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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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Nord Stream 2 pipeline will 'end' if Russia invades Ukraine: Biden

US President Joe Biden made a categorical vow Monday at a meeting with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz to shut down the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Europe if Moscow launches an invasion of Ukraine.

At UN, Russia, China call out 'unilateral' sanctions

Russia, facing the threat of Western penalties over Ukraine, and China on Monday spoke out against what they called "unilateral" sanctions imposed by countries without the backing of the United Nations Security Council.

US tax agency drops facial recognition plan after criticism

The US national tax authority announced Monday that it will stop using facial recognition software to verify taxpayers' identities when they create online accounts, following a chorus of privacy concerns.

US says Iran nuclear deal 'in sight' but urgent need to finalize

The United States said Monday a deal was possible with Iran on its nuclear program but that an agreement had to be completed urgently as Tehran advances its capabilities, on the eve of renewed talks.

US, Germany 'in lockstep' on confronting Russia over Ukraine: Biden

US President Joe Biden said Monday at a meeting with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz that the two countries are "in lockstep" on confronting Russia over Ukraine.

Queen Elizabeth II set to resume duties as gun salutes mark 70-year reign

Queen Elizabeth II returned to London to resume public duties on Monday following a health scare as the capital echoed to the sound of cannon shots to mark her 70 years on the throne.

Israel releases Spaniard jailed for funding militants: officials

A Spanish aid worker who pled guilty to inadvertently funding an outlawed Palestinian militant group walked free Monday after 10 months in jail, the Israel Prison Service said.

Macron hopes for 'start towards de-escalation' in Putin talks on Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he hoped to make a start towards a de-escalation of tensions over Ukraine, as he began talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Ex-president, former finance minister vie for Costa Rica presidency

An ex-president and a former finance minister will vie for Costa Rica's presidency after topping a first voting round in one of Latin America's stablest democracies, albeit one battling growing economic woes.

Uganda sets March trial date for author

A Ugandan court on Monday ordered a prominent author to stand trial next month on charges of insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his son.

Macron to meet Putin in bid to ease Ukraine tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron was in Moscow on Monday hoping to find common ground with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and NATO, at the start of a week of intense diplomacy over fears Russia is preparing an invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

Gun salutes fired to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign

London echoed to the sound of cannon shots on Monday to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, beginning a year of celebrations to honour Britain's longest-serving monarch.

Humanitarian crisis feared as cyclone kills 20 in Madagascar

Cyclone Batsirai swept out of Madagascar on Monday after killing 20 people, displacing 55,000 and devastating the drought-hit island's agricultural heartland, leading the UN to warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Macron heads to Moscow in bid to ease Ukraine tensions

French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Moscow on Monday hoping to reach a deal with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, at the start of a week of intense diplomacy over fears Russia is preparing an invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.

Myanmar junta denies detained Australian academic released

Myanmar's junta has denied freeing an Australian academic detained for almost a year after Cambodia's leader on Monday took credit for arranging the release.

Embattled rappers fight to speak out in troubled DR Congo

"I don't sing to avenge my family, but because other innocent people who know nothing about politics continue to die," says imprisoned Congolese rapper Idengo.

In conservative Russia, liberal teachers are shown the door

Biology teacher Olga Shchegoleva had not even finished her first six months at a prestigious school in Saint Petersburg when she came under pressure to quit over a sex education blog.

Ex-leader ahead as Costa Ricans elect new president

Costa Ricans voted for a new president Sunday from a crowded field of candidates, with a center-left former leader ahead of the pack with about 60 percent of ballots counted in one of Latin America's stablest democracies.

Australia to reopen borders to tourists on February 21

Australia will reopen its borders to tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Monday, ending some of the world's strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions.

Senegal declares national holiday to celebrate Cup of Nations win

Senegal's President Macky Sall declared Monday a public holiday to celebrate the national football team's first ever African Cup of Nations crown following their victory against Egypt, public television announced.

Diplomatic flurry to avert Russia-NATO clash over Ukraine

With war clouds gathering over Ukraine, international diplomacy goes into overdrive on Monday with the French and Russian presidents to meet in Moscow and the German chancellor heading to the White House to meet with US leader Joe Biden.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai repeats sexual assault denial

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said she never accused anyone of sexual assault, according to an interview published Monday, again walking back an allegation that sparked worldwide concern about her safety.

Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency over 'out of control' Truckers' protest

The ongoing truckers' protest in the Canadian capital is "out of control," the Ottawa mayor said Sunday, announcing a state of emergency as the city center remained blocked by opponents of anti-Covid measures.

No clear favorite as Costa Ricans elect new president

Costa Ricans voted for a new president Sunday from a crowded field of candidates, with no clear favorite to tackle a worsening economy in one of Latin America's stablest democracies.

Tunisian president dissolves top judicial watchdog, alleging bias

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Sunday dissolved a top independent judicial watchdog, accusing it of bias in his latest controversial move since he sacked the government last year.

Cyclone Batsirai kills 10, displaces tens of thousands in Madagascar

Cyclone Batsirai killed at least ten people and displaced nearly 48,000 when it struck Madagascar overnight, the national disaster management agency said on Sunday.

Firing from Afghanistan kills 5 Pakistan troops

At least five Pakistan soldiers were killed by firing from neighbouring Afghanistan, Islamabad said Sunday, in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.

Ukraine plays down Russian invasion fears as US sounds alarm

Ukraine on Sunday pushed back at "apocalyptic predictions" over a potential Russian invasion, after officials in the United States sounded dire warnings that Moscow had stepped up its preparations for a major incursion.

Ukraine plays down Russian invasion risk as US sounds warning

Ukraine's presidency on Sunday insisted the chance of resolving soaring tensions with Russia through diplomacy remained greater than that of an attack, after the US warned Moscow had stepped up preparations for an invasion.

Cyclone Batsirai kills six, displaces tens of thousands in Madagascar

Cyclone Batsirai killed at least six people and displaced nearly 48,000 when it struck Madagascar overnight, the national disaster management agency said on Sunday.

Olympic diplomacy blitz nets Argentina for China's Belt and Road

China welcomed Argentina into its global Belt and Road Initiative Sunday as President Xi Jinping capped a weekend of frenetic diplomatic activity on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics.

Cyclone Batsirai weakens after hitting Madagascar, floods feared

Cyclone Batsirai weakened overnight but floods were still expected due to heavy rain after it hit eastern Madagascar with strong winds, the island's meteorological office said Sunday.

Philippines' raucous election campaign season to kick off

Philippine election candidates will hit the hustings Tuesday for the official start of campaigning, with the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos leading the presidential race as he seeks the ultimate revival of the family brand.

US officials say Russia preparing full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Russia has stepped up preparations for an all-out invasion of Ukraine but it is not clear if Moscow has decided to take such a step, US officials have said citing intelligence assessments.

Costa Ricans choose among 25 presidential candidates

Costa Ricans head to the polls Sunday with a crowded presidential field and no clear favorite for tackling growing economic concerns in one of Latin America's stablest democracies.

French far-right hopeful Zemmour attacks welfare handouts

French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour on Saturday used a meeting in the northern city of Lille to launch a tirade against welfare handouts.

Cuba slaps new tax on food sales as economic woes hit hard

Cuba on Saturday announced a new 10 percent tax on retail food sales, as the country endures economic woes marked by rampant inflation.

Marchers demand justice for Congolese migrant brutally killed in Rio

Hundreds of people marched Saturday in Brazil to demand justice for a young Congolese immigrant who was beaten to death in a bar on a Rio de Janeiro beach.

Contact group urges resumed talks by Venezuela parties

A group of European and Latin American countries on Saturday urged Venezuelan authorities and opposition leaders to resume their dialogue in Mexico aimed at resolving the country's political and economic crises.

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