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UK, US sanctions target Russian oligarch Usmanov and Cypriot 'fixers'
Britain and the US targeted fresh sanctions Wednesday at Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov and Cyprus-based "financial fixers" who allegedly help mask his assets as well as those of fellow Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Graft-accused MEP Kaili granted house arrest
A Belgian judge agreed on Wednesday to release Greek MEP Eva Kaili, the public face of the so-called Qatargate graft inquiry, from jail and to place her under house arrest pending prosecution on corruption charges.
What do the leaked US documents say?
A trove of highly sensitive US government documents circulating online includes secret assessments of the Ukraine conflict as well as analyses that point to surveillance of close American allies.
Saudi hosts landmark Iran, Syria visits as Middle East ties thaw
Saudi Arabia hosted landmark delegations from Iran and Syria on Wednesday as Gulf countries prepare for re-establishing diplomatic ties after years of bitter divisions.
Biden embarks on nostalgic tour of Ireland
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday began a nostalgia-filled tour of the Republic of Ireland, jetting in from Northern Ireland where he pushed for an end to crippling political paralysis in the British province.
Yemen prisoner exchange postponed to Friday: official
An exchange of nearly 900 prisoners from Yemen's civil war will start on Friday, one day later than previously announced, a government official said on Wednesday.
Myanmar confirms deadly air strike as international outcry rises
Myanmar's ruling junta confirmed on Wednesday that it carried out an air strike on a village in which dozens of people were reported killed, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and Western powers.
Macron protesters held in fresh unrest on Dutch visit
Dutch police detained two protesters who ran towards French President Emmanuel Macron in Amsterdam on Wednesday as his domestic troubles intruded once again on his state visit.
Biden urges N.Ireland parties to restore power-sharing
US President Joe Biden urged political compromise in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, using a visit to Belfast to promote the benefits of enduring peace and investment, but faced heated criticism from pro-UK hardliners.
Iran delegation visits Saudi amid thaw between regional powers
An Iranian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Tehran said, to pave the way for reopening diplomatic missions as the Gulf rivals prepare to normalise relations, seven years after an acrimonious split.
Zelensky blasts Russian 'beasts' over beheading video
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday denounced Russian "beasts" after a video appeared to show the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner, prompting international outrage.
My great-great Irish family: when US leaders 'come home'
It's been a rite of passage for American leaders since John F. Kennedy, one which many describe as a highlight of their time in the Oval Office.
Deadliest first quarter for central Med migrants since 2017: UN
January to March 2023 was the deadliest first quarter for migrants crossing the central Mediterranean since 2017, the United Nations said Wednesday, with 441 lives lost attempting to reach Europe.
Macron protesters held in fresh Dutch visit unrest
Dutch police detained two protesters who ran towards French President Emmanuel Macron in Amsterdam on Wednesday as his domestic troubles intruded once again on his state visit to the Netherlands.
Iran delegation arrives in Saudi amid thaw between regional powers
An Iranian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Tehran said, to pave the way for reopening diplomatic missions as the Gulf rivals prepare to normalise relations, seven years after an acrimonious split.
Xi says China must strengthen training for 'actual combat'
China's President Xi Jinping called on the country's armed forces to "strengthen military training oriented towards actual combat", state media reported Wednesday, after Beijing conducted military drills intended to intimidate Taiwan.
Under pouring rain, Erdogan rival vows 'return of spring'
Facing a sea of umbrellas in the steady rain, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the Turkish opposition's challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdogan in next month's polls, smiles and promises "the return of spring".
Taliban say ban on Afghan women working for UN 'an internal issue'
A ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations was an internal issue, the country's Taliban authorities said Wednesday, adding that the decision "should be respected by all sides".
Biden under political fire in restive N.Ireland
US President Joe Biden entered the political cauldron of Northern Ireland on Wednesday, using a brief visit to promote the benefits of enduring peace and investment but already facing heated criticism from pro-UK hardliners.
Taiwan ruling party picks VP as presidential candidate
Taiwan's ruling party nominated Vice President William Lai as its candidate for next year's presidential elections on Wednesday, choosing a contender who has been more outspoken on Taiwanese independence than incumbent Tsai Ing-wen.
Quake-prone Bucharest trembles over rickety buildings
Many people in Bucharest still have terrible memories of the earthquake that shook Romania on March 4, 1977, killing 1,500 and injuring 11,000 others.
Macron praised in China for 'brilliant' Taiwan comments
Emmanuel Macron's unexpected suggestion that Europe not "follow" US policy on Taiwan is being hailed as a "brilliant decision" this week in China, where state news outlets and social media users are lauding his independence.
South Korea opposition calls for probe into US spying
South Korea's opposition urged the government on Wednesday to investigate alleged espionage by the United States after leaked documents appeared to show Washington spying on its key Asian ally.
Ukrainian soldiers dig trenches in case of retreat from Bakhmut
A shovel and a blue bucket in hand, a Ukrainian soldier climbs out of the trench he was digging, which would be part of the new defence line if Bakhmut fell to Russian forces.
Venezuela rights abuse victims hopeful ICC will bring peace
Victims of alleged human rights violations under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are hopeful an International Criminal Court probe into killings and torture will bring them some closure.
Biden touts peace and prosperity in restive N. Ireland
US President Joe Biden was set Wednesday to promote the potential of enduring peace as well as business investment on his trip to Northern Ireland.
Myanmar confirms deadly air strike as international outcry mounts
Myanmar's ruling junta has confirmed that it carried out an air strike on a village in which dozens of people were reported killed, drawing condemnation from the United Nations and Western powers.
US urges migrants to stick to legal routes in Panama visit
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday urged migrants heading to the United States to use legal routes, during a visit to Panama.
International anger as air strikes kill dozens in Myanmar
Dozens of people in central Myanmar were killed in air strikes Tuesday, according to local media reports and a witness contacted by AFP, as the United Nations and Western powers condemned the attacks and demanded accountability.
US basketball star Griner to write book on Russian prison ordeal
Brittney Griner, the US basketball star who was detained in Russia last year, is writing a book about the 10-month ordeal which ended in a high-profile prisoner swap, her publisher announced Tuesday.
US seeks to reassure allies after secret documents leak
Top US diplomat Antony Blinken and defense chief Lloyd Austin spoke with their Ukrainian counterparts on Tuesday as Washington seeks to reassure its allies after a leaked trove of highly sensitive documents appeared online.
Biden lands in Belfast with vow to 'keep the peace'
US President Joe Biden landed in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, hoping to help maintain the fragile peace brokered 25 years ago after decades of sectarian violence over British rule.
UN urges probe after call for killing of Sudan mission head
The United Nations on Tuesday urged Sudanese authorities to investigate after a man publicly asked for a religious edict allowing the murder of the UN's mission chief.
Tunisia police use tear gas to disperse homeless migrants
Tunisian police used tear gas on Tuesday to disperse homeless black migrants who have been protesting outside a United Nations office to demand evacuation following incendiary comments by President Kais Saied.
Leaked US documents cast doubt on Ukraine's military capacity
The United States has serious concerns about Ukraine's ability to make significant gains in an upcoming counteroffensive, as well as Kyiv's capacity to keep defending against Russian strikes, according to a Tuesday report and documents reviewed by AFP.
Biden's flying visit to N.Ireland not a snub says UK
President Joe Biden is spending only one night in Northern Ireland and limiting his meetings with UK and local leaders to a minimum, before he goes on a nostalgia trip to his ancestral homeland.
Radio silence from Republicans as US abortion laws tighten
A US judge's move to ban a leading abortion pill has been met with near total silence from Republican leadership, as some conservatives warn the party is already paying an electoral price for a push to curb the procedure that is out of step with the American public.
Macron hit by pension protests on Dutch state visit
Protesters disrupted a keynote speech by Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday as his domestic troubles cast a shadow over the first state visit to the Netherlands by a French president in 23 years.
Russian MPs back digital draft as Ukraine campaign drags
Russian lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill to create a digital conscription notice system which could bar men from leaving Russia as Moscow's Ukraine campaign stretches into a second year.