World

Jihadist Group Harbours Political Ambitions in Troubled Sahel
Q&AJihadist Group Harbours Political Ambitions in Troubled Sahel

In Africa's turbulent Sahel region, the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM jihadist group is expanding its influence by repeated massacres, food distribution and signing pacts with local authorities to position itself as a key political player. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has not ruled out governing states and has condemned bloody ...

'Hug Therapy': How Pope Leo is Trying to Unify Vatican
Investigation'Hug Therapy': How Pope Leo is Trying to Unify Vatican

Pope Leo XIV heads off on holiday on Sunday, having spent his first two months as Catholic leader rebuilding unity and bolstering tradition after his predecessor's unorthodox papacy. "Prudent", "methodical" and "listening" are some of the words used by Vatican insiders who spoke to AFP to describe the approach of the first American pope, who took ...

Not Tired of Winning: Trump on a Roll, For Now
AnalysisNot Tired of Winning: Trump on a Roll, For Now

Even for a man who once boasted that his supporters would get "tired of winning," US President Donald Trump is on a roll. The 79-year-old's victory on his "One Big, Beautiful" bill is the latest in a series of consequential successes at home and abroad in the past two weeks. From US airstrikes that led to an Iran-Israel ceasefire, to a NATO ...

What is the State of Play with Trump's Tariffs?
ExplainerWhat is the State of Play with Trump's Tariffs?

With sweeping tariffs on friend and foe, US President Donald Trump has roiled financial markets and sparked a surge in economic uncertainty -- and tensions are mounting days before a fresh volley of higher duties are due to kick in. Here is a rundown of what Trump has implemented in his second presidency, with levies on dozens of economies set to ...

Drone Shot Down Near Iraqi Airport Hosting US Troops: Security Forces
Drone Shot Down Near Iraqi Airport Hosting US Troops: Security Forces

A drone was intercepted late on Thursday near Arbil airport, which houses US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Kurdish security forces said. "At 21:58 (1858 GMT) an explosive-packed drone was downed near Arbil International Airport, without causing casualties or damage," said the ...

Iran Announces Opening of Its Airspace After War: State Media
Iran Announces Opening of Its Airspace After War: State Media

Iran announced Thursday that it has reopened its airspace, including over Tehran, after closing it on June 13 due to the war with Israel, according to state media. "Tehran's Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini international airports, as well as those in the north, east, west and south of the country, have been reopened and are ready to operate flights," ...

Two Dead as Wildfires Rage Near Turkish Resort of Izmir
Two Dead as Wildfires Rage Near Turkish Resort of Izmir

An elderly man and a forestry worker died on Thursday in wildfires in Turkey, as firefighters battled high winds fanning two blazes in the western province of Izmir, lawmakers said. Turkey, which was spared the recent heatwaves that gripped the rest of Southern Europe, has been battling the effects of a long-term drought brought on by climate ...

Netanyahu Vows at Stricken Kibbutz to Bring Hostages Home
Netanyahu Vows at Stricken Kibbutz to Bring Hostages Home

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday visited the community that saw the most hostages seized in Hamas militants' 2023 attacks, promising to bring home "all" those still held in Gaza. "I feel a deep commitment, first and foremost, to ensure the return of all our abductees, all of them," Netanyahu told inhabitants of the Nir Oz ...

Macron Wants EU-US Trade Deal 'As Soon As Possible'
Macron Wants EU-US Trade Deal 'As Soon As Possible'

France's President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that he wanted an EU-US trade deal "as soon as possible, with the lowest tariffs possible", with a Washington-set deadline looming to reach an accord. "The right deal for me is the deal that is struck as soon as possible, with the lowest tariffs possible, and that must be fair and firm," Macron ...

Iran Diplomat Says Open to Talks if US Rules Out Military Action
Iran Diplomat Says Open to Talks if US Rules Out Military Action

A senior Iranian diplomat said Thursday his country remains open to diplomacy provided the United States offers guarantees it will not resort to military action against the Islamic republic. The remarks came as US news website Axios, citing two unidentified sources, reported that White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was planning to meet ...

Trump Wins Major Victory as Flagship Bill Passes Congress
Trump Wins Major Victory as Flagship Bill Passes Congress

US President Donald Trump secured a major political victory on Thursday, when Congress narrowly passed his flagship tax and spending bill, cementing his radical second-term agenda and boosting funds for his anti-immigration drive. The bill underlined the president's dominance over the Republican Party, which had been wracked by misgivings ...

Iran Says Remains Committed to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Iran Says Remains Committed to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Iran on Thursday affirmed its commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as it accused Germany of "malice" over its criticism of Tehran's decision to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. "Iran remains committed to the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and its Safeguards Agreement," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post ...