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US, UK up Russia sanctions as Kyiv warns of eastern attack
The US and Britain announced new sanctions against Russia Wednesday after Ukraine said hundreds of civilians were found dead around its capital, as Kyiv warned residents in the east of the country to get out "now" ahead of a feared assault.
Russia says paid dollar debt in rubles amid default fears
Russia said Wednesday it had been forced to make foreign debt payments on dollar-denominated bonds in rubles, raising the prospect of a potential default amid unprecedented Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict.
Tear gas fired at Sudan protest 3 years after anti-Bashir sit-in
Thousands protested in Sudan against military rule on the anniversary Wednesday of previous popular uprisings, most recently against autocrat Omar al-Bashir three years ago.
West readies new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine killings
Western powers were readying new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday after Ukraine's president called for tougher action and accused Moscow of atrocities during the six-week war.
Another 35,000 flee Ukraine in 24 hours: UN
Nearly 35,000 more Ukrainians fled west in 24 hours to escape the Russian war in their country, the United Nations said Wednesday.
NBA player Kanter out to corner UN rights chief on China
Long-time NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, whose advocacy on Xinjiang and Tibet has ruffled feathers, hopes to bend UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet's ear on Thursday about her forthcoming China visit.
Zhirinovsky: Russia's ultra-nationalist who predicted Ukraine conflict
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Russia's veteran firebrand with a flair for political theatre who appeared to predict Russia's military action in Ukraine, died at the age of 75 on Wednesday.
World stock markets beat retreat with all eyes on Fed
Global equities sank Wednesday on bets the Federal Reserve will act more aggressively to bring inflation under control, while oil prices rebounded.
US, EU ready new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine killings
The United States and EU were readying new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, after Ukraine's president showed the UN Security Council harrowing images of violence and accused Moscow of widespread atrocities.
Ukrainians fleeing occupation pour into Zaporizhzhia
A large white tent in a shopping centre car park in Zaporizhzhia has become the meeting place for thousands from southern Ukraine who have fled the Russian invasion and left everything behind.
Israel's Bennett loses majority after MP quits coalition
A key member of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's Yamina party said Wednesday she was quitting his coalition government, in a surprise move that leaves him without a parliamentary majority.
There will be accountability for Ukraine crimes, eventually: expert
Shocking images of bodies strewn in Ukrainian streets clearly indicate war crimes, but legally proving that and ensuring accountability is tricky, according to a top international justice expert.
Sri Lanka parliament speaker warns crisis risks starvation
Sri Lanka's crippling economic crisis risks starvation across the island nation of 22 million while acute shortages and blackouts will get worse, the speaker of parliament warned Wednesday.
Sudanese plan mass anti-coup rallies on sit-in anniversary
Sudanese protesters are gearing up for mass rallies demanding an end to military rule on Wednesday, the historic anniversary of events leading to the toppling of autocrats including Omar al-Bashir.
El Salvador criminalizes gang-related messages in media
El Salvador's Congress on Tuesday approved sentences of 10 to 15 years for those who spread gang-related messages in the media, prompting journalists to raise censorship fears.
African support on Ukraine shows Kremlin's soft power
African leaders, opposition figures and social influencers are stepping up their support for the Kremlin even as Russia's image elsewhere is being shredded by the war in Ukraine.
US to announce new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine killings
The United States was expected to announce tough new sanctions on Russia Wednesday, including a ban on new investments, a day after Ukraine's president showed the UN Security Council harrowing images of violence and accused Moscow of widespread atrocities.
Sudanese plan mass anti-coup rallies on anniversary of sit-in
Sudanese protesters are gearing up for mass anti-coup rallies Wednesday to mark the anniversaries of historic events that toppled Sudanese autocrats, most recently president Omar al-Bashir three years ago.
Marine Le Pen: far-right chief within reach of French presidency
Marine Le Pen has fought for years to make the far-right party she inherited electable, and now appears to have a real chance to challenge incumbent Emmanuel Macron for the French presidency this month.
France votes as tight Le Pen-Macron duel looms
France votes Sunday in the first round of presidential elections at which Emmanuel Macron is bidding for a second term in the face of a strengthening challenge from resurgent far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Asian markets track Wall St retreat on hawkish Fed bets
Equities sank Wednesday after Wall Street tumbled on bets the Federal Reserve will act more aggressively to bring inflation under control, while oil prices extended losses after the European Union refrained from imposing sanctions on Russian crude.
Tigrayans subjected to 'war crimes' in Ethiopia: rights groups
Security forces and their allies in a disputed part of conflict-hit northern Ethiopia committed abuses against Tigrayans that amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity, two rights groups said Wednesday.
Cyprus push to ban gay conversion therapy amid exorcism claim
Cypriot lawmakers and activists are pushing to criminalise "gay conversion therapy" which has left members of the island's LGBTQ+ community traumatised through "medieval" practices such as exorcisms.
Young voters blase on Brazil's elections
Not only is this the year Brazilian teenager Rodrigo Kutz turns old enough to vote, the almost-16-year-old gets to cast his first ballot in a clutch presidential election.
Kayla Mueller's mother recalls pleas to IS to spare her daughter
The mother of slain US relief worker Kayla Mueller testified Tuesday at the trial of one of her daughter's alleged Islamic State captors, recounting the desperate pleas for her release and tortuous negotiations.
Peru ends Lima curfew aimed at quelling protests
Peruvian President Pedro Castillo on Tuesday announced the end of a curfew in the capital Lima aimed at containing protests against rising fuel prices following crisis talks with Congress.
Children of Chernigiv leave clues of Russian siege
In the dank basement of a children's hospital in Chernigiv there are cave paintings on the wall -- tiny handprints, a smeared rainbow, a fluttering Ukrainian flag.
EU stocks sag on prospect of more Russia sanctions
EU stocks sagged on Tuesday after Brussels proposed further sanctions against Russia in response to killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha that have prompted international condemnation.
Zelensky calls on world to stop Russia, more atrocities feared
Ukraine's president showed a harrowing video of dead civilians to the UN Security Council Tuesday and called for "accountability" for apparent Russian atrocities, as fears grow that Moscow is preparing new offensives.
French artist sprays 'smiles and humanity' on Ukraine walls
Paris-based graffiti legend C215 puts the final touches on a blue and yellow portrait of a young girl on a Kyiv bus shelter, a colourful contrast with the badly damaged buildings nearby.
Chileans to vote on new constitution on Sept 4: government
Chileans will vote in a mandatory referendum on September 4 to approve or reject a new constitution to replace the one enacted in 1980 by the regime of dictator Augusto Pinochet, the government said Tuesday.
French leftist hosts hologram meeting in run-off push
The leading left-wing candidate in France's presidential election Jean-Luc Melenchon on Tuesday held a raucous final meeting that saw him beamed into a dozen French cities by hologram as he seeks to sneak into a second round run-off.