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Israel conducting ‘gradual de facto annexation’ of W.Bank: UN official

A top UN official warned Wednesday that steps by Israel to tighten control of areas of the West Bank administered by the Palestinian Authority amount to “gradual de facto annexation.”Since last week, Israel has approved a series of initiatives backed by far-right ministers to consolidate control over the West Bank where the Palestinians exercise limited […]

US lingerie magnate says was ‘conned’ by Epstein

Retail tycoon Les Wexner told US lawmakers Wednesday he was “conned” by Jeffrey Epstein and denied any knowledge of his crimes, as Democrats pressed him over his decades-long relationship with the notorious sex offender. The 88-year-old founder of L Brands — the former parent of Victoria’s Secret — gave closed-door testimony from his home in […]

First woman envoy for Palestine dies in France: family

Leila Shahid, the first woman diplomat representing Palestine abroad, died in southern France aged 76, her family said Wednesday.”She died today,” her sister Zeina told AFP, without providing further details. Born in Lebanon in 1949, Shahid was the first woman to represent the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) abroad, beginning her career in Ireland before also […]

Major US naval, air buildup sets stage for potential Iran war

The massive US military buildup in the Middle East, including warships, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft, lays the foundation for a potentially sustained campaign against Iran — should President Donald Trump give the order. Trump — who ordered strikes on Iran last year — has repeatedly threatened Tehran with further military action if ongoing talks […]

White House tells Iran to do deal as Trump hints at US strikes

The White House warned on Wednesday that Iran would be “wise” to do a deal with the United States as President Donald Trump once again hinted at military action. The two sides recently resumed indirect talks, mediated by Oman, after Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over a deadly crackdown on protesters last month. […]

Putin says Russia ‘always’ stands by Cuba, slams US sanctions

Moscow will “always” stand by Cuba, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Havana’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Moscow on Wednesday, reiterating support for the Caribbean island struggling against sweeping US sanctions. Rodriguez travelled to traditional ally Russia seeking help as his country reels from a severe fuel crisis, intensified by Washington’s de facto oil blockade. US President […]

Paris prosecutor calls on Epstein victims in France to testify

A Paris prosecutor Wednesday called on potential victims of US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to come forward, as magistrates investigate possible offences committed in France or involving French victims or perpetrators. The call to file complaints and give evidence follows the latest cache of millions of files released last month by the US Justice Department […]

Peru set for eighth president in a decade

Peru’s Congress is set to name a new president Wednesday — the country’s eighth in a decade — after Jose Jeri was impeached on graft allegations barely four months into his term. Jeri, 39, became the latest leader to fall victim to a cycle of institutional turmoil as a powerful Congress battles a weakened executive […]

Greece to claim Nazi atrocity photos found on Ebay: minister

Greece will claim a World War II photo trove posted for sale online believed to show for the first time one of Nazi Germany’s worst atrocities in the country, the culture ministry said Wednesday. The ministry said the photographs appeared to show “the last moments” of 200 Greek Communists executed by the Nazis on May […]