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Old friend blames UN, Belgium for killing of Congolese hero Lumumba
Belgium and the United Nations are to blame for failing to prevent the assassination of Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba, an 89-year-old former friend has told AFP.
Israel thanks Turkey for thwarting Iranian assassination plot
Israel's incoming prime minister on Thursday thanked Turkey for thwarting an Iranian assassination plot against its tourists in Istanbul that prompted an urgent call for the Jewish state's citizens to return home.
Ukraine hopes for EU nod as Russia warns resistance 'futile'
EU leaders met on Thursday to discuss Ukraine's bid to join the bloc, even as tensions between Brussels and Moscow deepened over gas and Russia closed in on key cities in the embattled Donbas.
Euro, pound drop as recession prospects grow
The euro and pound retreated against the dollar Thursday as economic data pointed to increased prospects of recession in Europe.
Macron 'compromise' call meets opposition resistance
France risked prolonged political deadlock Thursday after opposition parties gave a frosty reception to President Emmanuel Macron's call for "compromises" to keep France governable after an indecisive parliamentary election.
EU weighs Ukraine candidacy as Russia inflicts 'hell' in east
EU leaders met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss making Ukraine a candidate to join the bloc, a "decisive" moment likely to infuriate Russia as its forces battled stiff resistance to advance in the embattled eastern Donbas region.
Inflation 'shock' punishes Eurozone economy in June: survey
Economic growth in the eurozone plummeted in June, a key survey showed on Thursday, as high prices took the wind out the strong recovery from the deep lows of the coronavirus pandemic.
ASEAN must step up pressure on Myanmar junta: UN expert
Southeast Asia's regional bloc must increase pressure on Myanmar's junta or there will be more death and suffering, a UN expert warned Thursday, after a long period of stalled diplomacy.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi moved to solitary confinement in prison
Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from house arrest to solitary confinement in a prison compound in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, a junta spokesman said on Thursday.
Russian TV protester caught in 'information war'
When Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova stormed a live TV broadcast to denounce the war in Ukraine, she expected a backlash from Russia -- but not so much from the rest of the world.
Global food crisis 'will kill millions' by disease, health executive warns
The global food crisis sparked by the war in Ukraine will kill millions by leaving the hungriest more vulnerable to infectious diseases, potentially triggering the world's next health catastrophe, the head of a major aid organisation has warned.
EU debates Ukraine candidacy as Russia makes life 'hell' in east
EU leaders will gather in Brussels Thursday to discuss calls to formally grant war-torn Ukraine "candidate status" to join the bloc, as Russian forces slowly advance in the eastern Donbas region despite fierce resistance from Kyiv's military.
UK by-elections pose fresh threat to Boris Johnson
Voters head to the polls on Thursday in two closely watched UK by-elections that risk renewing pressure on beleaguered Prime Minister Boris Johnson following months of scandals and setbacks.
Biden, fragile at home, faces historic leadership task in Europe
Leader of the free world sounds like a superhero character, but the Joe Biden heading this week to twin European summits is in reality a politically fragile president tasked, somehow, with resolving an unenviable string of diplomatic problems.
'We are suffering': Indigenous Ecuadorans explain protest
Indigenous Ecuadorans have poured into the capital Quito from across the country in recent days to join protests against high fuel prices and the cost of living.
Government, Indigenous Ecuadorans dig in heels on day 10 of protests
Thousands flooded the Ecuadoran capital Quito Wednesday for a tenth day of demonstrations over living costs, in an ever-tenser standoff between the government and Indigenous protesters that has left two dead.
S.Africa's Ramaphosa should have acted against graft under Zuma: report
The last damning findings of a four-year probe into state corruption in South Africa under ex-leader Jacob Zuma, published Wednesday, suggested that President Ramaphosa could have acted against some of the allegations against his predecessor.
Oil prices tumble on recession fears as equities decline
Oil prices fell Wednesday on worries over weakening demand in the slowing global economy as Federal Reserve Chief Jerome Powell acknowledged interest rate hikes could lead to a recession.
Ecuador police officers missing after protest attack
Ecuador on Wednesday refused protesters' demands to lift a state of emergency and said 18 police officers were missing following an attack by Indigenous groups on a police station.
Macron urges 'compromises' to break France impasse
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday urged France's political forces to make compromises to end a political deadlock sparked by his failure to retain a parliamentary majority that threatens to paralyse government.
Ecuador refuses to end state of emergency as 18 police 'missing' after attack
Ecuador on Wednesday refused to end its state of emergency and said 18 police officers are "missing" following an attack by Indigenous protesters on a police station in the eastern Amazon region.
Fresh turmoil for Bulgaria as govt loses confidence vote
Bulgaria's coalition government collapsed Wednesday after just six months when it lost a vote of confidence among MPs, bringing fresh political turmoil and the increased likelihood of an early general election.
Ukrainian swimmers seek pool success under shadow of war
Racked by worry for family, anger at Russian colleagues, and uncertainty about the future, Ukrainian swimmers are seeking world championship success in Budapest under the shadow of war.
Recession fears send oil prices plunging, equities diverge
Wall Street stocks climbed Wednesday as the US Fed chief stressed the need to combat decades-high inflation, but elsewhere equities and oil prices tumbled on mounting recession fears as central banks hike interest rates.
Biden seeks fuel tax suspension to help fight inflation pain
Joe Biden pitched a temporary fuel tax break Wednesday to help American drivers face the highest inflation in four decades, but critics called it attempted window dressing by an unpopular US president ahead of difficult midterm elections.
French minister investigated after rape allegations
French prosecutors said on Wednesday they were investigating a junior minister in President Emmanuel Macron's government after two allegations of rape were brought against her.
Saudi prince visits Turkey for talks clouded by Khashoggi murder
Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler took a big step out of international isolation Wednesday, paying his first visit to Sunni rival Turkey since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate.
Macron to address France over political impasse
President Emmanuel Macron was to address France on Wednesday over the crisis created by his failure to retain a parliamentary majority, with no solution in sight to an impasse that jeopardises his reform plans.
Xi warns about 'expanding military alliances' at BRICS summit: state media
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against "expanding" military ties on Wednesday in a speech ahead of a virtual summit with top leaders from Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa.
Myanmar junta trial of Australian economist shifted to prison complex: source
The Myanmar junta's trial of a detained Australian economist will shift to a special court inside a prison compound in the capital Naypyidaw, a source with knowledge of the case said on Wednesday.
Confidence vote puts Bulgarian govt's fate in the balance
Bulgaria's coalition government faced collapse Wednesday just six months after taking office, as MPs prepared to vote on a no-confidence motion that if passed could mean fresh elections.
Iran movie feted by Cannes critics banned at home
Authorities in Iran have banned an Iranian movie about the struggles of a family in the sanctions-hit country after it was feted at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Israel lawmakers give initial approval for early election
Israeli lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to advance legislation to dissolve parliament and call an early election, after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said his eight-party coalition was no longer tenable.
Prince Charles pays tribute to genocide victims in Rwanda
Prince Charles laid a wreath on Wednesday at a memorial to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda during the first visit to the country by a British royal.
Macron struggles to find compromise in France impasse
French President Emmanuel Macron pressed on with efforts Wednesday to end the crisis created by his failure to retain a parliamentary majority but with no solution in sight to an impasse that jeopardises his reform plans.
Biden seeks three-month federal gas tax holiday as prices skyrocket
US President Joe Biden will ask Congress Wednesday to suspend the federal gas tax for three months as skyrocketing prices cause widespread anger among Americans just months before crucial mid-term elections.
Why monkeypox may soon get a new name
Monkeypox may soon have a new name after scientists called for a change to dispel stereotypes of Africa being seen as a crucible of disease.
Stocks, oil plunge as renewed recession fears send traders running
Equities and oil prices tumbled Wednesday after a brief respite from last week's painful rout across world markets, with recession fears continuing to build as central banks hike interest rates to combat decades-high inflation.
Israel lawmakers hold first vote on bill triggering early election
Israeli lawmakers were holding a first vote Wednesday on a government bill to dissolve parliament and call an early election, after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said his eight-party coalition was no longer tenable.