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Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan agree ceasefire after clashes kill two
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan said Friday they had agreed a ceasefire after shootouts at their contested border left two Tajik citizens dead.
Rattled by Russia, Finland and Sweden revisit NATO debate
The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has reignited debate in Finland and Sweden over whether they should join NATO to fend off any possible eastern aggression.
Tajikistan says two dead after clashes with Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan said Friday that two of its citizens were killed and 10 injured during overnight clashes at its contested border with Kyrgyzstan, where a ceasefire is now in place.
Hong Kong outbreak exposes flaws in 21-day quarantine policy
Hong Kong's U-turn on its mandatory three-week quarantine for arrivals follows growing scrutiny of the strict policy after a coronavirus outbreak was traced to a woman infected during her hotel stay.
Kyrgyzstan says ceasefire reached with Tajikistan after lethal clashes
Kyrgyzstan said it had reached a ceasefire with Central Asian neighbour Tajikistan on Friday following the latest lethal flare up at the pair's contested border.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi: Prisoner of generals
Myanmar's latest democracy struggle enters its second year with its best-known figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi isolated from the fight, a prisoner of the generals behind the coup and facing the rest of her life in prison.
The Myanmar nun who faced down a junta
Almost a year after she knelt in the dust to beg Myanmar police not to shoot anti-coup demonstrators, Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng still shakes at the memory of the day she says God saved her.
'Living in a dark era': one year since Myanmar's coup
Hours before Myanmar's new parliament was due to convene last February, troops rounded up lawmakers in dawn raids, ending a brief democratic interlude and setting the stage for months of bloodshed.
Asian markets mixed as torrid week draws to close
Asian markets were mixed on Friday, at the end of a broadly damaging week for global investors as the Federal Reserve gave notice that the days of ultra-cheap cash were coming to an end quicker than some had envisaged.
North Korea confirms missile tests as Kim inspects 'important' munitions factory
North Korea test-fired two different weapons systems this week, state media said Friday, part of a record-breaking streak of launches, as leader Kim Jong Un inspected an "important" munitions factory.
Pentagon chief orders reforms to reduce civilian deaths
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered Pentagon officials Thursday to undertake reforms to reduce the number of civilian deaths from military strikes after multiple unjustified fatal incidents.
Global stocks mixed as markets digest Fed, dollar surges
Global stocks ended trading mixed Thursday as markets weighed strong US economic data against concerns about tightening monetary policy, while the dollar spiked to a 20-month peak against the euro.
US, Germany step up pipeline warnings if Russia invades Ukraine
The United States and Germany on Thursday warned Russia that a major gas pipeline was at stake if it invades Ukraine as Washington voiced hope for a diplomatic way out despite frigid statements from Moscow.
Ukraine crisis reveals growing Republican rift on Russia
As Washington rallies the international community against Russian aggression in Ukraine, conflict has broken out back home between traditional Republicans determined to defend democracy overseas and an isolationist base asking why America should take sides at all.
'Nightmare': Ukrainians in Canada worry for their home country
Worried and helpless, members of the Ukrainian community in Canada are closely following the crisis involving their home country from the other side of the globe.
Xiomara Castro: from first lady to Honduras's first woman president
Honduras's former first lady Xiomara Castro forged her political career at the head of protests against the coup d'etat that ousted her husband, Manuel Zelaya, in 2009.
US school board bans Holocaust graphic novel 'Maus'
A school board in Tennessee has added to a surge in book bans by conservatives with an order to remove the award-winning 1986 graphic novel on the Holocaust, "Maus," from local student libraries.
Syria Kurds hunt down jihadists after prison attack
Kurdish-led forces on Thursday found dozens of jihadists holed up in a Syrian prison during mop-up operations after recapturing the facility from Islamic State group fighters.
Xiomara Castro becomes first woman president of Honduras
Leftist Xiomara Castro was sworn in Thursday as the first woman president of Honduras after seemingly resolving a rebellion in her own party that had challenged her authority.
Zambia's leader says turning around economy, despite empty coffers
President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday said his new government was on the fast track to restoring Zambia's credibility and creditworthiness after inheriting an economy strapped for cash and crippled by debt.
Denmark to pull troops out of Mali after junta demands
Denmark announced Thursday it would withdraw a newly deployed contingent of 100 troops from Mali after repeated demands, which Copenhagen denounced as a "political game" by the military junta.
With Fed set to hike US rates, 'ultra-cheap money' era nears end
Consumers, companies and financial markets are bound to see borrowing costs rise as the Federal Reserve gets ready to hike rates after two years of loose policy meant to support the US economy during the pandemic.
Stocks rise as US economy posts decades-high growth
US and European stock markets rose on Thursday as investors put aside rate hike fears and focused on data showing the US economy grew at its fastest pace in decades last year.
US economy grew 5.7% in 2021, but Omicron hit looms
The world's largest economy staged a solid recovery last year as it grew at the fastest pace since 1984, but damage from the Omicron variant of Covid-19 still looms.
Princess Charlene recovery 'several' weeks away: Monaco palace
Princess Charlene of Monaco, who is being treated for extreme fatigue, is still several weeks away from a recovery, the palace said on Thursday.
Media under watch on EU's frozen eastern frontier
Squeezed into the back of a military jeep driving along frozen unpaved roads on the Poland-Belarus border, a group of journalists is being taken into a restricted zone under strict surveillance.
Haunted by Holocaust, Israeli group helps fleeing Afghans
When Israeli lawyer Inbar Nacht saw pictures last year of Afghans desperately trying to escape their homeland, she thought of her relatives who were murdered in the Holocaust and knew she had to act.
Burkina's new junta holds talks on eve of key summit
Burkina Faso's new ruling junta held talks with union leaders on Thursday on the eve of a regional summit that could slap sanctions on the country for the overthrow of its elected president.
Ukraine leader orders probe after conscript shoots five dead
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday ordered police to investigate a mass shooting carried out by a member of the national guard that left five dead and several others fighting for their lives.
Holocaust survivor urges Germany to fight 'cancer' of hatred
In what was expected to be one of the last addresses by a Holocaust survivor to the German parliament, Inge Auerbacher appealed Thursday to keep alive the victims' memory.
Minimum wage in focus as Portugal heads to polls
Like nearly one in four workers in Portugal, Fernanda Moreira, a food services worker at a hospital in a Lisbon suburb, earns the minimum wage.
Russia says US failing on Ukraine but more talks possible
Russia said Thursday that the United States was failing to address its main security concerns over Ukraine but left the door open to further talks to ease tensions.
China warns US over 'interfering' in Winter Olympics
China warned the United States to "stop interfering" in the Winter Olympics on Thursday, a week before the controversy-hit Games are due to start in Beijing.
China hails WTO green light on US import duties
China on Thursday hailed a WTO decision allowing it to slap duties on $645 million worth of US imports each year, calling on Washington to follow the ruling and "stop seeking excuses" in a long-running anti-dumping dispute.
Castro to be sworn in as first woman president of Honduras
Honduras president-elect Xiomara Castro is due to be sworn in as the country's first woman president on Thursday, as confusion reigns over who will be head of congress during her four-year term.
Major Australian energy firm Woodside announces Myanmar pullout
Australian energy firm Woodside announced its withdrawal from junta-run Myanmar on Thursday, the latest company to head for the exit following a military coup last year.
North Korea fires two missiles as testing blitz continues
North Korea fired two suspected ballistic missiles Thursday, Seoul said, its sixth weapons test this month in one of the most intense spates of launches on record that has delivered an emphatic rejection of Washington's offers for talks on its nuclear programme.
New Mexico governor becomes substitute teacher amid Covid shortage
The governor of New Mexico started work Wednesday as a substitute teacher, replacing one of the thousands of educators across the United States who have been forced off work by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Torture trail raises questions on Kazakh terror claims
As Kazakhstan witnessed its worst unrest in 30 years of independence this month, Aset Abishev was grabbed off a bus and locked away by police who he said tortured him for a week.