Palestinian rocket attack on Israeli city draws Gaza air strikesA rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in the largest city in southern Israel early on Wednesday, prompting Israeli air strikes that killed a militant in the Palestinian enclave. The attacks c...
Fighting slump, Macron seeks presidency reboot with cabinet 2.0President Emmanuel Macron gathered his new government for its first post-reshuffle meeting on Wednesday and struck a contrite tone, looking to reboot his presidency after months of criticism and slump...
Retaken but not rebuilt: Syria’s Raqa a year after IS ousterAll day, dinghies cross the Euphrates River to shuttle residents into the pulverised cityscape of Syria’s Raqa, where bridges, homes, and schools remain gutted by the offensive against the Islamic Sta...
US stays cautious over Khashoggi as new killing claims emergeSecretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday refused to blame key US ally Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi even as Riyadh faced new claims he was killed and tortured in...
French leftist leader under fire for shoving officer during raidFrench prosecutors on Wednesday announced they were investigating leftist firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon after he shoved a prosecutor in a fit of rage over having his apartment and party headquarters ra...
Iran stays quiet on Khashoggi caseIran has been playing it cool as it watches the furore over the disappearance of writer Jamal Khashoggi create a crisis for its regional rival Saudi Arabia. As of Wednesday, the government had yet to...
Dissident Vietnam blogger ‘Mother Mushroom’ released, on way to USA dissident Vietnamese blogger known by the pen name “Mother Mushroom” was on her way to freedom in the United States on Wednesday after being released from prison where she was serving 10 years for a...
German justice minister to stand as SPD top candidate in EU voteGerman Justice Minister Katarina Barley will be the Social Democrats’ (SPD) top candidate in European elections next year, the party said on Wednesday, announcing a move that heralds a change to Chanc...
Germany delays decision on ministerial trip to SaudiGermany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would delay a decision on whether to go through with a planned visit to Saudi Arabia until Riyadh had given more clarity on the disappearance of journalis...
Maldives’ president says preparing to step down with no regrets on any decisionsThe president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen, said on Wednesday he had no complaints or reservations about any of his decisions while in office, and that he was preparing to step down, despite having...
Israel’s top court weighs appeal by barred US studentIsrael’s top court weighed an appeal on Wednesday by a US student facing deportation under a law against foreign pro-Palestinian activists who call for boycotts of Israel. Lara Alqasem, 22, flew to Is...
Iran calls US sanctions on paramilitary force ‘blind vindictiveness’Iran called new US sanctions against its paramilitary Basij group an act of “blind vindictiveness” on Wednesday. “America’s new sanctions are a clear insult to international and legal mechanisms and a...
After pastor’s release, US presses Turkey on ex-NASA scientist, other detaineesUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday urged Turkey to release a Turkish-US citizen and former NASA scientist, among other detainees, days after Ankara turned over US evangelical pastor Andrew...
Slovakia investigating suspected hack into Foreign MinistrySlovakia is investigating a suspected case of hacking targeting its foreign ministry, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said on Wednesday after a meeting of the country’s security council. Pellegrini sa...
Blooming early! Japan’s famed cherry blossoms make unexpected appearanceThe delicate blossoms of the cherry tree might be synonymous with the onset of spring in Japan — except this year they’re also blooming in autumn, a weather forecasting company said Wednesday. Experts...