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US accuses Russia of deploying thousands more troops to Ukraine border
The United States on Wednesday dismissed reports that Russia was withdrawing troops from Ukraine's border, instead accusing Moscow of sending more soldiers as fears of an invasion grow.
'I'll kill you!': Mexico's nature defenders put lives on line
In the fir forests of Mexico, one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmentalists, the legacy of butterfly defender Homero Gomez lives on two years after his suspected murder.
France warns Iran only days left to agree nuclear deal
Iran has just days left to accept a deal on its nuclear programme at talks in Vienna, France warned on Wednesday, while Tehran's chief negotiator promised that an agreement was closer than ever.
China needs to be 'more active' in G20 debt relief effort: Yellen to AFP
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China needs to do more to accelerate global efforts to provide debt relief for poor nations that ramped up borrowing during the pandemic.
Yellen acknowledges 'global fallout' from any Russia sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says "global fallout" would be inevitable if the West moves ahead with the punishing, coordinated sanctions threatened against Russia, should it attack Ukraine.
High US inflation 'not acceptable' but recovery on track: Yellen to AFP
Soaring US inflation rates are "not acceptable" but the health of the world's largest economy is fundamentally sound thanks to policies that have mitigated the impact of the pandemic, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told AFP.
No sign of Russia pullback, say US, NATO and Ukraine
The United States and NATO joined Ukraine on Wednesday saying there was no sign of Russian troops withdrawing, after military movements in occupied Crimea fuelled reports that the crisis could be abating.
Stocks mixed, oil higher as markets monitor Ukraine
US stocks ended mixed Wednesday while oil prices rallied as markets assessed skepticism over Russia's latest statements on Ukraine and Federal Reserve minutes that contained no major surprises.
Bulgarian MEP gives Nazi salute in European Parliament
A Bulgarian nationalist MEP gave a Nazi salute in the chamber of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, sparking outrage after he spoke during a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary.
US accuses Moscow of creating Ukraine invasion pretext with 'genocide' claims
The US State Department said Wednesday that Russia was attempting to create a "pretext" for invading Ukraine with unsupported claims of "genocide" and mass graves in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region.
US governors, Canadian premiers call for end to vaccine mandate
A group of 16 US state governors and the premiers of two Canadian provinces on Wednesday called on the leaders of both countries to end the cross-border vaccine requirement that sparked protests and briefly closed trade routes.
'I can't move': Queen Elizabeth complains of stiffness during engagement
Queen Elizabeth II complained Wednesday about mobility issues, as she carried out her first in-person official engagements since fears emerged that she could have contracted coronavirus last week.
Macron hosts African leaders ahead of expected Mali withdrawal
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed African leaders for dinner in Paris Wednesday ahead of an expected announcement that France is withdrawing its troops from Mali after nearly 10 years fighting a jihadist insurgency.
Russian planes intercepted US Navy aircraft over Mediterranean: Pentagon
Three US Navy aircraft were intercepted by Russian planes in an "unprofessional" manner over the Mediterranean Sea last weekend, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Police issue warning to protesters to leave Canada capital
Canadian police on Wednesday warned demonstrators opposed to Covid rules who have clogging Ottawa streets for nearly three weeks to leave or face possible arrest, fines and seizures of their trucks.
Germany to start lifting Covid curbs as Omicron passes peak
Germany will start rolling back most of its coronavirus restrictions as the country's falling infection rate suggests the Omicron-fuelled wave has peaked, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday after talks with regional leaders.
Poland, Hungary risk funding cuts after EU rule-of-law decision
The EU's top court on Wednesday rejected a challenge by Poland and Hungary to a mechanism allowing Brussels to slash funding to member states that flout democratic standards.
Stock markets dip, oil surges as Ukraine worries return
European and US stock markets headed lower while oil prices shot higher on Wednesday as investors tracked developments surrounding the Ukraine crisis and awaited fresh clues about the US Federal Reserve's interest rate plans.
Putin hails Brazil ties after Bolsonaro talks in Moscow
Russian leader President Vladimir Putin welcomed "constructive" talks Wednesday with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was on his first official trip to Moscow, defying US concerns amid the Ukraine crisis.
Nepal arrests dozens in protest against US grant
Nepali police fired tear gas and water cannon and arrested 77 demonstrators in the capital Kathmandu as several hundred people protested against a $500-million US grant, authorities said.
French language watchdog warns of English infiltration
The centuries-old language watchdog Academie Francaise has warned that growing use of English by public and private bodies risks poor communication and could even undermine social cohesion.
Outspoken British Olympian Kenworthy 'treads lightly' in Beijing
Outspoken British Olympian Gus Kenworthy said Wednesday that he is biting his tongue while in Beijing because of the "very real risks" of criticising hosts China.
Ukraine marks 'Day of Unity' as NATO warns on Russia pullback
Ukraine staged military drills and defiant displays of flag-waving patriotism on Wednesday as NATO warned Russia is continuing to mass forces for a possible invasion.
Burkina junta chief sworn in as president
Burkina Faso strongman Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was inaugurated as president on Wednesday, just over three weeks after he led a coup to topple elected head of state Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
French public spending watchdog warns about post-Covid debt
France's public accounts watchdog warned Wednesday about the state of the country's finances, which have deteriorated dramatically in the last two years due to a massive Covid-19 rescue package, tax cuts and spending commitments.
China has expanded statist economic policies over 20 years in WTO: US
China has not adopted the rules of the World Trade Organization even after 20 years' membership, the United States said Wednesday, adding that the world's second-biggest economy had "retained and expanded" its statist approach to the detriment of businesses and workers globally.
Markets rally on hopes for easing Russia-Ukraine tensions
Asian markets rebounded Wednesday and Europe extended gains on hopes that Russia will not invade Ukraine after Moscow said some of its troops on the countries' border had started pulling back.
Markets rally, oil holds losses on Russia-Ukraine hopes
Asian markets rebounded and oil held most of the previous day's steep losses Wednesday on hopes that Russia will not invade Ukraine after Moscow said some of its troops on the countries' border had started pulling back.
Wheat and corn prices ride the Ukrainian rollercoaster
The crisis between Ukraine and Russia, two of the world's biggest wheat and corn producers, has sent the commodities' prices on a wild ride -- with anything from a diplomatic statement to rumor of a maritime blockade roiling markets.
China may take advantage of Ukraine crisis: US general
China may take advantage of the Ukraine crisis and do something "provocative" in Asia while Western powers are focused on defusing tensions with Russia, a US general warned Wednesday.
North Korea marks ex-leader's birthday with snowy celebration
North Korea marked the 80th birthday of leader Kim Jong Un's late father with a mass outdoor meeting in sub-zero temperatures, state media reported Wednesday, but no missiles or military parade.
Russian army, Putin's favoured foreign policy tool
Whether they have been camped out on Ukraine's borders or moving tanks across the vast country, Russia's battle-hardened troops have made the world listen to Vladimir Putin, who wants to redefine European security.
Ukraine's comedian-turned-president stars in crisis
He was the comic from Ukrainian TV who implausibly became president.
Ukraine marks 'Day of Unity' as US warns Russia may yet attack
A defiant Ukrainian leader urged citizens to celebrate a "Day of Unity" on Wednesday, as Washington warned once again that Russia remains poised to launch a devastating assault.
Online privacy and profit clash with fortunes at stake
Facebook and Google are under growing pressure to better balance privacy and ad-targeting -- with their fortunes at stake as users rebel, regulators loom and Apple pounces on the moment to polish its image.
Tigray rebels gang-raped women and girls in Ethiopia war: Amnesty
Tigrayan fighters deliberately killed civilians and gang-raped dozens of women and underage girls in two towns in Ethiopia's Amhara region last year, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, the latest example of the horrific toll exacted by the 15-month war.
US senators send 'message of solidarity' to Ukraine
US senators joined together Tuesday to express a "message of solidarity" to the Ukrainian people and a warning to Russia's Vladimir Putin, although the chamber failed to agree on drafting sanctions against Moscow.
Russian diplomat tells West to see doctor for 'paranoia' over Ukraine
Russia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday told western leaders they should see a doctor for their "paranoia" over fears that the 100,000 or so Russian troops massed on Ukraine's borders might invade.
'Hold the line': Canada truckers dig in despite new police powers
Trucker-led protesters occupying the Canadian capital showed no sign of backing down Tuesday, despite a newly-invoked state of emergency granting wide new powers to end their weeks-long protest over Covid rules.