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Trump to take virtual centre stage in Davos
Donald Trump on Thursday will star in an eagerly-anticipated online appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, addressing global elites whose annual gabfest has been consumed by the US president's days-old second term.
Friedrich Merz: millionaire conservative on verge of German chancellery
Tucking into beer and pretzels, the frontrunner to become Germany's next chancellor, conservative millionaire Friedrich Merz, is showing off his folksy side.
Trump's return darkens mood as Germany heads to elections
Donald Trump's return to the White House has darkened the mood in Germany a month before elections, as multiple crises shake the foundations on which Europe's biggest economy built its post-war prosperity.
Musk, Wikipedia founder in row over how to describe 'Nazi salute'
The gesture was controversial enough, but now come the sub-controversies: Elon Musk is trolling Wikipedia and encouraging its defunding after a description of his recent flourish, seen by some as a Hitler salute, appeared on the encyclopedic website.
Trump toughens crackdown on immigration and diversity
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday deployment of an extra 1,500 US troops to the Mexican border, as he stepped up a crackdown against illegal immigration and diversity programs in a whirlwind start to his second term.
Trump's tariff threats are 'leverage,' says informal economic advisor
Donald Trump's recent threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico are a negotiating tactic, the president's long-time informal economic advisor argued Wednesday.
Trump halts refugee arrivals in crackdown
President Donald Trump has halted arrivals of refugees already cleared to enter the United States, according to a memo seen Wednesday, as he quickly pursues a sweeping crackdown on migration.
Gangs could overrun Haiti capital if aid falls short: UN chief
Haiti's capital could become overrun by criminal gangs if the international community does not step up aid to a UN-backed security mission there, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned in a report Wednesday.
Colombia moves to arrest guerrilla leaders behind wave of violence
Colombia on Wednesday reinstated arrest warrants for dozens of guerrilla commanders blamed for armed attacks that displaced 32,000 people and sparked the country's most serious security crisis in years.
Fear abounds as M23 fighters close in on DR Congo's Goma
Luggage on their backs, they trudged all Wednesday morning along the road leading to downtown Goma, fleeing the advancing fighters in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hundreds to wed as Thai same-sex marriage law comes into force
Hundreds of same-sex couples are set to tie the knot in Thailand on Thursday as it becomes by far the largest nation in Asia to allow equal marriage.
What would Trump tariffs mean for key trade partner Mexico?
US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 25-percent tariff on Mexican goods on February 1, a move that analysts say would deal a heavy blow to Latin America's second-largest economy.
Trump tells Putin to make Ukraine deal 'now' or face tougher sanctions
US President Donald Trump stepped up the pressure on Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to make a peace deal with Ukraine Wednesday, threatening tougher economic measures if Moscow does not agree to end the war.
Spain's Sabadell bank to move HQ back to Catalonia
Spain's Banco Sabadell approved Wednesday moving its headquarters back to Catalonia, the first major firm to do so after thousands left in the wake of the region's failed 2017 independence bid.
Fashion world 'afraid' of Trump, says Belgium's Van Beirendonck
Belgian designer Walter Van Beirendonck said Wednesday that the fashion world was "afraid" of US President Donald Trump and failing to speak out against him for commercial reasons.
Musk slams Trump-backed AI mega project
Tech titan Elon Musk cast doubt Wednesday on a $500 billion AI project announced by US President Donald Trump, saying the money promised for the investment actually wasn't there.
Trump intensifies crackdown on diversity, immigration
US President Donald Trump stepped up a crackdown on diversity programs and immigration Wednesday, with the Republican preparing to lay out more of his hardline agenda in an Oval Office interview.
End social media anonymity to fight fakes, crime: Spain PM
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday proposed ending anonymity for social media users and forcing tech tycoons to provide accountability if their platforms "poison society".
Iran VP says government put off enforcing strict dress code
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday his government had put off enforcing the country's strict Islamic dress code in order "not to put women under pressure".
Russians launch campaign to find loved ones behind front line
Residents of Russia's Kursk region have made co-ordinated social media posts appealing for help to find relatives trapped by a Ukrainian border offensive launched last August, Russian media reported Wednesday.
Stock markets push higher as they track Trump plans, earnings
US and European stock markets pushed higher Wednesday as investors tracked earnings and President Donald Trump's policy plans that are starting to impact the global economy.
African Union 'dismayed' US withdrawing from WHO
The African Union expressed dismay Wednesday over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, urging his administration to reconsider.
UK minister warns Putin as Royal Navy tracks Russian 'spy ship'
British Defence Secretary John Healey told parliament Wednesday the Royal Navy was tracking a "Russian spy ship" that passed through UK waters, warning Russia's President Vladimir Putin: "We know what you're doing".
French, German leaders say must act for 'strong' Europe
The leaders of France and Germany agree that both countries must act for a "strong" Europe, President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Paris.
Shooting, explosions in Jenin as Israel presses raid
Gunfire and explosions rocked the occupied West Bank's Jenin area on Wednesday, a Palestinian official and an AFP reporter said, as the Israeli military pressed on for a second day with a large-scale raid.
EU Russia hawks back Trump call to boost defence spending
The EU's top diplomat and Poland's prime minister said Wednesday that the bloc must heed US President Donald Trump's demand to spend much more on defence -- faced with the "existential threat" posed by Russia.
Trump puts US govt diversity workers on leave, calls bishop 'nasty'
US President Donald Trump ordered federal employees of diversity offices to be put on paid leave by Wednesday night, and called a Washington bishop "nasty" after she asked him to "have mercy" for migrants and LGBTQ children.
Malaysia's Anwar says don't single out China in sea tensions
There will always be border disputes in Asia, and China should not be singled out because of tensions in the South China Sea, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Wednesday.
EU's top diplomat backs Trump call to boost defence spending
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Wednesday that the bloc must heed US President Donald Trump's demand to spend more on defence, as she issued a stark warning over the threat from Russia.
US govt workers in diversity jobs to be put on leave as programs ordered shut
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US federal employees working in diversity offices must be put on paid leave by Wednesday evening as the new administration of Donald Trump has ordered the programs shut.
Markets rise after Trump AI pledge but China tariff fears return
Most Asian markets extended a global rally Wednesday as investors gave a cautious welcome to Donald Trump's first full day in office amid hopes he will take a more cautious approach on trade than initially feared.
'Did not push hard enough': Navalny lawyer speaks of regrets
The top lawyer of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison in February last year, told AFP she regretted not finding the right words to stop him returning to Moscow in 2021.