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Israeli military says Gaza hospital chief held in raid

Israel's military on Saturday said a hospital director is being held as a suspected Hamas militant after a north Gaza raid the World Health Organization said left the area's last major health facility emptied of patients and staff.

Israel army says ends raid against 'Hamas centre' in north Gaza hospital

Israel's military said on Saturday it had ended its raid on "a Hamas command centre" in a north Gaza hospital and detained its director as a suspected Hamas operative.

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Telenor Myanmar sale challenged over data leak fears

The proposed sale of Norwegian telecoms giant Telenor's Myanmar subsidiary could put sensitive personal data of millions of customers into the hands of the junta, according to a complaint filed on Tuesday.

Schools ordered shut in India as hijab ban protests intensify

Authorities in southern India ordered schools to shut on Tuesday as protests intensified over a ban on Islamic headscarves that has outraged Muslim students.

Israel troops kill three Palestinians in West Bank raid

Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday during what Israel described as an operation against a "terrorist cell".

EU joins chips race with 43-bn-euro bid to rival Asia

The EU on Tuesday unveiled a plan to quadruple the supply of semiconductors in Europe by 2030, hoping to limit the bloc's dependence on Asia for a key component used in electric cars and smartphones.

Macron in Kyiv says no 'escalation' from Putin

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he had convinced Russia's Vladimir Putin not to escalate the crisis around Ukraine, ahead of talks in Kyiv aimed at defusing fears Moscow could invade.

Marcos Jr: Philippine dictator's son vying to take over from Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr, whose father and namesake was the notorious Philippine dictator, is on track for the ultimate rehabilitation of his family brand: capturing the presidency.

Turbulent priest: India's anti-Muslim firebrand and possible future PM

A monk known for his incendiary anti-Muslim rhetoric leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party into elections in India's most populous state Thursday, where a strong win could put him in pole position to succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Macron due in Kyiv after Putin says ready for compromise

French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Kyiv on Tuesday after offering Russia "concrete security guarantees" in an effort to dissuade Moscow from invading its neighbour Ukraine, with Russia's leader vowing to find compromise in response.

EU joins chips race with 42 bn euro bid to rival Asia

The EU launches a plan Tuesday to raise tens of billions of euros to boost semiconductor production in Europe and end the bloc's digital dependence on Asia.

Philippines kicks off chaotic election campaign season

The race to lead the Philippines kicked off Tuesday, with the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to succeed authoritarian firebrand Rodrigo Duterte and return his clan to the presidential palace they once fled.

US defends warnings in standoff with Russia over Ukraine

Faced with accusations of "alarmism" over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, Washington is on the defensive over the credibility of its warnings, even as it keeps certain cards close to its chest.

'It's too quiet': Tensions take toll on Ukraine front line

As international tensions have risen over their country's fate, Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches of war-ravaged Maryinka have been living a strange paradox.

Putin says ready for compromise after talks with Macron on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready for compromise and would look at proposals put forward by French leader Emmanuel Macron in talks on Monday, while still blaming the West for raising tensions over Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 pipeline will 'end' if Russia invades Ukraine: Biden

US President Joe Biden made a categorical vow Monday at a meeting with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz to shut down the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Europe if Moscow launches an invasion of Ukraine.

At UN, Russia, China call out 'unilateral' sanctions

Russia, facing the threat of Western penalties over Ukraine, and China on Monday spoke out against what they called "unilateral" sanctions imposed by countries without the backing of the United Nations Security Council.

US tax agency drops facial recognition plan after criticism

The US national tax authority announced Monday that it will stop using facial recognition software to verify taxpayers' identities when they create online accounts, following a chorus of privacy concerns.

US says Iran nuclear deal 'in sight' but urgent need to finalize

The United States said Monday a deal was possible with Iran on its nuclear program but that an agreement had to be completed urgently as Tehran advances its capabilities, on the eve of renewed talks.

US, Germany 'in lockstep' on confronting Russia over Ukraine: Biden

US President Joe Biden said Monday at a meeting with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz that the two countries are "in lockstep" on confronting Russia over Ukraine.

Queen Elizabeth II set to resume duties as gun salutes mark 70-year reign

Queen Elizabeth II returned to London to resume public duties on Monday following a health scare as the capital echoed to the sound of cannon shots to mark her 70 years on the throne.

Israel releases Spaniard jailed for funding militants: officials

A Spanish aid worker who pled guilty to inadvertently funding an outlawed Palestinian militant group walked free Monday after 10 months in jail, the Israel Prison Service said.

Macron hopes for 'start towards de-escalation' in Putin talks on Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he hoped to make a start towards a de-escalation of tensions over Ukraine, as he began talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Ex-president, former finance minister vie for Costa Rica presidency

An ex-president and a former finance minister will vie for Costa Rica's presidency after topping a first voting round in one of Latin America's stablest democracies, albeit one battling growing economic woes.

Uganda sets March trial date for author

A Ugandan court on Monday ordered a prominent author to stand trial next month on charges of insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his son.

Macron to meet Putin in bid to ease Ukraine tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron was in Moscow on Monday hoping to find common ground with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and NATO, at the start of a week of intense diplomacy over fears Russia is preparing an invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

Gun salutes fired to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign

London echoed to the sound of cannon shots on Monday to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, beginning a year of celebrations to honour Britain's longest-serving monarch.

Humanitarian crisis feared as cyclone kills 20 in Madagascar

Cyclone Batsirai swept out of Madagascar on Monday after killing 20 people, displacing 55,000 and devastating the drought-hit island's agricultural heartland, leading the UN to warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Macron heads to Moscow in bid to ease Ukraine tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Moscow on Monday hoping to reach a deal with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, at the start of a week of intense diplomacy over fears Russia is preparing an invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

Myanmar junta denies detained Australian academic released

Myanmar's junta has denied freeing an Australian academic detained for almost a year after Cambodia's leader on Monday took credit for arranging the release.

Embattled rappers fight to speak out in troubled DR Congo

"I don't sing to avenge my family, but because other innocent people who know nothing about politics continue to die," says imprisoned Congolese rapper Idengo.

In conservative Russia, liberal teachers are shown the door

Biology teacher Olga Shchegoleva had not even finished her first six months at a prestigious school in Saint Petersburg when she came under pressure to quit over a sex education blog.

Ex-leader ahead as Costa Ricans elect new president

Costa Ricans voted for a new president Sunday from a crowded field of candidates, with a center-left former leader ahead of the pack with about 60 percent of ballots counted in one of Latin America's stablest democracies.

Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21

Australia will reopen its borders to tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Monday, ending some of the world's strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions.

Senegal declares national holiday to celebrate Cup of Nations win

Senegal's President Macky Sall declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate the national football team's first ever African Cup of Nations crown following their victory against Egypt, public television announced.

Diplomatic flurry to avert Russia-NATO clash over Ukraine

With war clouds gathering over Ukraine, international diplomacy goes into overdrive on Monday with the French and Russian presidents to meet in Moscow and the German chancellor heading to the White House to meet with US leader Joe Biden.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai repeats sexual assault denial

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said she never accused anyone of sexual assault, according to an interview published Monday, again walking back an allegation that sparked worldwide concern about her safety.

Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency over 'out of control' Truckers' protest

The ongoing truckers' protest in the Canadian capital is "out of control," the Ottawa mayor said Sunday, announcing a state of emergency as the city center remained blocked by opponents of anti-Covid measures.

No clear favorite as Costa Ricans elect new president

Costa Ricans voted for a new president Sunday from a crowded field of candidates, with no clear favorite to tackle a worsening economy in one of Latin America's stablest democracies.

Tunisian president dissolves top judicial watchdog, alleging bias

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Sunday dissolved a top independent judicial watchdog, accusing it of bias in his latest controversial move since he sacked the government last year.

Cyclone Batsirai kills 10, displaces tens of thousands in Madagascar

Cyclone Batsirai killed at least ten people and displaced nearly 48,000 when it struck Madagascar overnight, the national disaster management agency said on Sunday.

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