IBT Staff Reporter

Belarus independence 'under threat' by Russian troops: opposition

Opposition contenders in France's upcoming leadership election mocked President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic efforts in the Ukraine crisis, accusing him of putting up a show for electoral gains.

The trial of a white former Kentucky police officer charged with wanton endangerment during the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor began on Wednesday, casting a spotlight on another case in the United States that sparked a summer of protests against racial injustice two years ago.

Cuba, a close ally of Russia, has sharply criticized the United States for imposing "the progressive expansion of NATO towards the borders of the Russian Federation" and called for a diplomatic solution to preserve international peace.

The Canadian dollar strengthened against its U.S. counterpart on Wednesday but gave up much of its advance as rising Russia-Ukraine tensions weighed on investor sentiment.

Germany's decision to halt the certification of Nord Stream 2 has raised questions about the future of the $11 billion, 1,230-km gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea and the prospect of compensation lawsuits by its Russian owner Gazprom.

Amsterdam hostage taker dies of injuries in hospital: prosecutors

Britain's largest drugstore chain Boots has set a Feb.

UK defence minister says Putin has 'gone full tonto'

Russia has amassed more than 150,000 Russian soldiers on Ukraine's borders, according to U.S. estimates.

Pablo Casado, leader of Spain's centre-right opposition People's Party, appeared to bid farewell to parliament on Wednesday amid rising speculation that he would bow to pressure to resign, deepening turmoil in the PP that could benefit the far right.

France's Sanofi to seek Covid vaccine approval after delays

Tesla may lose the water supply contract for its long-delayed German plant if environmental groups win a court case challenging a licence granted to its water supplier at a hearing next week.

Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old stone age site in a remote desert in Jordan, with structures which show humans were rounding up and hunting gazelles much earlier than previously thought.

Archaeologists have discovered a stone age site dating back to 7,000 B.C.

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a law to make large companies operating in the EU check that their suppliers around the world respect environmental standards and do not use slave or child labour.

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to launch his re-election bid soon, focusing on a handful of big policy ideas, government sources told Reuters, with a first campaign rally likely to be held on March 5.

Barclays freezes ex-boss bonuses over Epstein probe

Britain has asked the media regulator to review the broadcast licence of Russian news channel RT after the Kremlin recognised two rebel regions of eastern Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.

Britain accused Russian news channel RT on Wednesday of being a tool of a Kremlin disinformation campaign and asked the UK media regulator to take action if needed after Russia recognised two rebel regions of eastern Ukraine.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Wednesday, as investors kept a close watch on the rapidly developing situation in the Russia-Ukraine crisis following a softer-than-expected initial sanctions by the Western nations against Moscow.

Wall Street was set to open higher on Wednesday after modest initial sanctions by Western nations on Moscow, with investors keeping a close watch on the fast-moving developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday as Ukraine declared a state of emergency, while reports of cyberattacks on several of its state websites fueled fears about escalating tensions with Russia.

U.S. stocks swung between losses and gains on Wednesday as Ukraine declared emergency amid a sweeping cyberattack on its state websites in fast-changing developments that raised fears of an all-out war with Russia.

Bluesource and Element Markets, two private equity-backed providers of products and services such as carbon credits to companies seeking to take action on climate change, said on Wednesday they had agreed to merge.

Lebanon says thwarts IS bomb plot targeting Hezbollah bastion

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan left for Moscow on Wednesday to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies, an official said.

Canada's main stock index rose on Wednesday, as global sentiment was lifted by modest sanctions by Western nations on Moscow, with investors eyeing the next move in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Canada's main stock index fell on Wednesday to its lowest level in nearly four weeks as investors balked at buying stocks due to escalating uncertainty in Ukraine.