Is the return of a Gaddafi to power in Libya a realistic option?

9h, 17m ago

Ten years after Muammar Gaddafi’s death, Libya is in the midst of a fragile peace process aimed at ending a decade of chaos and bloodshed. The enduring turmoil has fostered a form of nostalgia for the Gaddafi era, with some Libyans even considering the prospect of seeing his son Saif al-Islam in power one day.

France unveils €100 fuel inflation subsidy for low-, middle-income earners

11h, 37m ago

French Prime Minister Jean Castex on Thursday said a block on household gas prices would be extended until end-2022 and that low- and middle-income earners would receive an "inflation premium" of 100 euros a month to help mitigate the impact of rising energy prices.

Storm Aurore leaves 250,000 French homes without power

6h, 57m ago

A powerful autumn storm, named Aurore, blasted parts of western Europe on Thursday, knocking out power to a quarter of a million French homes and damaging buildings in at least four countries.

Germany's SPD, Greens and FDP plan to install Scholz-led govt by early December

7h, 12m ago

The three parties working to form Germany's next coalition government said Thursday they were aiming for Finance Minister Olaf Scholz from the Social Democrats to be installed as chancellor in the week of December 6.

Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy at stake as rival camps flex muscles

1h, 15m ago

Supporters of Sudan’s transitional government have called for mass rallies in Khartoum on Thursday amid fears the military is plotting to withdraw its support for an uneasy power-sharing agreement, more than two years after a popular uprising led to the overthrow of veteran autocrat Omar al-Bashir.

Forced withdrawal: Life for Kabul's drug addicts under Taliban rule

10h, 12m ago

At Pul-e-Sukhta in western Kabul, an infamous haunt for the city’s drug users, hundreds of addicts shelter under a bridge in squalid conditions. But when they see Taliban fighters arrive, those who can attempt to flee. They fear being taken to the city’s rehab centre, where they will be forced to undergo a 45-day withdrawal programme, with little in the way of medication to help wean them from their dependency.

French prosecutors seek suspended sentence for Benzema in Valbuena sex tape trial

8h, 39m ago

French prosecutors on Thursday said they were seeking a 10-month suspended sentence for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema for alleged complicity in an attempt to blackmail former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape.

Libya hosts international conference to drum up support ahead of elections

1h, 23m ago

Libya's fragile unity government hosted senior foreign officials on Thursday to drum up support on spiky transitional issues as the war-torn country gears up for a landmark December election. The conference ended with a communiqué stressing the need for confidence-building steps to enable fair, transparent and inclusive polls, Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush said on Thursday.

China's Evergrande shares plunge after major trade deal collapses

1h, 4m ago

Chinese property giant Evergrande's shares plunged Thursday after resuming trading in Hong Kong, with the failure of a unit sale deal deepening fears the indebted firm will collapse and send shockwaves through the world's second-largest economy.

'Act of terror': UK police charge man with murder of MP Sir David Amess

5h, 18m ago

British police charged a 25-year-old man on Thursday with the murder of lawmaker David Amess and said the killing was an act of terrorism.

'Asterix and the Griffin': 39th volume of iconic comic book released

3h, 21m ago

Years after the demise of its creators, the adventures of Asterix and his rotund partner Obelix continue with their 39th graphic novel. In Asterix and the Griffin, the famous Gauls, created by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, meet the mythical Sarmatian people in modern-day Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Blinken hails US-Colombia partnership but seeks shift from military focus

, 10m ago

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday praised Colombia's right-wing leader as a key partner on core concerns including migration as he sought to shift away from the military focus of US alliances in Latin America.

Ethiopia launches new round of air strikes in Tigray

2h, 29m ago

Ethiopia's military launched new air strikes on Tigray Wednesday, the second round of bombardments this week against rebel targets in the war-battered region.

Ecuador's president Lasso refuses to testify over Pandora Papers leak

2h, 38m ago

Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso on Wednesday refused to testify to a parliamentary committee that is investigating revelations about the 65-year-old in the Pandora Papers leaks.

Benin votes to legalise abortion

5h, 12m ago

Parliamentarians in Benin have voted to legalise abortion in the West African country, where it was already authorised under restricted conditions.

South Korea launches domestically produced space rocket for first time

3h, 5m ago

South Korea launched its first domestically developed space rocket on Thursday, carrying a 1.5-tonne payload into orbit it seeks to join the ranks of advanced space-faring nations.

Fake news, rumours swirl around ex-Iranian president Ahmadinejad’s first visit abroad

2h, 57m ago

Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made waves with a visit to the World Expo, in Dubai, in October. Ahmadinejad posed for photos with a number of young women, to the consternation of both people on social media and the Iranian security forces, who were reportedly unhappy about his behaviour. Ahmadinejad’s visit also gave rise to a fake news story, that the former Iranian president had visited a pavilion run by his arch-rival Israel.

US, Europeans condemn North Korea submarine missile launch at UN

6h, 34m ago

The United States, Britain and France confirmed Wednesday to the UN that North Korea has made progress in its weapons programs following the groundbreaking launch of a ballistic missile from a submarine.

Bolsonaro should be charged with crimes against humanity for Covid errors, says senate panel

16h, 36m ago

A Brazilian senate committee on Wednesday recommended that President Jair Bolsonaro face at least 10 charges, including crimes against humanity, over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report published in local media.

Britain, New Zealand strike free trade deal, including haka clause

3h, 21m ago

Britain and New Zealand have unveiled a comprehensive free trade deal, including a commitment aimed at preventing the revered Maori cultural tradition of the haka, famously performed by the All Blacks, from being misused.

Trump announces new social media network called 'TRUTH Social'

5h, 12m ago

Former US president Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to launch his own social networking platform called "TRUTH Social," which is expected to begin its beta launch for "invited guests" next month.