Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | Leading Middle East airline Emirates said Thursday its half year net profit rebounded strongly from a slump last year due to cost saving measures and favourable exchange rates. The Dubai flag carrier said it posted a net profit of $452 million in the period …

Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria’s government was on Thursday urged to order the release of a pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group leader, who has been in custody for nearly two years since clashes with soldiers. Ibrahim Zakzaky, who heads the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife should be freed “on …

Beijing, China | AFP | Russia and the US disagreed on Thursday over whether US President Donald Trump plans to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at an Asia-Pacific summit in Vietnam. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov told Russian news agencies that the meeting “will be on November 10,” with the exact …

Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to be questioned by police on Thursday in connection with two separate investigations into alleged corruption, media reports said. Police refused to confirm the reports. Netanyahu has already been questioned by police four times as part of the investigations. …

Frankfurt am Main, Germany | AFP | German sports gear group Adidas on Thursday reported a jump in third-quarter profits, lifted by strong demand for its own-brand trainers and apparel in China and North America. The Bavarian company, which sponsors English Premier League giants Manchester United, said net profit soared to …

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | AFP | French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that the Islamic State group faced complete military defeat in Iraq and Syria within months but warned the battle against jihadism would go on. He was speaking after Syrian troops and allied militiamen broke into the IS-held …

Beijing, China | AFP | China signed an agreement Thursday to buy 300 airplanes from US aerospace giant Boeing valued over $37 billion, as part of a multi-billion dollar raft of deals announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. The agreement for China Aviation Suppliers Holding Co (CASC) to buy …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | New West Ham boss David Moyes warned his under-performing players to “step it up” or face the axe as he appeared before the press for the first time on Wednesday. The former Everton and Manchester United boss replaced Slaven Bilic on Tuesday and faces a …

Paris, France | AFP | Despite signing up to the Paris climate accord Syria has not been invited to a summit on the pact in the French capital in December, the French foreign ministry said Wednesday. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad joins US President Donald Trump in being omitted from the list …

Sao Paulo, Brazil | AFP | Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton on Wednesday dismissed a row over his avoidance of taxes on a luxury jet, saying he’s only thinking about this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix. “I’m just solely focused on trying to win this race this weekend. I still have …