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Cardinals hold last mass before conclave to elect pope
Cardinals from five continents held a final mass in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Wednesday before sealing themselves away to elect a new pope to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.
Ukraine, Russia trade aerial attacks ahead of WWII victory parade
Russia and Ukraine traded a barrage of drone strikes overnight on Wednesday, in attacks that killed two in Kyiv and forced Moscow to shut major airports hours before a swathe of foreign leaders was to arrive.
'Prioritise peace': Nations urge restraint in India-Pakistan clash
Deadly clashes between India and Pakistan have prompted concern and calls for restraint from around the world on Wednesday.
Dozens killed as India, Pakistan clash in worst violence in decades
India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery along their contested frontier on Wednesday after New Delhi launched deadly missile strikes on its arch-rival, in the worst violence between the nuclear-armed neighbours in two decades.
China's Xi heads to Moscow to beef up 'no limits' Putin partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping headed to Moscow on Wednesday for a key three-day visit including a grand Victory Day parade and a show of support for Vladimir Putin.
White smoke: signalling a new pope down the ages
When Catholic cardinals vote in the conclave, they then burn their ballots, sending up black smoke to signal no decision or white smoke to show they have chosen a new pope.
Trump, Ukraine propel EU and UK towards defence pact
The EU and Britain look set to seal a defence pact at a landmark summit this month as worries about US President Donald Trump and the war in Ukraine spur them beyond the wrangles of Brexit.
Syrian leader to meet Macron in first European visit
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday meets France's Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first visit to Europe since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.
China's Xi aims to beef up 'no limits' Putin partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping headed to Moscow on Wednesday for a key three-day visit including a grand Victory Day parade and a show of support for Vladimir Putin.
Venezuelan opposition figures 'rescued', now in US: Rubio
Five Venezuelan opposition figures who have been holed up in Argentina's embassy in Caracas for more than a year are now in the United States after a "rescue" operation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday.
China eases monetary policy to boost ailing economy
China on Wednesday eased key monetary policy tools in a bid to boost its ailing economy as it struggles with the effects of weak consumption and the trade war with the United States.
No rate cuts expected from US Fed facing 'unfavorable' conditions
The US Federal Reserve faces a tough choice Wednesday as it contends with President Donald Trump's tariff rollout: Prioritize tackling inflation by holding interest rates high, do nothing, or stimulate growth and employment by cutting them?
Trump talks tough on China, but early focus elsewhere
Voicing frustration over the lack of success in ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for renewed focus on "our number-one geopolitical foe" -- China.
Colombia moves to join China's Belt and Road
Colombia's president on Tuesday said he intends to sign an accord to join Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative during an upcoming China trip, a move sure to damage already frayed relations with Washington.
US, Chinese officials to hold trade talks in Switzerland
Senior US and Chinese officials will travel to Switzerland later this week to kickstart stalled trade talks following President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff rollout, according to statements from both countries.
India launches strikes on Pakistan, Islamabad vows to 'settle the score'
India fired missiles at Pakistani territory early Wednesday, killing at least three people, according to Pakistan, which said it had begun retaliating in a major escalation of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Trump hopes India-Pakistan clashes end 'very quickly'
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he hoped clashes between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan end "very quickly," after New Delhi's forces launched strikes and Islamabad vowed retaliation.
India launches strikes on Pakistan, Islamabad vows retaliation
India fired missiles at Pakistani territory early Wednesday in a major escalation of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals, with Islamabad vowing retaliation.
Ukraine drones close Moscow airports ahead of WWII parade
A Ukrainian drone barrage forced Russia to close a dozen airports deep behind the front line on Tuesday, days before foreign leaders gather in Moscow for a World War II Victory Day parade.
US, Yemen's Huthis agree ceasefire: mediator Oman
The United States and Yemen's Huthis have reached a ceasefire agreement, mediator Oman announced Tuesday, saying the deal would ensure "freedom of navigation" in the Red Sea where the Iran-backed rebels have attacked shipping.
Trump says US should to stop 'subsidizing' Canada as trade talks continue
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States should stop "subsidizing" Canada, as he hosted the country's recently reelected premier Mark Carney for talks in Washington.
Trump halts US attacks on Yemen as Israel hits airport
President Donald Trump abruptly announced that the United States would end its attacks against Yemen's Huthis on Tuesday, saying the rebels had agreed to stop harassing ships in the Red Sea.
Indian PM vows to stop waters key to rival Pakistan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that water from India that once flowed across borders will be stopped, days after suspending a key water treaty with arch-rival Pakistan.
Vatican readies for conclave lockdown
The Sistine Chapel was decked out to host a papal election Tuesday as cardinals from around the globe moved into a Vatican guest house ahead of the conclave to choose Pope Francis's successor.
New German leader Merz stumbles out of the blocks
Germany's conservative new Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to end months of political paralysis and rebuild Berlin's international standing, but got off to a bruising start on Tuesday.
Israel pummels Yemen airport in reprisal against Huthis
Israeli warplanes bombed the airport in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa on Tuesday, the latest retaliation for a missile strike by the Iran-backed Huthis that targeted Israel's main airport.
Ukraine fires drones on Moscow days before WWII parade
A Ukrainian drone barrage forced Russia to close a dozen airports deep behind the frontline on Tuesday, just days before foreign leaders gather in Moscow for a major Victory Day parade.
AFP Gaza photographers shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize
Four Palestinian photographers from Agence France-Presse (AFP) were finalists for their Gaza coverage in the "Breaking News Photography" category of the Pulitzer Prize, the most prestigious awards in US journalism.
Stocks diverge as traders await Fed rates meeting
Stock markets diverged Tuesday as investors awaited a US Federal Reserve interest-rate meeting for signs of the outlook for the tariffs-hit economy.
Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood says shows cancelled after 'credible threats'
Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood on Tuesday said two of his forthcoming shows with Israeli-born rock musician Dudu Tassa had been cancelled due to "credible threats".
Hamas says Gaza truce talks pointless as Israel wages 'hunger war'
Hamas on Tuesday dismissed as pointless ceasefire talks with Israel, accusing it of waging a "hunger war" on Gaza as famine looms and Israel prepares for a broader assault on the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
EU to lay out plan to cut last Russian gas supplies
The EU on Tuesday is due to unveil a keenly anticipated plan to phase out its remaining gas ties to Moscow, a challenge given Europe's longstanding dependence on Russian fossil fuels.