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Republicans nominate Scalise for US House speaker
Republicans nominated Steve Scalise as their candidate for speaker of the US House of Representatives Wednesday as they sought to heal bitter internal divisions paralyzing their domestic agenda and preventing action on the Israel crisis.
Haiti police chief welcomes help to beat 'urban guerilla' gangs
A Kenyan-led multinational force will hopefully help bring some semblance of stability to Haiti, where gang violence has escalated into a form of "urban guerrilla" warfare, the Caribbean country's police chief tells AFP.
Blinken heads to Israel on solidarity mission
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed Wednesday to Israel in a show of solidarity after a bloody attack by Hamas, with Washington closing ranks with its ally as it launched heavy retaliation on the Gaza Strip.
Republicans in tight contest for new US House speaker
Republicans gathered to pick their candidate for speaker of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday as war in the Middle East and a looming government shutdown underscored the urgent need to end the leadership vacuum.
Mali cancels Air France clearance to resume flights
Mali's ruling junta on Wednesday cancelled the authorisation given to Air France to resume flights to the country, which have been suspended for two months amid heightened tensions in the Sahel as well as between Mali and France.
Fined Russian dissident denounces Ukraine offensive, repression
Veteran Russian human rights campaigner Oleg Orlov on Wednesday denounced Russia's offensive in Ukraine and the suppression of dissent as he was fined by a Moscow court for an op-ed on the dangers of "fascism" in his country.
Israel forms emergency govt for duration of war against Hamas
As Israel kept bombing Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a political rival announced an emergency government for the duration of the conflict.
Nearly 500 million euros pledged for Ukraine demining
Ukraine on Wednesday called for greater global support to help demine large swathes of the war-torn country, as more than 30 countries promised nearly 500 million euros ($531 million).
Republicans scuffle in tight contest for new US House speaker
Republicans were set to pick their candidate for speaker of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday as war in the Middle East and a looming government shutdown underscored the urgent need to end the leadership vacuum.
Niger military rulers order UN official out within 72 hours
Niger's post-coup military regime has ordered the United Nations coordinator in the country to leave within 72 hours, blaming "obstacles" by the world body to its international recognition.
Could Israel-Hamas conflict descend into wider regional war?
A potential intervention by Tehran-backed Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and uncertainty over the role played by Iran itself are risk factors that could push the unprecedented conflict between Israel and Hamas into a wider regional war, analysts say.
EU's tech 'sheriff' turns to X rival in disinfo duel with Musk
The EU's top internet enforcer took to X, the rebranded Twitter, on Wednesday to trumpet a rival platform, as a duel with Elon Musk over disinformation ratcheted up.
Saudi public debate on ties with Israel jolted by war
The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas risks hardening anti-Israel sentiment in Saudi Arabia, which Washington has spent months trying to coax into a landmark normalisation deal.
Family of Israel rave twin organisers buries one as other missing
Twin brothers Osher and Michael Vaknin organised rave parties across Israel, including the one close to the Gaza Strip, where a shock attack by Hamas fighters would leave one of them dead and the other missing.
Zelensky seeks defences for winter on visit to NATO
President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraine's allies on Wednesday to step up weapons supplies to help his country survive through the winter, on his first visit to the military alliance's headquarters during Russia's all-out war.
Dutch 'coffee shops' savour legal pot trial
In the back room of "The Baron", a Dutch marijuana-selling "coffee shop", owner Rick Brand excitedly browsed through the cannabis products he will soon be able to offer.
Israel pounds Gaza targets as PM condemns Hamas 'savagery'
Israel kept pounding Hamas targets in Gaza, where entire districts lay in rubble Wednesday, as its forces found more victims five days after the Islamist militants' onslaught on its southern towns.
Island nations sign climate solidarity declaration in Indonesia
Dozens of island nations signed a declaration in Indonesia on Wednesday to boost solidarity and cooperation on fighting climate threats, including rising sea levels.
China frees Australian reporter jailed for three years
Australian journalist Cheng Lei was deported from China on Wednesday after more than three years in detention on espionage charges widely seen as politically motivated.
Zelensky rallies support on first visit to NATO HQ since invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday urged allies to step up weapons supplies, on his first visit to the military alliance headquarters since the start of Russia's all-out war.
Foreigners killed, abducted or missing in Hamas attack
Dozens of foreigners have been killed, injured or taken hostage during a surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
US Supreme Court to hear racial gerrymandering case
The US Supreme Court is to hear a case on Wednesday about discrimination against Black voters that could impact whether Democrats or Republicans control the House of Representatives next year.
China to hold third Belt and Road forum next week
China will hold its third Belt and Road forum in its capital next week, Beijing said Wednesday, confirming the details of an event that several foreign leaders are expected to attend -- including Vladimir Putin.
Australians poised to reject Indigenous rights in landmark vote
Australian voters look set to reject greater rights and recognition for Aboriginal citizens on Saturday, in a bitterly fought referendum that has rekindled the country's long history of racial strife.
Israel retakes Gaza border area as war's toll mounts
Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas on Tuesday, the fourth day of fierce fighting that has left thousands dead on both sides since the militants launched a surprise attack.
EU flags opacity, inconsistencies in Sierra Leone's June vote
The EU's election observation mission to Sierra Leone on Tuesday highlighted statistical inconsistencies, intimidation and political violence in its final report on the June vote, recommending a string of measures to boost transparency, safety and freedom of expression.
Republican rivals make high-stakes pitch for US House leadership
Two Republicans vying to lead the US House of Representatives were set to make their pitches Tuesday, as the party struggles to end a bitter civil war that has thwarted quick action on the Israel crisis and other urgent business.
Israel retakes Gaza border areas as war's toll mounts
Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas militants on Tuesday, the fourth day of fierce fighting that has left thousands dead on both sides since the Islamists launched a surprise attack.
Biden condemns 'sheer evil' of Hamas attacks on Israel
President Joe Biden condemned the attacks by Hamas on US ally Israel as "sheer evil" in an emotional speech Tuesday and said Washington is ready to deploy more military assets to the region.
US cuts aid to Niger as France starts troop pullout
France has begun withdrawing troops from Niger after being ordered out by coup leaders as the United States on Tuesday cut off more than $500 million in assistance to the insurgency-hit Sahel nation.
Unequal Hamas fight belies perils for Israel
Israel on paper enjoys vast numerical superiority over Palestinian militant group Hamas in terms of forces and hardware but the numbers mask a picture that is far more troubling for the Israeli government, analysts say.
Russia loses bid to regain seat on UN rights body
The UN General Assembly on Tuesday rejected a bid by Russia to regain a seat on the Human Rights Council, from which it was ousted after invading Ukraine.