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Biden, the reluctant escalationist, seeks calm after Yemen strikes
President Joe Biden took office vowing to negotiate an end to a bloody war in Yemen and to remove US troops from harm's way.
US banks report mixed results, see consumers as still healthy
Large US banks reported mixed results Friday, dented by exceptional costs connected to job cuts and to replenishing a federal fund tapped during last year's crisis involving midsized lenders.
Confident Comoros president rallies supporters ahead of vote
Thousands of people turned out on Friday for the last campaign rally of Comoran President Azali Assoumani, who looks poised to win re-election on Sunday against a divided opposition.
Dozens die in Israel Gaza strikes on Day 98 of war
Telecommunication services were cut across besieged Gaza Friday, as Israeli strikes killed dozens in southern cities where hundreds of thousands are struggling to survive hunger and cold on day 98 of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Will Yemen air strikes stop the Red Sea attacks?
US and British strikes on rebel-held Yemen on Friday marked a sharp escalation after weeks of attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthi insurgents.
Venezuela kills off petro cryptocurrency
Venezuela is putting an end to the petro cryptocurrency that President Nicolas Maduro launched six years ago to sidestep US sanctions, but which never took off and became embroiled in a graft scandal.
Sunak, in Kyiv, unveils 'unprecedented' aid package for Ukraine
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Friday a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv, where he vowed British support for a decade.
Massive protest in Sanaa after US, UK strikes on Yemen rebels
Hundreds of thousands of people, some carrying Kalashnikov rifles, massed for a major demonstration in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa on Friday after US and UK attacks.
Dozens die in Israeli strikes on central and southern Gaza
Telecommunication services were cut across besieged Gaza Friday, as Israeli strikes killed dozens in southern cities where hundreds of thousands are struggling to survive hunger and cold on day 98 of the war between Israel and Hamas.
Snow buries Iowa campaigning ahead of possible bomb cyclone
A powerful storm that could strengthen into a so-called bomb cyclone pummeled north and central parts of the United States on Friday, with heavy snow derailing campaigning for the important Iowa caucus.
Blinken meets senior Chinese official on eve of Taiwan vote
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met a senior Chinese official in Washington on Friday on the eve of Taiwan's elections, as the United States seeks to discourage Beijing from taking action against Taipei.
Salvini claims 'useful service' for Italy at migrant trial
A defiant Matteo Salvini, Italy's far-right deputy prime minister, defended his hard line against illegal migration in court on Friday, saying he had done a "useful service" in blocking migrants from disembarking at an Italian port in 2019.
IS under pressure after Hamas attack on Israel
The deadly Hamas attack on Israel may have taken the limelight from the Islamic State group, but the jihadists are seeking to capitalise on anger over the bombardment of Gaza to rally followers, analysts say.
Bernardo Arevalo: from obscurity to nightmare for Guatemala's corrupt elite
Bernardo Arevalo swept from obscurity to become president of Guatemala, his anti-corruption crusade winning the hearts of voters while sowing panic among a corrupt elite who waged a fierce campaign to prevent him from taking office on Sunday.
Macron demands 'revolutionary' government but few new faces
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday asked ministers to be "revolutionaries", after a government reshuffle that left many of the same faces in place and raised doubts over gender equity and policy priorities.
Saudi in 'tight spot' as US, UK take on Huthi rebels
Overnight strikes in Yemen have set off alarm bells in Saudi Arabia, which craves de-escalation in its war-torn neighbour so it can focus on domestic reforms, analysts said.
Ukraine army spy chief pledges more attacks on Crimea
Ukraine's military spy chief Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview published Friday that Kyiv's attacks in Russian-annexed Crimea were set to intensify, adding that Moscow's economy was proving surprisingly resilient despite sanctions.
Sunak pledges extra $3.2 bn for Ukraine on Kyiv visit
Visiting British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday announced £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in new military aid for Ukraine, saying it sent a "strong signal" of UK support for the war-torn nation.
Taiwan parties mass for rallies on eve of pivotal vote
Tens of thousands of supporters flocked to noisy, colourful rallies for Taiwan's three main political parties on Friday, as the candidates made a last push for votes in an election that China has warned could take the island closer to war.
Dozens die in Israeli bombardment of central and southern Gaza
Israeli strikes killed dozens in Gaza overnight Thursday-Friday, sources on both sides said on the 98th day of the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Israel hits back at 'distorted' genocide case
Israel said Friday it was not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people, as it hit back at what it called a "profoundly distorted" and "malevolent" genocide case against it at the UN's top court.
US, UK strikes pound Yemen rebels, adding to fears of wider war
US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Huthis who say they act in solidarity with Gaza.
Sunak to visit Kyiv Friday to set out new 'support package'
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Kyiv on Friday to launch "a major new package of support" for Ukraine and increase military funding for this financial year to £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), his office said.
'No consent at 14': French actor fuels #MeToo movement
A French actor has accused a director 25 years her senior of manipulating her into a relationship as a teenager, contributing to criticism that the arts have provided cover for abuse.
US, UK air strikes pound Yemen as Mideast conflict spreads
Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces acting in solidarity with Hamas.
Wars to cast pall over meeting of global VIPs in Davos
The world's political and business elites will convene in Davos next week, with wars in Gaza and Ukraine set to dominate the annual gabfest in the Swiss Alps.
Troops restore order after riots in Papua New Guinea
Troops patrolled the streets of Papua New Guinea's capital on Friday, under a state of emergency following riots that killed 16 across the country's two largest cities.
Biden warns Huthis of further steps after US, UK strikes
President Joe Biden said Thursday that US and British air strikes against Yemen's Huthis were "defensive" and warned of further measures if the Iran-backed rebels keep attacking ships in the Red Sea.
US, UK air strikes pound Yemen after weeks of Red Sea attacks
Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in rebel-held Yemen early on Friday after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Huthi forces.
Blinken to meet senior Chinese official on eve of Taiwan vote
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet a senior Chinese official in Washington on Friday on the eve of Taiwan's elections, as the United States seeks to discourage Beijing from taking action against Taipei.
India flexes maritime muscles by boosting Arabian Sea force
Dramatic drone footage showing Indian commandos hunting pirates after an attack in the Arabian Sea illustrates New Delhi's "significant" expansion of a muscular maritime force reflecting global ambitions, analysts say.
Presidency beckons for Guatemala's Arevalo despite judicial onslaught
Bernardo Arevalo has survived months of judicial machinations to stop his inauguration Sunday as Guatemala's new president -- the target, according to himself and observers, of a corrupt elite desperate to cling to power.