Trap laid, Ukraine walked in
BRICS-Dollar challenge
Al-Qaida’s growing ambitions
Saudi shift shakes Israel
India's Modi and Russia's Putin talk defence, trade and Ukraine
Flooding kills two as Vietnam hit by dozens of landslides
Italy to open Europe's first marine sanctuary for dolphins
Hong Kong university suspends student union after calls for fire justice
Economy
Asian markets rise ahead of US data, expected Fed rate cut
Most Asian markets rose going into the weekend Friday following a broadly positive lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did little to change expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.
Culture
Nigerian nightlife finds a new extravagance: cabaret
Scantily clad in a sequin leotard and silver heels, a Nigeria dancer swayed to "Money" by Cardi B in an oversized cocktail glass.
Last news
Politics
Stocks struggle as data shows drop in US jobs
Equities struggled on Wednesday as data showed US businesses unexpectedly shed jobs last month.
Politics
Honduras TV host widens lead over Trump-backed rival for president
Honduran TV presenter Salvador Nasralla widened a narrow lead Wednesday over Trump-backed rival Nasry Asfura as the counting of votes cast in a weekend presidential election dragged into a third day.
Culture
Print of Blake 'Tyger' poem blazes path to auction record
A print of English poet William Blake's most famous poem "The Tyger" sold at auction for £228,600 ($304,519) on Wednesday, British auction house Christie's said.
Politics
Israel says received presumed remains of Gaza hostage
Israel announced Wednesday it had received hostage remains found in Gaza from the Red Cross, which were being transported to the morgue for identification.
Economy
Germany to host 2029 women's Euros
European football's governing body UEFA on Wednesday announced that Germany will host the women's 2029 European Championship, where England will be the two-time defending champions.
Boulevard
Family of Colombian killed in boat strike takes US to rights body
The family of a Colombian man killed in a US military strike on his boat in the Caribbean has lodged a complaint against the United States with a Washington-based rights panel.
Politics
EU presents plan to use Russian assets for Ukraine as Belgium frets
The EU on Wednesday laid out a plan to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine with 90 billion euros over the next two years, despite outspoken opposition from key player Belgium.
Boulevard
Retail giant Costco challenges US tariffs in court
The US members-only warehouse retailer Costco has sued President Donald Trump's administration, demanding a refund for tariffs it has paid on imported goods, according to a lawsuit reviewed by AFP.
Sports
Principal reaction to 2027 Rugby World Cup draw
The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw was held on Wednesday in Sydney with the hosts Australia drawn in the same pool as arch-rivals New Zealand.
Sports
Man Utd boss Amorim 'protects' himself from abuse
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed he ignores social media to protect himself from abuse, even if it means losing out on lucrative sponsorship contracts.
Politics
Russia says battlefield success strengthening its hand in Ukraine talks
The Kremlin said Wednesday that its army's recent battlefield successes in Ukraine had bolstered its position in talks to end the fighting, as both Moscow and Kyiv prepared for more negotiations with the US.
Politics
Iran says to attend World Cup draw in apparent U-turn
Iran said Wednesday it would now send representatives to the World Cup finals draw in Washington in a complete reversal of an earlier decision to boycott the event over visa issues.
Technology
Satellite surge threatens space telescopes, astronomers warn
Light from the half a million satellites that humanity is planning to launch into Earth's orbit in the coming years could contaminate almost all the images taken by space telescopes, NASA astronomers warned Wednesday.
Sports
Germany to host 2029 women's Euros: UEFA
European football's governing body UEFA on Wednesday announced that Germany will host the women's 2029 European Championships, where England will be the two-time defending champions.
Economy
Greek govt warns farmers not to escalate subsidy protest
The Greek government on Wednesday warned farmers against escalating a roadblock protest to demand funds delayed by the investigation into an EU subsidies scandal.
Sports
Ski federation 'concerned' about Olympics snowboarding site delays
A leading International Ski Federation (FIS) official says the body is "concerned" about delays at the site for the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events at next year's Winter Olympics in Italy.
Politics
EU moves to break dependence on China for rare earths
The EU on Wednesday presented a multi-billion-euro plan to help curb the 27-nation bloc's dependence on China for rare earths, as Beijing's stranglehold on the critical materials threatens key industries.
Culture
Celebrities back 'Free Marwan' campaign for Palestinian leader
More than 200 celebrities, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Josh O’Connor, called on Israel on Wednesday to release imprisoned Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti, who is seen by supporters as a key unifying figure.
Politics
Lebanon, Israel hold first direct talks in decades
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks in decades on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, under a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with Hezbollah.
Sports
FIFA gives clubs an extra week before releasing AFCON stars
Star players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Achraf Hakimi will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week until December 15 before joining their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA said on Wednesday.
Politics
Stocks dip after US jobs fall
Wall Street's main stock indices dipped on Wednesday after data showed US businesses unexpectedly shed jobs last month.
Economy
EU agrees deal to ban Russian gas by end of 2027
European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal Wednesday to ban all imports of Russian gas before the end of 2027, as the bloc seeks to choke off key funds feeding Moscow's war chest.
Things to know
Former king's memoirs hits bookstores in Spain
Former King Juan Carlos's memoirs went on sale in Spain on Wednesday, with the publication's warm words for the late dictator Franco stirring debate over the former monarch's legacy.
Boulevard
Hong Kong fire death toll hits 159 after towers searched
The death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in decades rose to 159 after all affected housing blocks were searched, police said Wednesday, cautioning that the figure may not be final.
Boulevard
Libya war crimes suspect makes first appearance at ICC
A Libyan prison boss accused of overseeing murder, rape, and torture at a notorious detention centre appeared at the International Criminal Court Wednesday to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Politics
Mass wedding brings hope amid destruction in Gaza
The couples walked hand in hand, the brides in traditional embroidered Palestinian white and red dresses adorned with red ribbons, the grooms walked beside them in black suits and ties.
Economy
German lithium project moves ahead in boost for Europe's EV sector
Australia's Vulcan Energy said Wednesday it will soon start building a German lithium production project that will provide enough of the metal for half a million electric car batteries a year.
Politics
Russia, Ukraine prepare for more talks with US on ending war
Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday they were ready for more talks with the United States to end almost four years of war, after US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner left the Kremlin with no breakthrough on a peace deal.
Sports
Kohli, Gaikwad tons fire India to 358-5 in South Africa ODI
Virat Kohli struck his second successive century and along with Ruturaj Gaikwad helped power India to 358-5 against South Africa in the second one-day international on Wednesday.
Nature
'I feel like crying': Indonesians confront flood destruction
Indonesian farmer Merliana Siregar is all out of hope, seeing what is left of her flood-ravaged home as she returned on Wednesday.
Politics
Lebanon, Israel hold first direct talks in decades: source to AFP
Lebanese and Israeli civilian representatives held their first direct talks Wednesday in decades, part of a year-old ceasefire monitoring mechanism in the war with militant group Hezbollah, a source close to the talks told AFP.
Economy
Stock markets mostly rise awaiting US data
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Wednesday following a resumption of Wall Street's rally, but gains were muted as investors await the last tranche of US data before next week's Federal Reserve meeting.
Nature
Delhi records over 200,000 respiratory illness cases due to toxic air
New Delhi recorded more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses at six state-run hospitals between 2022 and 2024, government numbers showed, highlighting the adverse effects of toxic air on health.
Politics
South Korean prosecutors demand 15 years for former first lady
South Korean prosecutors demanded Wednesday a 15-year prison term for former first lady Kim Keon Hee for alleged stock fraud and corruption crimes.
Sports
'Dream' draw for debutants Hong Kong against Wallabies, All Blacks
Hong Kong coach Logan Asplin called it "a dream come true" after the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw pitted the Asian debutants with New Zealand and hosts Australia on Wednesday.
Boulevard
Thailand lifts ban on afternoon alcohol sales
Thailand on Wednesday relaxed decades-old alcohol sales restrictions, allowing consumers to buy wine, beer and spirits during previously prohibited afternoon hours in a six-month trial.
Weather
Norway postpones deep-sea mining activities for four years
Norway on Wednesday postponed the first licences to permit deep-sea mining in its Arctic waters for four years, a delay environmentalists hope signals the "nail in the coffin" of the plans.
Weather
Sri Lanka cyclone survivors face colossal clean-up
Survivors of Cyclone Ditwah that has ravaged Sri Lanka in recent days began returning to their devastated homes on Wednesday, faced with a massive clean-up as they start rebuilding their lives.
Economy
Zara owner Inditex posts higher profits
Zara owner Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, posted Wednesday higher profits for the first nine months of its fiscal year despite stiffer competition from low-cost clothing outlets like Shein and Primark.