EU strikes free trade pact with Mercosur bloc

European Union leaders hailed their "historic" free trade agreement with a South American trade bloc Mercosur, reached on Friday after 20 years of talks, despite strong opposition from some in the farm sector and environment groups.

Thousands march to save green plan

MADRID - Thousands marched through Madrid on Saturday to ask the Spanish capital's new mayor not to ditch ambitious traffic restrictions in the center only recently set to improve air quality.

Iranian state TV: Ball in Europe's court on 2015 nuclear deal's future

DUBAI - It is up to Europe to shield Iran from US sanctions and prevent it from further scaling back compliance with its 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Iranian state TV said on Saturday, with only days left on Teheran's ultimatum.

US, Taliban open Doha talks in a fresh bid to end war

ISLAMABAD - A fresh round of talks between the United States and the Taliban began in Qatar on Saturday, just days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington is hoping for an Afghan peace agreement before Sept 1.

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Vienna is 'last chance' to save nuclear accord

LONDON/VIENNA - Iran has said Friday's meeting in Vienna between the remaining signatories of a landmark nuclear deal was the "last chance" to save the accord, after the US withdrawal and warned Teheran would not accept "artificial" solutions to US sanctions.

Japan-US alliance 'stronger than ever'

In an apparent move to play down Washington's reignited security treaty criticism and to highlight the stable relationship between Japan and the United States, Tokyo said on Friday that their alliance "is stronger than ever".

Biden-Harris clash adds drama to party debate

While the issues of healthcare, immigration, income inequality and education were passionately discussed at the Democratic presidential debate on Thursday night, a clash between former US vice-president Joe Biden and Senator Kamala Harris of California brought a hush to the audience in Miami, Florida.

Kenya launches vaccine to curb meningitis

Kenya has announced that it will inoculate around 3 million people against the highly infectious meningitis A, using a new vaccine.

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US Senate OKs border aid bill

With the surge in migration at the southern border of the United States again capturing global attention, the US Senate on Wednesday approved a $4.6 billion bill to address the crisis, setting up negotiations with the House and President Donald Trump over how the funds should be used.

Russia exhibits advanced military equipment

More than 1,000 items of military equipment including some of the most advanced weapons and concepts are being exhibited at the Army-2019 Military and Technical Forum this week in Kubinka, Russia, a city about 60 kilometers west of Moscow.