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Brazil presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro praises Bukele
Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro, who plans to run for president in October elections, on Thursday called for "many, many prisons" in a speech praising the controversial security policies of El Salvador's Nayib Bukele.
The Iran war and the cost of killing 'bad guys'
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that it "takes money to kill bad guys" when asked if the Pentagon had requested $200 billion in funding for the Iran war.
Salvadoran anti-corruption lawyer jailed to 'silence her', husband says
Jailed Salvadoran lawyer Ruth Lopez symbolizes the "decency" and "credible voice" that President Nayib Bukele's government only managed to silence with imprisonment, her husband Louis Benavides told AFP in an interview.
Trump says told Netanyahu not to attack Iran gas fields
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike any more Iranian gas fields, seeking to distance himself from an attack by a key ally that has shaken world energy markets.
Mideast war exposing Europe's reliance on Gulf flights, airlines warn
The war in the Middle East has exposed Europe's reliance on Gulf companies for flights to Asia, Europe's airlines said on Thursday.
Ghalibaf: Iran's new strongman running war effort
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a veteran of the Revolutionary Guards, has emerged as the highest-profile political figure in the Islamic republic after the killing of its leaders.
UN shipping body urges 'safe maritime corridor' in Gulf
The UN's maritime body called Thursday for the creation of a safe shipping "corridor" in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers, after an emergency meeting that also condemned Iran.
Iran warns of 'zero restraint' amid heightened gas and oil attacks
Iranian attacks on the world's largest LNG plant in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait sent shock waves through energy markets Thursday as the United States said there was no deadline to end the Middle East war.
Trump to Japan PM: 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?'
US President Donald Trump on Thursday startled Japan's prime minister by mentioning the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, a seemingly light-hearted remark sure to elicit unease in a country now a firm US ally.
Middle East war weighs on global trade outlook: WTO
The Middle East war could weigh heavily on already slowing global trade, potentially threatening global food security, the World Trade Organization warned Thursday.
Belarus frees 250 political prisoners in US-brokered deal
Belarus freed 250 political prisoners on Thursday following negotiations with the United States, while Washington agreed to remove sanctions on several Belarusian companies in return, a US official said.
Senegal to appeal CAF Africa Cup of Nations decision
The Senegalese Football Federation announced Thursday it has instructed its lawyers to lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the national team were stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations title.
US earns its lowest-ever score on freedom index
A pro-democracy research group said Wednesday that freedom in the United States has declined to its lowest level since it started assessments, as President Donald Trump aggressively wields executive authority.
Bank of England holds interest rate amid Middle East war
The Bank of England left its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 percent on Thursday as it monitors the inflation outlook, pressured by rising energy prices from the Middle East war.
Energy prices soar, Iran and US trade threats after Qatar gas hit
Oil and gas prices soared Thursday after Iran hit the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar and threatened to destroy the region's energy infrastructure, and Donald Trump warned of a furious US response if such attacks continued.
Iran hangs three men in first executions over January protests
Iran executed three men on Thursday who were accused of killing police officers during protests in January, with activists warning of the risk of a new surge in hangings as war rages with Israel and the United States.
Oil prices surge, stocks sink on energy shock fears
Energy prices soared and stocks sank Thursday as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, reigniting fears over global supplies and inflation.
Oil soars 10% after Qatar energy sites hit in Mideast war
Oil prices soared 10 percent Thursday after Qatar reported "extensive" damage to the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility following Iranian strikes, sparking fears for global energy supplies.
Iran 'boycotting' USA but not World Cup: football federation chief
Iran will "boycott the United States" but "not the World Cup", Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars.
Iran causes 'extensive' damage to Qatar gas hub, sparks Trump warning
Qatar reported "extensive" damage on Thursday to the site of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility following Iranian strikes, sparking fears for global energy supplies and fresh threats from Donald Trump against Iran.
Thailand's Anutin: Millionaire PM with a populist approach
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is the scion of a construction dynasty and a hobbyist jet pilot, but championed Thailand's decriminalisation of cannabis and styles himself as a man of the people.
Thailand's new parliament elects Anutin as PM
Thailand's new parliament on Thursday elected Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, according to an AFP tally of the vote, keeping the conservative in the top office after his party routed its election rivals.
In Seoul square of protest and history, BTS fans welcome grand comeback
Through months of winter protests in support of South Korean democracy, professor Lee Ji-young clutched her K-pop glowstick -- a small but telling sign of her love for K-pop megastars BTS.
Hong Kong panel hears safety measures failed on day of deadly fire
Almost all life-saving fire safety measures failed on the day a devastating blaze tore through a Hong Kong housing complex last year, killing 168 people, a public hearing was told on Thursday.
Trump threatens to destroy Iran's largest gas field
US President Donald Trump threatened to "massively blow up" a vast Iranian gas field unless Tehran stops striking Qatari energy facilities, which sustained extensive damage Thursday.
Ahead of election, Danish city mirrors country's challenges
In the Danish city of Kolding, voters are worried about rising prices, the welfare state and immigration ahead of the country's general election, reflecting nationwide concerns reinforced by worries about Greenland and global uncertainty.
Iran missile fire kills 3 Palestinians in West Bank, foreign worker in Israel
Iranian missile attacks have killed three Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank and a foreign worker in central Israel, medics said Thursday.
Pacific nations fear fuel shortages as Middle East war sends oil prices soaring
Leaders of Samoa and Tonga appealed for help this week as the import-reliant Pacific nations raised fears over possible fuel shortages and escalating costs caused by war in the Middle East.
Crude prices surge, stocks sink as Iran warns of regional energy strikes
Oil surged more than five percent Thursday and stocks sank as Iran carried out a series of attacks on Gulf energy facilities and warned of more following a strike on one of its key gas fields, while warnings of higher US inflation also soured the mood.
'No oil, no money': Orban brings Ukraine standoff to Brussels
EU leaders converge on Brussels Thursday hoping to unlock a massive loan for Kyiv, with the much-needed funding ensnared in a standoff between Hungary's Viktor Orban and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.
Venezuelan leader sacks defense minister, a Maduro stalwart
Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced the sacking Wednesday of defense minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who headed the military for almost a decade under ousted leader Nicolas Maduro.
Thailand's new parliament set to elect Anutin as PM
Thailand's new parliament is set to elect Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister Thursday, keeping the conservative in the top office after his party routed its election rivals with a nationalist campaign.