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Tolstoy's descendants in family saga over Russian peace prize
A new peace prize backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin bearing Leo Tolstoy's name has divided the writer's descendants, bringing to mind the unhappy families of his novel "Anna Karenina".
Mexico leader worried about drinking water after Hurricane John
Mexico's new President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday expressed concern about supplies of drinking water in the country's west after Hurricane John hit the Pacific coast, killing at least 16 people.
US election like no other enters nail-biting final month
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are entering the final one-month sprint to the most dramatic US presidential election in modern history, with both candidates warning the fate of a divided nation hangs on a result that is still too close to call.
US election: five key moments in an extraordinary campaign
Courts, bullets and verbal stumbles have made their mark on this year's US election campaign -- one of the most extraordinary in the nation's history.
Chappell Roan drama sees US singer's fandom get political -- and pushy
The power of online music fandoms to create political hype has crystalized in recent US election cycles -- see the Swifties -- but backlash against Chappell Roan over a presidential endorsement has highlighted so-called stan culture's ferocity.
Deadly Israeli strike on central Beirut after soldiers killed
Israel carried out a deadly air raid Thursday on a Hezbollah rescue facility in central Beirut, Lebanese sources said, after multiple Israeli ground troops were killed near the border.
US urgently tries to shape Israel's response to Iran
The United States knows Israel will retaliate after Iran's major missile attack, and even says it supports such a move, but is trying to influence the nature of the response, warning against targeting Tehran's nuclear facilities.
Biden, Harris tour areas slammed by major storm
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday witnessed first-hand the catastrophic destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene, as several thousand responders joined all-out efforts to rescue residents and care for millions impacted by the storm.
Eight Israel soldiers dead as Hezbollah claims to repel incursion
Hezbollah said it repelled an Israeli infiltration into southern Lebanon on Wednesday, as Israel reported eight soldiers were killed -- its first losses since launching cross-border raids this week.
Oil prices pare strong gains, stocks waver on Middle East worries
Stock markets wavered while oil prices faded after early strong gains Wednesday as Iran's missile attack on Israel fanned fears of a Middle East-wide conflict.
First deaths as Israeli ground forces clash with Hezbollah
Israeli forces battled Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on Wednesday, with Israel announcing the deaths of eight soldiers, its first combat losses since launching cross-border raids earlier this week.
Macron backs Chinese EV tariffs as Scholz calls for dialogue
French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his support for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, during a visit to Berlin on Wednesday.
Russia opens 'extremist' trial of four independent journalists
Russia opened Wednesday the trial of four independent journalists accused of helping the banned organisations of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
How will Israel react to Iranian missile attack?
Israel's pledge to respond to a massive missile strike from Iran has sent diplomats scrambling for ways to avert a full-blown regional war.
British jets 'played their part' in defending Israel: UK
UK armed forces "played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation" after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel, the British government said Wednesday.
Carter beloved in hometown, but many voting for Trump
In southwest Georgia, the hamlet of Plains is synonymous with former US president Jimmy Carter, a Democrat who grew up on a nearby peanut farm. Yet if yard signs are any indication, Republican Donald Trump is the big man in town.
Oil prices rise further, stocks waver on Middle East worries
Stock markets wavered while oil prices extended a rally Wednesday as Iran's missile attack on Israel fanned fears of a Middle East-wide conflict.
Israel, Hezbollah in deadly fighting on Lebanon border
Israeli forces battled Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on Wednesday, with Israel announcing the first death of a soldier since it launched cross-border raids.
Blasts, shooting around Israeli embassies in Nordic capitals
Police in Denmark and Sweden said on Wednesday they were probing explosions and gunfire around Israeli embassies in their capitals which took place amid spiralling Middle East tensions.
Britain's Starmer in Brussels to flesh out EU 'reset' pledge
Keir Starmer arrived in Brussels on Wednesday on his first visit as British prime minister, looking to build on a promised "reset" of relations with the European Union after the rancour of Brexit.
Ukraine withdraws from eastern town of Vugledar
Ukraine's army said Wednesday it had withdrawn from the eastern town of Vugledar, handing Russia one of its most significant territorial gains in weeks.
Pride and fear in Iran after missile attack on Israel
On the streets of Tehran, a small crowd celebrated Iran's missile attack on Israel while others are worried about the consequences of the Islamic Republic's boldest move yet in a year of escalating Middle East conflict.
'Humiliated' profession - Afghan media says abuses rising
Afghan journalists have reported hundreds of cases of abuses by government officials, including torture and arbitrary detention, as well as tightening censorship since the Taliban authorities returned to power.
Biden, Harris to visit Hurricane Helene disaster zone
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will on Wednesday visit areas devastated by Hurricane Helene, after Harris's election rival Donald Trump turned their handling of the disaster into a political football.
Israel vows to make Iran 'pay' for missile attack
Israel vowed to make Iran "pay" for firing a barrage of missiles at its territory, with Tehran warning on Wednesday it would launch an even bigger attack if it is targeted.
Thousands march in India as doctors resume strike
Tens of thousands of people packed the streets of one of India's biggest cities after doctors resumed a strike and called fresh rallies over the rape and murder of a colleague.
US VP rivals defend Trump and Harris in polite debate
US vice presidential contenders J.D. Vance and Tim Walz faced off in a surprisingly civil debate Tuesday, despite tense moments on the hot topics of migration, abortion and the threat of war in the Middle East.
Fact Check: The 2024 US vice presidential debate
US vice presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Walz met Tuesday in likely their only live and televised face-to-face debate.
China's Xi congratulates new Japan PM Ishiba
Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, state media reported Wednesday, the day after he took office in Tokyo.
Hezbollah losses strengthen Turkey against Iran: analysts
Israel's onslaught against Hezbollah in Lebanon is reassuring for Turkey, which could seize the opportunity to strengthen its regional influence in the face of its rival Iran, analysts told AFP.
China's Xi tells Putin ready to 'expand' ties: state media
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin he was ready to "expand" cooperation, as the two leaders exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, state media said.
Vance, Walz clash in VP debate overshadowed by Trump
US vice presidential contenders J.D. Vance and Tim Walz clashed on abortion and migration in their televised debate Tuesday, but ended up repeatedly circling back to one subject -- Donald Trump.