Middle East war a new shock for financial markets
The outbreak of war in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through financial markets, with energy prices soaring and stocks sliding, just a year after US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught rattled investors.
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Only nine commercial ships detected crossing the Hormuz Strait since Monday
Only nine oil tankers, cargo and container ships, some of which at times concealed their position, have been recorded crossing the Strait of Hormuz since Monday, according to MarineTraffic data analysed by AFP.
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Mexico unveils 100,000-strong security deployment for World Cup
Mexico said Friday it would deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel to protect fans at the football World Cup in three host cities, one of which, Guadalajara, has been plagued by cartel violence.
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Trump's Iran war violates international law, experts say
The United States insists it attacked Iran to curb "direct threats" from the Islamic republic, but legal experts say the dangers cited by Washington do not justify war under international law.
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Swiss eyeing fewer F-35 fighters, reshaping defence set-up
Switzerland announced Friday it wanted to buy 30 US F-35A fighter jets rather than 36 after Washington hiked the price, and said its broader defence set-up needed repurposing to face current threats.
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UK police question three women in Al-Fayed probe
British detectives investigating sexual assault claims against late business magnate Mohamed Al-Fayed said Friday they had questioned three women on suspicion of "aiding and abetting rape" and "human trafficking for sexual exploitation".
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Oil prices surge as Mideast war rages, stocks fall on US jobs
Crude prices surged higher Friday as oil fields in Iraq came under attack and US Donald Trump demanded Iran's unconditional surrender, while stocks slumped after data showed a surprise drop in jobs in the United States.
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Dupont says France must forget Six Nations title talk against Scotland
Antoine Dupont on Friday urged France to stay focused on beating Scotland at Murrayfield rather than become distracted by thoughts of another Six Nations title.
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Voices from Iran: protests, fear and scarcity
From Kurdistan in western Iran to the shores of the Gulf and in Tehran, AFP reporters have spoken to Iranians throughout the week to build a picture of their lives under daily US and Israeli bombardment.
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Champions League ambitions encourage Barca gamble in Bilbao
Barcelona swept to a domestic treble last season but fell agonisingly short in the Champions League, beaten in the semi-finals by Inter Milan, making it their clear priority this year.
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