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US optimistic on Ukraine talks but Russian bombardments hammer Kyiv
US officials expressed optimism Tuesday over attempts to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war but acknowledged that "delicate" issues remain -- a point underlined by Russia's bombardment of civilian apartment buildings in Kyiv.
Economy
EU, Africa pledge to boost trade, tackle migration at summit
European and African leaders committed to strengthening trade and better tackling irregular migration Tuesday, at the end of a summit aimed at boosting ties between the two continents.
Culture
With 'Zootopia 2,' Disney continues its battle against prejudice
The sentient animals of the fictional city of Zootopia are back with a fairytale for our times, examining how the powerful exploit our prejudices, in a family-friendly movie Disney hopes will be a big holiday hit.
Sports
Arsenal hope for Odegaard return in Bayern showdown
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is in contention to return from injury for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Sports
FIFA chief to receive Lebanese citizenship: association
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed FIFA President Gianni Infantino of his approval to grant him Lebanese citizenship on Tuesday, the head of the Lebanese Football Association told AFP.
US retail sales lose steam, consumer confidence falls as costs bite
US retail sales lost momentum in September and firms grappled with an uptick in business costs, government data showed Tuesday, underscoring growing concerns about affordability in the world's biggest economy.
Politics
Cuts to HIV funding 'most significant setback in decades': UN
Dramatic international funding cuts have thrown the global HIV response into turmoil, the United Nations said Tuesday, warning that new infections could surge.
Culture
Pianist behind Paris 'Bohemian Rhapsody' flash mob aims higher
The man behind a recent viral video featuring musicians playing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" to stunned bystanders in a Paris square has revealed to AFP the meticulous work that went into his latest, even bigger production.
Politics
Serbia's sole refinery faces shutdown after US sanctions
Serbia's only oil refinery prepared to shut down on Tuesday, as the country's president set a deadline for the firm's Russian majority-owners to sell out and end US sanctions.
Education
10 kidnapped as mass abductions shake Nigeria
Gunmen have seized 10 women and children in the latest kidnapping to rock Nigeria, police said Tuesday, as parents of dozens of children taken from a Catholic school last week pleaded for their release.
Economy
EU gives Germany free pass over defence spending
Germany will escape EU punishment for breaking the bloc's budget rules because of a defence spending exemption, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
Politics
Rate cut hopes underpin global stocks but tech weakness weighs
Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic posted moderate gains Tuesday on Fed rate cut speculation, but tech sector weakness undermined the bullish sentiment, dealers said.
Boulevard
France arrests two men, two women over Louvre heist: prosecutor
French authorities Tuesday arrested four more people in the probe into last month's spectacular daylight theft of imperial jewels from the Louvre museum, the top Paris prosecutor said.
Nature
Rain forces changes to 2026 Winter Olympics flame ceremony
Rainy weather has forced a running change to Wednesday's ceremony in ancient Olympia for the lighting of the sacred flame for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, organisers said.
Economy
US retail sales miss expectations as consumers see higher costs
US retail sales grew at a slower pace than anticipated in September, government data showed Tuesday, as higher prices added to affordability concerns while firms grappled with an uptick in business costs.
Politics
India, Pakistan to face off in group stage of T20 World Cup: ICC
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have been clubbed together in the same group and will play each other on February 15 in Colombo in the T20 World Cup, cricket's world body announced Tuesday.
Economy
Wall Street leads European equities higher as rate cut hopes rise
A solid opening for New York equities underpinned European stocks Tuesday as the tech sector extended a strong run and a US rate cut next month was seen as a near-certainty.
Politics
Facing Russia 'threat', France to restore voluntary military service
President Emmanuel Macron is set this week to announce that France is restoring military service on a voluntary basis in the face of the growing threat posed by Russia, just under three decades after conscription was abolished in the country.
Culture
Prosecutors seek jail for Italian influencer Ferragni in fraud case
Italian prosecutors asked a court on Tuesday to sentence fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni to one year and eight months in prison if found guilty of alleged fraud over charity endorsement deals.
Boulevard
Vienna's Spanish Riding School probed over animal abuse claims
Austria is probing Vienna's Spanish Riding School after claims that the famed school mistreated some of its Lipizzaner horses, the government said Tuesday.
Boulevard
Man accused of Liverpool parade crash in tears as trial opens
A British man wiped away tears Tuesday as his trial began for allegedly driving his car into crowds at Liverpool Football Club's Premier League victory parade in May, injuring dozens of people.
Politics
Pakistan denies deadly strikes after Afghanistan vows retaliation
Afghanistan's Taliban government vowed on Tuesday to "respond appropriately" to deadly overnight air strikes it blamed on Pakistan, a claim Islamabad denied, as tensions spiked a day after a suicide bombing in a Pakistani city.
Sports
Dembele could return for PSG against Spurs after latest injury lay-off
Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele could make his latest comeback in an injury-stunted season when Paris Saint-Germain face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Politics
EU says must 'step up' against China rare earths 'racket'
The European Union must ramp up efforts to break its dependence on China for rare earths faced with export curbs that amount to a "racket" by Beijing, the bloc's industry chief Stephane Sejourne said Tuesday.
Education
Parents of abducted Nigeria students plead for rescue
Parents of dozens of children kidnapped last week from a Catholic school in Nigeria are desperate for their release, with one father crying out that his son is so young he has not yet learned to speak.
Politics
Trump Ukraine push spurs clamour for EU to use Russian assets
The US push to ram through a lopsided plan for Ukraine has amped up calls for the EU to take a decision soon on using Russian frozen assets to fund Kyiv -- as Europe frets it risks losing key leverage.
Sports
2026 Winter Olympics flame to be lit in ancient Olympia
The sacred flame for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy will be lit in ancient Olympia, Greece on Wednesday, with poor weather forcing last-minute changes by the organisers.
Sports
South Africa on brink of first Test series win in India since 2000
South Africa had India tottering at 27-2 after setting the hosts a mammoth target of 549 in the second Test on Tuesday, moving to the brink of a first series win in the country for 25 years.
Economy
Kyrgyzstan arrests Chinese CEO of gold mining firm
Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday it had arrested the Chinese CEO of a gold mining firm accused of causing "large-scale" environmental damage, amid growing public scrutiny over Beijing's influence in the Central Asian country.
Politics
EU, Africa talks hone in on closer ties in Angola
European leaders sought to put some meat on the bones of pledges to boost ties with Africa on Tuesday as an Angola summit with their African counterparts entered its final stage.
Stocks diverge tracking Fed rates outlook, tech rebound
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Tuesday following a tech-led rally on Wall Street that soothed fears of an AI bubble.
Politics
Afghanistan vows retaliation against Pakistan for deadly strikes
Afghanistan's Taliban government vowed Tuesday to "respond appropriately" to overnight strikes it blamed on neighbouring Pakistan that killed 10 people, as tensions spiked the day after a suicide bombing in a Pakistani city.