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Ukraine slams Scholz after first call with Putin in two years

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Friday accused Germany's Olaf Scholz of playing into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin after the chancellor spoke by phone to the Kremlin chief for the first time in almost two years.

Trump pressures US Senate with divisive cabinet picks

Questions -- and, for some, outrage -- intensified over several of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet picks Friday, as Washington awaits announcements for more major positions including head of the FBI and Treasury.

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Wreckage of world's largest plane testament to Kyiv's defence

Under a shattered crescent hanger at Ukraine's Gostomel Airport the world's largest plane lies buckled and broken, an immovable monument to the battle Russia waged to take this foothold towards the capital of Kyiv.

Brazil's leftist Lula chooses centrist running mate

Brazil's leftist ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, leading opinion polls for a victorious return to the top job in October elections, named centrist politician Geraldo Alckmin Friday as his vice-presidential running mate.

Pakistan PM alleges 'conspiracy' but accepts court ruling on confidence vote

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Friday he accepted a supreme court ruling that will likely see him ousted from office, but insisted he was victim of a "regime change" conspiracy involving the United States.

New Supreme Court justice Jackson hails US progress on racial equality

Ketanji Brown Jackson celebrated her rise "from segregation to the Supreme Court" at a White House event Friday marking her confirmation as the first Black woman appointed to the nation's highest judicial bench.

UN seeks $80 mn to avert 'imminent' Yemen oil spill

The United Nations said Friday it is seeking nearly $80 million for an emergency operation to prevent a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea off war-ravaged Yemen.

Turkey still hopes to host Russia, Ukraine talks after attacks

Turkey is pushing to revive talks between Russia and Ukraine stalled after atrocities were uncovered in Bucha and other regions near Kyiv, saying the two countries are still ready to meet on its soil.

UK sending Ukraine 'high-grade' weaponry after station attack

Britain is sending Ukraine more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and 800 anti-tank missiles after an "unconscionable" attack on a train station, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday.

Frostier welcome for Russians in French billionaires' playground

The secretive and idyllic Cap Ferrat peninsula on France's Mediterranean Cote d'Azur has been marked by an influx of wealthy Russians since the 2000s but local businesses are now expecting to feel the pinch from sanctions following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Fifty killed in train station strike as civilians flee east Ukraine

A rocket attack on a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk killed dozens on Friday as civilians raced to flee the Donbas region bracing for a feared Russian offensive.

Le Pen's 'changed' image behind French election rise

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is a different politician from five years ago, her supporters claim; more confident, less error-prone, more in tune with the country. At her third tilt at power, will it be enough?

Belgium shuts Kinder chocolate factory over salmonella

Belgian authorities on Friday ordered the closure of a Kinder chocolate factory suspected to be behind a wave of salmonella cases in several European countries and the United States.

President's attacks heap pressure on Mexico's embattled media

Mexico's president has stepped up his attacks on a number of media outlets in one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists, branding them "mercenaries" who defend vested interests.

Bucha residents return to scene of civilian killings

Hanna Predko fled Bucha on the first day of Russia's invasion. With her three children, Hanna left as soon as the first bombs began to fall.

From coal to ports, Western sanctions target Russian economy

From a coal embargo to new restrictions on investments and European ports closed to Russian ships, the list of Western sanctions imposed on Russia's economy since it invaded Ukraine keeps getting longer.

'Bodies everywhere': Rockets strike Ukraine evacuation hub

Bodies, packed bags and stuffed animals were flung to the ground outside the Ukrainian train station in the city of Kramatorsk after two rockets slammed into the busy hub for evacuees.

Asia, Europe stocks chase Wall Street higher

Asian and European equities rallied Friday on clarity over rising US interest rates, while the euro hit a one-month dollar low before France's presidential election.

Ukraine war pushes world food prices to record high

World food prices hit an all-time high in March following Russia's invasion of agricultural powerhouse Ukraine, a UN agency said on Friday, adding to concerns about the risk of hunger around the world.

Japan ends Russian coal imports, expels diplomats

Japan said Friday it will end imports of Russian coal and announced the expulsion of eight of Moscow's diplomats over "war crimes" in Ukraine.

Israeli PM gives security 'full freedom' to act after attack

Israel's premier on Friday gave security agencies "full freedom" of operation to curb surging violence, after the latest deadly attack saw a Palestinian gunman kill two men in a popular nightlife area.

35 killed in train station strike as civilians flee east Ukraine

Dozens of people were killed in a rocket attack on the train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Friday as civilians raced to leave the Donbas region in the crosshairs of the Russian army.

Macron targets Le Pen as election lead narrows

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday hit out at his main election rival, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, as his narrowing lead in polls intensified concerns among supporters that winning a second term is far from assured.

Pakistan PM Khan to address nation ahead of no-confidence vote

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is to address the nation Friday, on the eve of a controversial no-confidence vote that looks certain to dismiss him.

Israeli police kill gunman who shot dead two in Tel Aviv

Israeli police said Friday they had shot dead a Palestinian gunman who killed two Israeli men and wounded several others the night before in Tel Aviv, the latest in a surge of violence.

Putin's five key goals ahead of May 9 WWII parade

A month before a highly symbolic May 9 parade on Red Square that celebrates victory in World War II, Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops face considerable challenges in Ukraine.

Biden eyes political rebound after historic Supreme Court triumph

The Thursday confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court marks an undeniable success for Joe Biden, with the American president in dire need of fresh political uplift months before midterm elections.

Civilians flee east Ukraine, warnings of 'horrific' abuses

Civilians in eastern Ukraine struggled to evacuate Friday as Russia redirects its firepower, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning of "even more horrific" devastation being uncovered around the capital.

Weary and worried, French voters are in unpredictable mood

Every five years French goose farmer Frederic Coudray-Ozbolt revels in the attention his quiet village receives when journalists come knocking at presidential election time.

Asian markets struggle to track Wall St on hawkish Fed

Asian markets limped into the weekend Friday at the end of a tough week dominated by the Federal Reserve's hawkish tone that has set up an aggressive tightening of monetary policy, while oil drifted after another series of losses.

In unusual step, Mexico president asks voters if he should go

Mexico will hold its first presidential recall referendum on Sunday, promoted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on whether he should complete his six-year term -- an exercise that has split public opinion.

Russia kicked off UN rights council over Ukraine abuses

The United Nations suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council on Thursday, as US President Joe Biden called the atrocities continuing to emerge in Ukraine an "outrage" to humanity.

Ex-MSF worker testifies at trial of IS 'Beatle'

A former Doctors Without Borders (MSF) worker held for three months in Syria in 2014 by the Islamic State group testified on Thursday to the particularly brutal treatment meted out to American and British hostages.

Ukraine villagers say Russian soldiers used them as 'shields'

In the village of Obukhovychi, neighbours say Russian forces dug in around their houses, using them as a "shield" to discourage counter-attacks by Ukrainian armed forces.

US stocks rebound even as investors brace for Fed tightening

US and European stocks moved in opposite directions on Thursday, with Wall Street shrugging off two losing sessions as investors reassess equity valuations in light of the Federal Reserve's tougher stance on inflation.

Canada budget amps military spending in response to Ukraine war

Canada's finance minister, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, shelled out more money for the military in a budget Thursday that also aims to tackle soaring costs of living and a housing crisis.

For Ukraine's displaced, spring also brings grief

Outside a shelter for the displaced in western Ukraine, 84-year-old retired schoolteacher Veronika recounts how she and her family had to travel more than 1,000 kilometres to safety.

At least two killed in Tel Aviv shooting

At least two people were killed Thursday and several wounded in a shooting spree in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, the latest in a surge of violence in Israel and the occupied West Bank since late March.

In east Ukraine, an evacuation under bombardment

As shells explode in the distance and buildings burn, an old lady in a hat waits for a bus to take her out of the city of Severodonetsk in east Ukraine, whispering to the cat sitting on her lap.

Kadyrov's men: a brutal force serving Putin in Ukraine

Chechen fighters shooting in all directions, Ukrainian prisoners kneeling while staring blankly or being dragged amid lifeless bodies -- this is how Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov boasts of his men fighting for the Kremlin in Ukraine on social media.

Ketanji Brown Jackson to become first Black woman on US Supreme Court

The United States made history on Thursday as the Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman ever to serve on the Supreme Court.

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