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EU looks to end data hoarding by companies
With companies reaping increasing amounts of data from consumers and firms, the EU is looking at wrestling back access to that digital information under a Data Act proposed Wednesday by the European Commission.
Lebanon says thwarts IS bomb plot targeting Hezbollah bastion
Lebanon has thwarted a plan by the Islamic State group to carry out three suicide bombings targeting Shiite religious compounds in Beirut's southern suburbs, the interior ministry said Wednesday.
Stocks recover, oil drops on Russia sanctions impact
Stock markets mostly rose and oil prices fell Wednesday as economic sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine crisis were deemed less harsh than expected.
France's Macron to kick off re-election bid in March
President Emmanuel Macron will launch his re-election bid on March 5 at an inaugural campaign rally in Marseille, sources in his party said Wednesday.
China says Ukraine crisis completely different from Taiwan claims
China on Wednesday dismissed comparisons between the Ukraine crisis and its own claim over Taiwan, after the self-ruled island's president said evidence of Russian aggression was being used to hurt Taiwanese morale.
Ukraine mobilises reserves as Moscow doubles down on demands
Ukraine mobilised its military reserve Wednesday and urged its citizens to leave Russian territory as Moscow sharpened its demands, increasing fears of all-out war.
Author who fled Uganda 'relieved' to be in Germany
An award-winning Ugandan author who fled the country after being charged with insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his son told AFP Wednesday that he was "relieved" to be in Germany for medical treatment after being "tortured" in jail.
Markets rise, oil flat after Russia sanctions but traders on edge
Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices stabilised as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared.
Putin says Russia's interests 'non-negotiable' amid Ukraine crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday the country's interests were non-negotiable, as Moscow massed more than 150,000 troops on the borders with Ukraine and the West punished Russia with new sanctions.
Markets rise, oil dips after Russia sanctions but traders on edge
Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices eased as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared.
Baidoa: Crossroads of despair in drought-ravaged Somalia
Under the blazing sun, Salado Adan Mohamed puts the finishing touches to her makeshift shelter, cobbled together from branches and fragments of discarded cloth.
Taiwan condemns Russia over Ukraine
Taiwan's president on Wednesday condemned Russia for ordering troops into rebel-held regions in Ukraine, and claimed the crisis was being used to hurt morale on the island, which has long been under the threat of a Chinese invasion.
Brazil's Bolsonaro turns to Telegram as vote nears
Like millions of Brazilians, @mara, a fervent fan of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, has turned to the messaging app Telegram as the country heads toward a deeply divisive election: "There's no censorship here," she says.
Two Venezuela military officers killed in helicopter crash
Two Venezuelan military personnel were killed and two others injured Tuesday when a Russian-made helicopter crashed in the South American nation, President Nicolas Maduro said.
Russia sanctions: warm-up round threatens limited impact
After weeks of threats, the West imposed Tuesday its first sanctions on Russia, but for the moment the actions will have limited impact on both the Russian and Western economies.
US stocks fall amid Ukraine crisis, oil flirts with $100/barrel
Wall Street stocks fell Tuesday after President Joe Biden unveiled fresh sanctions on Moscow, while a surge in oil prices was limited by expectations the measures would not impact Russia's crude production.
Moscow must fully comply with UN charter: Guterres
UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged Russia to fully comply with the global body's charter, condemning Moscow's recognition of the "independence" of two breakaway Ukrainian regions.
US sanctions Russia for 'beginning' invasion of Ukraine
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced tough new sanctions on Russia for "beginning" an invasion of Ukraine but said there was still time to avoid war, even as Vladimir Putin signaled plans to send troops beyond Russia's borders.
Biden announces 'first' sanctions on Russia over Ukraine
US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced sanctions against Russian banks and the country's wealthy elite after what he said was Moscow's launching of an invasion against Ukraine.
US restricts import of Afghan cultural items to prevent 'pillage'
The United States has restricted the import of cultural and historical items from Afghanistan, hoping to prevent "terrorists" from profiting, the State Department said Tuesday, but experts voiced fears about the unintended consequences.
Russian lawmakers give Putin green light for troops to Ukraine
Russian lawmakers on Tuesday gave Vladimir Putin the green light to deploy forces abroad, paving the way for the Russian leader to send troops into Ukraine despite a fierce global backlash.
'We are expecting war', say Ukraine frontline residents
Ninety-year-old Raisa Simanovna still sleeps in her flat on the frontline in eastern Ukraine but goes down into the cellar in the daytime to shelter from the ever more intense shelling and mortar fire.
Russian lawmakers lavish Putin with praise after rebel recognition
Russian lawmakers lined up Tuesday to lavish President Vladimir Putin with praise for recognising east Ukraine's rebel territories, in a show of loyalty as they unanimously voted to ratify the Kremlin's deals with the separatists.
Ukraine running out of options as Putin orders in troops
Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky are running out of options as they try to withstand Russian military advances that could shrink their country for the second time since 2014.
Russia faces sanctions blitz as Putin orders troops into east Ukraine
Russia faced a furious global diplomatic and economic backlash Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure two breakaway regions.
UK unveils sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs
Britain on Tuesday slapped sanctions on five Russian banks and three billionaires, in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson called "the first barrage" of measures in response to the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine.
UAE invests in drones, robots as unmanned warfare takes off
The United Arab Emirates is ploughing money into drones, robots and other unmanned weaponry as autonomous warfare becomes more and more widespread -- including in attacks on the Gulf country by Yemeni rebels.
Germany halts controversial Russian pipeline project
Germany on Tuesday put on ice the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline in response to Moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, finally halting the 10-billion-euro project that has long irked allies.
US set to impose sanctions after Russian 'invasion' of Ukraine
The United States said Tuesday that Russia's move into eastern Ukraine amounts to the "beginning of an invasion" and warned that "severe" sanctions would be announced shortly.
Russia faces massive sanctions as Putin orders troops into east Ukraine
Russia faced a furious global diplomatic and economic backlash Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure two breakaway regions.
What election? World role delays Macron's bid for second term
In normal times, Emmanuel Macron would have hit the campaign trail by now to try for a second term in a presidential election only seven weeks away, plotting strategy, appearing in TV debates and firing up supporters at rallies.
Scholz says Germany halting Nord Stream 2 project
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday that he was suspending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project with Russia in response to Moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions in Ukraine.
Ukraine urges 'tough sanctions' after Putin orders troops into rebel regions
Ukraine on Tuesday urged its Western allies to hit Russia with "tough sanctions" after President Vladimir Putin recognised two breakaway regions as independent and ordered in his troops.
China moves closer to Russia, but wary on Ukraine
China and Russia set off alarms in the West this month with the most robust declaration of their friendship in decades but Beijing has signalled it would not back Vladimir Putin if he sent troops in to invade Ukraine.
Working-class hero? Ex-factory boy aims for South Korean presidency
Cultural hits from Netflix show "Squid Game" to Oscar-winner "Parasite" have raised South Korean inequality to global prominence, and one presidential hopeful claims his working-class credentials make him the best man to fix a broken system.
US, allies lambast Russia over Ukraine at UN Security Council
The United States and its allies rounded on Russia during an emergency Security Council session Monday, denouncing Vladimir Putin's recognition of rebel-held areas in Ukraine and his ordered deployment of troops as a gross violation of international law and "pretext for war."
US to announce Russia sanctions after initial caution on Ukraine
The United States said it will impose sanctions on Moscow Tuesday, following an initially cautious response to President Vladimir Putin's order for Russian troops to deploy in two Kremlin-backed separatist areas of Ukraine.
Equities tumble, oil rallies on red-hot Ukraine tensions
Asian markets plunged while oil and haven assets rallied Tuesday after Russia's Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, ramping up geopolitical tensions and fears of a conflict.
Australia wants 'eyes on Antarctica' with funding boost
Australia on Tuesday announced plans to boost its presence and surveillance operations on Antarctica, unveiling a US$575 million package designed to match China's growing interest in the pole.