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US trade deficit widens less than forecast as tariff turmoil persists
The US trade deficit widened in February but less than analysts expected, government data showed Thursday, a year since President Donald Trump unleashed sweeping tariffs on virtually all trading partners.
Which countries' ships are hit by Hormuz crisis?
Shipping companies from Greece, the UAE and China are most affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to data from Bloomberg and marine traffic organisations.
Oil rallies, stocks drop as Trump dashes hopes fighting will soon end
Oil surged and stocks fell on Thursday after Donald Trump threatened more heavy strikes on Iran and offered no solution to reopening the key Strait of Hormuz.
France considers reform for New Caledonia
France's parliament on Thursday rejected a law to grant New Caledonia partial statehood, a reform the government hoped would bring stability to the overseas territory.
UK foreign minister stresses 'urgent need' to reopen Hormuz strait
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper stressed Thursday the "urgent need" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as she convened a meeting of some 40 countries on the vital shipping route.
Macron says Trump marriage jibe does not 'merit response'
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday Donald Trump's mocking comments about his marriage did not merit a response, calling them "neither elegant nor up to standard".
Oil rallies, stocks drop as Trump dampens Mideast hopes
Oil surged and stocks fell on Thursday after Donald Trump threatened further heavy strikes on Iran, and offered no solution to reopening the key Strait of Hormuz.
French President Macron lands in South Korea after Japan visit
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday after visiting fellow US ally Japan, where he praised Europe's "predictability" in an apparent swipe at Donald Trump over the Iran war.
Iran vows 'crushing' attacks on US after Trump threats
Iran on Thursday threatened "crushing" attacks on the US and Israel, firing missiles at Tel Aviv after US President Donald Trump vowed to bomb the Islamic republic "back to the Stone Ages".
French president Macron heads to South Korea after Japan visit
French President Emmanuel Macron left Japan on Thursday bound for fellow US ally South Korea, a day after praising Europe's "predictability" in an apparent swipe at Donald Trump over the Iran war.
Ukrainian death metal band growls against Russia's war
A singer emerges from the grave, his beard covered in mud, head bowed and fist raised as he extends a Ukrainian flag towards the audience: this is his entrance onstage.
Iran fires missiles at Israel after Trump threatens weeks of strikes
Israel said it came under Iranian missile fire on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Islamic republic into the "Stone Ages" with heavy strikes in the next two to three weeks.
Surging 'Jewish terrorism' in West Bank condemned but unpunished
Violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has reached unprecedented levels since the start of the war with Iran, with NGOs and opposition figures denouncing an environment of impunity.
What's real anymore? AI warps truth of Middle East war
"Is Netanyahu real or AI?" an internet headline blared, pointing to a video that supposedly showed the Israeli prime minister with six fingers.
Europe to negotiate with NASA on lunar missions: ESA
The European Space Agency will negotiate future participation in NASA missions after the US space agency revamped its lunar program, the ESA head told AFP Wednesday.
Trump tells US that Iran war victory near, but vows big strikes
President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that the United States was nearing victory in Iran as he laid out his case more than a month into a war that has sent his approval rating tumbling.
US Republicans announce deal to end partial government shutdown
Republican leaders in the US Congress said Wednesday they had reached a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end a weeks-long partial government shutdown that has brought chaos to airports.
Trump tells Americans that Iran war ending as popularity dips
President Donald Trump on Wednesday made his case for attacking Iran in his first nationwide address more than a month into the war, insisting the United States was close to victory as his approval rating sinks.
US automakers report mixed sales as car market awaits war impact
Carmakers reported mixed first-quarter US sales Wednesday pointing to a hit from winter storms, as the Middle East war clouds the industry's outlook compared with unusually favorable dynamics a year ago.
Iran calls US demands 'irrational' ahead of Trump war speech
Iran said Thursday that Washington's demands were "maximalist and irrational" and denied any negotiations were under way on a ceasefire to end the war in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump prepared to make a national address on the conflict.
US lifts sanctions on Venezuelan interim leader Delcy Rodriguez
The United States on Wednesday lifted sanctions against Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after Washington ousted her predecessor Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in January.
France charges four over failed attack on US bank
French authorities Wednesday charged a young man and three minors in connection with an attempted attack against a Bank of America branch in Paris, as investigators explored suspicions a pro-Iran group was involved.
Top World Bank official 'extremely concerned' by fallout of Iran war
The World Bank is "extremely concerned" about the effect the war on Iran will have on inflation, jobs and food security, and is in talks with member states on how to address immediate needs in the crisis, a top official told AFP on Wednesday.
Canada's defense enters new phase, Arctic in focus: top military officer
Canada's defense of its territory and the Arctic are entering a new phase, the country's top military officer Jennie Carignan told AFP, saying that "geography" no longer offers protection "as well as it did in the past."
Trump says Iran president requests ceasfire, Tehran says 'false'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran's president had asked for a ceasefire, but ruled out any truce until the vital Strait of Hormuz was reopened for crucial energy shipments.
UK to host multi-nation meeting on Hormuz shipping Thursday
Britain will on Thursday hold a virtual a meeting of about 35 countries to discuss how to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz which has been crippled by the Middle East war.
Armenia cannot be in both EU and Russian customs bloc, Putin says
Armenia cannot be both a member of the European Union and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, President Vladimir Putin told Armenia's Prime Minister on Wednesday, amid tensions over Yerevan's pivot towards the West.
Starmer says UK to host multi-nation meeting on Hormuz shipping
Britain will this week hold a meeting of about 35 countries to discuss how to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz which has been crippled by the Middle East war, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday.
Greece train crash trial resumes after courtroom chaos
A long-awaited trial into Greece's worst train tragedy resumed on Wednesday after overcrowding in the courtroom last month disrupted proceedings and forced an adjournment.
Swiss government eyes dropping purchase of US Patriot air defence system
The Swiss government is considering dropping the agreed purchase of the Patriot air-defence system from the United States amid severe delivery delays, Defence Minister Martin Pfister said Wednesday.
Could NATO be collateral damage from Trump's Iran war?
"Paper tiger". "Cowards". As US President Donald Trump grapples with the fallout of his war on Iran, much of his anger has been redirected onto another target: the NATO military alliance.
Three go on trial in Germany over plot to overthrow government
Three men went on trial in Munich on Wednesday over allegations they had ties to an extremist group that plotted to overthrow the government and kidnap a minister.