World

Iran says it agrees to visit by IAEA technical team in coming weeks

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Iran has agreed to allow a technical team from the U.N. nuclear watchdog to visit in the coming weeks to discuss "a new modality" on relations between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Tehran, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday.

World

Analysis-Rwandan rebels' fate clouds Trump's vision for mineral-rich Congo

(Reuters) -Moves to end fighting in eastern Congo that are essential to U.S. President Donald Trump's plans for a mining bonanza in the region are meant to get underway by Sunday, but the future of a small rebel group has emerged as one of the major obstacles.

World

UK police on alert for immigration protests near London this weekend

LONDON (Reuters) -British police will have hundreds of officers on duty this weekend to deal with protests linked to immigration, a regional police chief said on Wednesday, amid worries over possible rioting.

World

Iran says it warned US destroyer to move away from waters monitored by Tehran

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran warned a U.S. destroyer on Wednesday to change course after it approached waters being monitored by the Islamic Republic, leading the U.S. ship to turn away, Iranian state media reported.

World

Italy and Algeria boost cooperation with new security and business deals

ROME (Reuters) -Italy and Algeria agreed to work together to fight terrorism and control migration during an intergovernmental meeting in Rome on Wednesday, while companies signed off on deals in sectors including energy and telecommunications.

World

French minister Retailleau breaks with Macron as 2027 succession race heats up

PARIS (Reuters) -French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau delivered a stern rebuke of President Emmanuel Macron's political legacy in an interview published on Wednesday, breaking with his boss to stake his claim as his potential successor in the 2027 election.

World

Thailand recalls ambassador to Cambodia amid border tensions, ruling party says

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand has recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and will expel Cambodia's ambassador, the ruling Pheu Thai party said on Wednesday following a new landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier along the countries' disputed border.

World

Teacher dies saving students from inferno in Bangladesh jet crash

DHAKA (Reuters) -When a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crashed into her school and erupted in a fireball on Monday, Maherin Chowdhury rushed to save some of the hundreds of students and teachers facing mortal danger, placing their safety before her own.

World

Germany to ease, expand defence procurement to quickly boost military

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's cabinet approved a draft law on Wednesday aimed at accelerating defence procurement and construction on military bases, part of a broad effort to better defend itself and allies in response to a more assertive Russia.

World

Chile's government to expropriate land tied to Pinochet-era torture

VILLA BAVIERA (Reuters) -Chile plans to expropriate a settlement founded by a German cult leader where torture took place during former dictator Augusto Pinochet's military regime as the government takes another step to shine a light on a dark period of the past.

World

Two dead following shooting incident in Northern Ireland, police say

BELFAST (Reuters) -Two people died and two others are being treated in hospital for serious injuries following a shooting incident in the Northern Ireland county of Fermanagh, police said on Wednesday.

World

Explainer-Why is Russia trying so hard to capture the strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk?

MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) -Russian forces are pushing hard to encircle the strategically important eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk after capturing a string of villages to its south and east, and over 100,000 soldiers are trying to advance in the area, Kyiv says. 

World

Russia, Ukraine discuss more POW swaps; no deal on ceasefire or leaders' meeting

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Russia and Ukraine discussed further prisoner swaps on Wednesday at a brief session of peace talks in Istanbul, but the sides remained far apart on ceasefire terms and a possible meeting of their leaders.

World

Suspect linked to Russian language cybercriminal forum arrested in Ukraine, says France

PARIS (Reuters) -A person suspected of being the administrator for the Russian language cybercriminal forum XSS.is was arrested in Ukraine, with the assistance of the French police and Europol, the French Public Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday.

World

EU, Japan to work more closely to address unfair trade, EU's von der Leyen says

TOKYO (Reuters) -The European Union and Japan will work more closely to counter economic coercion and address unfair trade practices, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on Wednesday.

World

Ukraine's Zelenskiy promises joint plan to fight corruption

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met anti-corruption and security officials on Wednesday and promised the creation of a joint plan to fight corruption within two weeks.

World

Russia condemns Italy over cancellation of concert with pro-Putin conductor Gergiev

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Italy of discrimination and said it had caved into misplaced Ukrainian lobbying after Italian authorities cancelled a classical music concert by Russian conductor Valery Gergiev.

World

Denmark records highest number of white stork nestlings in decades

(Corrects spelling of name in paragraph 5 to Skov)

World

Turkey nears Eurofighter jet procurement with UK deal, German approval

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey and Britain signed a preliminary deal allowing Ankara to operate Eurofighter Typhoon jets on Wednesday while Germany approved the delivery of 40 jets, which Turkey has sought to bolster defences in an increasingly volatile region.

Myanmar

Chinese student in Myanmar scam freed after gang realises he has ‘bright future’

After shaving his head, gang boss sets captive free, tells promising student to 'study hard' and 'be good to parents.'