West Africans to vote this weekend

This weekend is momentous for two West African states: Nigeria and Senegal are set to vote for presidents to steer their countries' economic growth in the next four and five years.

Guidelines on K-pop stars retracted

SEOUL - Government guidelines aimed at promoting more diversity in South Korea's K-pop world have been withdrawn after critics said they amounted to state censorship of a booming industry.

Civilians, including children, leave IS-held enclave

BAGHOUZ, Syria - A convoy of trucks carrying hundreds of men, women and children left the last enclave held by Islamic State militants in eastern Syria on Wednesday, signaling a possible end to a standoff that has lasted for more than a week.

Africa may miss opportunities by waiting for continental trade zone

Should individual African nations delay trade deals with Europe and the United States and instead wait to negotiate as a continental bloc?

UN warns fading prospect of peace

UNITED NATIONS - The prospect of peace between Israelis and Palestinians is fading by the day as violence and radicalism grow - and "the risk of war continues to loom large", a senior UN envoy in the region warned on Wednesday.

81 killed in Bangladesh blaze

The death toll of a devastating fire burst in an old part of Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Wednesday night has risen to 81, local officials said, and the number may continue to grow.

Labour and the Conservatives face more resignations

The UK's Labour and Conservatives are both braced for more resignations after 11 Members of Parliament this week formed a breakaway group in protest at the direction of their parties.

Trump bars woman who joined IS from returning

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he is barring a US-born former Islamic State propagandist from returning home, making the unusual case that she is not a US citizen.

Venezuela ensures border protection

Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez said on Wednesday that the country's internal order and proper protection of its borders are guaranteed.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Trump: No rush on denuclearization

US President Donald Trump is downplaying expectations for his second summit next week with DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un, as he said on Tuesday that he is "in no rush" to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

May back to Brussels for Brexit as clock ticks

British Prime Minister Theresa May returned to Brussels on Wednesday for further talks with European Union officials in an attempt to resolve Britain's exit from the EU.