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EU seeks to shore up Ukraine as Trump wavers on peace push
EU leaders will look Thursday to greenlight a potential mammoth new loan for Ukraine using Russian frozen assets, in a bid to bolster Kyiv as US President Donald Trump vacillates on peace efforts with Moscow.
New Japan PM to advance defence spending target: reports
Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to achieve the target of spending two percent of GDP on defence two years early, media reports said days before a visit by US President Donald Trump.
Trump, Colombia leader trade threats as US strikes boats in Pacific
President Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro traded angry threats Wednesday as the United States announced strikes on two alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Pacific Ocean that left five people dead.
California to deploy national guard to help food banks
California's governor said Wednesday he would be deploying the state's national guard to help distribute food to Americans struggling because of the US government shutdown.
Colombian ambassador to US tells AFP Trump threats 'unacceptable'
Colombia's ambassador to Washington denounced US President Donald Trump's threats against his country and President Gustavo Petro as "unacceptable" on Wednesday, warning that a 200-year alliance was being put at risk.
Trump slaps 'tremendous' sanctions on Russian oil for Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump slapped sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies on Wednesday, complaining that his talks with Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war "don't go anywhere."
Trump, Colombia leader trade threats as US strikes boat in Pacific
Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro traded threats on Wednesday as the United States announced its first strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing two.
Trump slaps 'trememdous' sanctions on Russian oil for Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump slapped sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies Wednesday, complaining that his talks with Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war "don't go anywhere."
US, EU pledge new sanctions on Russia for Ukraine war
The United States and European Union on Wednesday promised a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia for its relentless invasion of Ukraine, with Washington accusing Russian leader Vladimir Putin of not being "honest" in responding to its peace efforts.
Rubio due in Israel as US tries to shore up Gaza ceasefire
Chief US diplomat Marco Rubio was due in Israel on Thursday, the latest Washington official to visit as President Donald Trump's administration kept up efforts to cement the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
US says two dead in strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat in Pacific
A new US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat killed two people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, announcing Washington's first such attack on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean.
NATO chief brushes off concerns of Trump-Zelensky rift
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday downplayed concerns about tensions between Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, while reiterating his belief that "only" the US president could achieve peace between Moscow and Kyiv.
US defends truce and vows to disarm Hamas
Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday that the United States and allies face a tough task disarming Hamas and building a peaceful future for Gaza, as Washington sought to reassure Israel over the next steps in its ambitious ceasefire deal.
UK sanctions Balkans gangs as irregular migrant numbers rise
Britain on Wednesday sanctioned Balkans-based gangs and financiers helping facilitate small boat crossings, as migrant arrivals this year via the Channel were set to surpass the 2024 totals.
UN court says Israel must ease aid into Gaza, provide 'basic needs'
The International Court of Justice said Wednesday that Israel was obliged to ease the passage of aid into Gaza, stressing it had to provide Palestinians with the "basic needs" to survive.
Zelensky seeks 150 Swedish fighter jets as Russia pummels Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday signed a letter of intent with Sweden to acquire 150 Gripen fighter jets, hours after fatal Russian attacks battered Ukraine's energy grid and spurred nationwide outages.
Overshooting 1.5C climate target 'inevitable': UN chief
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday it was now clear that efforts to cap global warming at 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial levels would fail in the short term.
Lithuanian defence minister resigns in military spending dispute
Lithuania's Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene resigned Wednesday following a dispute with the prime minister over military spending in the key NATO member.
Zelensky launches Europe tour after Russia pummels Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Norway on Wednesday, the first leg of a European tour aimed at shoring up support for Kyiv amid a string of deadly Russian attacks.
Jailed Belarus, Georgia journalists win EU's top rights prize
The EU parliament awarded the bloc's Sakharov human rights prize on Wednesday to jailed Georgian journalist and editor Mzia Amaghlobeli and Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, calling them symbols of the "struggle for freedom".
US pushes plan to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza
US Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday of the tough task ahead in disarming Hamas and building a peaceful future for Gaza, as Washington sought to reassure its ally Israel over the next steps in its ambitious ceasefire deal.
'Stealth husband' of Japan's new PM vows quiet support
The spouse of Japan's first woman Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes to support her by being a "stealth husband", cooking meals but staying out of the spotlight.
Russian strikes kill six, cut power across Ukraine
A Russian overnight barrage on Ukraine killed six people in and around the capital Kyiv and triggered power cuts across the country, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday.
'Get married': The reality of Japanese politics for women
After Sanae Takaichi took office as Japan's first woman prime minister, AFP spoke to some of her younger counterparts who called it a symbolic victory.
Ouattara favourite as fourth Ivory Coast term looms
Incumbent Alassane Ouattara is the overwhelming favourite to secure a fourth term as Ivory Coast holds presidential polls Saturday, a task facilitated by the absence of several key opposition figures.
Aid workers, student movement among finalists for EU rights prize
Jailed journalists in Belarus and Georgia, students in Serbia and aid workers and reporters in Gaza are vying for the top EU rights prize to be awarded by the European Parliament Wednesday.
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles, first launch in months
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles on Wednesday, its first such launch in months and just a week before world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, descend on South Korea for a summit.
'Music to my ears': Trump brushes off White House demolition critics
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off criticism over the demolition of part of the White House to build a new ballroom, saying the sound of the construction work was "music to my ears."
Trump says doesn't want 'wasted' meeting with Putin
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he had shelved plans for a summit in Budapest with Russia's Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war because he did not want a "wasted" meeting.
Colombian court overturns ex-president Uribe's witness tampering conviction
A Colombian court on Tuesday overturned the witness tampering conviction of influential ex-president Alvaro Uribe, who had been sentenced to 12 years' house arrest in a decision condemned by the United States.
Louvre director faces grilling over $102 mn jewels heist
The jewellery stolen from the Louvre in Paris was valued at more than $100 million, a French prosecutor said Tuesday, as the museum's director faces security questions from a Senate committee over the brazen weekend heist.
Trump and Putin's Budapest summit shelved
US President Donald Trump put plans to meet Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Budapest on hold Tuesday, as efforts to end the war in Ukraine ran into yet another roadblock.