Last news
Spain says Israel's 'disproportionate response' in Gaza a global threat
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that Israel's "disproportionate response" in the Gaza war with Hamas risks "destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world".
Gazans mark 'saddest' Eid with little to celebrate or eat
Gazans did their best to celebrate the end of Ramadan in the driving rain on Wednesday, as the war raged on with 14 killed, including children, in a strike on their home, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said.
South Korea opposition set for landslide in parliamentary election
South Korea's opposition was set to triumph in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, with exit polls suggesting it increased its majority in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.
In first, World Athletics to pay prize money for Olympic golds
World Athletics announced on Wednesday it will become the first international federation to award prize money at an Olympics, beginning at this year's Games in Paris.
Biden treats Japan PM to state visit with eye on China
US President Joe Biden hosts a lavish state visit for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Wednesday, featuring a major upgrade in defense ties against China -- and music by Paul Simon.
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Whitlock to retire after Paris Games
British three-time Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock has announced he will retire from gymnastics after the Paris 2024 Games.
Thousands evacuated as Kazakhstan and Russia battle huge floods
Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from areas at risk of being submerged in water across Kazakhstan and Russia amid the worst flooding in decades, officials said Wednesday.
Too busy for politics? S. Korea's young voters on what motivates them
High youth unemployment, feuding politicians and a cost of living crisis: young South Korean voters told AFP what was on their minds as they voted -- some for the first time -- in elections Wednesday.
Most markets rise as traders jockey ahead of US inflation data
Equities mostly rose on Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street, with investors lasering in on the release of crucial US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the outlook for interest rates.
Record-seeking Perenara in for Roigard as 'Canes face Chiefs test
Record-seeking TJ Perenara was on Wednesday named to start at scrum-half in place of the injured Cam Roigard for the Wellington Hurricanes who face a huge challenge to their unbeaten Super Rugby record against the Waikato Chiefs at the weekend.
German group mulls remote-controlled ships to fix skipper shortage
With the flow of new recruits into the seafaring sector drying up, a German company is exploring a potentially revolutionary measure -- sending ships off without a captain on board.
Romanian ex-prisoners fight to save memory of former Communist jails
Niculina Moica felt the weight of history as she pushed open the rusty iron gate to the former Communist prison of Jilava, where she was detained as a teenager.
All Blacks forward Blackadder back from injury for embattled Crusaders
All Blacks loose forward Ethan Blackadder will make a cautious return for the Canterbury Crusaders on Friday after a horror run of injures, head coach Rob Penney said Wednesday.
Fitch downgrades China sovereign credit outlook on debt fears
Ratings agency Fitch said Wednesday it had downgraded China's sovereign credit outlook to negative, citing increased risks to the country's public finances, in a move Beijing swiftly called "regrettable".
How the EU wants to reshape its asylum system
The European Parliament votes Wednesday on a landmark reform of EU laws on asylum-seekers and irregular migrants.
Landmark EU asylum reform goes to vote
EU lawmakers will vote Wednesday on a vast overhaul of the bloc's asylum policies that would harden border procedures for irregular arrivals and require all member countries to pitch in.
After Mideast tour, Spain PM to address MPs on Gaza
Spain's Pedro Sanchez, whose criticism of the Gaza war has raised tensions with Israel, on Wednesday addresses parliament on the conflict in remarks expected to clarify plans to recognise a Palestinian state.
Biden says Israel making 'mistake' in handling of Gaza war
US President Joe Biden issued some of his sternest criticism yet of Israel's war on Hamas, calling its approach a "mistake" as the country faces a Wednesday court deadline to prove it is not throttling aid to hunger-stricken Gaza.
Egypt's women rappers fight for place in rising scene
Egyptian rapper Dareen is a whirlwind of sharp verses and curly hair on stage, bringing the Cairo crowd to its feet and a fresh perspective to Egypt's male-dominated rap scene.
'Joker' pairs up with Gaga as sequel hype hits CinemaCon
Warner Bros. offered a glimpse of its eagerly anticipated "Joker" sequel at CinemaCon on Tuesday, as the Hollywood studio set out plans to build on the success of last year's blockbuster "Barbie."
10 years after Chibok, agony of abductions plagues Nigeria
Ten years have passed but whenever Mary Shettima hears footsteps at the door, she thinks her kidnapped daughter has come home.
Israel due to respond to court petition on Gaza aid increase
Israel faces a Wednesday deadline to present to the country's top court measures to increase aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, where hunger is spreading after more than six months of war.
Yoon faces rebuke in slugfest South Korea vote
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced a reckoning from voters Wednesday in parliamentary elections seen as a referendum on his rule following a campaign that skirted many of the country's real problems.
Microsoft to invest $2.9 bn in Japan AI push
Microsoft on Tuesday announced a $2.9 billion investment over the next two years in Japan to bolster the country's push into artificial intelligence and strengthen its cyber defences in the face of threats from China and Russia.
Cam Smith back from food poisoning to stake Masters claim
Major winner Cam Smith was pleased to regain "a little bit of energy" as he completed his first Masters practice round Tuesday after being laid low by food poisoning.
India's influencers rally millions to vote for Modi
Indian folk singer Maithili Thakur thought she was successful, with millions following her Hindu devotional tunes on social media -- but then Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent her popularity into the stratosphere.
Most Asian markets rise as traders jockey ahead of US inflation
Equities mostly rose in Asia on Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street, with investors lasering in on the release of crucial US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the outlook for interest rates.
Top games including 'World of Warcraft' to return to China
Popular video games including "World of Warcraft" will return to China this summer, US developer Blizzard and local partner NetEase said Wednesday, over a year after a contract dispute pulled them from the market leaving millions of fans bereft.
Record remittances provide lifeline in Central America
Money sent home by migrants in the United States to Central America has risen to record levels, providing a lifeline for many of their relatives like Salvadoran mother of three Marta Alvarado.
From homeless addict to city chief: the unusual journey of Canadian mayor
Dan Carter once was a drug addict living on the streets, but now runs a Canadian city and draws from his darkest times to tackle a housing crunch and an addiction crisis.
Musk vs. Brazil Supreme Court: five things to know
X owner Elon Musk is under investigation in Brazil after he accused a Supreme Court judge of censoring social networks, calling him a "dictator" and vowing to disobey rulings blocking users found to be spreading disinformation.
Drua's Lomani gets six-week ban for elbowing opponent's head
Fijian Drua scrum-half Frank Lomani was banned for six weeks on Wednesday after being sent off in a Super Rugby match during which he was allegedly racially abused from the crowd.