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Strikes target Gulf as French soldier killed in Iraq
New waves of attacks struck Iran and Gulf nations on Friday after Tehran renewed its threats on oil facilities, while France announced its first soldier killed during the Mideast war.
France to elect mayors in run-up to key presidential vote
France is gearing up for municipal elections this month, with a presidential candidate testing his popularity and the far right eyeing gains ahead of a crunch vote for the country's top job next year.
Moscow piles pressure on US over oil sanctions
Moscow said on Friday that the global energy market "cannot remain stable" without its oil, piling pressure on Washington to lift more sanctions as the Middle East war strangles supplies.
Takaichi to be 'candid' with Trump as war hurts Japan
Japan is hurting from the Iran war ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to Washington next week. She has promised to be "candid" with the US president.
Oil holds above $100 and stocks fall as Khamenei targets Hormuz
Oil prices held around $100 Friday and most equity markets dropped after Iran's leader called for the blocking of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and opening up of new fronts in the war against the United States and Israel.
French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi Kurdistan
A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, confirming the first French military death in the Middle East war.
Canadian, German and Norway leaders hold Arctic security talks
Canadian, German and Norwegian leaders will meet in the Norwegian Arctic on Friday to discuss the region's fragile security situation, against the backdrop of a large NATO exercise.
Trump says Iran shouldn't come to World Cup for 'own life and safety'
US President Donald Trump warned Iran's football team Thursday their "life and safety" would be at risk if they took part in the upcoming World Cup in North America.
Venezuela leader's first foreign trip abruptly canceled
The first foreign visit of Venezuela's US-backed interim leader since taking power was abruptly canceled on Thursday, just hours before she was due to arrive in Colombia.
Iran says will make US regret war as oil prices soar
Iran vowed Thursday to make the United States regret attacking the Islamic republic and said it would keep up a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz that has sent oil prices soaring.
Trump says Iran war moving 'very rapidly'
US President Donald Trump said Thursday the war against Iran was moving "very rapidly," even as Tehran's new leader vowed defiance in his first public message.
Polish president vetoes 40-bn-euro EU defence funding plan
Poland's ferocious dispute over EU defence loans reached a fever pitch on Thursday as nationalist president Karol Nawrocki vetoed a multi-billion-euro plan that parliament had already approved.
Israel renews Beirut strikes as Netanyahu vows hard line on Hezbollah
Israel renewed its strikes on Beirut on Thursday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that if the Lebanese government did not disarm Hezbollah, Israel would do the job "on the ground".
Oil surges, stocks retreat on fears of prolonged Iran war
Oil prices jumped Thursday with Brent crude settling above $100 a barrel for the first time since August 2022, as Iran vowed to make the United States regret launching its war against the country.
Israel renews Beirut strikes after threatening to expand Lebanon operations
Israel renewed its strikes on Beirut on Thursday, as it threatened to seize territory in Lebanon if Hezbollah did not stop its attacks.
The Chinese cable that could trip up Chile's new leader
Chile's new president Jose Antonio Kast faces a tough choice in his first weeks in office.
Iran vows unrelenting war as oil prices soar
Iran vowed Thursday to make the United States regret launching its war against the Islamic republic, and said it would keep up its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices soared.
World in 'new dark age' of abuse: UN rights expert
The world has entered a "new dark age of abuses", with the United States "raining death" on Iran and Venezuela, a UN special rapporteur said Thursday.
In Iran, shut shops, joblessness and a dash for cash
AFP reporters have been speaking to a range of people living in Iran to build a picture of life under daily US and Israeli bombardment despite an internet blackout and major communication problems.
Israel strikes Beirut after threatening to expand Lebanon operations
Israel renewed its strikes on Beirut on Thursday, as it threatened to expand operations and seize territory in Lebanon if Hezbollah did not stop its attacks.
New Iranian leader vows revenge, keeps oil shipping route shut
Iran's new supreme leader ordered his forces to keep the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane shut on Thursday, as Tehran launched more devastating attacks on Gulf energy targets that sent global oil prices soaring.
Poland reels from row over EU loans to fend off Russia
A spat over huge EU defence loans has erupted into trench warfare between Poland's pro-European government and nationalist president.
Laundry fire on giant US aircraft carrier injures two: US military
Two crew on the USS Gerald R. Ford -- the world's largest aircraft carrier currently deployed for the war against Iran -- were injured Thursday in a laundry room fire, the US Navy said.
Mauritanian anti-slavery stalwart Boubacar Ould Messaoud dead
Boubacar Ould Messaoud, a rights activist who fought incessantly to wipe out slavery in his native Mauritania, died on Thursday in the capital Nouakchott aged 80, a representative of his NGO told AFP.
Behind Cambodian border casino, Thai military shows off a scam hub
Broken computer monitors in bombed-out offices, scattered fake police uniforms and phoney hundred-dollar bills: these were the vestiges of a frantic escape of suspected cyberscammers fleeing a resort on the Cambodia-Thailand border.
IPL-linked Sunrisers sign Pakistan's Ahmed for Hundred
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds -- a Hundred franchise with links to the Indian Premier League -- on Thursday despite fears Pakistani players would be frozen out due to political tensions.
New Iranian supreme leader calls for defiance, keeps key waterway shut
Iran's new supreme leader ordered the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane to remain closed on Thursday, while US President Donald Trump said stopping the Islamic republic's "evil empire" was more important than crude prices.
Turkey talking to US, Iran in bid to end war: minister
Turkey is talking to both Washington and Tehran in a bid to end the Middle East war, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday as the conflict raged for a 13th day.
'One war too many': Lebanese angry with Hezbollah for attacking Israel
When an air strike hit their Beirut neighbourhood, people were angry with Israel, but they reserved their deepest rage for Hezbollah, for dragging Lebanon into the Middle East war.
Russia jails 15 for life over IS-claimed 2024 concert hall attack
A Russian court on Thursday handed life sentences to four gunmen from Tajikistan, and 11 others it said were their accomplices, for the 2024 Crocus concert hall attack that left 150 people dead.
Strike on Beirut seafront kills 8 as Israel threatens to 'take territory'
An Israeli strike on central Beirut's seafront killed eight people on Thursday, Lebanon's health ministry said, as Israel threatened to expand operations and seize territory if Hezbollah does not stop its attacks.
War creating 'largest' oil shock in history as Iran hits new Gulf targets
The Middle East war is creating the biggest oil supply shock in history, the International Energy Agency warned Thursday, as Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets that sent prices spiking above $100 a barrel.