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Japan ruling party approves plans to beef up intelligence
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ruling party has approved plans to beef up the country's intelligence capability, a party official said Friday, as the premier pushes ahead with a defence overhaul.
UK Labour party loses parliamentary seat to left-wing Greens
Britain's ruling Labour party on Friday lost a crunch local poll in one of its traditional northern English heartlands to the left-wing Greens, adding to the woes of unpopular Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Philippines, US, Japanese planes drill over Bashi Channel
The Philippine, US and Japanese militaries conducted joint exercises this week over the Bashi Channel that separates the Philippines from Taiwan, officials said Friday.
Nepal PM hopeful eyes 'change' in post-uprising elections
Nepali student leader-turned-politician Gagan Thapa has sought to rejuvenate his party's stale image, campaigning on generational change ahead of the Himalayan nation's first elections since a deadly youth-led uprising.
Pakistan bombs Kabul in 'open war' on Afghanistan's Taliban govt
Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes.
Pakistan bombs Kabul after Afghanistan attacks border
Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul on Friday, with Islamabad's defence minister declaring the neighbours at "open war" following months of tit-for-tat clashes.
Anthropic says won't give US military unconditional AI use
AI company Anthropic said Thursday it would not give the US Defense Department unrestricted use of its technology despite being pressured to comply by the Pentagon.
US-based man killed by Cuba coast guard wanted to spark uprising: ally
A US-based man identified as one of those killed by the Cuban coast guard in a shootout had wanted to liberate the communist island, a political ally told AFP on Thursday.
New Zealand's ex-prime minister Ardern now based in Australia: media
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has moved to Australia after a stint in the United States, national broadcaster RNZ said, joining record numbers of her compatriots moving across the Tasman.
Civilian death toll in Sudan war more than doubled in 2025, UN says
Killings of civilians in Sudan's war more than doubled in 2025 compared with the previous year, the United Nations rights chief said Thursday, warning that thousands more dead are unidentified or remain missing.
Iran says 'good progress' in US talks, next round within a week
Iran and the United States made "significant progress" in talks in Switzerland on Thursday, mediators said, after the latest round of negotiations to avert a war between the longtime foes, and agreed to further discussions next week in Austria.
Zelensky says next Russia meeting soon as Geneva talks end
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that he expected the next round of talks to end the war with Russia in early March in Abu Dhabi, after his officials concluded a meeting with US envoys in Geneva.
UK Labour party fights hard right, leftists in traditional stronghold
Voters in northern England cast ballots Thursday in a local poll seen as a key test of the ruling Labour party's ability to fend off growing support for the hard right and leftists, as the country's traditional two-party system splinters.
Will the fight to succeed 'El Mencho' spark a new wave of Mexico violence?
The killing of the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) by Mexican authorities on Sunday sparked widespread violence, with gang members opening fire on soldiers and setting up burning roadblocks in various parts of the country.
Iran, US make 'significant progress' in talks, says Oman FM
Iran and the United States made "significant progress" in talks in Switzerland on Thursday, Oman's foreign minister said, at the end of the latest round of negotiations to avert a war between the longtime foes.
US, Ukraine conclude talks in Geneva as Russia says 'no deadlines' to end war
US and Ukrainian officials concluded talks in Geneva on Thursday to discuss advancing efforts to end Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine, just as Moscow signalled it was in no hurry to sign a deal.
Danish PM calls March 24 election amid US, Russia tensions
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday called a general election for March 24, against a backdrop of tensions with the United States and Russia.
Hillary Clinton calls for Trump to testify as she faces US House Epstein panel
A Republican-led panel grilled Hillary Clinton on Thursday over her links to Jeffrey Epstein, but she called for Donald Trump to testify about the president's own connections to the convicted sex offender.
Carney on route to Asia to promote Canada trade as US ties falter
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was flying to Asia on Thursday for a three-country tour with a first stop in India, where he hopes to double trade to offset the damage of his country's fracturing relations with the United States.
Cuba vows to counter 'terrorist' attacks after clashing with US-based boat
Cuba vowed Thursday to defend against "terrorist and mercenary" attacks after reporting it had killed four gunmen on a US-registered boat -- a bloody incident that added to deepening tensions between Havana and Washington.
Noosha Aubel: Scandal in Potsdam over severely disabled child
As little Heidrun celebrates her second birthday today, she is still waiting for something that should be a matter of course in a constitutional state: a place in an inclusive daycare centre with individual assistance. Her parents have been fighting for this right for over a year and have now filed disciplinary complaints, criminal charges and petitions. What they are experiencing in Potsdam (Federal state of Brandenburg) is, according to citizens, ‘the pitiful face of an administration that ignores laws and cold-heartedly abandons the weakest members of society, children with severe disabilities’.Back in January 2025, representatives of the Children, Youth and Family Department of the state capital Potsdam (Germany) acknowledged in writing that Heidrun needs special support due to her severe disability – since birth, the toddler has suffered from a KBG gene defect (100 per cent severe disability with care level 4 and, among other things, the designation ‘H’ = ‘helpless’ and ‘aG’ = ‘exceptionally mobility impaired’).
Chaos as jihadist relatives left Syrian camp, witnesses say
There were scenes of "utter chaos" when thousands of women and children related to suspected Islamic State jihadists escaped a camp in Syria last month following the sudden withdrawal of Kurdish forces, witnesses have told AFP.
No proven link between Duterte speeches and drug deaths, defence tells ICC
There is no proven link between the "uniquely colourful and crusty" speeches of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defence lawyer told the International Criminal Court on Thursday.
US, Ukraine hold talks in Geneva as Russia says 'no deadlines' to end war
US and Ukrainian officials were meeting in Geneva on Thursday to discuss advancing efforts to end Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine, just as Moscow signalled it was in no hurry to sign a deal.
Iran, US hold talks in push to avert war
Iran and the United States held talks in Switzerland on Thursday, in a last-ditch bid to avert war under the shadow of the biggest American military build-up in the Middle East in decades.
Filmmakers defend Berlin festival chief in Gaza row
Actors and filmmakers rushed to defend the head of the Berlin film festival Thursday following a media report that her job was on the line over a director's anti-Israel speech at the event.
Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai wins appeal in fraud case
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai won an appeal on Thursday over a 2022 fraud conviction, days after a court jailed him on separate national security charges.
Iran-US talks begin in push to avert war
Iran and the United States began indirect talks in Switzerland on Thursday, a last-ditch bid to avert war following the biggest American military build-up in the Middle East in decades.
Merz says Germany, China must overcome trade gaps 'together'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended his two-day visit to China on Thursday in the tech hub of Hangzhou, identifying "challenges that we must overcome together" after meeting President Xi Jinping and announcing an Airbus deal.
US, Ukraine to meet in Geneva after overnight Russian strikes
US and Ukrainian officials were set to meet in Geneva on Thursday for fresh talks, hours after Russia launched a fresh barrage of missiles and drones at its neighbour overnight.
North Korea's Kim shuns South but could 'get along' with US
Kim Jong Un said North Korea could "get along" with Washington if it accepted Pyongyang's nuclear status, state media said Thursday, but has dashed any hopes of mended ties with "deceptive" neighbour Seoul.
Post-uprising polls won't shake Nepal's delicate India-China balance
Nepal votes next week for the first time since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, but analysts say any winner will likely maintain the delicate diplomatic balance between its two giant neighbours, India and China.