Berliner Boersenzeitung

Gabon's Bongo aims for third term in nationwide poll

Voters in Gabon were called to the polls on Saturday for a triple election in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, scion of a family that has ruled for 55 years, is seeking victory over a belatedly-united opposition.

Niger's military rulers order French ambassador out

Niger's military rulers, who seized control of the government in July, gave the French ambassador 48 hours to leave the country, Niamey's foreign ministry said in a statement Friday.

Niger's military rulers order four envoys out

Niger's military rulers on Friday gave the French, German, Nigerian and US ambassadors 48 hours to quit the country, amid escalating tension over the threat of military action from the West African bloc ECOWAS to reverse the coup.

Owning it: Trump embraces historic mug shot

For most people, a police mug shot would be a badge of dishonor they would do anything to erase.

Mali civilians increasingly at risk, UN experts warn

UN experts have painted a grim picture of the situation in Mali, alleging that sexual violence and other rights abuses are being used to spread terror, as the retreat of UN peacekeepers has raised fears of intensified civilian suffering.

Head of Ethiopia's crisis-hit Amhara region resigns

The head of Ethiopia's violence-stricken region of Amhara, which the federal government has placed under a state of emergency, has stepped down, according to an official statement reported Friday.

Guatemala boosts security after threats to president-elect

Guatemalan authorities said Friday that security measures had been boosted after threats against president-elect Bernard Arevalo, just days after his shock landslide election victory.

No letup in Sudan fighting as UN issues dire warning

Fighting in Sudan showed no signs of abating Friday as the United Nations issued a dire warning over the impact of a war it said threatens to "consume" the country.

Tilting the scales of justice: Trump's height, weight raise eyebrows

Does Donald Trump truly weigh 215 pounds, as stated by authorities after his arrest on racketeering and conspiracy charges in Georgia? Many Americans are not buying it.

Utkin, the Nazi-tattooed commander who gave Wagner its name

A rare photo of the Wagner group's military commander shows a man with a shaved head, a cold stare and the Nazi SS symbol tattooed on both sides of his neck.

Anti-government protests take hold in southern Syria

Rare protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government showed no sign of abating Friday with demonstrations reported in a string of towns in Daraa and Sweida provinces.

Stock gains fizzle after Powell speech

Stocks gains fizzled Friday after Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell dashed hopes of a pause in interest rate hikes, signaling it will hike rates further if needed to push down inflation.

Powell says US Fed could 'raise rates further,' but urges caution

The US Federal Reserve is prepared to raise interest rates higher -- and hold them there -- to bring down above-target inflation, but will proceed "carefully" going forward, chairman Jerome Powell said Friday.

US auto workers vote to authorize strike if contract talks fail

Workers at Detroit's three auto giants overwhelmingly voted to authorize union leaders to call a strike if there is no contract by next month's deadline, the union announced Friday.

'Absolute lie': Kremlin denies Prigozhin killed on its orders

The Kremlin on Friday dismissed rumours it orchestrated the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, presumed dead in a plane crash two months after leading a mutiny in Russia.

W.Africa bloc tells Niger coup chiefs 'not too late'

West Africa's bloc ECOWAS on Friday told Niger's coup leaders it was "not too late" to reconsider their position as they wrangle over a return to civilian rule with the option of military force still "very much on the table".

Niger dancing to tune of coup-backing songs

Amid a crowd gathered in support of Niger's military rulers stands star-of-the-moment Sergeant Maman Sani Maigochi.

Ecuador banned Amazon oil. Brazil's Lula wants to drill

The timing spoke volumes: just as Ecuador announced its historic decision to halt oil drilling in a sensitive Amazon rainforest reserve, Brazil trumpeted its massive fossil-fuel investment plans -- which include oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon river.

Stocks rise as Powell speech looms

European and US stocks pushed higher on Friday ahead of a keenly awaited speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell, brushing aside losses in Asia as investors worried he may signal further interest rate hikes.

Zimbabwe vote observers find election 'fell short' of standards

Foreign poll observers on Friday said Zimbabwe's presidential and legislative elections failed to conform to regional and international standards, placing in doubt the credibility of the tense vote.

'Absolute lie': Kremlin rejects Prigozhin killed on its orders

The Kremlin on Friday dismissed rumours it orchestrated the death of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, presumed dead in a plane crash two months after leading a mutiny in Russia.

France, EU to spend 200 mn euros on destroying excess wine

The French government announced Friday that 200 million euros ($216 million) would be set aside to fund the destruction of surplus wine production in a bid to support struggling producers and shore up prices.

Russia hails air defences after massive drone attack on Crimea

Russia on Friday praised the work of its air defences, saying they had downed 42 drones over the Moscow-controlled Crimean peninsula, a day after Ukraine claimed its forces launched a raid there.

Influence of Russia's Wagner set to outlive chiefs: analysts

The plane crash that reportedly killed Yevgeny Prigozhin wiped out the entire top leadership of Russian paramilitary group Wagner but its influence is set to outlive them all both at home and abroad.

Aspects of Zimbabwe vote 'fell short': regional observers

Poll observers from a regional southern African bloc SADC on Friday said certain aspects of Zimbabwe's tense presidential and legislative elections did not conform to democratic principles.

Dutch brewer Heineken says completed exit from Russia

Dutch brewer Heineken on Friday announced it was pulling out of Russia after selling its operations to the Arnest Group, the largest Russian manufacturer of cosmetics, household goods and metal packaging.

Asian traders resume selling on rate fears as Powell speech looms

Asian markets sank Friday as a mini rally came to a juddering halt ahead of a keenly awaited speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell later in the day, with traders increasingly worried the bank will hike interest rates further.

China's allies lead Pacific criticism of Fukushima water release

China's Pacific allies -- from Solomon Islands' government to Fiji's opposition -- on Friday echoed Beijing's criticism of Japan releasing wastewater from its disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear plant.

Philippine, Australian troops hold South China Sea drills

Australian and Filipino troops held exercises on Friday near flashpoint South China Sea waters claimed by China, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos hailing them as an "extremely important" example of close cooperation.

Asian investors resume selloff on rate fears as Powell speech looms