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Cuba unveils historic package of free-market reforms
Cuba on Thursday unveiled nearly 200 historic free-market reforms aimed at rescuing the communist island from a severe crisis aggravated by a US oil blockade.
Polls close in UK by-election set to decide PM Starmer's political fate
Polls closed late Thursday in a historic UK by-election which could determine embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future, as a Labour rival eyeing a leadership bid vies for a parliamentary seat.
Ex-presidents and stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Library
All living US ex-presidents -- with the notable absence of current White House occupant Donald Trump -- joined a star-studded lineup Thursday for the opening of Barack Obama's presidential center in Chicago.
Vance warns Israel against criticizing US-Iran deal
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday issued an extraordinary rebuke to Israeli critics of the Iran deal, warning them not to alienate their "only powerful ally" left in the world.
Iran's supreme leader says approved deal as US lifts ports blockade
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that he had approved despite reservations a deal signed by President Donald Trump to end the Middle East war, as the US lifted a blockade of Iranian ports.
Ex-presidents, stars, but no Trump, turn out for Obama Center
All living US ex-presidents -- with the notable absence of current White House occupant Donald Trump -- joined a star-studded lineup Thursday for the opening of Barack Obama's presidential center in Chicago.
Vance defends Iran deal, eyes Swiss talks
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday defended the deal to end the Iran war, saying he would likely head to Switzerland for talks to turn it into a long-term agreement.
Israel FM cuts contact with EU top diplomat over 'apartheid' remarks
Israel's foreign minister said Thursday he was severing all contact with the European Union's top diplomat over reported remarks in which she allegedly compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.
US lifts Iran ports blockade as uncertainty clouds Swiss Iran talks
The US on Thursday lifted a blockade of Iranian ports imposed during the Middle East war after President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict, as uncertainty surrounded planned talks in Switzerland aiming to take the accord further.
Brazilian police probe senator close to Lula
Brazilian police investigating a banking scandal carried out raids Thursday against targets including a senator allied with President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, bringing the affair closer to his government as he seeks reelection in October.
Oil sinks on Mideast deal, but Fed outlook knocks equities
Oil prices dropped further Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal to end four months of war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker and cargo traffic.
Knicks celebrate NBA win with huge New York parade
Thousands of New York Knicks fans flooded Manhattan on Thursday for a heavily guarded victory parade, turning the city into a sea of blue and orange to mark their basketball team's NBA Finals victory.
Foreign aid cuts push up migrant flows, IOM chief warns
Cuts in development aid by wealthy countries tend to drive up displacement away from the world's poorest regions, the head of the UN's International Organization for Migration warned in an interview with AFP on Thursday.
Cuba leader admits 'urgent changes' needed to overcome crisis
Cuba's communist model needs "urgent changes" to overcome a major crisis which cannot be solely blamed on a crippling US oil blockade, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in his frankest admission yet of the need for radical reforms.
Labour rival eyes win in poll key to UK PM's fate
UK voters went to the polls on Thursday in a historic local election that could determine the future of beleaguered Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and shape the next government.
Trump's Iran deal sparks anger among Republican hawks
US President Donald Trump's deal with Iran has opened a rare breach with Republican hawks, who warn that the agreement falls far short of the sweeping victory he promised and could leave Tehran richer, stronger and still able to threaten the region.
Swiss heading towards referendum on new nuclear plants
Switzerland's parliament on Thursday approved a divisive government plan to build new nuclear power stations, overturning a 2018 ban and putting the country on course for a referendum.
Hegseth blasts NATO allies, says US will review forces in Europe
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO Thursday the Pentagon will review its force presence in Europe within six months, as he lashed out at allies over defence spending and their response to the Iran war.
Cuban economy needs 'urgent changes' to overcome crisis: president
Cuba's economy needs "urgent changes" to overcome a major crisis intensified by a US oil blockade, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in a speech to Communist Party leaders broadcast on Thursday.
Bittersweet World Cup for Gaza's football fans
In the darkness of a market in the central Gaza Strip, where power outages are a part of daily life, a brightly lit screen showing a World Cup match holds everyone's gaze.
Trump defends Iran deal from critics he calls 'fools'
US President Donald Trump lashed out at critics of his agreement with Iran on Thursday, calling those who accused him of offering concessions to end the war "fools", ahead of negotiations in Switzerland on implementing the deal.
Starmer's Labour rival eyes win in UK poll key to PM's fate
UK voters went to the polls on Thursday in a historic local election which could determine the future of beleaguered Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Oil falls further on Mideast deal, but Fed outlook knocks equities
Oil prices tumbled further Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tanker and cargo traffic.
IAEA ready to help define 'concrete steps' to implement US-Iran deal
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday that it was ready to begin defining the "concrete steps" needed to implement a US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war.
Hegseth tells NATO US will review force presence in Europe
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told NATO Thursday the Pentagon will review its force presence in Europe within the next six months, as Washington pressures allies to step up their defences amid anger over their response to the Iran war.
Ukraine sets Moscow refinery ablaze in biggest attack in years
Ukraine on Thursday launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, sparking fires in and around the capital, hitting a major oil refinery and forcing evacuations at the country's largest airport, officials said.
Oil prices sink further as Trump signs deal to reopen Hormuz
Oil prices tumbled again Thursday after US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart signed off on a deal to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer rival seeks win in UK poll pivotal to PM's fate
Britain was holding a key local election on Thursday that could trigger the endgame for Labour leader Keir Starmer's beleaguered premiership, or win him a reprieve.
Taiwan president says hopes for $14 bn US arms sale 'as soon as possible'
Taiwan's president said Thursday he hoped the United States would approve a $14 billion arms sale "as soon as possible", reiterating that the democratic island "rejects unification" with China.
Jubilant New York on guard for Knicks parade
Millions of New Yorkers are expected to turn out for a heavily guarded victory parade Thursday for the city's Knicks basketball team after it won the NBA Finals at the weekend.
India learns to live with hotter summers
On India's hot plains, scorching summers have become increasingly harder to endure, requiring adaptations and forcing life into the hours of dark before the sun turns punishing.
EU wrestles over how to tackle China export flood
EU leaders will grapple on Thursday over whether the bloc needs new beefed-up trade defences to curb the surge of Chinese exports deemed an existential threat to European industry and jobs by Brussels.