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End of Russian gas via Ukraine sparks unease in eastern Europe
Ukraine's decision to turn off the taps keeping Russian gas flowing via its territory to Europe has already sown trouble in the continent's east, with Moldova declaring a state of emergency and Slovakia threatening Kyiv with retaliation.
Island-wide blackout hits Puerto Rico on New Year's Eve
A major power outage plunged much of Puerto Rico into darkness on New Year's Eve, with the US island territory's electric utility saying restoration could take up to two days.
US stocks slip as European markets ring out year with gains
Wall Street stocks slid Tuesday to close the year on a gloomy note but Europe's main stock markets advanced, as all eyes turn to 2025 and the impact that the policies of US President-elect Donald Trump will have on the global economy.
Syria's de facto leader meets minority Christians
Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met with senior Christian clerics on Tuesday, amid calls on the Islamist chief to guarantee minority rights after seizing power earlier this month.
Panama marks canal handover anniversary in shadow of Trump threat
Panama on Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of the United States' handover of its interoceanic canal, a milestone overshadowed by President-elect Donald Trump's threat to demand control be returned to Washington.
US, European stock markets look to ring out year with gains
Wall Street stocks moved higher on Tuesday, looking to ring out the year with gains as did Europe's main stock markets, as all eyes turn to 2025 and the impact that the policies of US President-elect Donald Trump will have on the global economy.
US farmers fret over Trump's deportation plans
Lifelong farmer Joe Del Bosque knows that America can't live without immigrants, but he worries that many of his countrymen think it can't live with them either.
Global markets rode AI, interest rate roller coaster in 2024
Despite political upheavals, stock markets and bitcoin smashed records in 2024, fuelled by investor enthusiasm for AI, falling interest rates, and hopes of tax cuts.
European stock markets end year with gains
Europe's main stock markets ended the year Tuesday with solid gains, as all eyes turn to 2025 and the impact that the policies of US president-elect Donald Trump will have on the global economy.
Asian stocks dip as Santa snubs Wall Street
Asian stocks ended the year in the red on Tuesday after worries about 2025 and profit-taking turned Wall Street's usual holiday-period "Santa Claus rally" into a mini-rout.
More than half of Syrian children out of school: Save the Children to AFP
About half of school-age children in Syria are missing out on education after nearly 14 years of civil war, Save the Children told AFP on Monday, calling for "immediate action".
No Santa rally for stocks as equities slide
Global stock markets mostly fell Monday in jittery holiday trading ahead of a potentially tumultuous 2025 when Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Stock markets, dollar retreat
European and Asia stock markets mostly fell Monday in jittery holiday trade ahead of a potentially tumultuous 2025 when Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Anguish for South Korea plane crash relatives amid grim salvage
Cries of anguish echoed through a lounge at Muan International Airport in South Korea on Monday as families waited for news of relatives killed in the weekend's Jeju Air plane crash.
New year nerves hit Asian stocks
Asia stocks mostly fell Monday in jittery holiday trade ahead of a potentially tumultuous 2025 when Donald Trump returns to the White House.
Ex-husband convicted in French mass rape trial will not appeal: lawyer
The Frenchman convicted of drugging and raping his then wife and soliciting dozens of men to do the same for more than a decade will not appeal his verdict, his lawyer said Monday.
Belgium becomes first EU country to ban disposable e-cigarettes
Wildly popular with young people for their dizzying array of flavours, including apple, watermelon and cola, the time is up for disposable e-cigarettes in Belgium -- the first EU country to ban them.
Asia stocks mostly down after Wall St losses
Asia stocks mostly fell in thin holiday trade on Monday after tech losses killed off the traditional year-end lift on Wall Street at the end of last week.
Taliban leader bans windows overlooking women's areas
The Taliban's supreme leader has issued an order banning the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas used by Afghan women and saying that existing ones should be blocked.
179 dead in South Korea's worst plane crash
A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival Sunday, smashing into a barrier and bursting into flames, killing everyone aboard except for two flight attendants plucked from the wreckage.
At least 177 dead in South Korea's worst plane crash
A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival Sunday, smashing into a barrier and bursting into flames, leaving all but two feared dead.
Three die in clandestine Channel crossing attempt
Three migrants died Sunday in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain, a local mayor told AFP.
All but two feared dead after South Korea plane crashes with 181 aboard
A Jeju Air plane carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea crashed on arrival Sunday, smashing into a barrier and bursting into flames, leaving all but two feared dead.
Japan's Wajima craftmakers see hope in disaster-hit region
Lacquerware maker Takaho Shoji hunches over his desk in the disaster-hit city of Wajima in central Japan, applying another layer of coating to a dark, wooden box.
Suriname rules out state funeral for ex-dictator Bouterse
Suriname's government announced Saturday that the small South American nation will not hold a state funeral for its ex-president Desi Bouterse, who this week died a fugitive from justice aged 79.
Turkey's pro-Kurd party meets jailed PKK leader
A delegation from Turkey's main pro-Kurdish DEM party on Saturday visited jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is serving life on a prison island off Istanbul, party officials said.
EU universal charger rules come into force
EU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the same charger came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste.
Tech slump slays Santa rally, weak yen lifts Japan stocks higher
Hopes for a Santa Claus rally on Wall Street fell Friday as tech stocks slid lower, while a weaker yen lifted Japanese equities.
Montenegro to extradite crypto entrepreneur Do Kwon to US
Montenegro announced on Friday that it would extradite South Korean cryptocurrency entrepreneur Do Kwon to the United States, following a year and a half of dizzying court rulings and subsequent reversals over his removal.
Brazil views labor violations at BYD site as human 'trafficking'
Authorities in Brazil said Friday they are probing Chinese auto giant BYD and one of its contractors for suspected "trafficking" of Chinese workers building a factory in the South American country.
Weak yen lifts Japan stocks higher, Wall Street slides
A weaker yen lifted Japanese equities on Friday, while Wall Street's major indices slid in quiet holiday trading.
Tourists return to post-Olympic Paris for holiday magic
Holidaymakers are returning to Paris for winter holiday magic as the tourism industry rebounds, inspired by the successful Olympic Games and the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral.