US lawmakers reportedly pushing for import ban on PDD's Temu

Reuters
International court to begin hearings that may shape global climate litigation
The United Nations' top court next week begins hearings on the legal obligation of countries to fight climate change and the consequences for states of contributing to global warming, the outcome of which could influence litigation worldwide. While the advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) are non-binding, they are legally and politically significant. Experts say the ICJ's eventual opinion on climate change will likely be cited in climate change-driven lawsuits in courts from Europe to Latin America and beyond.
AFP
Ireland votes in closely fought general election
Ireland began voting Friday in a closely-fought general election with the incumbent coalition neck-and-neck with opposition party Sinn Fein after a campaign marked by rancour over housing and cost-of-living crises.At the last general election in 2020, Sinn Fein -- the former political wing of the paramilitary Irish Republican Army -- won the popular vote but could not find willing coalition partners.
Associated Press
Georgian protesters and police clash after prime minister suspends talks on joining the EU
Police and protesters brutally clashed in Georgia after the country's ruling party suspended negotiations to join the European Union until 2028. Police used water cannons, pepper spray and tear gas late Thursday to disperse protesters who took to the streets following the announcement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Georgian Dream claimed victory in last month's parliamentary election that the opposition in the South Caucasus nation dismissed as fraudulent and that has been condemned by European officials.
AFP
Taiwan detects 41 Chinese military aircraft, ships ahead of Lai US stopover
Taiwan said Friday it detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and ships around the island ahead of a Hawaii stopover by President Lai Ching-te, part of a Pacific tour that has sparked fury in Beijing.In the 24 hours to 6:00 am on Friday (2200 GMT Thursday), Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 33 Chinese aircraft and eight navy vessels in its airspace and waters.
Associated Press
Chad ends a defense cooperation agreement with its former colonial ruler France
Chad's government said it was ending a defense cooperation agreement with France in order to redefine the nation's sovereignty from its former colonial ruler. The decision marks a historic turning point since the Central African nation gained independence more than six decades ago, foreign ministry spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said in a statement Thursday. It said the decision to end the agreement would allow Chad to redefine its strategic partnerships in line with national priorities.
AFP
Spain urged to 'build differently' after deadly floods
Spain is racing to reconstruct areas devastated by deadly floods last month but experts have urged a rethink of development with the relocation of buildings away from vulnerable areas.But Romero Aloy said there has to be a "rethinking the territorial model and considering removing buildings or installations that face a high risk" of flooding.
Reuters
EU envoy says Georgia's freezing of EU talks is not will of population, Interpress reports
The European Union's ambassador to Georgia said on Friday that Tbilisi's move to effectively halt the country's EU accession bid until 2028 was "heartbreaking" and in conflict with the wishes of most Georgians, local media reported. The bloc itself said earlier this year that Georgia's application had been frozen in response to new laws passed against "foreign agents" and LGBT rights that critics say are draconian and Moscow-inspired.
Reuters
Turkish economy grew 2.1%, less than expected as policy weighs
ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey's economy grew at a less than expected 2.1% rate in the third quarter as demand ebbed especially in the services sector under the weight of high interest rates, official data showed on Friday. Third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) dipped by 0.2% from the previous quarter on a seasonally and calendar-adjusted basis, Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data showed. Annual growth in the second quarter was revised down to 2.4% from 2.5%, the data also showed.
AFP
WTO chief faces heavy task as Trump threat looms
World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is expected to be reappointed Friday for a second term, in the shadow of the coming return of Donald Trump and his disdain for international trade rules.Her term ends in August 2025, and the appointment process expected to lead to her next term had initially been scheduled to take months.
AFP
Yen rallies on rate hike bets as equity markets swing
The yen rallied Friday after forecast-busting inflation data out of Tokyo boosted talk of another Japanese interest rate cut next month, while equity markets were mixed as traders weigh the economic outlook during a second Trump administration.The stronger yen weighed Japanese exporters and pushed Tokyo stocks lower on Friday.
Reuters
Japan's MUFG to spend over $660 million to buy robo-adviser WealthNavi
Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) said on Friday it would spend about 99.7 billion yen ($664 million) to turn WealthNavi Inc, a provider of automated asset management, into a wholly owned subsidiary. MUFG will launch a tender offer on Monday for 1,950 yen apiece, or an 84% premium over WealthNavi's closing share price on Thursday. WealthNavi, in which MUFG already has a more than 15% stake, had over 1 trillion yen in assets under management as of January, making it the biggest robo-adviser in Japan.
Reuters
South Africa takes G20 helm as polarisation complicates agenda
South Africa takes over the G20 presidency on Sunday, the first African country to lead the forum, though its focus on issues such as inclusive growth and climate change risks bumping up against the hard reality of trade wars and diplomatic tensions. Coming a year after the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20, South Africa's turn at the helm is seen as an opportunity to push for progress on policy areas crucial to the continent's development. President Cyril Ramaphosa has cited inclusive economic growth, food security, climate change and artificial intelligence as priorities, with details expected next week.
Associated Press
Ukrainian energy workers carry out repairs despite Russia's pounding of the country's power grid
On a bright winter day, workers at a Ukrainian thermal power plant repair its heavily damaged equipment as drops of water from melted snow leak through gaping holes in its battered roof. Several weeks earlier, the facility was targeted by a Russian air attack that left scorch marks, shrapnel scars on the walls, and missile fragments scattered across the production floor. Repeated Russian strikes on infrastructure have seriously impacted Ukraine's energy sector often resulting in rolling blackouts across the country.
CNN
Don’t drink local ‘Tiger’ vodka and whisky in Laos, Australia warns after tourist deaths
Australia has warned travelers against drinking spirits made by a Laos distiller, following the deaths of six foreign tourists from suspected methanol poisoning in the Southeast Asian country.
Associated Press
UK transport secretary quits over decade-old cellphone fraud case
British Transport Minister Louise Haigh resigned on Friday over a decade-old fraud conviction for claiming her cellphone had been stolen. In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Haigh said “I remain totally committed to our political project, but I now believe it will be best served by my supporting you from outside government." The resignation came hours after Sky News and The Times of London newspaper reported that Haigh had been charged with fraud after she reported that a work cellphone had been stolen after she was mugged in 2013.
Associated Press
Polls open in close-run election to choose Ireland's new government
Ireland is voting Friday in a parliamentary election that will decide the next government — and will show whether Ireland bucks the global trend of incumbents being ousted by disgruntled voters after years of pandemic, international instability and a cost-of-living pressures. Polls opened at 7 a.m.. (0700GMT), and Ireland’s 3.8 million voters are selecting 174 lawmakers to sit in the Dail, the lower house of parliament. The outgoing government was led by the two parties who have dominated Irish politics for the past century: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.
Reuters
Indonesian rescuers search for missing in buried cars and bus after landslide in Sumatra
Torrential rain for the past week in the province has triggered flash floods and landslides in four different districts, Indonesia's disaster agency has said. The death toll from one landslide on Wednesday on a hilly interprovince road rose to nine from seven, Hadi Wahyudi, the spokesperson of North Sumatra police told Reuters on Friday.
CNN
Remains of missing New York couple found in Georgia, family says, resolving 1980 cold case
The discovery of human remains inside a vehicle found in a Georgia pond may be linked to a New York couple who disappeared in 1980, according to police.
Associated Press
Embattled Japan leader vows to cooperate with long-ignored opposition in bid to save his government
Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who survived as leader after a major election loss by his governing coalition, promised Friday to work closely with the long-ignored opposition that is now the only way his minority government can stay in power. Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito together lost a majority in the 465-seat lower house, the more powerful of Japan’s two-house parliament, in the Oct. 27 elections. The election loss was blamed on voter anger over his party’s financial misconduct, and he is trying to quickly tackle reforms.
Associated Press
Taiwan president will stop over in Hawaii and Guam during his upcoming trip to the South Pacific
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te will stop over in Hawaii and Guam during his trip to the South Pacific, in a move expected to draw objection from China. Lai is due to depart Taiwan on Saturday for a weeklong trip to visit the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau — three diplomatic allies of the self-ruled island. On Thursday, Taiwan’s Central News Agency, quoting an unnamed official at his office, reported that Lai would make stopovers in the U.S. state and U.S. island territory.

US lawmakers reportedly pushing for import ban on PDD's Temu

Video Transcript

Latest Stories

International court to begin hearings that may shape global climate litigation

Ireland votes in closely fought general election

Georgian protesters and police clash after prime minister suspends talks on joining the EU

Taiwan detects 41 Chinese military aircraft, ships ahead of Lai US stopover

Chad ends a defense cooperation agreement with its former colonial ruler France

Spain urged to 'build differently' after deadly floods

EU envoy says Georgia's freezing of EU talks is not will of population, Interpress reports

Turkish economy grew 2.1%, less than expected as policy weighs

WTO chief faces heavy task as Trump threat looms

Yen rallies on rate hike bets as equity markets swing

Japan's MUFG to spend over $660 million to buy robo-adviser WealthNavi

South Africa takes G20 helm as polarisation complicates agenda

Ukrainian energy workers carry out repairs despite Russia's pounding of the country's power grid

Don’t drink local ‘Tiger’ vodka and whisky in Laos, Australia warns after tourist deaths

UK transport secretary quits over decade-old cellphone fraud case

Polls open in close-run election to choose Ireland's new government

Indonesian rescuers search for missing in buried cars and bus after landslide in Sumatra

Remains of missing New York couple found in Georgia, family says, resolving 1980 cold case

Embattled Japan leader vows to cooperate with long-ignored opposition in bid to save his government

Taiwan president will stop over in Hawaii and Guam during his upcoming trip to the South Pacific