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Ukraine hails 'real progress' in Zelensky's talks with US envoys

Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump's envoys have made "real progress" in Berlin talks aimed at ending the war with Russia, Ukraine's delegation said on Monday.

EU faces key summit on using Russian assets for Ukraine

EU leaders are under pressure to hammer out how to keep financing Ukraine at a summit starting Thursday -- with key player Belgium resisting a push to use frozen Russian assets.

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Trapped, starving and afraid in besieged Sudan city

In Kadugli, a besieged city in Sudan's Kordofan region, escalating violence and worsening famine have left civilians trapped in a state of constant fear, according to testimonies gathered by AFP.

US-Ukrainian talks resume in Berlin with territorial stakes unresolved

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pushed on with high-stakes talks in Berlin on Monday with US President Donald Trump's envoys aimed at ending the war with Russia, but thorny territorial questions remained unresolved.

Small firms join charge to boost Europe's weapon supplies

European nations have committed themselves to huge hikes in spending on weapons, with giant defence firms reaping the early rewards -- but the signs are that smaller companies and investors are now beginning to mobilise.

Spain fines Airbnb 64 mn euros for posting banned properties

Spain's leftist government said Monday it had fined Airbnb more than 64 million euros ($75 million), notably for posting listings for banned rental properties, at a time the country faces a housing crisis.

Japan's only two pandas to be sent back to China

Two pandas at a Tokyo zoo will be returned to China in January, the Tokyo government said on Monday, potentially leaving Japan without the beloved animals for the first time in half a century.

Zelensky, US envoys to push on with Ukraine talks in Berlin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was set to push on with talks in Berlin on Monday with US President Donald Trump's envoys on how to end the grinding war with Russia.

Cambodia says Thai air strikes hit home province of heritage temples

Cambodia accused Thailand on Monday of striking deep inside its territory, bombing areas less than a two-hour drive from the country's main tourist draw, the centuries-old Angkor temples, in a reignited border conflict.

Bondi Beach gunmen had possible Islamic State links, says ABC

A father and son who killed 15 people attending a Jewish festival on Sydney's Bondi Beach had possible links to the Islamic State group, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said Monday.

Far-right Kast wins Chile election landslide

Chile elected its most right-wing president in 35 years of democracy on Sunday, with arch-conservative Jose Antonio Kast scoring a thumping victory over his leftist runoff rival.

North Korean leader's sister sports Chinese foldable phone

The North Korean leader's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong has been spotted with a likely Chinese-made foldable phone, as Pyongyang's elite skirt sanctions to get their hands on the latest gadgetry from abroad.

Iran's women bikers take the road despite legal, social obstacles

When she first started learning to ride a motorbike, Iranian Maryam Ghelich, now an instructor, would drive through Tehran's empty streets at night to avoid scrutiny over her clothing or lack of a licence.

Civilians venture home after militia seizes DR Congo town

With rifles at their feet, Burundian soldiers watch from behind barriers as more than 500 of their compatriots cross the Kavimvira border, returning home.

Countdown to disclosure: Epstein deadline tests US transparency

US President Donald Trump's administration is facing a Friday deadline to release decades of government secrets on notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the latest milestone in the long-running effort to uncover the full extent of his network.

Far-right Kast wins Chile election in landslide

Chile elected its most right-wing president in 35 years of democracy on Sunday, with arch-conservative Jose Antonio Kast scoring a thumping victory over his leftist runoff rival.

Volunteers patrol Thai villages as artillery rains at Cambodia border

Ten kilometres from Thailand's disputed border with Cambodia, farmer-turned-village security guard Narongchai Putthet stands at a roadside checkpoint, his rifle slung across his navy blue uniform.

Far-right candidate Kast wins Chile presidential election

Chilean voters elected the most right-wing president in 35 years of democracy on Sunday, with official results showing arch-conservative Jose Antonio Kast with a thumping victory and his rival quickly conceding defeat.

Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media 'troublemaker' in Beijing's crosshairs

A rags-to-riches tycoon, Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai is a self-styled "troublemaker" who has long been a thorn in Beijing's side with his caustic tabloids and unapologetic support for democracy.

Far right eyes comeback as Chile presidential polls close

Polls began closing across Chile on Sunday, with voters poised to elect as president the most right-wing candidate in 35 years of democracy or a Communist Party member who leads a broad leftist coalition.

Freed Belarus dissident Bialiatski vows to keep resisting regime from exile

Ales Bialiatski struggles to believe he is a free man and that he can -- after years in prison largely barred from outside contact -- speak to his wife in person.

Zelensky, US envoys to push on with Ukraine talks in Berlin on Monday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was set to push on with talks in Berlin on Monday with US President Donald Trump's envoys on how to end the grinding war with Russia.

ECOWAS threatens 'targeted sanctions' over Guinea Bissau coup

West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Sunday threatened "targeted sanctions" on anyone obstructing Guinea-Bissau's return to civilian rule following last month's coup.

Freed Belarus protest leader Kolesnikova doesn't 'regret anything'

Belarusian protest leader Maria Kolesnikova said she did not regret anything as she spoke to reporters Sunday after her surprise release brokered by the United States.

Zelensky meets US envoys in Berlin for talks on ending Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday met with US President Donald Trump's envoys for talks on how to end the war with Russia, kicking off two days of crisis diplomacy in Berlin.

French PM urged to intervene over cow slaughter protests

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was urged on Sunday by local officials to intervene to avoid an escalation as French farmers protested the use of police force and the culling of cows due to a skin disease.

Far right eyes comeback as Chile presidential vote begins

Chileans began voting for a new president Sunday, making a stark choice between the most right-wing candidate in 35 years of democracy and the head of a leftist coalition.

Devastation at Sydney's Bondi beach after deadly shooting

Towels, bags and baby strollers littered Sydney's Bondi Beach Sunday -- the harrowing aftermath of the country's worst mass shooting in years.

Zelensky in Berlin for high-stakes talks with US envoys, Europeans

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin Sunday for two days of talks with European leaders and US President Donald Trump's envoys on ending the war with Russia.

Hong Kong's oldest pro-democracy party announces dissolution

Hong Kong's oldest pro-democracy party has decided to disband, the group announced Sunday, after its members formally voted to dissolve the organisation and enter liquidation.

Zelensky says will seek US support to freeze front line at Berlin talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he hoped the United States would back the idea of freezing the front line in Ukraine along its current shape at their meeting in Berlin.

Chile far right eyes comeback as presidential vote opens