India's island choke point
China’s lithography leap
China’s cartel lifeline
Australia limits migration
'His feet are his pillars': Nepal para swimmer gives all for Asian glory
Migrants, rescue ships face threats, harassment at sea: aid group
New Zealand moves to ban social media for under-16s
UEFA's Ceferin tells Infantino to go, but 'not interested' in replacing him
Economy
Hyundai union back in wage talks after rare full-day strike
The union representing workers at South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor said on Monday it had resumed wage talks with management after staging its first full-day strike in a decade.
Politics
Oil falls as Trump pledges economic war on Iran
Oil prices fell on Monday as investors braced for details of a US plan to isolate the Iranian economy that President Donald Trump billed as the "most crushing" financial operation ever against Tehran.
Last news
Ukraine sends US new plan to end the war as Trump blasts Europe
Ukraine has sent Washington an updated plan for ending Russia's invasion, Ukrainian officials told AFP Wednesday, as US President Donald Trump laid into European leaders in the latest sign of a growing transatlantic rift.
Haaland stuns Real as Arsenal remain perfect in Brugge
Erling Haaland scored his 34th goal for club and country this season to give Manchester City a 2-1 win at Real Madrid on Wednesday as Arsenal maintained their perfect group stage record with a 3-0 victory at Club Brugge.
Superb Simon guides Athletic to PSG draw
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon put in a superb performance to help Athletic Bilbao to a 0-0 draw with Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Arsenal crush Club Brugge to keep 100% record in Champions League
Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli scored stunning goals as Arsenal outclassed Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday to make it six Champions League wins out of six, virtually guaranteeing a place in the Champions League last 16.
Man City edge Real Madrid to leave Alonso on brink
Manchester City came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday in the Champions League and leave Xabi Alonso's position as coach of the Spanish giants in grave danger.
US stocks rise, dollar retreats as Fed tone less hawkish than feared
Wall Street stocks rose and the dollar retreated Wednesday after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates again as it seeks to shore up a vulnerable US labor market.
Trump says had 'pretty strong words' with Europeans on Ukraine
US President Donald Trump said he exchanged "pretty strong words" Wednesday with the leaders of France, Britain and Germany on Ukraine, in the latest sign of a growing rift on how to end Russia's invasion.
M23 tightens grip on key DR Congo city in 'middle finger' to US
The Rwanda-backed M23 militia captured most of the key eastern DR Congo town of Uvira late on Wednesday, in a move Burundi called a "middle finger" to the United States after the signing of a peace deal in Washington.
US seized 'very large' tanker near Venezuela, Trump says
The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, dramatically escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
'A little scared': high-school coach Rivers returns to NFL action
Forty-four-year-old grandfather Philip Rivers was happy coaching his son's high school team and watching NFL games from the sofa when he got the call asking if he'd like to play for the Indianapolis Colts.
Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut, signals higher bar ahead
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor market concerns even as inflation remained elevated as President Donald Trump's tariffs bite.
Machado to come out of hiding after missing Nobel ceremony
Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado is set to address the world on Thursday, according to the Norwegian government, after the Venezuelan opposition leader was awarded the prestigious peace prize in her absence.
Veteran skier Vonn 'in possibly the best shape' of her life
Veteran US comeback queen Lindsey Vonn suggested on Wednesday that she was "in possibly the best shape" of her life as she embarks on her Olympic season starting in St Moritz this week.
Trump says US seized 'very large' tanker near Venezuela
The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, further escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
UN sounds alarm over Ukraine war's impact on pregnant women
The war in Ukraine is endangering pregnant women, and maternal mortality has risen sharply, the UN's population agency warned Wednesday.
Venezuela's Machado to come out of hiding after missing Nobel peace prize ceremony
Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado is set to address the world on Thursday, according to the Norwegian government, after the Venezuelan opposition leader was awarded the prize in her absence.
French first lady comments spark feminist backlash
A vulgar slur France's first lady used to describe activists has ignited a feminist backlash in a case they say downplays the severity of sexual violence.
Mets slugger Alonso set for Orioles move: reports
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has agreed a five-year $155 million deal to join the Baltimore Orioles, multiple US media reports said Wednesday.
Divided US Fed makes third straight rate cut on jobs risks
A divided US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates Wednesday for a third consecutive time this year, flagging labor market concerns even as inflation remained elevated as President Donald Trump's tariffs bite.
Anti-government protest draws tens of thousands in Bulgaria
Several tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Bulgaria on Wednesday to protest against the government and corruption, as anger over the country's draft budget boiled over into a widening anti-graft movement.
Beyonce, Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman to co-chair 2026 Met Gala
Music powerhouse Beyonce, tennis legend Venus Williams and Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman will co-chair the 2026 Met Gala on May 4 alongside Vogue's Anna Wintour, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Wednesday in New York.
Intel sees record EU fine reduced further
The EU General Court dealt a blow to the European Commission on Wednesday in reducing what was initially a record fine against US chipmaker Intel to 237 million euros ($276 million) -- a quarter of the original sum.
Burundi says M23 advance in DR Congo a 'middle finger' to the US
Streets were empty, shops shuttered and soldiers fled a key eastern DR Congo city Wednesday a day after the Rwanda-backed M23 militia entered the outskirts, in a move Burundi called a "middle finger" to the United States after the signing of a peace deal in Washington.
Czechs greenlight magic mushroom use from 2026
The outgoing Czech government said Wednesday it had approved the use of psilocybin -- the active ingredient in magic mushrooms -- for medical purposes from 2026.
US plans to order foreign tourists to disclose social media histories
The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to order visa-exempt foreign tourists to disclose their social media histories from the last five years before entering the country, according to an official notice.
Celtic boss Nancy 'won't waste time' on criticism
Wilfried Nancy will not "waste time" on the negative reaction that followed his debut defeat as Celtic boss.
What's at stake as Yemeni separatists gain ground?
UAE-backed south Yemeni separatists have taken control of vast new areas, rattling the anti-Houthi government and threatening to further divide a country fractured by more than a decade of civil war.
Stocks mark time ahead of Fed decision
Global stock markets marked time and the dollar steadied Wednesday with investors' eyes on a highly anticipated Federal Reserve policy announcement later in the day.
Hollywood meets the world in Sundance line-up
Hollywood A-listers Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde and Russell Crowe will rub shoulders with some of cinema's best and brightest new talent at the Sundance film festival next month, organizers said Wednesday.
Veggie 'burgers' remain on table as EU talks stall
EU wrangling over whether to give plant-based "sausages" and veggie "burgers" the chop and restrict such labels to meat products will grind on into next year after countries and lawmakers failed to reach a deal on Wednesday.
French far right sparks debate with proposal to reopen brothels
Marine Le Pen's far-right party wants to bring back France's once legendary brothels, sparking a fresh debate about prostitution in a country with a long history of liberal attitudes to sex.
Not lovin' it: McDonald's pulls Dutch AI Christmas ad
US burger chain McDonald's said on Wednesday it had removed an AI-generated Christmas advert in the Netherlands after it was filleted online.