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Arab Israelis proud of high election turnout, uncertain for future
A librarian in an Arab town in northern Israel, Maysa Nasser never thought to vote in national elections. But on Tuesday she cast a ballot for the first time, stung by the racism she has felt from the hard-right government.
Bolsonaro flees Brazil for US after election defeat
Brazil's defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida by private plane Wednesday, defying a court order that banned him from leaving his country.
Ceasefire in Russia-occupied Ukrainian city holds for second day
A US-brokered local ceasefire in southern Ukraine was holding for a second day, both sides said on Wednesday, as hopes grew that vital aid would be able to reach stranded residents.
Clean-up starts as Serbian students movement prepares to govern
Belgrade residents on Wednesday washed away politically charged graffiti that had stained city walls over months of protests, as Serbia's student-led movement prepared to govern after its seismic election victory.
Mona Lisa scrubbed from Syrian textbooks as critics slam conservative drift
In one book, an illustration was redrawn to show the girls gathered around a computer wearing hijabs. In another, an image of the Mona Lisa was taken out entirely.
Flavio Bolsonaro: right-wing heir falls from presidential hopeful to exile
Just days ago, Flavio Bolsonaro was riding high, convinced he would be Brazil's next president and follow in the footsteps of his far-right father, Jair Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro flees Brazil for US after election defeat: AFP
Brazil's defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro arrived in Florida by private plane Wednesday, AFP witnessed, after defying a court order that banned him from leaving his country.
UK budget lifts bank tax to offset surging energy bills
Britain's Labour government will increase a tax on profits earned by banks to help fund support for soaring energy bills, finance minister John Healey said in his budget announcement Wednesday.
Brazil's Bolsonaros: between power, prison, and exile
The patriarch is under house arrest, his wife is a senator, two sons are in Congress, and a third, who just lost the presidential race, started a self-imposed exile Wednesday in the US.
Israel president urges against new vote despite inconclusive result
Israel's president voiced hope Wednesday for avoiding a second election after a hard-fought vote produced no clear winner, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition scrambling for options and making Israeli Arab parties possible kingmakers.
Brazil's Bolsonaro lands in Florida after election defeat: AFP
Brazil's defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro stepped out of a private plane in Florida on Wednesday morning, AFP witnessed, despite a court order banning him from leaving his country.
Russia woos African leaders at Moscow summit
A summit with nearly two dozen African leaders opened in Moscow Wednesday, with the Kremlin describing their countries as "natural allies" against the West.
Local ceasefire in Russia-occupied Ukrainian city holds for second day
A US-brokered local ceasefire in southern Ukraine was holding for a second day, both sides said on Wednesday, as hopes grew that vital aid would be able to reach stranded residents.
Japan, Germany leaders target closer ties on critical minerals
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on critical minerals, seeking to diversify supplies in a global sector dominated by China.
Israeli Arab parties hold key as Netanyahu falls short of majority
Results from Israel's hard-fought election pointed Wednesday to no clear winner as a leader of the Arab minority appealed to a hesitant opposition to join forces to end the divisive reign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Turkey hosted Libya east-west reunification talks last week
Turkey hosted talks between Libya's eastern and western administrations last week with an ultimate goal of reunifying them, but no agreement has emerged, a senior Turkish official familiar with the talks told AFP Wednesday.
Tech optimism lifts stocks ahead of Fed update on rates
Share prices of technology firms surged in Asia on Wednesday after blockbuster earnings from the South Korean chip giant SK hynix boosted optimism in the AI trade ahead of results from Wall Street titans Microsoft and Alphabet.
Plane reportedly carrying Brazil's Bolsonaro departs Ecuador
The plane that Argentine authorities say is carrying defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro made a brief stop in Ecuador on Wednesday before flying on to an unknown destination, AFP journalists saw.
Israel's unassuming President Herzog holds keys to next government
Israel's President Isaac Herzog is known for his unassuming and mild manner, but all eyes will soon be on him as he decides who to task with forming the next coalition government.
Plane reportedly carrying Bolsonaro stops briefly in Ecuador
The plane that Argentine authorities say is carrying defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro made a brief stop in Ecuador on Wednesday, AFP journalists saw.
Real Madrid apologise to China over Mbappe comments
Real Madrid apologised to China on Wednesday for Kylian Mbappe's comments poking fun at Mao Zedong, after the star striker's remarks sparked a social media storm and saw Spanish football yanked off state TV.
'Eat the rich': Indonesians protest against graft, wildfires
Hundreds of Indonesians gathered in central Jakarta on Wednesday to protest against economic hardship, graft and the government's handling of devastating wildfires causing toxic haze that has sickened thousands.
Netanyahu bloc leads as Israeli votes counted, but no majority
The camp of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ahead of his rival's opposition bloc but still short of a majority on Wednesday after two-thirds of the votes were counted in Israel's pivotal general election.
China says takes Mbappe apology 'seriously' after Mao remark
China said Wednesday it took "seriously" an apology from Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe after comments he made poking fun at Mao Zedong sparked a social media storm and saw Spanish football yanked off state TV.
Flavio Bolsonaro on way to Ecuador from Argentina after fleeing Brazil
Defeated right-wing presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro was on his way to Ecuador after fleeing Brazil, Argentina's government said on Wednesday.
Netanyahu bloc leads after half of Israeli votes counted but no majority
The camp of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ahead of his rival's opposition bloc but still short of a majority on Wednesday after 50 percent of votes were counted in Israel's pivotal general election.
'Now or Never': Ethiopia influencers push for Eritrea invasion
Ethiopian online influencers are pushing for their government to invade neighbouring Eritrea and seize access to the sea, following its success against rebel and Eritrean forces in recent weeks.
Trump tamed after US midterms? Europe doubts it
President Donald Trump may be facing a political pounding at the US midterm elections next month -- but in Europe expectations are low that a big Democrat win would change much.
Netanyahu and rival each claim mandate after tight Israel election
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Gadi Eisenkot each vowed on Wednesday to form a government after both came up short in the first election since the October 7, 2023 attack traumatised the country.
Tech stocks soar as SK hynix adds to rising AI confidence
Technology firms surged across Asia on Wednesday after blockbuster earnings from chip giant SK hynix helped boost optimism in the AI trade ahead of results from Wall Street titans Microsoft and Alphabet.
Afghans compete for jobs, homes as millions return
As labourers gathered at a roadside in northern Afghanistan, Ghulam Sakhi Barat joined the search for work, with millions of new arrivals intensifying pressure for jobs and homes.
French Senate passes bill to make protesters pay for unrest damage
The French parliament's upper house passed a bill Wednesday that would make protesters financially liable for damage caused during street demonstrations, despite warnings from critics that it could curb the right to protest.