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OPEC debates oil output boost amid Russian isolation

Major oil producers led by Saudi Arabia and Russia hold talks Thursday on whether to adjust output, hard on the heels of an EU ban on Russian oil imports.

Partner concerned for health of journalist detained in China

The partner of Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei -- detained by Beijing authorities since August 2020 -- said he has serious concerns about her declining health behind bars in an interview aired Thursday.

Bread factory holds tough as Ukraine hopes for recovery

Balls of dough file past on the assembly line and a sweet scent fills the air at a bread factory that embodies Ukraine's determination and its tentative recovery 100 days on from Russia's invasion.

100 days of war in Ukraine: A timeline

Russia invaded Ukraine in the early hours of February 24, setting off the worst conflict in Europe in decades.

Russians advance on Severodonetsk as US boosts weapons to Ukraine

Russian forces edged closer Wednesday to taking the key eastern Ukraine city of Severodonetsk but Kyiv's hopes of holding off their invaders were boosted by a US pledge of more advanced rocket systems to help their defence.

Danes say 'yes' to joining EU common defence policy

An overwhelming majority of Danes, almost 67 percent, voted Wednesday in favour of joining the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out, results showed with 99 percent of ballots counted.

Biden wants Mexican leader at LA summit amid boycott threat

US President Joe Biden is eager for Mexico's leader to attend next week's Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, a top aide said Wednesday, amid a scramble following boycott threats.

El Salvador's popular millennial president waging war on gangs

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's controversial war on gangs has led to tens of thousands of arrests and sparked criticism from rights groups, but helped win him sky-high popularity three years into his term.

Danes seen voting to join EU defence policy

Denmark on Wednesday held a referendum on whether to join the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out, with exit polls suggesting an overwhelming majority voted in favour.

Arms for Ukraine: Who has sent what?

The United States has agreed to supply Ukraine with advanced rocket launch systems to try to turn the tide of the war in the eastern Donbas region, where the city of Severodonetsk looks poised to fall to Russian forces.

Russians advance on Severodonetsk, Kyiv awaits new US weapons

Russian forces edged closer Wednesday to taking the key eastern Ukraine city of Severodonetsk but Kyiv's hopes of holding off their invaders were boosted by a US pledge of more advanced rocket systems to help their defence.

N. Korea Covid outbreak likely 'getting worse' says WHO

The World Health Organization lamented Wednesday that it had no access to data about North Korea's Covid-19 outbreak, but assumed the crisis was deepening, contrary to Pyongyang's reports of "progress".

Sweden, Finland to meet Turkey at NATO in new bid for progress

NATO said Wednesday it will hold talks involving Turkey, Finland and Sweden in hopes of ending Ankara's opposition to the Nordic nations joining the alliance ahead of a summit this month.

Markets slide on inflation worry; oil rebounds

European and US stocks slipped on Wednesday, as traders digested data showing that runaway inflation shows no sign of easing.

Danes vote on joining EU defence policy

With the war in Ukraine forcing countries in Europe to rethink their security policy, Denmark on Wednesday held a referendum on whether to join the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out.

Blinken says Ukraine won't strike Russia, sees 'many months' of war

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Ukraine had promised not to use new long-range missiles to strike inside of Russia as he warned of "many months" of conflict ahead.

Macron urges 'full transparency' over Champions League chaos

President Emmanuel Macron urged the French government on Wednesday to investigate with "full transparency" the chaos at this weekend's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, as the interior minister came under increasing pressure over the police's handling.

US taps affable veteran diplomat for Ethiopia peace bid

The United States on Wednesday named Mike Hammer, a veteran diplomat known for his frankness and amiability, as envoy for the Horn of Africa with the delicate task of building on Ethiopia's fragile efforts toward peace.

Turkey renews threat of military offensive in Syria

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday renewed threats of a military offensive in northern Syria, which he said would target Kurdish "terrorists".

Danes vote on joining EU's common defence policy

With the war in Ukraine forcing countries in Europe to rethink their security policy, Denmark voted Wednesday in a referendum on whether to join the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out.

Anti-femicide group goes on trial in Turkey

A prominent Turkish anti-femicide campaign group went on trial on Wednesday accused of activity against law and morals, with several hundred women rallying outside Istanbul's main court in protest.

Ukraine braces for Severodonetsk fall, awaits new US weapons

Ukraine looked close to losing the key eastern city of Severodonetsk to Russian forces but was boosted Wednesday by the US decision to send more advanced rocket systems to help with its defence.

In a bombed-out building, Ukraine investigators take stock

As investigators surveyed the damage in a bombed-out block of buildings in Saltivka, on the outskirts of the eastern city of Kharkiv, residents gathered around them.

Yemen truce hangs in balance as extension talks falter

A fragile UN-brokered truce between the Yemeni government and Huthi rebels hung in the balance Wednesday as talks on renewing it hit trouble, threatening the humanitarian gains of the past two months.

China says not competing for influence in South Pacific

China has insisted it has "no intention to compete" for influence in the South Pacific as foreign minister Wang Yi and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong again jetted around the region Wednesday on duelling diplomatic charm offensives.

Australia's top diplomat to visit Samoa, Tonga trailing Chinese counterpart

Australia's recently sworn-in Foreign Minister Penny Wong is heading back to the Pacific Islands Wednesday, travelling to Samoa and Tonga just days after her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Turkey black rose producers chase sweet smell of success

To the naked eye, the delicate velvet roses in southeastern Turkey appear black and overwhelm the senses with their irresistible sweet smell.

Denmark votes on joining EU's common defence policy

Traditionally eurosceptic Denmark votes Wednesday in a referendum on whether to overturn its opt-out on the EU's common defence policy after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Trans Rohingya refugee fights prejudice with beauty

A minority in a minority, transgender Rohingya beautician Tanya has faced discrimination on even more fronts than most other residents of the world's biggest refugee camp.

US to send Ukraine advanced weapons, as battle for east rages

President Joe Biden has said the United States will send more advanced rocket systems to Ukraine, as Russian troops press their ferocious bid to complete the capture of a key eastern city.

Biden says US to send Ukraine 'advanced rocket systems' to hit 'key targets'

President Joe Biden on Tuesday confirmed the United States will send more advanced rocket systems to Ukraine with ability to strike what he called "key targets" of Russia's invasion force.

Ukraine's Zelensky blasts 'crazy' Russia over chemical plant hit

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of "madness" Tuesday after Russian troops hit a chemical plant in their bid to complete the capture of a key eastern city.

'I can breathe': Ukraine women and children flee Russian troops

The hordes of exhausted people hurrying through the east Ukraine checkpoint towards Red Cross buses were women, children and the elderly, desperate to flee the horrors of life in Russian-controlled territory.

Russia closes in on key city as EU clinches oil deal

Russian forces now control "most" of eastern Ukraine's key city of Severodonetsk, a regional governor said Tuesday, while EU leaders were split over banning gas from Moscow after agreeing to embargo most of its oil.

US warns of new UN sanctions bid if North Korea tests nukes

The United States warned Tuesday that it will try again to toughen UN sanctions if North Korea tests a nuclear weapon, after a bid last week was vetoed by China and Russia.

UK's PM launches new 'Partygate' defence as rebels mobilise

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday denied breaching the UK government's ministerial code of conduct, as he bids to head off a growing Conservative revolt over the "Partygate" scandal.

US warns talks on Yemen truce in 'trouble'

The United States warned Tuesday that talks on Yemen's two-month truce were in "trouble" as it pushed for an extension to help support millions at risk.

Mexico bans sales of 'harmful' e-cigarettes

Mexico on Tuesday banned sales of electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices because of concerns about their health effects, the government announced.

Russia takes 'half' of key city as EU clinches oil deal

Russian forces have seized control of half of eastern Ukraine's key city of Severodonetsk, a senior official said Tuesday, while EU leaders were split over banning gas from Moscow after agreeing to embargo most of its oil.

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