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Hungary government accuses journalist of spying for Ukraine

BUDAPEST, March 26 (Reuters) - Hungarian authorities ⁠said on Thursday they had launched an investigation into a journalist over ⁠accusations that he was spying for Ukraine amid an increasingly acrimonious election ‌campaign - allegations dismissed by the reporter.

World

Ethiopia launches flagship investment forum to boost foreign investment

ADDIS ABABA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's flagship investment forum, dubbed "Invest in Ethiopia," kicked off on Thursday, aiming to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and drive economic transformation.

World

Zambia's economy expands by 3.8 pct in 2025

LUSAKA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's economy grew by 3.8 percent in 2025, unchanged from the previous year, according to preliminary data released by the Zambia Statistical Agency on Thursday.

World

Namibia starts production testing at Kavango well

WINDHOEK, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) on Thursday announced the start of production testing at the Kavango West-1X well in the Kavango Basin, in partnership with international oil firms, as exploration activity accelerates in the country.

World

Saudi Central Bank starts licensing fintech firms for open banking services

RIYADH, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced on Thursday the start of licensing fintech companies to provide open banking services.

World

Economic Watch: Multinationals at Boao forum chart new China opportunities

BOAO, Hainan, March 26 (Xinhua) -- In the eyes of multinational executives who gathered for the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 this week, the recently adopted outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan is a meticulously drawn "construction blueprint" for the world's second-largest economy, and a clear "opportunity list" for global investors.

World

South Africa holds repo rate unchanged at 6.75 pct amid Middle East tension

JOHANNESBURG, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) on Thursday kept its repurchase rate unchanged at 6.75 percent, citing heightened uncertainty in the global outlook amid tensions in the Middle East.

World

Severe storm floods Gaza camps: officials

GAZA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains and strong winds battered the Gaza Strip on Thursday, flooding hundreds of tents sheltering displaced people, officials said.

World

China Focus: Hainan FTP hailed as opening up model at annual forum in Boao

BOAO, Hainan, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Participants at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 have highlighted the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) as a key platform for China's high-standard opening up, underscoring its growing role amid rising global uncertainty and shifting trade patterns.

World

Pokemon shop employee killed in Tokyo knife attack

TOKYO, March 26 (Reuters) - A female ⁠employee at a Pokemon merchandise shop was stabbed to death in ⁠Tokyo's commercial complex on Thursday, and the suspected assailant also died ‌after stabbing himself, shocking shoppers during children's spring break season in Japan.

World

Ukraine's Zelenskiy arrives in Saudi Arabia for 'important meetings'

KYIV, ⁠March 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Ukrainian President Volodymyr ‌Zelenskiy said on Thursday that he ​had arrived ⁠in Saudi ⁠Arabia and would ⁠hold "important ‌meetings".

World

Mexico announces support for its motor transport industry

MEXICO CITY, ⁠March 26 (Reuters) - The Mexican government ⁠announced measures on Thursday to ‌support the country's motor transport industry, especially manufacturers and owners of heavy vehicles. 

World

Corruption allegations dent Milei's popularity in Argentina, polls show

BUENOS AIRES, March 26 (Reuters) - Argentine ⁠President Javier Milei's administration has experienced a decline of nearly 5 ⁠percentage points in public approval in March, according to multiple ‌polls, following recent corruption allegations directed at the government.

World

EU's Kallas warns against Ukraine land concessions, calls territorial demands 'Russian playbook'

PARIS, March ⁠26 (Reuters) - The European Unions is ⁠worried about Ukraine being pressured ‌by the United States into ceding territory in negotiations with Russia, the EU foreign ​policy chief Kaja ⁠Kallas said on ⁠Thursday.

World

Olympics-Transgender athletes barred from female category events

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 26 (Reuters) - Only biological female athletes, whose gender has been determined ⁠by a one-time gene-screening test, will now be eligible to take part in female category events at the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday.

World

Russian farmers complain of mobile internet shutdowns amid spring planting

MOSCOW, March 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Russian government measures to shut down mobile internet ⁠across the country because of Ukrainian drone ‌attacks are affecting fieldwork during the planting season, a major farming lobby said on Thursday.

World

Finland's Supreme Court fines MP for calling homosexuality 'developmental disorder'

HELSINKI, March 26 (Reuters) - ⁠Finland's Supreme Court on Tuesday found a member of parliament guilty and fined ⁠her for calling homosexuality a "developmental disorder", in a long-running precedent case that ‌has turned into a political tussle over the limits of freedom of speech.

World

Canada to lobby G7 nations to join new defence bank, foreign minister says

VAUX-DE-CERNAY, France, March 26 (Reuters) - Canada will ⁠pitch plans for a new defence bank to G7 nations, urging them to join an initiative to provide critical financing for ⁠small and medium‑sized defence firms that struggle to access capital, Foreign Minister Anita Anand told Reuters on Thursday.

World

German deepfake porn case sparks protests and pressure for change in law

BERLIN, March 26 (Reuters) - Germany's government is facing ⁠pressure to toughen laws against digital violence after a prominent television actor accused her former husband of posting AI-generated porn resembling ⁠her on fake online accounts purporting to belong to her.

World

WTO chief: world order has irrevocably changed

GENEVA, ⁠March 26 (Reuters) - The head of the World ⁠Trade Organization said on Thursday the multilateral system has ‌fundamentally changed and that countries must look to the future to consider how to reform the global trade system.