low IQ' slur, and the right's race obsession
When President Donald Trump this week attacked Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, two of America's most prominent Black figures, he chose a particularly pejorative insult: "low IQ person."
Israeli strikes kill 5 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension
Israeli strikes killed five people, including a journalist, and wounded another in Lebanon on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire that Beirut will request an extension for in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.
UK, France agree three-year deal to stop migrant crossings
Britain and France have agreed a new three-year deal to stop undocumented migrants making the risky journey across the English Channel, according to a French interior ministry roadmap seen by AFP Wednesday.
Trump looks for way out on war, but Iran may not oblige
By extending a ceasefire indefinitely with Iran, President Donald Trump appears to be searching for a way out of a costly war, but Tehran may be unwilling to give him a win.
Iran says won't reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains
Iran said on Wednesday it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remained in place, calling it a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire between the longtime foes.
Ecuador doctors protest crisis as patients bring own meds to surgery
Dozens of doctors, nurses and patients protested Wednesday outside a hospital in Ecuador's capital, expressing outrage at a health care system so overstretched that people undergoing surgery bring their own syringes and medication.
Top Peru ministers quit in protest over stalled US fighter jet deal
Peru's foreign and defense ministers resigned on Wednesday in protest over the interim president's decision to stall a $3.5 billion deal for the purchase of 24 US F-16 fighter jets.
De La Hoya and Ali's grandson slam proposed federal boxing reform
Oscar De La Hoya and Muhammad Ali's grandson on Wednesday slammed proposed changes to federal boxing laws, warning a US Senate committee that the reforms would prioritize corporate profits and Saudi investors over fighters.
Trump alleges Democratic-backed Virginia referendum was 'rigged'
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday alleged a vote in which Virginia backed a new electoral map that could favor Democrats was "rigged" -- echoing his false claims over the 2020 election.
'Seriously fractured'? Scepticism over Trump's Iran leadership split claim
Iranian officials have kept a united front in the Middle East war and there appears for now to be no major split within the leadership, even though factional disagreements exist and the complete absence from public view of key decision makers creates confusion, analysts said.