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Russian strikes on eastern Ukraine city kill two, wound 19
Russia on Wednesday struck the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk with guided bombs, killing at least two people and wounding 19, regional governor Vadym Filashkin said.
Biden warns 'all-out war' possible in Middle East
US President Joe Biden warned Wednesday of the possibility of an "all-out war" in the Middle East but said he was hopeful a settlement was still achievable for the conflict-torn region.
Harris and Trump target economy in close US election battle
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will on Wednesday lay out rival visions for the economy, the top issue for many US voters, ahead of the vice president's first major solo interview since entering the White House race.
Zelensky alleges Russia plot on nuclear plants in defiant UN address
President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia on Wednesday of plotting potentially catastrophic attacks on Ukranian nuclear plants, in a defiant UN address in which he denounced bids to impose peace from the outside.
'Worst crisis': German Greens leaders quit after election losses
Germany's Greens party leaders stepped down Wednesday after a string of dismal vote results, dampening the mood in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition a year before elections.
Israel puts troops on alert for entry into Lebanon
Israel's army chief told soldiers on Wednesday to prepare for a possible ground offensive to fight Hezbollah in Lebanon as the air force conducted hundreds of deadly strikes around the country.
'The UN has betrayed us': Israeli ambassador
Israel's new UN ambassador accused the global body of pummelling his nation with unfair and disproportionate criticism since the October 7 onslaught, leaving the country feeling betrayed.
Global stocks mixed after fresh China stimulus
Stock markets diverged and oil prices fell on Wednesday as China's latest measure to bolster its economy, the world's second-largest, failed to spark another global rally.
Finnish zoo to return pandas to China early
Finland will return two giant pandas on loan from China more than eight years ahead of schedule because of financial problems at the zoo where they are housed, its chair told AFP on Wednesday.
Global stocks trade mixed tracking China stimulus
Global stock markets traded mixed Wednesday as China's latest measure to bolster its economy, the world's second-largest, largely failed to extend gains for equities.
Hezbollah's Fadi rockets: More power, little precision
Fadi, a type of rocket used for the first time by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah against Israel, has more explosive power and range than rockets deployed previously, but lacks precision, experts say.
OECD calls for higher property taxes to fight debt
The OECD slightly raised its world economic growth forecast for 2024 on Wednesday but called for higher property and environmental taxes to combat soaring debt in many countries.
Environmentalists smear Finland's parliament in red paint
Environmental activists sprayed red paint on Finland's parliament building on Wednesday to protest against the peat industry, sparking strong criticism from politicians.
Hezbollah fires missile at Tel Aviv in Israel
Hezbollah said it had fired a ballistic missile at the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday, with the Israeli military describing the launch as unprecedented.
Zelensky to take UN stage in plea to sustain support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes center stage at the United Nations on Wednesday as he seeks to sustain global support ahead of US elections that could bring a sharp shift from his top backer.
Leftist Sri Lanka leader stuck with painful IMF deal: analysts
Sri Lanka's new leftist leader has little room to renegotiate an IMF bailout that threw a lifeline to his bankrupt country but imposed punishing and unpopular austerity measures, analysts say.
Cryptocurrency platform boss urges tighter regulation
The co-founder of one of the world's most popular cryptocurrencies called for tighter regulation of the sector to guard against the fraud and wild swings that have dogged it, in an interview with AFP.
Trump says 'big threats' on his life by Iran
Donald Trump said Wednesday there were "big threats" on his life posed by Iran after the Republican presidential candidate's campaign team said US intelligence warned him of "real and specific" threats from Tehran.
Japan ruling party to hold 'toss-up' vote for next PM
Japan could get its first woman or youngest-ever prime minister on Friday when the ruling party holds a leadership vote described as the most "unpredictable" in many years.
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv after fresh air strikes reported in Lebanon
Israeli warplanes pounded villages in south Lebanon for a third day, Lebanese media reported Wednesday, while Israel said it intercepted a missile fired after sirens sounded early morning in Tel Aviv.
China launches intercontinental missile into Pacific in rare test
China said it test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, firing it into the Pacific Ocean in a rare trial run that flexed its military might.
The struggle to keep track of Gaza war deaths
The health ministry in Gaza says the war that erupted after Hamas attacked on Israel on October 7 has killed more than 41,467 people.
Hostages freed in Gaza truce pine for those left behind
It has been nearly 10 months since Aviva Siegel was freed from captivity in Gaza, but her thoughts remain in the Palestinian territory where her husband Keith is still held by Hamas.
Tragic tale of two West Bank teenagers freed in Gaza truce
Newly freed from an Israeli prison, Wael Masha rode atop friends' shoulders through the streets of his West Bank refugee camp before bursting into his home to kiss his mother's feet.
US intel warns of Iran threats to assassinate Trump: campaign
US intelligence has warned Donald Trump of "real and specific" threats from Iran to assassinate him, his presidential campaign said in a statement Tuesday.
Macron presses Iran president for Lebanon de-escalation
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday pressed Iran's new president to use his influence to dial down soaring tensions in Lebanon, where Israel is striking Tehran-backed Hezbollah.
UNRWA fears new 'tragedy' as Lebanon violence adds strain: chief to AFP
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees is bracing for a triple crisis as Israeli strikes on Lebanon add to the strain it is facing in Gaza and the West Bank, its chief told AFP on Tuesday.
Blackwater founder probed by Venezuela over anti-Maduro campaign
Venezuelan authorities launched an investigation Tuesday into a mysterious online fundraiser fronted by the founder of infamous US security contractor Blackwater, who claims to have raised over $1 million towards ousting President Nicolas Maduro.
Hezbollah announces death of commander after strike on south Beirut
Hezbollah announced on Wednesday the death of a commander, hours after the Israeli army said it had killed him in a strike on Beirut's southern suburbs which Lebanese authorities said killed six people.
Biden pleads for democracy in emotional UN farewell
Joe Biden gave a somber farewell address to the United Nations on Tuesday, using his own decision to drop out of the US presidential election to warn of the dangers of autocrats around the globe refusing to quit.
Amnesty calls for commission to probe Kenya protest deaths
Three months after mass anti-government protests in Kenya, Amnesty International was set to present a petition on Wednesday seeking the establishment of a commission to investigate the deaths of scores of people from "the use of unlawful police force".
Bolivian government rejects Morales ultimatum for cabinet reshuffle
Bolivia's government on Tuesday rejected an ultimatum by ex-president Evo Morales to replace its cabinet ministers or face the wrath of his followers, thousands of whom had joined him in a weeklong march to the capital.