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UN chief calls on Taliban to uphold women's rights
The Taliban must uphold the fundamental human rights of women and children, the United Nations chief said Wednesday, urging the international community to release frozen Afghan aid to prevent families from selling their babies to buy food.
Fed signals first US rate hike since pandemic could come in March
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday indicated it is ready to raise US interest rates in March for the first time since cutting them to zero when Covid-19 broke out, pointing to persistently high inflation and the job market's recovery from the mass layoffs that defined the start of the pandemic.
US rejects Russia demands on Ukraine but offers 'path' out of crisis
The United States on Wednesday rejected Russia's demand to bar Ukraine from NATO and said it believed Moscow was ready to invade but offered what it called a new "diplomatic path" out of the crisis.
Infantino says biennial World Cup can 'give hope' to potential migrants
FIFA president Gianni Infantino seemed to establish a link on Wednesday between his plan for a World Cup every two years and the tragedy of migrants in the Mediterranean who must be "given hope", before saying his remarks had been "misinterpreted".
Italian MPs fail in third bid to elect president
Italian lawmakers failed Wednesday to elect a new president in a third round of voting, as bickering party leaders blamed each other for pushing the country towards a political crisis.
US rejects Russian demand that Ukraine stay out of NATO
The United States on Wednesday rejected Russia's demand to bar Ukraine from NATO and said it believed Moscow was ready to invade but offered what it called a new path out of the crisis.
WTO: China can slap duties on $645 mn of US imports
The World Trade Organization on Wednesday handed a fresh victory to China, permitting it to slap duties on $645 million worth of US imports per year, in a long-running anti-dumping dispute with Washington.
Liberal US Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer to retire: media
Stephen Breyer, one of three liberal justices on the US Supreme Court, plans to retire, paving the way for Joe Biden to name a replacement on the nation's highest court, media reported Wednesday.
US warns firms over doing business in Myanmar
The US government warned companies Wednesday to be extremely wary of doing business in Myanmar, citing the risks of being linked to a military government involved in lawlessness and human rights abuse.
Russia, Ukraine hold talks as US warns of invasion
Top officials from Ukraine and Russia met in Paris on Wednesday for talks to defuse tensions on their border, a meeting seen as a positive step by France despite fresh warnings from the US that Moscow was preparing military action.
'Every indication' Putin plans force by mid-February: US
The United States believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains poised to use force against Ukraine by mid-February despite a pressure campaign to stop him, a top diplomat said Wednesday.
Stocks rally before key Fed update
European and US stock markets powered higher Wednesday, recovering further from recent sharp losses, as traders await the outcome of a key Federal Reserve policy meeting.
Sudanese rally against UN bid to resolve post-coup crisis
Thousands of Sudanese pro-military protesters rallied Wednesday against a UN bid to resolve a political crisis in the country three months after a coup, an AFP correspondent reported.
Art Basel wins Paris slot over France's own art fair
The French art world was shaken Wednesday by news that the Art Basel fair has swooped in to replace France's own, long-running FIAC at the Grand Palais in Paris.
Putin addresses Italian firms despite Ukraine tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin spent more than two hours Wednesday in a virtual meeting with top Italian executives, despite Rome's opposition due to escalating tensions over Ukraine.
Hundreds of IS jihadists surrender as Kurds advance inside Syria jail
Hundreds of Islamic State group fighters surrendered Wednesday in a Syria prison where they had been holed up for days, as US-backed Kurdish forces tightened the noose around remaining jihadists.
Germany weighs ban on Telegram, tool of conspiracy theorists
The German government is considering a ban on encrypted messaging app Telegram after it was repeatedly used as a channel for spreading anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and even death threats.
Russia warns against 'destructive' sanctions on Putin
Russia hit back Wednesday at US threats of direct sanctions against President Vladimir Putin, saying moves against the Russian leader would be ineffective and hurt efforts to lower tensions over Ukraine.
Ousted Burkina president 'well,' says party source
Burkina Faso's ousted president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, "is physically well" and is being held by the army in a villa, a source in his party said on Wednesday.
India showcases military might in Republic Day parade
Lumbering tanks and the deafening roar of fighter planes echoed through New Delhi on Wednesday as India's military showcased its might on Republic Day.
Most markets see much-needed gains as Fed's big day arrives
Most markets rose Wednesday to provide some respite from the hefty selling at the start of the week, with focus on the end of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting later in the day, when traders hope it will provide much-needed guidance on its plans for hiking interest rates.
California city votes to become first in US to mandate gun insurance
The city of San Jose voted Tuesday to pass a law that will compel gun owners to take out insurance to cover any damage caused by their weapon, a move its mayor said was the first of its kind in the United States.
Most Asian markets see much-needed rally as Fed's big day arrives
Most Asian markets enjoyed some respite Wednesday from the hefty selling at the start of the week, with focus on the end of the Federal Reserve's policy meeting later in the day, when traders hope it will provide much-needed guidance on its plans for hiking interest rates.
Why is North Korea firing so many missiles?
From hypersonic to cruise missiles, North Korea started 2022 with its most intensive spate of weapons testing in years, but analysts said the barrage is more domestic political ploy than a diplomatic gambit.
93 potential graves found at Canada school site
An Indigenous community in Canada has identified nearly 100 "potential" graves at a residential school site, months after the discovery of hundreds of children's remains at former boarding schools rocked the country.
Covid-hit Australian aid ship to dock in virus-free Tonga despite risk
A coronavirus-hit Australian warship will dock in Tonga Wednesday, delivering desperately needed aid to the volcano-and-tsunami-struck nation under strict "no-contact" protocols.
Mexico urged to do more to protect journalists after murders
The murders of two journalists in the Mexican border city of Tijuana in less than a week have triggered calls for the government to step up protection of media workers.
Wall Street falls as Fed meets, Europe rebounds
European stocks rallied Tuesday along with oil prices, while Wall Street ended lower as markets nervously eyed the impasse over Ukraine while awaiting a key Federal Reserve decision.
Russia adds Kremlin critic Navalny to 'terrorists' list
Russia on Tuesday added jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and a number of his allies to a list of "terrorists and extremists", as authorities further clamp down on the opposition.
Riyadh and Bangkok restore ties, decades after gem theft
Saudi Arabia and Thailand on Tuesday announced they had re-established diplomatic ties, after more than three decades of frozen relations linked to the theft of jewels from a Saudi palace.
Biden threatens Putin with personal sanctions over Ukraine
The United States warned Moscow on Tuesday of damaging sanctions, including measures personally targeting Vladimir Putin, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.
Burkina junta faces worldwide criticism but wins popular support
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as the UN, France and the poor Sahel country's neighbours condemned its latest coup.