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'Every indication' Putin plans force by mid-February: US
The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains poised to use force against Ukraine by mid-February despite a pressure campaign to stop him, a top diplomat said Wednesday.
Stocks rally before key Fed update
European and US stock markets powered higher Wednesday, recovering further from recent sharp losses, as traders await the outcome of a key Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Sudanese rally against UN bid to resolve post-coup crisis
Thousands of Sudanese pro-military protesters rallied Wednesday against a UN bid to resolve a political crisis in the country three months after a coup, an AFP correspondent reported.
Art Basel wins Paris slot over France's own art fair
The French art world was shaken Wednesday by news that the Art Basel fair has swooped in to replace France's own, long-running FIAC at the Grand Palais in Paris.
Putin addresses Italian firms despite Ukraine tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin spent more than two hours Wednesday in a virtual meeting with top Italian executives, despite Rome's opposition due to escalating tensions over Ukraine.
Hundreds of IS jihadists surrender as Kurds advance inside Syria jail
Hundreds of Islamic State group fighters surrendered Wednesday in a Syria prison where they had been holed up for days, as US-backed Kurdish forces tightened the noose around remaining jihadists.
Germany weighs ban on Telegram, tool of conspiracy theorists
The German government is considering a ban on encrypted messaging app Telegram after it was repeatedly used as a channel for spreading anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and even death threats.
Russia warns against 'destructive' sanctions on Putin
Russia hit back Wednesday at US threats of direct sanctions against President Vladimir Putin, saying moves against the Russian leader would be ineffective and hurt efforts to lower tensions over Ukraine.
Ousted Burkina president 'well,' says party source
Burkina Faso's ousted president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, "is physically well" and is being held by the army in a villa, a source in his party said on Wednesday.
India showcases military might in Republic Day parade
Lumbering tanks and the deafening roar of fighter planes echoed through New Delhi on Wednesday as India's military showcased its might on Republic Day.
Most markets see much-needed gains as Fed's big day arrives
Most markets rose Wednesday to provide some respite from the hefty selling at the start of the week, with focus on the end of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting later in the day, when traders hope it will provide much-needed guidance on its plans for hiking interest rates.
California city votes to become first in US to mandate gun insurance
The city of San Jose voted Tuesday to pass a law that will compel gun owners to take out insurance to cover any damage caused by their weapon, a move its mayor said was the first of its kind in the United States.
Most Asian markets see much-needed rally as Fed's big day arrives
Most Asian markets enjoyed some respite Wednesday from the hefty selling at the start of the week, with focus on the end of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting later in the day, when traders hope it will provide much-needed guidance on its plans for hiking interest rates.
Why is North Korea firing so many missiles?
From hypersonic to cruise missiles, North Korea started 2022 with its most intensive spate of weapons testing in years, but analysts said the barrage is more domestic political ploy than a diplomatic gambit.
93 potential graves found at Canada school site
An Indigenous community in Canada has identified nearly 100 "potential" graves at a residential school site, months after the discovery of hundreds of children's remains at former boarding schools rocked the country.
Covid-hit Australian aid ship to dock in virus-free Tonga despite risk
A coronavirus-hit Australian warship will dock in Tonga Wednesday, delivering desperately needed aid to the volcano-and-tsunami-struck nation under strict "no-contact" protocols.
Mexico urged to do more to protect journalists after murders
The murders of two journalists in the Mexican border city of Tijuana in less than a week have triggered calls for the government to step up protection of media workers.
Wall Street falls as Fed meets, Europe rebounds
European stocks rallied Tuesday along with oil prices, while Wall Street ended lower as markets nervously eyed the impasse over Ukraine while awaiting a key Federal Reserve decision.
Russia adds Kremlin critic Navalny to 'terrorists' list
Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to a list of "terrorists and extremists", as authorities further clamp down on the opposition.
Riyadh and Bangkok restore ties, decades after gem theft
Saudi Arabia and Thailand on Tuesday announced they had re-established diplomatic ties, after more than three decades of frozen relations linked to the theft of jewels from a Saudi palace.
Biden threatens Putin with personal sanctions over Ukraine
The United States warned Moscow on Tuesday of damaging sanctions, including measures personally targeting Vladimir Putin, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.
Burkina junta faces worldwide criticism but wins popular support
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as the UN, France and the poor Sahel country's neighbours condemned its latest coup.
Honduras political crisis deepens ahead of president-elect's swearing-in
Rival factions of Honduras' newly-elected congress held duelling first sessions Tuesday as a split in president-elect Xiomara's Castro's party deepened two days before her swearing-in.
US ups sanctions pressure on Moscow over Ukraine
The United States on Tuesday warned Moscow of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.
Libya parliament in push to replace interim PM
Libya's parliament, in a push to replace interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, on Tuesday published criteria governing candidates for the post.
US ratchets up sanctions pressure against Moscow
The United States on Tuesday warned Moscow of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.
Europe warns against Russian provocation in Donbass
More than an open Russian invasion of Ukraine, European capitals fear Kiev could be lured into a clash with pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway Donbass region.
Kurds locked in tense Syria prison standoff with IS jihadists
US-backed Kurdish forces tightened the noose Tuesday around armed jihadists hunkering down inside a Syrian prison, with both sides facing a bloodbath or talks to end the five-day-old standoff.
US threatens stiff sanctions, warns Russia not to 'weaponize' energy
The United States on Tuesday warned Russia of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, and said attempts by Moscow to "weaponize" its enormous oil and gas industry would backfire.
Pro-junta rally in Burkina as UN, neighbours condemn coup
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as France, the UN and the country's neighbours condemned its latest coup.
Syrian doctor in German torture trial denies atrocities
A Syrian doctor on trial in Germany for torture and murder while working in military hospitals in his war-torn homeland on Tuesday denied setting fire to a teenage boy's genitals or operating on detainees without anaesthesia.
Google pushes new plan to overhaul web-tracking cookies
Google on Tuesday announced a new plan to stop using small files known as cookies to track people's web browsing habits, after its previous proposals were roundly criticised.