G20 Shirking 'Critical' Climate Issues: UN Climate Chief
Statements by G20 ministers ahead of a key summit are "woefully inadequate" about addressing the climate emergency, the UN's climate change chief told AFP in an interview Wednesday, calling for stronger action from the nations responsible for most planet-heating pollution.
UK To Ban Russia's Wagner Group As 'Terrorist' Organisation
The UK government said on Wednesday it would ban Russian mercenary outfit the Wagner Group by listing it as a terrorist organisation.
US Hits Sudan RSF Commanders With Sanctions For 'Atrocities'
The United States slapped sanctions on top officials of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Wednesday for a range of alleged murders and rights abuses, including the killing of the governor of West Darfur.
Ukraine Parliament Approves Umerov As New Defence Minister
Ukraine's newly appointed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov vowed on Wednesday to recapture all territory under Russian military control, in his first comments in the new role.
Obesity Drugs Give Danish Economy A Major Boost
Massive demand for diabetes and weight loss drugs made by Danish pharmaceutical group Novo Nordisk have turned it into Europe's most valuable company, giving Denmark's economy a major makeover.
Rains Kill 11 In Mediterranean, East Europe
Storms that unleashed torrential flooding in Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria have killed at least 11 people, authorities said Wednesday, as extreme heat gave way to heavy rain.
Umerov: Discreet Deal-maker From Crimea Turned Defence Chief
Rustem Umerov, confirmed by parliament as Ukraine's new defence minister Wednesday, is known as a skilful and pragmatic negotiator with excellent connections in the Muslim world.
Climate Change Worsening Heatwaves, Air Quality: UN
Climate change is driving more intense and more frequent heatwaves, which in turn generate a "witch's brew" of pollutants, threatening the health of humans and all living things, the UN warned Wednesday.
Blinken Set To Unveil $1bn Aid Package On Kyiv Visit
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv Wednesday after another night of Russian strikes on Ukraine, with Washington set to unveil more than $1 billion in fresh aid to battle Russia.
2023 Likely To Be Hottest Year On Record: EU Monitor
2023 is likely to be the hottest year in human history, and global temperatures during the Northern Hemisphere summer were the warmest on record, the EU climate monitor said on Wednesday.
African Leaders Seek United Front To Press Green Growth Goals
Landmark African climate talks are set to wrap up Wednesday with leaders seeking a united voice to highlight the continent's green growth potential provided the world steps up help for funding and debt.
Nigeria Court To Rule On Opposition Election Challenge
A Nigerian appeals court on Wednesday will rule on an opposition challenge to overturn President Bola Tinubu's election victory in an eagerly awaited decision.
Biden Heads To Divided G20 With Xi And Putin Absent
US President Joe Biden heads to India for the G20 summit this weekend aiming to capitalise on the glaring absence of China's and Russia's leaders to bolster alliances in the sharply divided bloc.
Big Power Disputes Cast Shadow On Southeast Asia Summits
Southeast Asian leaders meet with top US, Chinese and Japanese officials at a series of summits in Indonesia on Wednesday, where big power rivalries and regional issues from the South China Sea to North Korean missiles will be on the table.
Handwritten Letters A Lifeline In War-devastated Darfur
With no cell service or phone calls, people in Sudan's war-ravaged western region of Darfur are resorting to a bygone means of communication: handwritten letters, carried by taxi drivers.
'We're Going To Sink': Hundreds Abandon Caribbean Island Home
On a tiny Caribbean island, hundreds of people are preparing to pack up and move to escape the rising waters threatening to engulf their already precarious homes.
Six Bn Tonnes Of Sand Extracted From World's Oceans Each Year: UN
Some six billion tonnes of sand and other sediment is extracted from the world's seas and oceans every year, the UN said Tuesday, warning of the devastating toll on biodiversity and coastal communities.
Musk Threatens To Sue Anti-defamation Group For Falling Revenue
Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, formerly Twitter, said he is considering suing a leading anti-defamation group, arguing that its accusations of anti-Semitism have led the company to lose revenue.
French Schools Refuse Dozens Of Girls Wearing Muslim Robe
French schools sent dozens of girls home for refusing to remove their abayas -- an over-garment from the shoulders to the feet worn by Muslim women -- on the first day of the school year, a government minister said Tuesday.
53 Members Of Burkina Security Forces Killed In Suspected Jihadist Attack: Army
Fifty-three members of the security forces have been killed in an attack by suspected jihadists in northern Burkina Faso, the army said on Tuesday.
Kyiv Prepares For 'Tough' Winter As Summer Draws To A Close
At a dusty construction site on the bank of the Dnipro river in Kyiv, workers busily prepared the heating system for the upcoming winter while it was still warm.
Oil Execs On Trial In Sweden Over Sudan War Crimes Role
A Swedish oil company allegedly knew that Sudanese armed forces would use violence to secure areas in which it wanted to operate, prosecutors said Tuesday as two former executives faced war crimes charges.
Gabon's New Strongman Meets Regional Envoy, Opposition Chief
Gabon's new strongman on Tuesday met central Africa's mediator for the country and started to amnesty dissidents following a coup last week that brought the curtain down on the 55-year Bongo dynasty.
Calls For Reform Of Global Finance System Dominate Africa Climate Talks
UN chief Antonio Guterres joined African leaders on Tuesday in demanding urgent reforms to the "outdated and unfair" global financial system, speaking at a landmark climate summit in Kenya aimed at showcasing the continent's green potential.
Saudi And Russia Extend Oil Cuts Through December
Saudi Arabia and Russia said on Tuesday they would extend voluntary oil cuts until the end of the year, sending the price of Brent crude to a 10-month high.
UK's Second Biggest City Declares Financial Distress
The UK's second biggest city on Tuesday admitted that it cannot balance its books, blaming Conservative governments for years of under-funding.
916 Killed Or Injured By Cluster Munitions In Ukraine Last Year: Monitor
Over 900 people were killed or injured by cluster munitions in Ukraine last year amid broad Russian use of the widely-banned weapons, propelling global casualty figures to record levels, a report showed Tuesday.
Billions Pledged For Green Development At Africa Climate Talks
The UAE pledged $4.5 billion in clean energy investments in Africa on Tuesday at a landmark climate summit aimed to showcase the continent's potential as a green powerhouse.
Black Sea Ships Carrying Grain Hit Insurance Obstacle
The risk of bombing has made it virtually impossible to insure ships leaving Ukraine via the Black Sea, leaving the sector to find an alternative route, especially for grain.
Russia Upends Global Grain Trade
Russia has cemented its position as the world's top grain exporter with the help of a bumper harvest and cut-rate prices while its war in Ukraine has upended the market.
