Il Nuovo Postiglione - News from Venice, Veneto, Venetia and Italy, as well as from around the world

US and Iranian officials are due this week to hold their first talks since Iran launched a deadly crackdown on protests, in a meeting likely to be crucial in determining if the US carries out renewed military action against the Islamic republic.

German police detained a regional lawmaker of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a state parliament Wednesday for questioning about a suspected breach of EU export sanctions on Belarus.

Doctors Without Borders said Wednesday its hospital in Lankien, South Sudan was hit by a government air strike overnight, after another of its health facilities was looted.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz headed to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to kick off a Gulf tour as the biggest EU economy seeks to diversify its key trade and energy partnerships.

The International Olympic Committee is considering reforming its procedure for awarding future Games to restore "transparency" and establish a clearer timetable, as the contest looms as to who hosts the 2036 Summer Olympics.

Serbia's culture minister and other senior officials appeared in a Belgrade court Wednesday to face corruption charges over a scrapped hotel project linked to the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said he regretted appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, as the UK leader faced a storm of criticism after fresh revelations about the disgraced politician's close ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

American Ryan Cochran-Siegle topped times for the first training run of the men's Olympic downhill at Bormio on Wednesday.

Gazan health officials said Israeli air strikes on Wednesday killed 21 people in the Palestinian territory, with Israel's military saying it struck after gunfire targeting its troops wounded an officer.

US speed queen Lindsey Vonn's desire to race at the Olympics despite a ruptured knee ligament is an inspiration to all racers, her male counterparts said after training on Wednesday.

Albanian police arrested 20 people over their role in toxic-waste trafficking from the Balkan country to Thailand, police said Wednesday.

African manufacturers warned on Wednesday that a one-year extension to the long-standing duty-free deal with the United States was only a temporary "breather" and could jeopardise long-term investment.

Spaniard Joan Mir set the pace on the second day of MotoGP pre-season testing in contrasting conditions at the Sepang circuit on Wednesday, as Italian-Japanese factory team Yamaha opted to stay off track.

China's President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin hailed their countries' "stabilising" economic, political and security alliance in the face of "turbulent" times globally, as they spoke via video call on Wednesday.

British pharmaceutical group GSK reported Wednesday a sharp rise in annual net profit, boosted by strong sales of HIV, respiratory and cancer treatments as it recovered from costly US lawsuits over its Zantac heartburn treatment.

Britain's former prince Andrew has moved out of his sprawling home on the royal Windsor estate, media reports said Wednesday, after newly released documents reignited the scandal over his links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Captain Caelan Doris said on Wednesday that he has faith in young fly-half Sam Prendergast ahead of Ireland's daunting Six Nations opener away to reigning champions France in Paris, despite reservations about his defence.

European and Asian stock markets struggled for direction Wednesday following a tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals recovered further.

England Rugby World Cup-winner Jason Robinson believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's impressive skills are reminiscent of his own as the wing looks to provide the current side with a cutting edge in the Six Nations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced growing pressure Wednesday over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, after fresh revelations about the disgraced politician's close ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Human Rights Watch has urged nations to push back against "aggressive superpowers" such as Russia, China and the United States under Donald Trump, accusing the countries of undermining human rights and undoing much of the progress of the past decades.

Moscow on Wednesday demanded Kyiv accept its conditions to end the four-year-war and vowed to press on with its invasion otherwise, as negotiations between the two sides opened in Abu Dhabi.

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on Wednesday killed 17 people in the Palestinian territory, with Israel's military saying it struck after gunfire targeting its troops wounded an officer.

France midfielder Ngolo Kante has signed for Fenerbahce from Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad thanks to "support" from president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish club said on Wednesday.

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country's top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal.

Stocks mostly rose Wednesday as investors brushed off another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals continued their recovery on dip-buying following a two-day collapse.

For Iraqis who lived through the 1990s, dictator Saddam Hussein's birthday on April 28 was a disorientating day of celebration and propaganda.

In his year since returning to office, President Donald Trump has shown disdain for longstanding alliances, vowing "America First" even if US friends lose out.

Danylo Yavhusishyn fled the war in Ukraine to become a sumo wrestler in Japan and his rapid rise has taken him to one step away from reaching the ancient sport's highest rank.

Jack Draper insists he is "still improving" as he prepares to return from a long-term injury absence this week in Britain's Davis Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.

US figure skater Ilia Malinin arrives at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics carrying an aura of invincibility.

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country's top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal.