Sawt Falasteen - Politics

Iran negotiators head to Geneva for US talks, president strikes hopeful tone

An Iranian delegation headed by its top diplomat set off for Geneva on Wednesday for talks with the US, as the Islamic republic's president struck an upbeat tone about the prospect for a negotiated agreement to avert fresh conflict.

Hong Kong finance chief tips up to 3.5% growth this year

Hong Kong's finance chief tipped another year of economic growth in 2026 as he unveiled his annual budget on Wednesday with plans for investment in innovation zones and AI training.

Germany's Merz meets Xi, announces Chinese Airbus order

China will buy up to 120 aircraft from European aviation giant Airbus, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said following talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chief executive of 2030 Olympic Games becomes latest director to quit

The chief executive of the 2030 Winter Olympics organising committee (Cojop) in the French Alps has stepped down after a serious falling out with the president Edgar Grospiron, it was announced on Wednesday.

Rubio meets Caribbean leaders as US raises pressure on Cuba

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will seek to address Caribbean leaders' concerns about Cuba at a summit on Wednesday, as Washington ramps up pressure on the communist island fresh after removing Venezuela's president.

Iran dismisses missile, nuclear claims after Trump alleges 'sinister ambitions'

Iran on Wednesday dismissed US claims about its missile programme as "big lies", after President Donald Trump said Tehran was developing missiles that could strike the United States.

Inside the Mexican resort that was the final hideout of 'El Mencho'

The roar of machine guns and drone of helicopters shook the luxurious resort where Mexico's most-wanted cartel boss hid on Sunday, plunging tourists enjoying the picturesque western Mexican town of Tapalpa into panic.

Somaliland pins hopes on critical mineral gold rush

Armed with nothing but a crowbar and shovel in the hills of Somaliland, Ahmed Ibrahim hacks away at rocks where he and fellow miners have already found tonnes of lithium.

Sri Lanka arrests ex-spy chief over 2019 Easter bombings

Sri Lanka's criminal investigators arrested the country's former intelligence chief on Wednesday in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.

Democrats bet on centrism in rebuttal to Trump speech

The rebuttal to Donald Trump's State of the Union was delivered Tuesday by a stalwart of the Democrats' moderate wing -- seen as a model for the centrism some bet is key to winning November's midterm elections.

Trump tries to reset presidency in State of the Union speech

US President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday of a "turnaround for the ages" in a State of the Union speech, seeking to reverse his dismal polls and see off mounting challenges at home and abroad ahead of crucial midterm elections.

Division, theater and one golden moment as Trump addresses Congress

If Donald Trump was worried about a hostile reception over his breakneck remaking of presidential norms, he did not show it -- striding in six minutes late, with the unhurried confidence of a man who knew the evening belonged to him.

Trump vows 'turnaround for the ages' in State of the Union

US President Donald Trump boasted Tuesday of a "turnaround for the ages" in a State of the Union speech, seeking to reverse his dismal polls and see off mounting challenges at home and abroad ahead of crucial midterm elections.

Nepali migrant workers influence polls, but can't vote

Overseas Nepali workers bankroll their families and buttress the economy, making them a key constituency in elections next week -- but they cannot vote themselves.

Trump to promise 'turnaround for the ages' in State of the Union

US President Donald Trump was to deliver a high-stakes State of the Union address Tuesday, boasting of a "turnaround for the ages" and vowing to confront threats to America as conflict with Iran looms.

The veteran 'insider' shaping Iran's nuclear policy

When US and Iranian negotiators meet on Thursday in Geneva, Iran's top security chief Ali Larijani will be Tehran's key player behind the scenes.

Brazil prosecutor urges politicians' conviction in murder of black councilwoman

A Brazilian prosecutor on Tuesday urged the conviction of two politicians accused of ordering the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a case that exposed deep ties between politics and organized crime in the city.

15 states sue Trump administration over child vaccine policy

Fifteen Democratic-run US states announced Tuesday they are suing President Donald Trump's administration over its reduction in the number of recommended pediatric vaccines, which they criticize as contrary to science.

Iran says deal 'within reach' ahead of US talks

Iran's foreign minister declared Tuesday that a deal to avoid a military clash with the United States was within reach, two days before talks between the foes were due to resume in Geneva.

US abstains in UN vote voicing support for Ukraine

The UN General Assembly voiced support for Ukraine Tuesday on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, with the United States among countries abstaining from the vote.

Lebanon fears Israeli strikes if Iran situation escalates

Lebanon's foreign minister said Tuesday his country fears its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Trump seeks to strike back in crucial State of the Union

US President Donald Trump will try to sell voters on the economy during his State of the Union address Tuesday, despite suffering a series of stinging blows ahead of crucial midterm elections this year.

US appeals WTO ruling in dispute by China over clean energy subsidies

Washington announced Tuesday that it was appealing a World Trade Organization ruling that faulted it in a dispute brought by China over US green energy subsidies.

Germany's Merz heads to China for talks centred on trade

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz left Tuesday for his inaugural visit to China, long a huge market for German goods but now a high-tech rival as Europe's biggest economy struggles.

US told EU it 'stands' by tariff deal: trade chief

The EU's trade chief said Tuesday his US counterparts had told him Washington stands by a key trade deal with the bloc, following an adverse Supreme Court decision on President Donald Trump's tariffs.

How AFP has used data analysis to cover the Ukraine war

Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine exactly four years ago, AFP has used open-source data and satellite imagery to support reporting by its teams on the ground.

Paris says US envoy pledges not to 'interfere' in France affairs

The US ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, called France's foreign minister Tuesday and pledged not to "interfere" in the host country's affairs, a diplomatic source said, after a fallout over Washington's remarks following the killing of a far-right activist.

Iran says students must respect 'red lines' after protests

Iran offered a muted warning on Tuesday for students who staged anti-government rallies, with the country's leaders under pressure after a recent mass protest movement and threats of US military action over its nuclear programme.

Brazil court tries politicians over hit on Black councilwoman

Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday opened the trial of politicians accused of ordering the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a case that exposed deep ties between politics and organized crime in the city.

Aid groups petition Israel's top court to halt ban on Gaza, West Bank ops

More than a dozen international humanitarian organisations have petitioned Israel's Supreme Court to block an imminent order that would force 37 NGOs to cease operations in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, warning of catastrophic consequences for civilians.

Zelensky says Ukraine unbroken after 4 years, but Russia vows to fight on

Vladimir Putin has not broken Ukraine, its leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday, as the Kremlin marked the fourth year of its invasion by vowing that it will keep fighting Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II until it achieves its goals.

Zelenksy says Ukraine unbroken after 4 years, but Russia vows to fight on