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Nigeria's Tinubu signs major tax overhaul
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday signed four landmark bills into law aiming to overhaul the country's tax system, after backing away from more controversial tweaks that would have upended revenue sharing among states.
After NATO deal, how far will EU go for trade peace with Trump?
After satisfying Donald Trump's calls for Europe to ramp up defence spending in NATO, EU leaders were meeting in Brussels Thursday on the next big challenge ahead: how to seal a trade deal with the US leader.
Pentagon chief backs Trump on success of Iran strikes
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted Thursday that American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were a success, backing President Donald Trump and berating the media for covering an intelligence report that questioned the results of the operation.
Spain PM alleges 'genocide' in Gaza as rescuers say 56 killed
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday became the most prominent European leader to describe the situation in Gaza as a "genocide", as rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory said Israeli forces killed 56 people.
US Independence Day event no threat to Hong Kong security: consulate chief
The top American diplomat in Hong Kong defended US Independence Day celebrations as "perfectly normal" on Thursday after local education officials reportedly warned teachers and students to stay clear due to national security risks.
UN air service slashes fleet by nearly a quarter
The UN's air service which flies humanitarian workers and cargo to hard-to-reach corners of the world has been forced to slash its global fleet by almost a quarter due to funding cuts, the World Food Programme (WFP) told AFP.
16 dead, thousands of businesses destroyed after Kenya protests
At least 16 people died in protests across Kenya on Wednesday, Amnesty International said Thursday, as businesses and residents were left to clean up the devastation in the capital and beyond.
In Finnish border town, worry mounts over Russian military build-up
In a Finnish town a stone's throw from Russia, Moscow's reported military build-up on its side of the border is raising concerns about the Nordic country's security, locals told AFP.
For Senegal women's basketball team, show goes on without US visas
Members of the Senegal women's national basketball team hustled across the court in central Dakar, dribbling and pivoting as the scuffing noise of their trainers echoed across the empty arena.
Spain PM alleges 'genocide' in Gaza as rescuers say 35 killed
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday became the most prominent European leader to describe the situation in Gaza as a "genocide", as rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory said Israeli forces killed 35 people.
Khamenei says Trump 'exaggerated' impact of US strikes on nuclear sites
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday said US President Donald Trump "exaggerated" the impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, in his first appearance since a ceasefire in the war with Israel took hold.
China hosts Iran, Russia defence ministers against backdrop of 'turmoil'
China hosted defence ministers from Iran and Russia for a meeting in its eastern seaside city of Qingdao on Thursday against the backdrop of war in the Middle East and a summit of NATO countries in Europe that agreed to boost military spending.
US to offer new defense of strikes on Iran nuclear sites
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to hold a news conference on Thursday to offer a fresh assessment of strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, following a stinging row over how much American bombardment set back Tehran's nuclear program.
The reluctant fame of Gazan photojournalist Motaz Azaiza
At a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hundreds of people gathered recently for a weeknight charity fundraiser hosted by a celebrity guest.
Denmark to push for stricter EU migration policies
Denmark's strict migration policies have slowly spread across Europe and the country will now push for harsher EU-wide regulations during its upcoming EU presidency, including on asylum handling and legal appeals.
China hosts Iranian, Russian defence ministers against backdrop of 'momentous change'
China hosted defence ministers from Iran and Russia for a meeting in its eastern seaside city of Qingdao on Thursday against the backdrop of war in the Middle East and a summit of NATO countries in Europe that agreed to boost military spending.
Syrian architect uses drone footage to help rebuild hometown
Syrian architect Abdel Aziz al-Mohammed could barely recognise his war-ravaged village when he returned after years away. Now, his meticulous documentation of the damage using a drone helps to rebuild it.
UN Charter: a founding document violated and ignored
Eighty years ago Thursday, 50 countries came together in the ashes of World War II to sign the United Nations' founding charter in order "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war."
On Its Centennial: The Occasion of Replacing the Kiswa of the Noble Kaaba Embodies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Enduring Care for the Two Holy Mosques
The occasion was conducted with meticulous organisation. As the previous Kiswa was carefully prepared for removal, the new Kiswa was raised and securely fastened to all sides of the Kaaba. Additionally, the door curtain embroidered with golden embellishments, lantern-shaped pieces, the belt, and samadiyah pieces were affixed-a scene embodying high craftsmanship and precision.
Kenya anniversary protests turn violent, 8 dead
Marches in Kenya to mark a year since massive anti-government demos turned violent on Wednesday, with eight killed and at least 400 injured as protesters held running battles with police, who flooded Nairobi's streets with tear gas and sealed off government buildings with barbed wire.
Trans campaigners descend on UK parliament to protest 'bathroom ban'
Hundreds of transgender people and their supporters flocked to the UK parliament on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to oppose new guidelines that would deny them access to certain single-sex spaces.
New York mayoral vote floors Democratic establishment
Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary is a seismic wake-up call for a party establishment out of step with younger Americans and failing to counter Donald Trump, analysts say.
Trump claims 'win' as NATO agrees massive spending hike
NATO countries agreed Wednesday to massively ramp up their defence spending to satisfy US President Donald Trump, who hailed it as a "monumental win" for America -- and reaffirmed his country's commitment to protect its European allies.
Sidelined Zelensky still gets Trump face time at NATO summit
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky may have been left largely on the margins of NATO's summit in the Netherlands -- but he still managed to score a sit-down meeting with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
RFK Jr.'s vaccine panel opens amid backlash over fabricated study
A medical panel appointed by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opened its first meeting Wednesday under a cloud of controversy after a presentation it planned to review cited a non-existent study.
Trump says 'three or four' candidates in mind for Fed chief
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had a handful of candidates potentially lined up to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, whom he sharply criticised for his handling of the world's top economy.
Trump teases Iran talks next week, says nuclear programme set back 'decades'
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States would hold nuclear talks with Iran next week, teasing the possibility of a deal even after boasting that recent US strikes had crippled the Islamic republic's atomic programme.
Iran hangs three more accused of spying as fears grow for Swede
Iran on Wednesday hanged three men convicted of spying for Israel after what activists decried as an unfair trial, bringing to six the number of people executed on such charges since the start of the war between the Islamic republic and Israel.
Trump reassures allies as NATO agrees 'historic' spending hike
US President Donald Trump took a victory lap at NATO's Hague summit Wednesday, joining leaders in reaffirming the "ironclad" commitment to protect each other after allies agreed to his demand to ramp up defence spending.
Trump sees 'progress' on Gaza, raising hopes for ceasefire
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that "great progress" was being made to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza as a new ceasefire push began more than 20 months since the start of the conflict.
Cambodians at quiet Thai border plead for peace
At the usually bustling border crossing of Poipet between Thailand and Cambodia, tuk-tuk driver San Noeun now has to work overnight to make ends meet.
Upstart socialist stuns former governor in NYC mayoral primary
New York City Democrats chose 33-year-old Muslim socialist Zohran Mamdani as their mayoral candidate in Tuesday's elections, stunning his opponent, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo.