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Zelensky lands in Saudi on unannounced visit: state media
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Saudi state media reported, his latest visit to the Gulf kingdom which has sought to stay neutral in Ukraine's war with Russia.
US unveils sweeping sanctions targeting Russia over Ukraine war
The United States announced a raft of sanctions Wednesday aimed at constraining Moscow's war in Ukraine while raising the stakes for foreign banks that still deal with Russia, ahead of G7 leaders' talks this week.
US consumer inflation eases ahead of Fed interest rate decision
Fresh US consumer inflation data published Wednesday is unlikely to sway the Federal Reserve's plans to leave its key lending rate unchanged, but could alter how many rate cuts policymakers pencil in for this year.
Russian nuclear-powered submarine arrives in Cuba
A Russian nuclear-powered submarine and other naval vessels arrived in Cuba Wednesday for a five-day visit to the communist island off Florida's coast in a show of force amid spiraling US-Russian tensions.
EU to hit Chinese electric cars with tariffs of up to 38%
The European Union threatened on Wednesday to hit Chinese electric car imports with tariffs of up to 38 percent from next month following an anti-subsidy probe, a move that risks triggering a trade war.
UN chief says global tensions threaten international trade
The international trading system is on the brink of fragmenting amid rising geopolitical tensions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday, as he cautioned the world against splitting into rival blocs.
Macron urges anti-extremist alliance ahead of French polls
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday said he was seeking an alliance against political extremes in snap elections, adding he aims to keep the far right from succeeding him in 2027 when he steps down.
EU to slap extra tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese electric cars
The European Union threatened on Wednesday to hit Chinese electric car imports with additional tariffs of up to 38 percent from next month following an anti-subsidy probe, a move that risks triggering a trade war.
Gaza war rages as mediators study Hamas reply to truce plan
Deadly fighting rocked Gaza on Wednesday as US top diplomat Antony Blinken on a Middle East tour pushed for an elusive truce and hostage release deal to end the war raging since October 7.
NATO, Hungary agree Orban 'will not block' greater Ukraine support
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban agreed on Wednesday that Budapest would "not block" the defence alliance from contributing more to Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion.
Asian markets stutter ahead of US releases, Europe bounces
Worries about upcoming US inflation data and the Federal Reserve's outlook for interest rates permeated Asian trading floors Wednesday.
US inflation data unlikely to alter Fed plans to hold rates steady
Fresh US consumer inflation data published Wednesday is unlikely to sway the Federal Reserve, which is widely expected to leave its key lending rate unchanged and lower the number of cuts it has penciled in for this year.
UK economy stagnates heading into general election
Britain's economy stagnated in April after emerging from recession in the first quarter of the year, official data showed Wednesday ahead of the country's general election next month.
Battle in courts between Italy and migrant rescue charities
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's battle with migrant rescue charities is increasingly ending up in court, with judges often siding with NGOs but not yet calling the law into question.
Hong Kong cancels passports of six democracy activists
The Hong Kong government said Wednesday it had cancelled the passports of six democracy activists who fled to the United Kingdom, calling them "lawless wanted criminals".
In shadow of war, Lebanese find respite on southern beach
After the roar of Israeli warplanes terrified her baby grandson, Umm Hassan's family sought solace on a south Lebanon beach, hoping to escape the escalating cross-border violence.
NATO's Stoltenberg meets Hungary's Orban amid tensions
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest on Wednesday amid tensions between the central European country and the defence alliance over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Hard-hitting journalist ensnared in Mongolia's press freedom crackdown
Naran Unurtsetseg became one of Mongolia's most well-known journalists by exposing sexual abuse in a Buddhist boarding school, violence in the military and by taking on some of the country's most powerful people.
Hong Kong cancels passports of six 'lawless' democracy activists
The Hong Kong government said Wednesday it has cancelled the passports of six democracy activists who fled to the United Kingdom, calling them "lawless wanted criminals".
Child victims of war spiked in 2023 amid Gaza, Sudan crises: UN report
Violence against children in armed conflicts reached "extreme levels" in 2023, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, according to a forthcoming UN report obtained by AFP on Tuesday.
Kyiv hopes Russia will attend second Ukraine peace summit
Ahead of the first summit on peace in Ukraine, Kyiv said Tuesday it wanted Russia to attend a second summit, to receive an internationally agreed roadmap towards ending the conflict.
French far right teams up with conservative party leader for snap polls
The leader of France's traditional right-wing party on Tuesday backed an alliance with the far right of Marine Le Pen in snap legislative elections, triggering a crisis within his own party and fury from the government.
Hamas offers response to Gaza truce plan as fighting rages
Hamas gave its official response to the latest truce proposal for Gaza on Tuesday, calling for a "complete halt" to Israeli "aggression" as fighting raged in the Palestinian territory.
New government formed in restive Haiti
A new government was formed in Haiti on Tuesday, tasked with restoring security and stability in the Caribbean nation that is ravaged by gang violence and political chaos.
French PM: surprised campaign leader in Macron's 'sudden' poll gambit
France's premier may have been taken aback by Emmanuel Macron's calling of snap elections, but he will now lead the campaign even if the surprise move could cost him his job.
German far-right, far-left MPs boycott Zelensky speech on Russia
German far-right and left-wing nationalist lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Tuesday in which he warned that pro-Russian rhetoric posed a growing danger to EU nations.
Blinken urges Hamas to accept Gaza truce plan as battles rage
Deadly fighting rocked Gaza on Tuesday as US top diplomat Antony Blinken promoted a ceasefire plan and Jordan hosted an emergency summit for the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
French PM: surprised campaigner in Macron's 'sudden' poll gambit
France's premier has broken a conspicuous silence over President Emmanuel Macron's calling of snap elections, while making clear his reservations about the surprise move that may cost him his job.
Suspect arrested over stabbing of four Americans in China
Chinese police said on Tuesday they have arrested a suspect over the stabbing of four American college teachers at a public park in the country's northeast.
Right-wing alliance sparks outrage ahead of French polls
The leader of France's main right-wing party on Tuesday backed an alliance with the far right of Marine Le Pen in snap legislative elections, triggering a crisis within his own party and fury from the government.
US promises $400 mln in Palestinian aid as ceasefire push grows
The United States on Tuesday promised more than $400 million in new aid for the Palestinians at an emergency summit in Jordan, where world leaders backed a US push for a ceasefire as the only ultimate solution to help war-ravaged Gaza.
EU urged to welcome skilled Russians to 'bleed' Putin regime
A group of exiled Kremlin critics on Tuesday urged EU countries to do more to welcome Russians fleeing Vladimir Putin's regime, arguing that a shortage of skilled workers would deal a blow to the country's war-time economy.