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Trump says comedian Colbert should be 'put to sleep'
On the eve of Christmas, President Donald Trump has unleashed a fresh blast of vitriol at late-night comedy talk shows, saying comedian Stephen Colbert is a "pathetic trainwreck" who should be "put to sleep."
UN experts slam US blockade on Venezuela
Four United Nations rights experts on Wednesday condemned the US partial naval blockade of Venezuela, determining it illegal armed aggression and calling on the US Congress to intervene.
Two police killed in explosion in Moscow
Two police officers were killed in an overnight explosion in Moscow when they tried to stop a suspicious person, Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement Wednesday.
EU 'strongly condemns' US sanctions against five Europeans
The European Union and some member states reacted sharply Wednesday to US sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European commissioner Thierry Breton.
Thailand-Cambodia border talks proceed after venue row
Cambodian and Thai officials began four days of talks at a border checkpoint on Wednesday aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes, Phnom Penh said.
Kosovo, Serbia 'need to normalise' relations: Kosovo PM to AFP
Kosovo and Serbia need to "normalise" their relations, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti told AFP Wednesday, several days before legislative elections where he is seeking to extend his term with more solid backing.
Zelensky reveals US-Ukraine plan to end Russian war, key questions remain
Ukraine won some concessions in the latest version of a US-led draft plan to end the Russian invasion, revealed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, though key questions remain over territory and whether Moscow could accept the new terms.
US says China chip policies unfair but will delay tariffs to 2027
US trade officials determined that China should be punished for employing unfair tactics to dominate the semiconductor industry, but will wait 18 months to impose tariffs, American authorities said Tuesday.
North Korean POWs in Ukraine seeking 'new life' in South
Two North Korean prisoners of war held by Ukraine have said they hope to start a "new life" in South Korea, according to a letter seen by AFP on Wednesday.
Thai border clashes hit tourism at Cambodia's Angkor temples
Chasing visitors around Cambodia's Angkor temple ruins to offer his services, tour guide Bun Ratana says he has had little work since deadly clashes with Thailand broke out, despite it being high season.
Asian markets mostly up after US growth fuels Wall St record
Most Asian stocks rose Wednesday and gold topped $4,500 for the first time as investors tracked a record on Wall Street following forecast-beating US economic growth data.
Chevron: the only foreign oil company left in Venezuela
The US oil company Chevron is walking a tightrope amid tensions between Washington and Caracas to retain its fragile position as the only foreign company allowed to exploit Venezuela's oil reserves —- the largest in the world.
US denies visas to EU ex-commissioner, four others over tech rules
The US State Department said Tuesday it would deny visas to a former EU commissioner and four others, accusing them of seeking to "coerce" American social media platforms into censoring viewpoints they oppose.
S&P 500 surges to record after strong US economic report
The S&P 500 powered to a fresh record Tuesday following data showing surprisingly robust third-quarter US economic growth as markets hope for a year-end "Santa Claus Rally."
French parliament passes emergency budget extension
French lawmakers Tuesday passed last-minute legislation to keep the government in business into January after the divided legislature failed to agree a full budget for the coming year.
Ukraine retreats in east as Russian strikes kill three, hit energy
Ukraine pulled out troops from a town in the east after fierce battles, it said on Tuesday, as relentless Russian strikes killed three civilians and cut power to thousands in freezing winter temperatures.
Macron meets French farmers in bid to defuse anger over trade deal
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday met with farmers' unions to discuss a controversial free trade deal and the government's handling of a cow disease that has led to protests and roadblocks.
World is 'ready' for a woman at helm of UN: Chile's Bachelet tells AFP
Michelle Bachelet, a trailblazer for Latin America as its first woman to serve as defense minister and the first elected as Chilean president, now aims to become the UN's first female secretary general, and says the world is "ready."
Latest Epstein files renew scrutiny of Britain's ex-prince Andrew
A man who appears to be Britain's former prince Andrew discussed arranging meetings with "inappropriate friends" with Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to newly released US government documents.
Wall Street stocks edge higher
Wall Street's main indices edged higher Tuesday despite stronger-than-expected US growth figures dampening hopes for further interest rate cuts, while gold and silver struck fresh records.
Vietnam Communist Party endorses To Lam to stay in top job
Vietnam's Communist Party on Tuesday endorsed General Secretary To Lam to remain in the top job for the next five years, according to two sources briefed on a meeting where senior officials agreed a slate of candidates to be announced at the party congress in January.
Russian paramilitaries in CAR say take election threat 'extremely seriously'
Russian private military contractors in the Central African Republic told AFP they took any threats to the upcoming elections in the volatile country "extremely seriously" and were ready to "repel any provocations".
Trump in the Epstein files: five takeaways from latest release
The newest US document dump on Jeffrey Epstein is sprawling, uneven and heavily redacted -- but tucked inside are moments that have sharpened scrutiny on President Donald Trump's long-acknowledged past association with the notorious sex offender.
UK govt to relax farmers inheritance tax after protests
The UK government said Tuesday it will raise inheritance tax thresholds for farmers' estates from £1 million to £2.5 million, signalling a major climbdown of a policy that triggered months of protests.
Pakistani firm wins auction for state airline PIA
A Pakistani firm won an auction Tuesday with a $482 million bid for a majority stake in the embattled national carrier PIA, a deal seen as a litmus test of the government's pledge to sell off loss-making state companies.
Thousands of new Epstein-linked documents released by US Justice Dept
Thousands of new documents linked to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made available Tuesday by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), amid mounting criticism over the pace of the publication and heavy redactions.
Bangladesh summons Indian envoy as protest erupts in New Delhi
Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned the top Indian envoy as fresh protests erupted outside its high commission in New Delhi over the mob lynching of a Hindu worker in Dhaka.
Thailand-Cambodia border meeting in doubt over venue row
Thailand on Tuesday rejected a request by Cambodia to hold bilateral talks in a neutral country, leaving a planned meeting to negotiate an end to deadly border clashes in doubt.
Kyiv's wartime Christmas showcases city's 'split' reality
Vlada Ovchinnikova stood posing for her boyfriend at a stall offering mugs of steaming wine, as children rode horses on a brightly-lit merry-go-round in front of a giant Christmas tree.
Gazans fear renewed displacement after Israeli strikes
When her children, trembling with fear, ask where the family can go to escape Israel's continued bombardment in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis area, Umm Ahmed has no answer.
Markets mostly rise as rate cut hopes bring Christmas cheer
Most markets rose Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for more US interest rate cuts and an easing of AI fears helped investors prepare for the festive break on a positive note.
Cambodia asks Thailand to move border talks to Malaysia
Cambodia has asked Thailand to hold bilateral talks in the neutral venue of Kuala Lumpur, according to a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday, with the nations set to negotiate truce terms after two weeks of deadly border clashes.