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Thirteen arrested over murders of Mexico City officials
Thirteen people were arrested on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the murders of two close aides to Mexico City's mayor three months ago, Mayor Clara Brugada said.

US ramps up attack on international court over Israel
The United States on Wednesday defiantly expanded efforts to hobble the International Criminal Court over its prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sanctioning a judge from ally France.

Trump raises pressure on central bank, calls for Fed governor to resign
President Donald Trump ramped up pressure on the US central bank Wednesday, calling for Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to step down -- after his recent criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest rates sooner.

How Europe tried to speak Trump
A careful selection of cast and roles and a clear strategy to avoid deadlocks. European leaders' charm offensive on Donald Trump to foster Ukraine's cause this week was hastily arranged but followed a scripted plan, say European sources.

Eurovision returns to Vienna, 11 years after Conchita Wurst triumph
Vienna was chosen on Wednesday to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, 11 years after bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst's win last brought the world's biggest live televised music event to Austria's capital.

Russia says must be part of Ukraine security guarantees talks
Russia said on Wednesday it had to be part of any discussion on security guarantees for Ukraine and downplayed the likelihood of an imminent summit with President Volodymyr Zelensky, tempering hopes for a quick peace deal.

Historic Swedish church arrives at new home after two-day journey
A landmark Swedish church in the Arctic arrived Wednesday at its new home after a two-day move across the town of Kiruna to allow Europe's biggest underground mine to expand.

UK set for more legal challenges over migrant hotels
Britain's government was considering Wednesday whether to appeal a court ruling blocking the housing of asylum seekers in a flashpoint hotel, as it scrambled to come up with contingency plans for the migrants.

Russia says discussing Ukraine security guarantees without Moscow 'road to nowhere'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that discussing any Western security guarantees for Ukraine without Russian involvement was a "road to nowhere".

Israel approves plan to conquer Gaza City, calls up reservists
Israel's defence minister approved a plan on Wednesday for the conquest of Gaza City and authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, piling pressure on Hamas as mediators push for a ceasefire.

German minister says China's 'assertiveness' threatens European interests
China's assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea and tensions in the Taiwan Strait threaten international security and European interests, Germany's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Israel defence minister approves plan to conquer Gaza City
Israel's defence minister has approved a plan for the conquest of Gaza City and authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists to carry it out, his ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

Vienna chosen to host Eurovision 2026
Vienna was chosen on Wednesday to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, the world's biggest live televised music event, Austria's public broadcaster announced, with the final set for May 16.

Japan hosts African leaders for development conference
Japan hosted African leaders on Wednesday for a three-day development conference, offering itself as an alternative to China as the continent reels from a debt crisis exacerbated by Western aid cuts, conflict and climate change.

Reclusive Turkmenistan bids to go tobacco-free in 2025
When he was a teenager, Bekmurad Khodjayev used to hide from his parents to smoke. Fifty years later, the Turkmen pensioner is still hiding, but this time from the police.

From TikTok to frontrunner, inside Paz's presidential campaign in Bolivia
Senator Rodrigo Paz, the surprise top finisher in Bolivia's first-round presidential election, spent years traveling the country, posting hundreds of social media videos and honing his image like a full-time influencer.

India celebrates clean energy milestone but coal still king
Non-fossil fuels now account for half of India's installed energy capacity -- years ahead of schedule -- but the third-largest greenhouse gas polluter remains deeply reliant on coal for electricity generation.

NZ soldier sentenced to two years' detention for attempted espionage
A military court sentenced a New Zealand soldier on Wednesday to two years' detention for attempted espionage for a foreign power.

Australia lashes Netanyahu over 'weak' leader outburst
Australia lashed Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday after he said the country's prime minister was weak, with a top minister saying strength was more than "how many people you can blow up".

Trump slams US museums for focus on 'how bad slavery was'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticized top museums for their "woke" focus on subjects including "how bad Slavery was," his latest attack on the cultural institutions in a country that fought a civil war over the issue.

US agrees to talks with Brazilian WTO delegates on tariffs
The United States has agreed to Brazil's request to enter talks with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to discuss the 50 percent tariffs imposed by Washington, according to a recent letter.

Israel-France row flares over Macron's move to recognise Palestinian state
A row between Israel and France over Paris's plan to recognise a Palestinian state next month escalated to crisis level on Tuesday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused President Emmanuel Macron of fomenting "antisemitism".

Syrian, Israeli diplomats met in Paris to discuss 'de-escalation': report
Syria's foreign minister met with an Israeli diplomatic delegation in Paris on Tuesday to discuss "de-escalation and non-interference in Syria’s internal affairs", state news agency SANA reported.
Top officers hold Ukraine talks after Trump rules out US troops
Top US and European military officers met in Washington Tuesday to discuss the mechanics of a possible Ukraine peace deal, after President Donald Trump ruled out sending American troops to back an agreement but suggested air support instead.

Trump rules out US troops but eyes air power in Ukraine deal
President Donald Trump on Tuesday ruled out sending US troops but envisioned extending US air power as Western nations began hashing out security guarantees for Ukraine before any potential summit with Russia.

Former Mali PM Choguel Kokalla Maiga charged with embezzlement, imprisoned
Mali's civilian ex-prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, dismissed in November after he criticised the junta, was charged Tuesday with embezzlement of public funds and remanded in custody following a hearing before the country's Supreme Court.

Russians welcome idea of Putin and Zelensky meeting
Russians welcomed Tuesday the idea of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, though not everyone was convinced it would bring peace after nearly three-and-a-half years of conflict.

Spanish PM says 'difficult hours' left in wildfire fight
Spain still faces "difficult hours" ahead in its fight against wildfires that have ravaged a record area of land, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Tuesday, despite the onset of cooler weather.

Serbia protesters accuse police of abuse and warn of 'spiral of violence'
Serbian anti-government protesters accused police Tuesday of beating and threatening detained activists, fuelling fears of a spiralling crackdown after a week of violent clashes.

Israel demands release of all hostages after Hamas backs new truce offer
A senior Israeli official on Tuesday said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any future Gaza deal, after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal.

Trump says US air support possible for Ukraine security guarantee
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that US air support and European ground troops could be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, warning of a "rough" situation if talks between Moscow and Kyiv fail.

Nigerian judge delays trial over 2022 church massacre
A Nigeria court postponed on Tuesday the beginning of a highly anticipated trial over the killing of dozens of Catholic worshippers in a church massacre that rocked the nation's usually safer southwest region and drew international condemnation.