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French parliament passes emergency budget extension
French lawmakers Tuesday passed last-minute legislation to keep the government in business into January after the divided legislature failed to agree a full budget for the coming year.
Ukraine retreats in east as Russian strikes kill three, hit energy
Ukraine pulled out troops from a town in the east after fierce battles, it said on Tuesday, as relentless Russian strikes killed three civilians and cut power to thousands in freezing winter temperatures.
Macron meets French farmers in bid to defuse anger over trade deal
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday met with farmers' unions to discuss a controversial free trade deal and the government's handling of a cow disease that has led to protests and roadblocks.
World is 'ready' for a woman at helm of UN: Chile's Bachelet tells AFP
Michelle Bachelet, a trailblazer for Latin America as its first woman to serve as defense minister and the first elected as Chilean president, now aims to become the UN's first female secretary general, and says the world is "ready."
Latest Epstein files renew scrutiny of Britain's ex-prince Andrew
A man who appears to be Britain's former prince Andrew discussed arranging meetings with "inappropriate friends" with Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to newly released US government documents.
Wall Street stocks edge higher
Wall Street's main indices edged higher Tuesday despite stronger-than-expected US growth figures dampening hopes for further interest rate cuts, while gold and silver struck fresh records.
Vietnam Communist Party endorses To Lam to stay in top job
Vietnam's Communist Party on Tuesday endorsed General Secretary To Lam to remain in the top job for the next five years, according to two sources briefed on a meeting where senior officials agreed a slate of candidates to be announced at the party congress in January.
Russian paramilitaries in CAR say take election threat 'extremely seriously'
Russian private military contractors in the Central African Republic told AFP they took any threats to the upcoming elections in the volatile country "extremely seriously" and were ready to "repel any provocations".
Trump in the Epstein files: five takeaways from latest release
The newest US document dump on Jeffrey Epstein is sprawling, uneven and heavily redacted -- but tucked inside are moments that have sharpened scrutiny on President Donald Trump's long-acknowledged past association with the notorious sex offender.
UK govt to relax farmers inheritance tax after protests
The UK government said Tuesday it will raise inheritance tax thresholds for farmers' estates from £1 million to £2.5 million, signalling a major climbdown of a policy that triggered months of protests.
Pakistani firm wins auction for state airline PIA
A Pakistani firm won an auction Tuesday with a $482 million bid for a majority stake in the embattled national carrier PIA, a deal seen as a litmus test of the government's pledge to sell off loss-making state companies.
Thousands of new Epstein-linked documents released by US Justice Dept
Thousands of new documents linked to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were made available Tuesday by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), amid mounting criticism over the pace of the publication and heavy redactions.
Bangladesh summons Indian envoy as protest erupts in New Delhi
Bangladesh on Tuesday summoned the top Indian envoy as fresh protests erupted outside its high commission in New Delhi over the mob lynching of a Hindu worker in Dhaka.
Thailand-Cambodia border meeting in doubt over venue row
Thailand on Tuesday rejected a request by Cambodia to hold bilateral talks in a neutral country, leaving a planned meeting to negotiate an end to deadly border clashes in doubt.
Kyiv's wartime Christmas showcases city's 'split' reality
Vlada Ovchinnikova stood posing for her boyfriend at a stall offering mugs of steaming wine, as children rode horses on a brightly-lit merry-go-round in front of a giant Christmas tree.
Gazans fear renewed displacement after Israeli strikes
When her children, trembling with fear, ask where the family can go to escape Israel's continued bombardment in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis area, Umm Ahmed has no answer.
Markets mostly rise as rate cut hopes bring Christmas cheer
Most markets rose Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for more US interest rate cuts and an easing of AI fears helped investors prepare for the festive break on a positive note.
Cambodia asks Thailand to move border talks to Malaysia
Cambodia has asked Thailand to hold bilateral talks in the neutral venue of Kuala Lumpur, according to a letter seen by AFP on Tuesday, with the nations set to negotiate truce terms after two weeks of deadly border clashes.
North Korea's Kim tours hot tubs, BBQ joints at lavish new mountain resort
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter opened a lavish new mountain resort complete with "cosy" leisure spaces, barbecue restaurants and hot tubs, state media said Tuesday.
Asian markets rally again as rate cut hopes bring Christmas cheer
Equities extended a global rally Tuesday, while gold and silver hit fresh records as optimism for more US interest rate cuts and an easing of AI fears helped investors prepare for the festive break on a positive note.
Trapped under Israeli bombardment, Gazans fear the 'new border'
When her children, trembling with fear, ask where the family can go to escape Israel's continued bombardment in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis area, Umm Ahmed has no answer.
Myanmar's long march of military rule
Myanmar's military has ruled the country for most of its post-independence history, presenting itself as the only force capable of guarding the fractious Southeast Asian nation from rupture and ruin.
Disputed Myanmar election wins China's vote of confidence
Myanmar's military-run elections are being pilloried abroad and shunned at home, but neighbouring China has emerged as an enthusiastic backer of the pariah poll.
Myanmar junta stages election after five years of civil war
Myanmar's junta is set to preside over voting starting Sunday, touting heavily restricted polls as a return to democracy five years after it ousted the last elected government, triggering civil war.
Trump says would be 'smart' for Venezuela's Maduro to step down
US President Donald Trump said Monday it would be "smart" for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, as US naval forces pressed a blockade on the South American country's oil wealth.
US stocks push higher while gold, silver notch fresh records
Wall Street stocks pushed higher Monday to begin a holiday-shortened trading week, while oil prices rallied amid worsening tensions between the United States and Venezuela.
Deadly clashes in Aleppo as Turkey urges Kurds not to be obstacle to Syria's stability
The Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces on Monday ordered their fighters to cease fire following deadly clashes that came as Turkey's top diplomat urged the Kurds to integrate into the Syrian army.
Is the United States after Venezuela's oil?
As US forces deployed in the Caribbean have zoned in on tankers transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil, questions have deepened about the real motivation for Donald Trump's pressure campaign on Caracas.
Russia pledges 'full support' for Venezuela against US 'hostilities'
Russia on Monday expressed "full support" for Venezuela as the South American country confronts a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers by US forces deployed in the Caribbean.
UK's street artist Banksy unveils latest mural in London
British street artist Banksy unveiled his latest work in central London on Monday amid speculation over an identical second work which has appeared elsewhere in the city.
EU condemns China dairy duties as 'unjustified'
The European Union hit out at China on Monday, saying it was "unjustified" for Beijing to impose duties of up to 42.7 percent on some dairy products from the 27-nation bloc.
Cambodia says Thailand launches air strikes after ASEAN meet on border clashes
Cambodia said Thailand launched air strikes on its territory on Monday, shortly after Bangkok announced the two nations had agreed to hold talks this week aimed at halting deadly border clashes.