Latin America’s age trap
Putin's peace threshold
China's silicon reckoning
Saudi Arabia’s Costly Mirage
South Korean stocks plunge as tech rout deepens, oil rises
Chawinga sisters sparkle as Malawi stun WAFCON holders Nigeria
On London streets, homeless wary at PM's vow to end rough sleeping
India's youth protests puncture Modi's aura of invincibility
Boulevard
Bangladesh ex-premier Hasina vows to return despite fearing for life
Bangladesh's fugitive ex-premier Sheikh Hasina told AFP she was determined to return to her country by December despite fearing for her life.
Economy
UBS says second-quarter net profit up 17% to $2.8 billion
Swiss banking giant UBS reported Wednesday that net profit rose 17 percent to $2.8 billion in the second quarter, driven by its investment banking arm.
Last news
Conte vows to 'assess' his Spurs future after shock Burnley defeat
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte will assess his future at the troubled club after admitting he does not deserve his salary following Wednesday's damaging 1-0 defeat against Burnley.
Amsterdam hostage taker dies of injuries in hospital: prosecutors
A 27-year-old man who held several people hostage at an Apple store on a busy Amsterdam square has died in hospital from his injuries, Dutch prosecutors said late Wednesday.
Uruguay appeals ruling ordering sale of eagle from Nazi battleship
Uruguay has appealed a ruling ordering it to sell a bronze eagle from a sunken World War II-era German destroyer found off Montevideo 16 years ago, government sources told AFP Wednesday.
US authorizes first condom for use in anal sex
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday authorized the first condom for use during anal intercourse, in what was hailed as a victory for sexual health by experts.
Man Utd escape with a draw after Elanga pegs back Atletico
Manchester United were spared a damaging and deserved defeat by Atletico Madrid on Wednesday as Anthony Elanga's late goal rescued them a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
East Ukraine rebels ask Putin for military backing against Kyiv
Rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine have asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv, the Kremlin announced late Wednesday, in a move that opens the door for massed Russian troops to move in.
Prolific Haller scores at both ends as Ajax draw with Benfica
Sebastien Haller kept up his remarkable scoring record in this season's Champions League, finding the target at the right end shortly after putting through his own net as Ajax drew 2-2 with Benfica in their last 16, first leg on Wednesday.
Liverpool put six past Leeds to cut Man City's lead
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane both struck twice as Liverpool cut the gap on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League to three points with a 6-0 thrashing of Leeds at Anfield.
Liverpool hit Leeds for six to close gap on Man City, Spurs stunned
Liverpool crushed Leeds 6-0 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to three points, while Tottenham's top four bid was rocked by a 1-0 defeat at Burnley on Wednesday.
US launches biggest yet auction for offshore wind
Bidding began Wednesday in the biggest US offshore wind energy auction yet, involving nearly 500,000 acres off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.
Djokovic says Zverev punishment 'correct', Murray blasts 'reckless' German
Novak Djokovic has deemed the tour's decision to disqualify Alexander Zverev from the Acapulco tournament as "correct" while Andy Murray described the German's racquet-smashing spree as "dangerous" and "reckless".
Dublin film festival returns after bumper year for Irish film
The Dublin International Film Festival, forced online last year, opened Tuesday with stars of the feted Irish-language "An Cailin Ciuin" ("The Quiet Girl") taking to the red carpet in the centre of the Irish capital.
England captain Root 'grateful' to survive Ashes cull
England captain Joe Root said Wednesday he was thankful to still hold his post after a crushing Ashes series loss as he insisted a revamped team could bounce back in the West Indies.
Rescue effort starts as Cyclone Emnati lashes Madagascar
Rescuers in Madagascar on Wednesday began to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Emnati, which overnight lashed the island nation still reeling from the impact of another cyclone earlier this month.
Fashionistas back to Milan for live shows -- for real this time
The who's who of Italian fashion returned to the runway Wednesday at the start of women's shows in Milan, which organisers hope will boost an industry stifled by two years of coronavirus.
On Ukraine border, Russian soldiers await orders
In a roadside cafe a few dozen kilometres from the border between Russia and rebel-held areas in Ukraine, some Russian soldiers were eating as they rested, the smell of frying in the air.
Anderson 'praying' for England recall after West Indies axe
England great James Anderson hopes his record-breaking international career has not been ended following his dramatic omission from the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
UN warns of dire global impact of a Russian invasion of Ukraine
A United Nations meeting on Ukraine Wednesday heard that a full-scale Russian invasion of the country would have a devastating global impact that would likely spark a new "refugee crisis."
Ostapenko downs Krejcikova in Doha to reach quarter-finals
Jelena Ostapenko continued her excellent form by brushing aside second seed Barbora Krejcikova to reach the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, while top seed Aryna Sabalenka eased through.
Hamilton calls for more 'non-biased' stewards in Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton called for more "non-biased" officials in Formula 1 as McLaren's Lando Norris set the fastest time on the opening day of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Wednesday.
Business as usual as Djokovic reaches 10th successive quarter-final
Novak Djokovic, playing his first tournament since his deportation from Australia, continued his fight to keep his number one ranking with a convincing 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) victory over Karen Khachanov in Dubai to move into his 10th consecutive quarter-final on Wednesday.
Maradona on Napoli's side for Barca showdown, says Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti said Wednesday that the late Diego Maradona would support Napoli in their Europa League decider with Barcelona, a meeting of two of the Argentine legend's former clubs.
Oil rises, stocks struggle as Russia-Ukraine tensions mount
Oil prices pushed higher while stocks struggled on Wednesday after Ukraine called up reservists and Russia vowed a strong response to Western sanctions.
US home ownership jumps, but race gap widens: data report
US home ownership jumped at an historic rate in 2020, but a racial gap widened as more Black households were priced out, according to a report released Wednesday.
Maradona on Napoli's side for Barca showdown, says Spalleti
Luciano Spalletti said Wednesday that the late Diego Maradona would support Napoli in their Europa League decider with Barcelona, a meeting of two of the Argentine legend's former clubs.
Melting glaciers, fast-disappering gauge of climate change
A crack widens in the San Rafael glacier in Chile's extreme south, and a ten-storey iceberg crashes into the lake by the same name -- a dramatic reminder of the impacts of global warming.
UN chief, Ukraine FM warn of dire global impact of a Russian invasion
The UN chief and Ukraine's foreign minister told the General Assembly in New York Wednesday that a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia would have a devastating global impact.
Belarus independence 'under threat' by Russian troops: opposition
The presence of tens of thousands of Russian troops inside Belarus, which the West fears could be used to invade Ukraine, represents a threat to Belarusian independence, the country's exiled opposition leader said Wednesday.
Irish star Sexton thriving on Carbery challenge for first choice spot
Ireland's talismanic fly-half Johnny Sexton says he welcomes the challenge to his number one spot from Joey Carbery adding he is "well used to competition".
Pregnant Deignan to miss 2022 cycling season
British cyclist Lizzie Deignan will miss the 2022 season as she is expecting a second child, but the former world champion intends to return to racing next year after signing a contract extension with Trek-Segafredo.
BirdLife Cyprus sees 'worrying' spike in migratory bird killings
Conservation group BirdLife Cyprus reported Wednesday a "worrying increase" in illegal bird trappings last year, blaming authorities for reducing fines for killing protected species.
War fears mount as Ukraine mobilises, Russia evacuates diplomats
Ukraine mobilised its military reserves and Russia evacuated its Kyiv embassy on Wednesday as fears reached fever pitch of a full-scale conflict breaking out in eastern Europe.