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War monitor says Israel conducted 300 strikes on Syria since Assad's fall

A war monitor said on Tuesday that Israel had conducted 300 strikes on Syria since the fall of president Bashar al-Assad, adding that the raids had "destroyed the most important military sites" in the country.

Taiwan says China carrying out huge maritime deployment

China is deploying dozens of ships in its biggest maritime mobilisation around Taiwan in years, Taipei said Tuesday, after Beijing voiced fury at President Lai Ching-te's recent visit to the United States.

France's Macron to host party leaders in quest for new govt

French party leaders will gather at President Emmanuel Macron's Elysee Palace office Tuesday afternoon in a bid to chart a route towards a new government, days after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was toppled in a confidence vote.

DR Congo strives to reconcile young people with books

The printer in the corner of Martin Lukongo's print shop in Goma, a city in DR Congo's troubled east, vibrates as it churns out an order for 400 copies of a book.

Hong Kong and Shanghai's China rally fades but Seoul rebounds

A morning rally in Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks ran out of steam on Tuesday with traders tempering initial excitement about China's pledge to adopt a looser monetary policy as they awaited more details about the plan.

PNG leader says bid to join Australian rugby league 'very strong'

Papua New Guinea's bid to break into Australia's rugby league competition is "very strong", the Pacific nation's prime minister told AFP on Tuesday, with an announcement expected imminently.

Ukraine struggles against Russian 'meat grinder' tactics

Lighting his pipe, the commander barely reacted to explosions in the distance as he explained how his men were dying, overwhelmed by Russian soldiers storming eastern Ukraine despite heavy losses.

Taiwan says China carrying out huge maritime drills

Taiwan said Tuesday that dozens of Chinese warships and other vessels have been deployed around the island, in one of China's biggest-ever military exercises.

Syria rebel leader vows to pursue former officials for torture, war crimes

Syria's Islamist rebel leader on Tuesday vowed to pursue former senior government officials responsible for torture and war crimes, a day after he began talks on the transfer of power following president Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

South Korea slaps travel bans on more top officials

South Korean authorities banned more top officials from leaving the country Tuesday, Yonhap reported, in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's bungled attempt to impose martial law.

Pentagon chief to meet Japan PM on final Asia trip

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday, having a day earlier warned American troops near Tokyo of the threat represented by China.

'Humanising Saudi football': Netflix show paves way for World Cup

A new Netflix series on Saudi football features packed stadiums and top-flight talent, but whether it can curb criticism of Riyadh's bid to host World Cup 2034 is an open question.

Trial of Prime Minister Netanyahu resumes in Tel Aviv

Benjamin Netanyahu, the first sitting prime minister of Israel to face a criminal trial, is expected to testify for the first time when his corruption case resumes Tuesday.

European countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad's fall

Britain, Germany, France, Italy and several other European countries said Monday they would freeze all pending asylum requests from Syrians, a day after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad.

Ghana opposition leader Mahama officially wins election

Ghana's opposition leader John Mahama officially won the country's election on Monday, easily defeating the ruling party candidate after voters punished the government's economic management and high living costs.

'Shadow president' Trump strides world stage

Donald Trump does not take office until January 20, but on the world stage he is already acting as if he is US president.

One dead as Palestinian security, militants clash in West Bank

Clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants killed a young Palestinian in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Monday, the security forces said.

Thousands rally in Georgia's 12th day of pro-EU protests

Thousands of people took to the streets in Georgia on Monday for the 12th consecutive day of protests against the government's decision to shelve European Union accession talks after disputed elections.

Nearly 200 dead in Haiti massacre as voodoo community reportedly targeted

Nearly 200 people in Haiti were killed in brutal weekend violence reportedly orchestrated against voodoo practitioners, with the government on Monday condemning an "abject massacre" of "unbearable cruelty."

Italian prosecutor says Meta owes more than 887 mn euros in VAT

A Milan prosecutor on Monday said that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, owes more than 887 million euros in value added taxes on estimated revenue it generated in Italy between 2015 and 2021.

Zelensky urges 'stronger' aid from German chancellor candidate Merz

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday asked for more support from Germany against Russia while meeting with opposition leader Friedrich Merz, who is leading opinion polls ahead of German elections in February.

Assad's fall shows Russian military limited by Ukraine offensive

The collapse of Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government has dealt a major blow to Russia's image of global strength and laid bare the limits of its military reach as its Ukraine offensive drags on.

South Korean president banned from leaving country

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol was banned Monday from travelling abroad, the justice ministry said, less than a week after he plunged the country into chaos by briefly imposing martial law.

Huthi drone fired from Yemen hits central Israeli residential building

A drone claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels exploded on the top floor of a residential building in the central Israeli city of Yavne on Monday, causing no injuries, the Israeli military and emergency services said.

UK finance minister hails 'milestone' talks with EU counterparts

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves advocated Monday for "more normal trading relations" with the European Union, as she became the first British chancellor since Brexit to attend a meeting of eurozone counterparts.

Wary Europe eyes Syria with hope -- and fear

European leaders have hailed the end of Bashar al-Assad's brutal rule in Syria as a moment of hope -– but they also view his sudden toppling as fraught with dangers.

Macron eyes broad alliance to form new French govt

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a "meeting of different political forces" to hammer out a programme for a new government, the Greens party leader said on Monday amid a political crisis triggered by Prime Minister Michel Barnier's ouster.

Syrians search for loved ones missing in Assad's jails

Syrian rescuers searched a jail synonymous with the worst atrocities of ousted president Bashar al-Assad's rule, as people in the capital flocked to a central square Monday to celebrate their country's freedom.

Oil prices higher on China boost, Syria uncertainty

World oil prices jumped Monday on fresh moves by China to boost its economy and as traders tracked an uncertain future for Syria and the wider crude-rich Middle East.

'I voted for the people': S. Korea MP defied party to try impeach president

As South Korean lawmakers tried to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law, ruling party MPs stormed out of the chamber to thwart the effort -- except for Ahn Cheol-soo.

Syrians search for loved ones while rejoicing in Assad's fall