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Italy, other EU states urge rethink on European rights convention
Italy and eight other EU states, including Denmark and Poland, published an open letter Thursday urging a rethink of how the European Convention of Human Rights is interpreted, especially on migration.
Trump admin sows doubt over vaccines in 'Make America Healthy Again' report
A White House report detailing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s priorities devotes sizable space to stoking fear about vaccines -- even as it tackles more grounded worries over chemicals and diet.
US govt revokes Harvard's right to enroll foreign students
Donald Trump's administration on Thursday revoked Harvard's right to enroll foreign students -- more than a quarter of its annual enrollment -- in a major escalation of the president's fight with one of the world's most storied universities.
California's electric car drive put on blocks by US Senate
US senators on Thursday blocked California's landmark mandate phasing out gas-powered cars, dealing a blow to the state's move towards electric vehicles in a pointed rebuke of Democratic climate change policies.
Italy court makes 'historic' ruling for same-sex mothers
Italy's highest court ruled Thursday that women in same-sex couples who become mothers through IVF have the right to be recognised on the birth certificate even if they are not the biological parent.
Stock markets sluggish as Trump tax cuts clear House
Stock markets were sluggish and US long-term borrowing costs surged Thursday as investors fretted over the US debt pile after President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax cut plan passed the House of Representatives.
Gaza rescuers say more than 50 killed as Israel orders evacuations
Plumes of smoke rose Thursday over the northern Gaza Strip where Israel's military urged civilians to evacuate, as rescuers said Israeli strikes across the territory killed more than 50 people.
Nicaraguan 'dictatorship' is doomed, says exiled author
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's "dictatorship" is doomed, exiled novelist Sergio Ramirez has told AFP, predicting the population will eventually rebel against the elderly ex-guerrilla.
Stock markets fall as Trump tax cuts clear House
Stock markets mostly fell and US long-term borrowing costs surged Thursday as investors fretted over the US debt pile after President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax cut plan passed the House of Representatives.
Dutch FM says supports "as free as possible" international trade
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on Thursday that the Netherlands's agenda was to have "as free as possible" international trade, following the recent trade talks between China and the United States.
Vatican's diplomatic arm eyes return to fore with Ukraine talks
Whether or not Russia and Ukraine peace talks actually take place at the Vatican, the mere suggestion it could play host reflects a fresh diplomatic impetus under new pope Leo XIV.
Els and Goosen: Golfers dragged into Trump's ambush of S.Africa leader
Former world number one golfer, Ernie Els, declared himself a "proud South African" as he was dragged into the ambush of his country's leader Cyril Ramaphosa by US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Merz warns of Russia threat, vows to defend NATO allies on Lithuania visit
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Thursday that Russia threatened security in Europe as he visited Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany's first permanent overseas military unit since World War II, aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank.
UK court gives govt green light to reach Chagos Islands deal
A British court on Thursday paved the way for a government deal on returning the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius, lifting a temporary ban which had forced an 11th-hour halt to an accord being signed.
UK net migration in 2024 fell by half to 431,000
Net migration to the UK dropped by half in 2024, the latest official figures showed on Thursday, in what will be a welcome boost for under-fire Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Israel issues evacuation warning for parts of Gaza
The Israeli army issued an evacuation warning on Thursday for 14 neighbourhoods of northern Gaza, as it pressed a renewed offensive that has drawn international condemnation.
EU parliament backs Russian fertiliser tax opposed by farmers
EU lawmakers greenlighted tariffs on Russian fertiliser imports on Thursday, a move the Kremlin derided as Europeans shooting themselves in the foot.
UK court reviews Chagos Islands deal after last-minute legal block
A British court on Thursday was reviewing the government's deal to return the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius after imposing a last-minute block on the accord.
Merz warns of Russia threat in visit to NATO's eastern flank
Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Thursday that Russia threatened security in Europe as he visited Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany's first permanent overseas military unit since World War II, aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank.
EU ready to tax Russian fertilisers from July
EU lawmakers greenlighted tariffs on fertiliser imports from Russia on Thursday, despite European farmers' fears the move could send prices soaring.
'Hurt': Leningrad Siege survivor, 84, charged over peace placard
Lyudmila Vasilyeva, 84, survived the Siege of Leningrad in World War II as a child. Now, the Russian pensioner faces prosecution for calling for peace in Ukraine and says she feels "hurt" over what her country has become.
Sifting through the rubble of Pakistan-India conflict
Two weeks after Pakistan and India's most intense military clashes in decades, clearance teams along the border comb through fields for unexploded shells so residents can safely build back from the rubble of their homes.
UK court orders last-minute review of Chagos Islands deal
The High Court in London said it would examine Thursday the UK government's deal to return the remote Chagos Islands to Mauritius after imposing a last-minute block on the accord.
Stocks track Wall St sell-off as US deficit fears grow
Equities sank and Treasuries remained under pressure following sharp losses on Wall Street fuelled by US economy fears as Donald Trump tries to push through fresh tax cuts that could balloon the already huge deficit.
Merz to visit Lithuania as Germany helps bolster NATO's eastern flank
Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Lithuania on Thursday to mark the official formation of Germany's first permanent overseas military unit since World War II, aimed at bolstering NATO's eastern flank against a hostile Russia.
Asian equities track Wall St sell-off as US deficit fears grow
Asian equities sank and Treasuries remained under pressure following sharp losses on Wall Street fuelled by US economy fears as Donald Trump tries to push through fresh tax cuts that could balloon the already huge deficit.
UN says around 90 aid trucks 'dispatched' into Gaza
The UN said Wednesday it had "dispatched" around 90 trucks carrying aid into Gaza, as international pressure intensified over Israel's renewed offensive and blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
War takes centre stage as Lebanon's theatres are back
As Lebanon suffered a war last year, Ali Chahrour was determined to keep making art, creating a performance inspired by the plight of migrant workers caught up in the conflict.
Deference and disputes: how leaders get on with Trump
When foreign leaders meet with Donald Trump, they are walking a tightrope: They can be welcomed with open arms or be publicly belittled.
The Ambush Office: Trump's Oval becomes test of nerve for world leaders
For world leaders an invitation to the Oval Office used to be a coveted prize. Under Donald Trump it's become a ticket to a brutal political ambush.
Outrage at Israeli shots as diplomats tour West Bank
Several nations that have backed Israel voiced outrage Wednesday after Israeli troops fired what they called "warning shots" as foreign diplomats visited the occupied West Bank.
G7 finance chiefs hold talks under strain of Trump tariffs
G7 finance ministers held talks Wednesday on thorny issues like the economic disruption caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs and support for Ukraine, seeking to find a common voice.