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Olympic sponsor Airbnb profits from Xinjiang, Tibet listings
Olympic sponsor Airbnb has hundreds of listings in Xinjiang and Tibet, two regions where China stands accused of widespread human rights abuses and forced cultural assimilation, new research reveals.
Markets mixed as Ukraine fears return, oil extends losses
Equity markets were mixed Friday following a steep drop on Wall Street fuelled by renewed fears that Russia will soon invade Ukraine, adding to long-running angst about the Federal Reserve's plans to hike interest rates.
India court sentences 38 to death over 2008 bombings
An Indian court sentenced 38 people to death on Friday over a string of bomb blasts in 2008 that killed dozens in the city of Ahmedabad, in one of the country's biggest mass death sentences.
Istanbul skyline row erupts over new build near iconic mosque
The soaring minarets of the 16th-century Suleymaniye mosque paint the postcard image of Istanbul, but that is now blighted by rickety wooden scaffolding at a nearby construction site, sparking fury on social media.
Germany accuses Russia of 'Cold War demands' before security conference
Germany accused Russia on Friday of endangering Europe's security with demands that recall the Cold War, as Western leaders arrived for a Munich Security Conference set to be dominated by the Ukraine crisis.
Tunisians fear more economic pain as IMF talks loom
Every day at the family grocery stall in a Tunis market, Bilel Jani sees the reality of a biting economic crisis, which for many has overshadowed Tunisia's latest political turmoil.
Asian markets drop as Ukraine fears return, oil extends losses
Asian markets fell Friday following a steep drop on Wall Street fuelled by renewed fears that Russia will soon invade Ukraine, adding to long-running angst about the Federal Reserve's plans to hike interest rates.
The online activists helping Myanmar troops desert
A team of Myanmar activists working in the shadows is using social media and messaging apps to persuade disillusioned junta soldiers to desert their posts and topple the powerful military.
US bares intel on Russia in risky strategy to prevent Ukraine invasion
The US government normally keeps battlefield intelligence close to its chest, but by revealing the secret details of Russian military plans, it hopes to prevent an invasion of Ukraine.
US says nuclear deal possible within days if Iran 'shows seriousness'
The United States said Thursday that "substantial progress" during negotiations in Vienna to save the Iran nuclear deal had been made, deeming an agreement possible within days if Iran "shows seriousness" on the matter.
US judge orders Trump to testify in New York fraud probe
A US judge ruled Thursday that former president Donald Trump and his eldest children must testify under oath in New York's civil probe into alleged fraud at his family business.
Trump NFT collection to laud his own presidency
More NFT digital collectibles are coming from former US first lady Melania Trump, she said Thursday, and this time they will focus on "iconic" moments from her husband's turbulent presidency.
Tesla's Musk condemned for Hitler tweet as he rips US regulator
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk courted dual controversies Thursday, accusing a US regulator of trying to stifle his speech while drawing condemnation for comparing Canada's leader to Hitler.
Gaza bookshop destroyed in Israeli air strike reopens
A renowned bookshop in Gaza reopened Thursday, nine months after it was flattened in an Israeli air strike during last year's conflict between the Palestinian enclave's rulers Hamas and the Jewish state.
US challenges Russia to step back from Ukraine attack
The United States said Thursday that Russia is on the verge of unleashing a massive military attack against Ukraine, dismissing Moscow's claim to be pulling forces back, as artillery fire hit a Ukrainian kindergarten.
US challenges Russia to step back from Ukraine, warns of imminent attack
The United States said Thursday that Russia is on the verge of unleashing a massive military attack against Ukraine, dismissing Moscow's claim to be pulling forces back, as artillery fire hit a Ukrainian kindergarten.
US challenges Russia to make unequivocal statement against invading Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken challenged Russia Thursday to make an unequivocal statement that it would not invade Ukraine and to back it up by pulling back troops.
France announces Mali withdrawal after decade-long jihadist fight
France announced Thursday that it was withdrawing its troops from Mali after a breakdown in relations with the country's ruling junta, ending a near 10-year deployment against jihadist groups that pose a growing threat in West Africa.
US steps up invasion warnings as Ukraine tensions soar
The United States stepped up warnings of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, despite Moscow's continued denials and announcements of troop withdrawals from near the border.
US 'candy bomber' pilot dead at 101
Gail Halvorsen, the former US pilot who thought up the idea of dropping tiny improvised parachutes loaded with sweets for children into Berlin during the Soviet blockade, has died at the age of 101.
Macron warns of 'predatory' Russian mercenaries in Mali
While announcing on Thursday that France would withdraw its troops from Mali, President Emmanuel Macron made his strongest condemnation yet of the shadowy Russian mercenary group Wagner whose alleged arrival in West Africa has infuriated Paris.
Shelling accusations fuel tensions in Ukraine crisis
Ukraine and Moscow-backed separatists traded accusations Thursday of intensifying shell fire across their frontline, fuelling fears of a potential Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.
Mozambican ex-president defends role at 'hidden debt' trial
Ex-president Armando Guebuza on Thursday took the witness stand in Mozambique's biggest corruption scandal, defending his government's decision to contract huge secret loans that triggered an economic crisis.
France to pull troops from Mali after decade-long jihadist fight
France announced Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the country's ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency.
Russia says pulling back more troops despite US claims
Russia on Thursday announced more troop pullbacks from the Ukrainian border as Washington insisted that Moscow is still building up forces for a potential invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.
France announces Mali troop pullout after decade
France announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency.
UK speaker urges 'respect' amid 'dangerous' Ukraine tensions
Long experienced in calming rowdy parliamentary debates, Britain's speaker Lindsay Hoyle has stressed the need for "respect" during confrontation and urged rivals "turn the heat down" amid soaring tensions in Ukraine.
Russian tanks at Belarus-Ukraine border stir up anger ... at US
Ukrainian pensioner Lidiya Silina would take her trash out on the Belarusian side of the border opposite the twisty stream. That was until trouble started and the Russian tanks came.
EU summit looks to boost strained ties with Africa
EU and African leaders meet for a two-day summit on Thursday, seeking to reboot ties with pledges of major investment in the face of competition from China and Russia.
Most Asian markets up as traders eye Ukraine, Fed eases rate fears
Asian markets mostly rose Thursday as investors assess the situation in Ukraine after the West said Russia had not started withdrawing troops from its border, while minutes from the Federal Reserve's January meeting eased concerns it was set to hike rates sharply.
Eleven years since revolt, Libya transition grinds on
Libyans on Thursday mark 11 years since the revolt that toppled dictator Moamer Kadhafi, but the democracy many hoped for seems as elusive as ever, and many fear a return to conflict.
Yellen acknowledges 'some global fallout' from any Russia sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says "some global fallout" would result if the West moves ahead with the punishing, coordinated sanctions threatened against Russia, should it attack Ukraine.
US accuses Russia of deploying thousands more troops to Ukraine border
The United States on Wednesday dismissed reports that Russia was withdrawing troops from Ukraine's border, instead accusing Moscow of sending more soldiers as fears of an invasion grow.
'I'll kill you!': Mexico's nature defenders put lives on line
In the fir forests of Mexico, one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmentalists, the legacy of butterfly defender Homero Gomez lives on two years after his suspected murder.
France warns Iran only days left to agree nuclear deal
Iran has just days left to accept a deal on its nuclear programme at talks in Vienna, France warned on Wednesday, while Tehran's chief negotiator promised that an agreement was closer than ever.
China needs to be 'more active' in G20 debt relief effort: Yellen to AFP
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China needs to do more to accelerate global efforts to provide debt relief for poor nations that ramped up borrowing during the pandemic.
Yellen acknowledges 'global fallout' from any Russia sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says "global fallout" would be inevitable if the West moves ahead with the punishing, coordinated sanctions threatened against Russia, should it attack Ukraine.
High US inflation 'not acceptable' but recovery on track: Yellen to AFP
Soaring US inflation rates are "not acceptable" but the health of the world's largest economy is fundamentally sound thanks to policies that have mitigated the impact of the pandemic, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told AFP.
No sign of Russia pullback, say US, NATO and Ukraine
The United States and NATO joined Ukraine on Wednesday saying there was no sign of Russian troops withdrawing, after military movements in occupied Crimea fuelled reports that the crisis could be abating.