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Stock markets sink on Trump tariffs

Stock markets slumped Monday over concerns about the global economy after US President Donald Trump threatened to launch trade wars with Canada, China and Mexico.

Trump pauses Mexico tariffs as last-ditch Canada talks continue

US President Donald Trump paused tariffs on Mexico for one month after last-minute talks Monday -- but there was no breakthrough yet in negotiations with Canada on an issue that has sparked fears of a global trade war.

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European carmakers warn against EU-US trade war

Europe's biggest automakers called on the European Union Thursday to avoid a "trade conflict" with the United States, days before Donald Trump officially returns as president.

Israel strikes Gaza and accuses Hamas of backtracking on deal

Israel carried out fresh air strikes on Gaza on Thursday and accused Hamas of backtracking on parts of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal ahead of an expected vote by its cabinet.

Blasts in Kyiv as UK's Starmer inks 'landmark' 100-year accord

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a "landmark" 100-year partnership agreement with Ukraine during an unannounced visit to the war-torn country on Thursday, seeking to shore up support for Kyiv before Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Air strikes in Gaza crush joy of ceasefire deal

After news of a ceasefire agreement sparked mass rejoicing in Gaza, residents woke up Thursday to columns of smoke, rubble and more deaths following new Israeli air strikes.

Cyprus hails new access to US defence goods

Cyprus on Thursday heralded a move by United States President Joe Biden allowing the strategic Mediterranean country access to military equipment.

Israel accuses Hamas of backtracking on fragile ceasefire deal

Israel accused Hamas on Thursday of backtracking on parts of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza war, and carried out fresh air strikes ahead of an expected vote by the cabinet.

Blasts in Kyiv as UK's Starmer visits to ink '100-year' accord

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit to sign a "100-year accord" and shore up support for Ukraine before Donald Trump's return to the White House.

Spain raises flag at Damascus embassy after 12-year closure

Spain raised its flag at Madrid's Damascus embassy Thursday, in the presence of its top diplomat more than a decade after suspending activity and as Western countries resume ties following Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

Spanish FM raises flag at Damascus embassy after 12-year closure

Spain's Foreign Minister raised his country's flag at their Damascus embassy on Thursday more than a decade after Madrid suspended diplomatic activity and as Western countries resume ties following President Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

South Korea's president arrest: what happens next?

Impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol made history this week as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, ending a weeks-long standoff. But analysts say the country's political crisis is far from over.

South Korea's Yoon avoids fresh questioning after dramatic arrest

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol refused to appear for fresh questioning by investigators Thursday, a day after his dramatic arrest over a failed martial law declaration.

AFP photographer's search for his mother in the Nazi camps

AFP photographer Eric Schwab recorded the horrors of the Holocaust -- the crematoria, the piles of skeletal bodies and emaciated faces -- as he went from one Nazi extermination camp to the next in the spring of 1945 searching for his mother.

Life after the unthinkable: Shoah survivors who began again in Israel

For years, Auschwitz survivor Naftali Furst kept his story to himself.

Israeli cabinet to vote on Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel's cabinet was expected to meet Thursday to approve a ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas, Israeli media reported, a day after mediators announced an agreement they hope will lead to a permanent end to the Gaza war.

Biden warns of Trump 'oligarchy' in dark farewell speech

US President Joe Biden urged Americans Wednesday to stand guard against a "dangerous" oligarchy forming under Donald Trump as he delivered a dark farewell address before stepping down next week.

Asian stocks follow Wall St higher on welcome US inflation data

Asian markets extended a global rally Thursday after below-forecast US inflation provided a much-needed shot of relief to investors and revived hopes for interest rate cuts this year.

Biden warns of dangerous 'oligarchy' in dark farewell speech

US President Joe Biden urged Americans Wednesday to "stand guard" against a "dangerous" oligarchy forming under Donald Trump as he delivered a dark farewell address before stepping down next week.

South Korea's Yoon to avoid fresh questioning after dramatic arrest

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol faced renewed questioning Thursday, a day after his dramatic arrest over a failed martial law declaration, but his lawyers said he would not take part.

Behind the Gaza deal: a US odd couple and last-minute snags

The Israel-Hamas deal was made possible by 18-hour days and a "remarkable" partnership between Joe Biden and Donald Trump's Mideast envoys -- but even then it seemed it might come apart at the last minute.

Cuba frees jailed protesters in Biden terror list deal

Cuba began releasing people Wednesday who had been jailed for protesting against the regime under a deal that saw departing US President Joe Biden remove the communist island from a list of terrorism sponsors.

Thousands across Gaza celebrate ceasefire deal

Crowds of Gazans chanted and embraced on Wednesday as news spread that a ceasefire and hostage release deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in the Palestinian territory.

Qatar, US announce Gaza truce, hostage release deal

Qatar and the United States announced Wednesday a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, adding that they hoped it would pave the way for a permanent end to the war in Gaza.

Quake-stricken Vanuatu heads to polls in snap election

The Pacific nation of Vanuatu votes in a snap general election on Thursday that some observers fear could be a distraction after last month's deadly earthquake.

Qatar, US announce Gaza truce, hostage release deal agreed

Qatar and the United States announced Wednesday a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, adding they hoped it would pave the way for a permanent end to the war in Gaza.

Qatar PM says Gaza truce, hostage release deal agreed

Qatar's prime minister announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed Wednesday to a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, adding he hoped the deal would pave the way for a permanent end to the fighting.

US firms concerned about Trump tariff, immigration plans: Fed

US businesses across the country are concerned about the economic impact of President-elect Donald Trump's proposals to raise tariffs and sharply curtail immigration, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

Yellen warns against extending Trump's first-term US tax cuts

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned Wednesday that plans to extend President-elect Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts -- which remained in place under Joe Biden but are set to expire -- will add to unsustainable deficits.

Biden hails Gaza deal, says worked with Trump

US President Joe Biden announced Wednesday a "full and complete" ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the first part of their peace accord, and said he had acted as "one team" with incoming leader Donald Trump.

Trump's Energy Dept pick wants to develop renewables... and fossil fuels

Donald Trump's nominee for energy secretary, a fracking magnate who has previously expressed climate change skepticism, advocated for renewable energy and referred to the warming planet as a fact Wednesday, while still pushing for increased use of fossil fuels.

Cuba starts freeing prisoners after US terror list deal

Cuba on Wednesday began releasing prisoners under a deal with departing US President Joe Biden to remove the communist island from a list of terror sponsors, the detainees' relatives told AFP.

Mediators announce Gaza truce, but Israel says some points 'uresolved'

Mediators said Israel and Hamas agreed Wednesday to a ceasefire and a deal to release hostages held in Gaza, but Israel cautioned that some final sticking points still needed to be ironed out.

Rubio vows to confront 'dangerous' China, deter Taiwan invasion

Marco Rubio, Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, said Wednesday that a "dangerous" China cheated its way to superpower status as he vowed to ramp up support to deter an invasion of Taiwan.

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