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Wealthy nations offer $250 bn on climate but pressed for more

Wealthy nations on Friday offered $250 billion a year to help poorer nations hit hardest by global warming but faced immediate calls led by Africa to give more as UN climate negotiations extended into overtime.

COP29 draft deal proposes rich nations give $250 bn in climate finance

A new draft deal at UN climate talks Friday proposes rich nations commit $250 billion a year to help poorer nations combat global warming in a bid to break the deadlocked negotiations.

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In violence-shattered central Mali, victims recount their lives

Some are men of arms, who have taken up a gun out of need or for a cause. Others are just ordinary civilians, struggling to survive from one day to the next and make sense of the mayhem.

New York latest to roll back mask mandates as US eyes normalization

New York on Wednesday joined a wave of Democrat-run US states to roll back mask mandates, as health officials increasingly talk about America moving towards a phase where Covid-19 doesn't disrupt daily lives.

In Canada's sedate capital, some are fed up with noisy vaccine protests

Canada's capital is sometimes ribbed as being so quiet it's dull. But not these days, as truckers and others frustrated over Covid-19 restrictions clog the city center, revving engines in a non-stop blast of anger.

Israel hits missile targets in Syria: military

Israel launched strikes against targets in Syria early Wednesday, hitting anti-aircraft batteries in response to a missile fired from Syria, the military said.

'I didn't kill anyone,' Paris attacks suspect claims

The only suspected assailant still alive after the terror attacks that rocked Paris in November 2015 said Wednesday that "I didn't kill anyone, I didn't hurt anyone" as he took the stand for the first time in the trial over the jihadist massacres.

UN court orders Uganda to pay DR Congo $325 mn war damages

The UN's top court on Wednesday ordered Uganda to pay the Democratic Republic of Congo $325 million over a brutal war two decades ago, just a fraction of what Kinshasa demanded.

Researchers brave relentless violence to work in DR Congo

As Tony Ukety peers into a microscope in an effort to wipe out a devastating tropical disease, he is acutely aware that there is a more immediate threat looming outside the walls of his research centre.

Bid to defuse Ukraine tensions intensifies as 'positive' signs emerge

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday ramped up efforts to stop Russia from invading Ukraine, as Kyiv and Moscow said they saw 'positive signals' toward resolving the crisis.

Madagascar cyclone toll rises to 30

The death toll from Cyclone Batsirai, which left Madagascar on Monday morning, has risen to 30, according to an updated count from authorities, and could rise further as bodies continue to be found in the rubble of collapsed houses.

Australian PM condemned for 'shocking' response to sexual abuse claims

Two prominent advocates for sexual abuse survivors pilloried Australia's prime minister Wednesday, decrying "weasel words" and a response to widespread abuse that had not "measured up".

'Happy days'?: French communists hope to come in from cold

Armed with its most charismatic leader in decades, France's Communist party aims to return to its glory days in the upcoming presidential election and win back voters who have drifted to the right.

Cautious Macron holds advantage in French election

A relatively flat campaign in which opponents have failed to score points is playing into the hands of French President Emmanuel Macron as he bids for a second term, even if much can still change ahead of the April elections.

Somaliland minister hails 'milestone' visit to Taiwan

Taiwan's push to grow its presence on the world stage as China poaches its diplomatic allies saw Taipei roll out the red carpet on Wednesday to a new friend in a similar position -- Somaliland.

Ukrainians on Russian border 'on alert' for last eight years

Wrapped up against the cold in a padded camouflage jacket, a Ukrainian border guard cradles his automatic rifle as he looks out over a barbed wire-topped fence into the expanse of Russia beyond.

Sexual abuse victims condemn Australia PM's 'shocking' response to claims

Two prominent advocates for survivors of sexual abuse pilloried Australia's prime minister Wednesday, decrying "weasel words" and a response to widespread abuse that had not "measured up".

New Zealand convoy protesters vow to stay 'as long as it takes'

New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters faced off with police outside parliament Wednesday, as demonstrators camped inside the Wellington legislature's grounds vowed to stay "as long as it takes".

'My heart and body shake': Afghan women defy Taliban

One after the other, quickly, carefully, keeping their heads down, a group of Afghan women step into a small Kabul apartment block -- risking their lives as a nascent resistance against the Taliban.

Taliban erases signs of ex-government from Kabul streets

In the six months since taking back control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have erased all visible signs of the former government from the capital.

Godsend or 'ghetto': Syrian migrants flock to small Cyprus town

On the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, grappling with an influx of asylum seekers, the small town of Chlorakas has become the centre of tensions. One-quarter of its residents are refugees.

Beijing sells troubled Xinjiang as a winter sports paradise

China's vast region of Xinjiang has hit the headlines as a centre of massive alleged human rights abuses, but Beijing is keen it gets recognition for another reason -- as a top winter sports destination.

End of war brings relief, and despair, to Afghan women

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August brought an end to 20 years of fighting -- and relief for many women -- but harsh restrictions imposed by the new government are also causing despair.

Colombia's presidential favorite apologizes for drunken speech

The front-runner in Colombia's May presidential election apologized on Tuesday for a speech he gave the day before while under the influence of alcohol, which drew criticism and jeers from his opponents.

Canada, US business groups call for end to trucker trade route blockade

US and Canadian business groups on Tuesday demanded truckers protesting against Covid restrictions end their blockade of a vital trade route between the two countries.

EU leaders vow unity as Macron sees path on easing Russia tensions

European leaders on Tuesday pledged unity in their goal of averting war on the continent, as France's President Emmanuel Macron said he saw a path forward on easing tensions with Russia over Ukraine after an urgent round of shuttle diplomacy.

Iran nuclear deal 'in sight' as talks resume

Talks to revive a deal with Iran on its contested nuclear programme resumed on Tuesday in Vienna after officials signalled an agreement was "in sight".

'Denial and delay': Big Oil rebuked in US Congress

US climate scientists accused four of the world's largest oil companies Tuesday of lying about the harms linked to their industry and trying to delay the switch to cleaner fuel.

Telenor Myanmar sale challenged over data leak fears

The proposed sale of Norwegian telecoms giant Telenor's Myanmar subsidiary could put sensitive personal data of millions of customers into the hands of the junta, according to a complaint filed on Tuesday.

Schools ordered shut in India as hijab ban protests intensify

Authorities in southern India ordered schools to shut on Tuesday as protests intensified over a ban on Islamic headscarves that has outraged Muslim students.

Israel troops kill three Palestinians in West Bank raid

Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Tuesday during what Israel described as an operation against a "terrorist cell".

EU joins chips race with 43-bn-euro bid to rival Asia

The EU on Tuesday unveiled a plan to quadruple the supply of semiconductors in Europe by 2030, hoping to limit the bloc's dependence on Asia for a key component used in electric cars and smartphones.

Macron in Kyiv says no 'escalation' from Putin

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he had convinced Russia's Vladimir Putin not to escalate the crisis around Ukraine, ahead of talks in Kyiv aimed at defusing fears Moscow could invade.

Marcos Jr: Philippine dictator's son vying to take over from Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr, whose father and namesake was the notorious Philippine dictator, is on track for the ultimate rehabilitation of his family brand: capturing the presidency.

Turbulent priest: India's anti-Muslim firebrand and possible future PM

A monk known for his incendiary anti-Muslim rhetoric leads the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party into elections in India's most populous state Thursday, where a strong win could put him in pole position to succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Macron due in Kyiv after Putin says ready for compromise

French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Kyiv on Tuesday after offering Russia "concrete security guarantees" in an effort to dissuade Moscow from invading its neighbour Ukraine, with Russia's leader vowing to find compromise in response.

EU joins chips race with 42 bn euro bid to rival Asia

The EU launches a plan Tuesday to raise tens of billions of euros to boost semiconductor production in Europe and end the bloc's digital dependence on Asia.

Philippines kicks off chaotic election campaign season

The race to lead the Philippines kicked off Tuesday, with the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to succeed authoritarian firebrand Rodrigo Duterte and return his clan to the presidential palace they once fled.

US defends warnings in standoff with Russia over Ukraine

Faced with accusations of "alarmism" over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, Washington is on the defensive over the credibility of its warnings, even as it keeps certain cards close to its chest.

'It's too quiet': Tensions take toll on Ukraine front line

As international tensions have risen over their country's fate, Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches of war-ravaged Maryinka have been living a strange paradox.

Putin says ready for compromise after talks with Macron on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready for compromise and would look at proposals put forward by French leader Emmanuel Macron in talks on Monday, while still blaming the West for raising tensions over Ukraine.

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