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Five things to know about Zambia as it goes to the polls
Copper-rich Zambia, once known for defaulting on its debt, heads to the polls Thursday in an election that will test whether President Hakainde Hichilema has convinced voters his economic reforms are paying off.
President's economic record on the line as Zambia votes
Zambians go to the polls Thursday with economic hardship testing President Hakainde Hichilema's record as he seeks a second term to govern the copper-rich nation.
'Imposing ignorance': US climate science under siege
A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.
Caracas protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting political transition talks in Venezuela's capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and opposition, AFP journalists observed.
'Trying to bury the science': US climate research under siege
A benchmark US report on the fast-changing state of the Arctic has been canceled. The nation's top research body has removed a chapter on global warming from a reference manual for judges.
Eurovision to bar countries at war from hosting
Eurovision Song Contest organisers announced rule changes Wednesday excluding any country in an armed conflict from hosting the competition and increasing the mininum age of competitors.
Protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
Dozens of protesters rallied Wednesday outside a hotel hosting transition talks in the Venezuelan capital, demanding greater transparency from the authorities and the opposition, AFP journalists observed.
Trump sued over sale of access to Truth Social posts
Two US media groups on Wednesday sued President Donald Trump over his move to charge for early access to his often market-moving Truth Social posts.
US equities gain as inflation report eases fear of rate rise
US equities inched up and the dollar slipped Wednesday as July's inflation data came in as expected, taking pressure off the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates.
Zhu Rongji, trailblazing ex-premier who transformed China's economy
Zhu Rongji, China's former premier who died on Wednesday aged 97, championed free-market policies and delivered far-reaching economic reforms during his five years at the helm.
'To make the civilians leave': Russia pummels Ukraine's petrol stations
A streak across the sky, then a muffled blast. Near Izyum in eastern Ukraine, another petrol station has just been blown to pieces.
Japan brushes off Australian PM's melon drama
Tokyo on Wednesday played down comments by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about melons gifted to him by his Japanese counterpart that have triggered a row Down Under, stressing the leaders' good relationship.
Australian delivery drivers win 'world-leading' pay rise
Hundreds of thousands of gig workers in Australia have been granted a huge pay rise from next week under a decision by the country's workplace relations tribunal lauded as "world-leading".
New Zealand PM survives leadership challenge months from election
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had the "full support" of his ruling National Party on Wednesday after surviving a leadership challenge called with less than three months until a general election.
Oil prices rise, stocks mixed ahead of crucial US inflation data
Oil prices rose again Wednesday and stock markets were mixed, with eyes on the release of key US inflation data that could guide the Federal Reserve on its plans for interest rates.
UK 'joke' candidate Binface pushes serious point about politics
British politics has a long-cherished reputation for attracting the weird and wonderful.
New Zealand PM Luxon survives leadership challenge months from election
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had the "full support" of his ruling National Party on Wednesday after surviving a leadership challenge called with less than three months until a general election.
Cuba celebrates Castro's 100th as his revolution faces its toughest test
As Cuba marks 100 years since Fidel Castro's birth, Cubans are questioning the promises of the socialist revolution he led for nearly half a century, and asking whether his successors are up to the job.
New Zealand's ruling party meets to decide PM Luxon's fate
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's fate hung in the balance on Wednesday as his ruling National Party met to decide whether he should stay on as leader with less than three months until a general election.
UN says 2 staff arrested by Afghan intelligence agency
Two staff members of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan have been arrested by the country's intelligence agency, the world body told AFP on Tuesday, adding that it had no access to them for two days.
Trump's secret plane swap triggers questions and confusion
A secret operation that reportedly smuggled Donald Trump off Air Force One in a catering truck before the plane departed carrying journalists and staff at apparent risk of an Iranian strike has raised questions over US security practices.
AI firm Manus to resume 'independent' operations after China blocks Meta deal
AI startup Manus said Tuesday it would resume "operating as an independent company," months after Beijing blocked Meta's multi-billion-dollar acquisition of the Chinese-developed, Singapore-based company.
Barred from elections, Russia's anti-war party vows to fight on
When 18-year-old Karina learnt the party she supported ahead of her first parliamentary election in Russia was barred from contesting, she was shocked -- but also surprised by what happened next.
Cambridge academic in plagiarism row publishes memoir
Black British academic Jason Arday, who has been at the center of a row over alleged plagiarism and racism, published his memoir in the United States on Tuesday, days after resigning from Cambridge University.
Oil prices higher, stocks flat ahead of inflation report
Oil prices bounced around in choppy trading and stock markets were little changed Tuesday as investors awaited a key inflation report and weighed progress on re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.
Orban-critic ex-judge becomes Hungary president after predecessor ouster
Andras Baka, a former supreme court chief and critic of Viktor Orban who was fired during the ex-premier's time in power, on Tuesday became Hungary's next head of state, saying a "new Hungary" could not be built on "revenge".
Israel demolishes home of slain Palestinian involved in deadly West Bank clash
Israeli forces on Tuesday demolished the home of a Palestinian who died in July in the most lethal clash in months in the occupied West Bank, residents and the army told AFP.
Oil prices jump as US-Iran deal hopes falter
Oil prices rose and stock markets mostly fell Tuesday as hopes that the United States and Iran would soon reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz faded, fanning inflation fears.
Ethiopia's Tigray rebel authorities condemn army drone strikes
Rebel authorities in Ethiopia's Tigray region on Tuesday accused the federal government of carrying out deadly drone strikes in the northern region, denouncing "a serious escalation" amid fears of a new war.
Ukraine says Russia fired N. Korean missiles in deadly attack
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine people overnight and wounded dozens, Kyiv said Tuesday, accusing Moscow of launching North Korean missiles in the raid.
Oil prices jump further as hopes for Hormuz deal fade
Oil prices extended a strong rally Tuesday as hopes for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz fade, fanning fresh inflation fears and ramping up bets on at least one US interest rate hike this year.
Russian barrage on Ukraine kills 9, wounds dozens
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine people overnight and wounded dozens, authorities said Tuesday, after Kyiv warned that Moscow had received more ballistic missiles from North Korea.