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US launches bid to bring power to African hospitals
The United States on Wednesday announced a $150 million initiative to bring power to hospitals in Africa, hoping to address a key challenge holding up health care on the continent.
Ex-UK PM Johnson earns over £1 mn for speeches since quitting
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson has already earned more than £1 million ($1.2 million) for giving paid speeches since leaving office in September, according to an official register of UK parliamentarians' interests.
Egypt seeks US help in reviving Ethiopia dam deal
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday sought US help in pressing Ethiopia into an agreement on a mega-dam that the parched Arab country sees as an existential threat.
'Anomaly' derails Fiji election count
Fiji’s election count was plagued by a long delay and technical breakdown Thursday, as former coup leader turned prime minister Frank Bainimarama aimed to extend his 16-year grip on power.
Developing nations demand more money at crunch UN biodiversity talks
The thorny issue of how much money wealthy countries are willing to pony up to protect the world's remaining biodiversity took center stage Wednesday at UN talks in Montreal aimed at creating a "peace pact with nature."
Greek MEP in Qatar scandal protests innocence but stays in jail
The Greek MEP who has become the face of the European Parliament's widening graft scandal will spend at least another week in custody before attending a postponed pre-trial hearing, her lawyer said Wednesday.
Migrants amass on Mexico-US border as health policy to expire
Hundreds of migrants amassed Wednesday on the Mexican border, waiting for the expiry next week of a Covid-19 health measure that automatically blocks asylum seekers from entering the United States.
S.Africa's power utility CEO resigns amid energy crisis
The head of South Africa's beleaguered state-owned power utility Eskom, Andre de Ruyter, has resigned, the company said on Wednesday, as the country suffers from a worsening energy crisis.
Red Cross fears 'enormous suffering' in 2023
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross warned Wednesday "an enormous level of suffering" awaits the world in 2023 with famine spreading.
Biden seeks principled Africa partnership as US businesses pour in
President Joe Biden called Wednesday for a long-term partnership with Africa rooted both in trade and good governance as US businesses unveiled billions of dollars for the continent where China has become a top player.
China Covid 'explosion' began before restrictions eased: WHO
The flare-up in Covid-19 cases in China was well underway before the government began easing restrictions, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
WHO eyes end to Covid and Mpox emergencies in 2023
The World Health Organization said Wednesday it hopes that Covid-19 and Mpox will no longer be public health emergencies in 2023 as both diseases end their most dangerous phase.
Germany signs contract to buy F-35 jets
Germany on Wednesday signed a deal to buy dozens of US-made F-35 fighter jets, US officials said, part of the country's military overhaul following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
COP15's key aim: protect 30% of the planet
Headlining the COP15 biodiversity talks is a drive to secure 30 percent of Earth's land and oceans as protected zones by 2030 -- the most disputed item on the agenda.
US Fed downshifts all-out campaign to tame inflation
The Federal Reserve moderated its all-out campaign to cool US inflation Wednesday, lifting the benchmark lending rate by a half percentage point as its policy actions ripple through the economy.
Zelensky wants 'complete isolation' for Russia not Olympic return
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday Russian athletes should face "complete isolation" and not be welcomed back at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Georgia's jailed ex-leader Saakashvili declares, then calls off hunger strike
Georgia's jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili called off a hunger strike he had announced a few hours earlier Wednesday over the authorities' failure to ensure a video link between the hospital where he is being held and his court hearing.
Morocco-Qatar special World Cup flights cancelled: airline
Morocco's national carrier announced Wednesday that some special flights operated by its Qatari counterpart to Doha had been cancelled for fans seeking to watch the World Cup semi-final.
Dirty Durban ocean waters vex South Africa tourist trade
Untreated sewage flowing into the Indian Ocean has hoteliers in tourist hotspot Durban up in arms as South Africa gears up for the holiday season.
Twitter suspends account tracking Elon Musk's jet
A Twitter account that tracked flights of Elon Musk's private jet put out word Wednesday that it was suspended by the platform despite the billionaire's talk of free speech.
tWitch, Ellen DeGeneres DJ, dies in apparent LA suicide
Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the DJ from "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," has died, his wife has said, in what Los Angeles media reported was an apparent suicide.
Peru declares state of emergency as ousted leader remains in prison
Peru declared a nationwide state of emergency Wednesday amid violent protests against the ouster of ex-president Pedro Castillo that have left seven people dead.
Study explains surprise surge in methane during pandemic lockdown
A mysterious surge in planet-heating atmospheric methane in 2020 despite Covid lockdowns that reduced many human-caused sources can be explained by a greater release from nature and, surprisingly, reduced air pollution, scientists said Wednesday.
US leads technology investment in Africa at Biden summit
President Joe Biden was set Wednesday to unveil a long-term commitment to African leaders as the United States laid out a major investment push in technology in the continent, where China's infrastructure spending has made it a top player.
UN removes Iran from women's rights body over protest crackdown
The United Nations on Wednesday voted to remove Iran from a women's rights body over Tehran's brutal crackdown of women-led protests.
Greek MEP in Qatar scandal protests innocence but remains in jail
The Greek MEP who has become the face of the European Parliament's widening graft scandal will spend at least another week in jail before attending a postponed pre-trial hearing, her lawyer said Wednesday.
The ambitious, troubled Istanbul mayor taking on Erdogan
Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu vowed to fight for a democratic revolution after initially being stripped of his victory over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ally in a 2019 election that again threatens to prematurely end his political career.
Four dead, dozens rescued from capsized migrant boat in Channel
Four people died when a small boat packed with migrants capsized in freezing temperatures in the Channel overnight, Britain said on Wednesday.
US businesses pump investment into Africa at Biden summit
President Joe Biden was set Wednesday to lay out a long-term commitment to African leaders as US companies announced more than $2 billion led by technology deals for a continent where China has become a top player.
Ousted Peru leader to remain in prison as hearing postponed
A judge in Peru on Wednesday postponed by 24 hours a hearing to decide whether ex-president Pedro Castillo will be released from detention on charges of rebellion and conspiracy.
Struggling Sancho's Man Utd return on hold: Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has revealed Jadon Sancho's Manchester United return is on hold until the struggling England forward improves mentally and physically.
Developing countries stage walk out at UN biodiversity talks
Delegates from developing countries at high-stakes UN talks on biodiversity staged a late-night walkout after talks broke down with wealthy nations over the contentious issue of funding, officials and non-profit groups said Wednesday.