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Crisis-hit Germany headed for February 23 snap election
Germany, mired in political crisis, is headed for February 23 elections, the main parties agreed Tuesday, aiming to form a stable government after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition collapsed last week.
C.Africa urges lifting of embargo on diamond exports
The Central African Republic (CAR) sought Tuesday to convince the regulatory body for global diamond trading to lift all restrictions against it, ending an export embargo in place for more than a decade.
Stock markets retreat on Trump tariff worries
European and Asian stock markets slid Tuesday on worries of a possible trade war between China and the United States when Donald Trump takes over as president, analysts said.
New EU chief diplomat backs Ukraine as bloc's top team faces grilling
The European Union's designated foreign policy chief said Tuesday that the bloc must back Ukraine "for as long as it takes", as she and other EU heavyweights faced scrutiny by parliament.
Hong Kong press union head sues WSJ for 'unreasonable dismissal'
A former Wall Street Journal reporter began proceedings Tuesday to sue the newspaper for "unreasonable dismissal", after she said she was fired for taking up a role heading a Hong Kong press union.
China, Russia must fight US 'containment': security chief
Senior Russian official Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday told China's foreign minister Wang Yi their two countries' most urgent task should be countering "containment" by the United States, as they met for security talks in Beijing.
China planning to cut taxes on home buying: report
China is looking to slash taxes on home purchases as the government strengthens fiscal support for its ailing real estate sector, a media report said on Tuesday.
China's top diplomat holds security talks with Russia's Shoigu
China's top diplomat met senior Russian official Sergei Shoigu for security talks in Beijing on Tuesday, as the two powers deepen relations that have triggered protest from the West.
Mauritius opposition leader claims sweeping vote win
Mauritius opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam said Tuesday that his alliance had won a crushing election victory over the governing coalition, after the incumbent prime minister conceded he faced a "huge defeat".
Trump makes new appointments, Rubio tipped for secretary of state
US President-elect Donald Trump announced new members of his incoming administration on Monday, and was expected to pick Florida Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state.
EU top team heavyweights face parliament test
The heavyweights of the EU's new top team are to be quizzed by lawmakers in Brussels on Tuesday during confirmation hearings that are set to lay bare political dividing lines within the bloc.
North Korea ratifies defence treaty with Russia
North Korea has ratified a landmark defence pact with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, deepening security cooperation that has seen Pyongyang send thousands of troops to help Moscow fight Ukraine.
Sri Lanka's leftist president faces first parliament test
Sri Lanka's new leftist leader has drawn strong support from an unlikely source as he seeks to expand his three parliamentary seats to a house majority in elections on Thursday.
China's top diplomat to host Russia's Shoigu for security talks
China's top diplomat will host senior Russian official Sergei Shoigu for security talks in Beijing on Tuesday, as the two powers deepen relations that have triggered protest from the West.
Fears of Trump trade wars cast pall over Asia-Pacific summit
The presidents of the United States, China and other Asia Pacific nations gather in Lima this week for an economic summit overshadowed by the prospect of a world embroiled in trade wars under Donald Trump.
Trump makes new appointments including new 'border czar'
US President-elect Donald Trump named new members for his incoming administration on Monday, tapping loyalist hardliners for several key posts including a "border czar" who will be in charge of mass deportations.
New Haiti PM sworn in as airliner hit by gunfire
Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti’s new prime minister on Monday as a gun attack on a passenger jet at the capital's airport underscored the utter breakdown in law and order in the Caribbean country.
N. Korea ratifies defence treaty with Russia
North Korea has ratified a landmark defence pact with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, sealing a deepening security cooperation between the two nations amid Moscow's war in Ukraine.
New Haiti PM sworn in, promising to 'restore security'
Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime was sworn in as Haiti’s new prime minister on Monday, promising to restore security and tackle gang violence in the crisis-wracked country.
Saudi-hosted summit says Mideast peace requires end to Israeli occupation
Arab and Muslim leaders demanded on Monday that Israel withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories as a precondition for regional peace, while denouncing "shocking" Israeli crimes in war-ravaged Gaza.
Taliban eye aid at their first UN climate talks since 2021 takeover
The first Afghan official to attend UN climate talks since the Taliban came to power told AFP Monday that his country hopes to benefit from a global finance deal under negotiation at COP29 in Baku.
Flood fears as Ukraine says Russian strike damages dam
Russian strikes on Monday damaged a dam near the front line in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian authorities said, warning nearby villages could be threatened by rising water levels.
Putin win in Ukraine 'no victory' for Trump: EU's top diplomat
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday that letting Russia win in Ukraine would represent a loss for the United States, as Donald Trump prepares to return to the presidency.
Stocks and dollar climb, bitcoin hits record high
US and European stocks powered higher, the dollar gained and bitcoin extended a record run on Monday, as traders took their lead from events in the United States and China.
Stocks diverge, bitcoin hits record high
Major stock markets diverged, the dollar gained and bitcoin extended a record run higher Monday, as traders took their lead from events in the United States and China.
Kremlin denies call between Putin and Trump
The Kremlin on Monday denied a US media report that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US president-elect Donald Trump shared a call about the Ukraine conflict.
Somaliland to vote amid Horn of Africa tensions
Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia at the centre of a diplomatic storm, will hold a presidential election on Wednesday at a tense moment in the Horn of Africa.
Lawmakers vote to keep embattled Ishiba as Japan PM
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba kept his job in a parliamentary vote on Monday, despite having led the ruling coalition to its worst general election result in 15 years.
Strikes kill six in Ukraine a day after drone barrage
Air alerts wailed across Ukraine early Monday as Russian strikes killed at least six people, a day after record drone attacks by both sides and US president-elect Donald Trump reportedly urging Russia's Vladimir Putin not to escalate the conflict.
Pro-US incumbent claims victory in Palau presidential vote
Incumbent Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr claimed victory Monday in national elections, keeping the pro-US leader in power as China seeks greater influence across the Pacific.
Trump announces immigration official Tom Homan as 'border czar'
US president-elect Donald Trump said late Sunday he was bringing back hardline immigration official Tom Homan to oversee the country's borders in the incoming administration.
Russia and Ukraine launch massive drone attacks after Trump-Putin call
Russia and Ukraine launched record drone attacks on each other despite a phone call reported by the Washington Post from US president-elect Donald Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin not to escalate the conflict.