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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.
Honduras political crisis deepens ahead of president-elect's swearing-in
Rival factions of Honduras' newly-elected congress held duelling first sessions Tuesday as a split in president-elect Xiomara's Castro's party deepened two days before her swearing-in.
US ups sanctions pressure on Moscow over Ukraine
The United States on Tuesday warned Moscow of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.
Libya parliament in push to replace interim PM
Libya's parliament, in a push to replace interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, on Tuesday published criteria governing candidates for the post.
US ratchets up sanctions pressure against Moscow
The United States on Tuesday warned Moscow of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, as Russian combat troops massing around Ukraine launched new exercises.
Europe warns against Russian provocation in Donbass
More than an open Russian invasion of Ukraine, European capitals fear Kiev could be lured into a clash with pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway Donbass region.
Kurds locked in tense Syria prison standoff with IS jihadists
US-backed Kurdish forces tightened the noose Tuesday around armed jihadists hunkering down inside a Syrian prison, with both sides facing a bloodbath or talks to end the five-day-old standoff.
US threatens stiff sanctions, warns Russia not to 'weaponize' energy
The United States on Tuesday warned Russia of damaging sanctions, including high-tech export curbs, and said attempts by Moscow to "weaponize" its enormous oil and gas industry would backfire.
Pro-junta rally in Burkina as UN, neighbours condemn coup
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new junta rallied on Tuesday as France, the UN and the country's neighbours condemned its latest coup.
Syrian doctor in German torture trial denies atrocities
A Syrian doctor on trial in Germany for torture and murder while working in military hospitals in his war-torn homeland on Tuesday denied setting fire to a teenage boy's genitals or operating on detainees without anaesthesia.
Google pushes new plan to overhaul web-tracking cookies
Google on Tuesday announced a new plan to stop using small files known as cookies to track people's web browsing habits, after its previous proposals were roundly criticised.
Sole candidate Tedros set to remain World Health chief
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is all but guaranteed a second term after a procedural vote on Tuesday made him the sole nominee for a leadership election in May.
Pro-junta supporters rally in Burkina as UN condemns coup
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new ruling junta rallied on Tuesday as France and the UN condemned the West African country's latest coup.
Brazilian writer, guru to rightwing Bolsonaro, dead at 74
Olavo de Carvalho, a writer and philosopher who was considered a guru to President Jair Bolsonaro and others in Brazil's far right, has died at age 74, his family said Tuesday.
Yemen rebels lose key battleground area after missile attack on UAE
Yemen's Huthi rebels were expelled from a key battleground district by UAE-trained Giants Brigade fighters, the militia said Tuesday, a day after the insurgents' latest missile attack on Abu Dhabi.
Russia launches new military drills as tensions rise over Ukraine
Russia on Tuesday launched new military exercises near Ukraine and in annexed Crimea as it accused the United States of ratcheting up tensions by putting several thousand of its own troops on alert.
At least 19 dead after clash, fire at club in Indonesia's West Papua
At least 19 people have been killed in a clash at a nightclub in Indonesia's West Papua province, police said Tuesday, with most dying after the venue caught fire.
UK PM's woes deepen with police probe into 'partygate'
The threat to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's position deepened on Tuesday, as police said they were investigating lockdown-breaking parties at his Downing Street office and government departments.
China's Xi meets IOC chief Bach ahead of Winter Olympics
China's President Xi Jinping had a rare pandemic-era encounter with a foreign visitor Tuesday when he met with Olympic chief Thomas Bach as the country readies to host the Winter Games.
Pro-junta rally planned in Burkina as UN condemns coup
Supporters of Burkina Faso's new ruling junta were set to rally on Tuesday as France and the UN condemned the West African country's latest coup.
Myanmar junta threatens pot-banging protesters with treason
Myanmar demonstrators who bang pots and pans in protest at last year's coup can be charged with high treason, the junta warned Tuesday, days ahead of the putsch's one-year anniversary.
Kurds locked in tense Syria prison standoff with jihadists
US-backed Kurdish forces tightened the noose around armed jihadists hunkering down inside a Syrian prison Tuesday, with both sides facing a bloodbath or talks to end the five-day-old standoff.
Russia says US troop alert 'escalating tensions'
Moscow on Tuesday accused the United States of ratcheting up tensions over Ukraine after Washington put several thousand troops on alert for possible deployment to boost NATO.
Japan orders probe of Vietnamese intern abuse case
Japan's justice minister on Tuesday ordered the immigration agency to investigate violent workplace abuse allegedly suffered by a Vietnamese intern in a case that has heightened scrutiny of a state-sponsored training programme.
Australian Open defends ban on 'Where is Peng Shuai?' T-shirts
Australian Open organisers said Sunday that Peng Shuai's safety "is our primary concern" after video emerged of security staff preventing spectators wearing T-shirts in support of the Chinese player.
Humanitarian aid tops agenda as Taliban meet Western officials
Human rights and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where hunger threatens millions, will be in focus at talks opening Sunday in Oslo between the Taliban, the West and members of Afghan civil society.
Socialists ahead as Portugal election campaign enters final stretch
Early voting begins in Portugal on Sunday for a snap general election, with polls showing the incumbent Socialists still ahead though with their lead over their nearest centre-right rivals narrowing.
UK accuses Moscow of trying to install pro-Russia leader in Ukraine
Britain on Saturday alleged that it had information that Moscow was "looking to install a pro-Russian leader in Kyiv" as fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine grow.
British national jailed in Iran begins hunger strike: family
A British national held in Iran for four-and-a-half-years on spying charges vehemently denied by supporters is beginning a hunger strike to protest his situation and lack of pressure to secure his release, his family announced on Saturday.
Berlusconi: Italy's scandal-plagued 'knight'
Silvio Berlusconi's bid for Italy's presidency was always a long shot, an audacious last throw of the dice by the scandal-plagued former premier who has dominated public life for decades.