Scotland captain Tuipulotu stunned by 'Greenock granny's' arrival from Australia
Musk outlines plans for mass cuts as Trump 'efficiency' czar
US House speaker backs bathroom ban on trans woman elected to Congress
Italy joins US in recognizing Venezuelan opposition candidate as 'president-elect'
Politics
Mali junta chief sacks PM and government
Mali's junta chief on Wednesday sacked civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and the government, days after Maiga issued a rare criticism of the military rulers.
Politics
Aid groups express horror at US mines for Ukraine
The US decision to send landmines to Ukraine is "not justifiable", aid groups have told AFP, highlighting the long-term impact on civilians of the internationally banned weapons supposed to help slow Russia's advance.
Last news
Ukraine reportedly fires UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia
Ukraine has fired UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time, British media reported Wednesday, after being given the green light from London.
Macron praises EU-Chile trade agreement on Latin America tour
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday hailed a recently upgraded EU-Chile free trade agreement as he met counterpart Gabriel Boric in Santiago on the last leg of a Latin America tour.
MLS club Dallas names Quill as new head coach
FC Dallas, which missed the MLS playoffs this year for the second time in four seasons, named Eric Quill as the club's new head coach on Wednesday.
At least 150 people killed in violence in Haitian capital in past week: UN
Soaring violence in Port-au-Prince since last week has left at least 150 people dead, bringing the number of deaths in Haiti this year to over 4,500, the United Nations said Wednesday.
Musk details mass cuts to US federal spending and staff
Elon Musk outlined plans Wednesday for his new role as "efficiency" czar -- signaling an assault on federal spending and staffing that would be backed by President-elect Donald Trump's executive powers and a conservative Supreme Court.
England adamant Curry 'ready to go' against Japan after concussion
England have insisted Tom Curry is "100 percent fit, healthy and ready to go" against Japan on Sunday despite the flanker's latest concussion.
Gl-icked? Movie theaters pin hopes on big 'Wicked,' 'Gladiator' weekend
US movie theaters are hoping the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of last year's "Barbenheimer" phenomenon can strike again this weekend, with the simultaneous release of two of 2024's most hyped films: "Wicked" and "Gladiator II."
Paolini's Italy beat Slovakia to win Billie Jean King Cup
Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time as Jasmine Paolini beat Rebecca Sramkova to secure a dominant 2-0 win over Slovakia on Wednesday.
Springboks rest prop Nche for Wales clash
South Africa have decided to rest prop Ox Nche for their Test against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
Awaiting Trump, US auto execs further temper EV push
US auto giants signaled Wednesday they could further slow the ramp-up of electric vehicle production as Detroit awaits the arrival of a Trump administration eager to reverse key Biden climate initiatives.
Ryanair threatens to drop 10 French airports over tax hike
Low-cost airline Ryanair threatened Wednesday to stop serving 10 French regional airports if the government goes forward with a proposed tax hike.
'Kidnapped' Uganda opposition figure appears in military court
Veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared in a military court in Kampala on Wednesday after his reported abduction in neighbouring Kenya at the weekend.
US women to host Japan, Aussies and Colombia in 2025 event
The reigning Olympic champion United States women's national football team will compete against Japan, Australia and Colombia in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, US Soccer announced on Wednesday.
LPGA offers record $131 mln in 2025 for 75th anniverary season
LPGA golfers will compete for a record $131 million in prize money over a 33-event season in 2025, the tour's 75th anniversary campaign, LPGA officials announced on Wednesday.
Australia coach Schmidt 'proving me wrong' says Wallabies great Campese
Australia great David Campese said Wednesday he had changed his mind about Joe Schmidt, admitting the New Zealander was "proving me wrong" as Wallabies coach.
Bronzetti gives Italy BJK Cup final lead on Slovakia
Lucia Bronzetti put Italy in touching distance of a fifth Billie Jean King Cup with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Slovakia's Viktoria Hruncakova on Wednesday.
Crew's Nancy named MLS Coach of the Year
Wilfried Nancy of the Columbus Crew was named Major League Soccer's 2024 Coach of the Year on Wednesday after guiding the reigning champions to club records for points and goals in a season.
2024's record ocean heat revved up Atlantic hurricane wind speeds: study
Human-driven warming of ocean temperatures increased the maximum wind speeds of every Atlantic hurricane in 2024, according to a new analysis released Wednesday, highlighting how climate change is amplifying the destructive power of storms.
US vetoes Gaza ceasefire call at UN
The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council push to call for a ceasefire in Gaza that Washington said would have emboldened Hamas.
US Fed official warns against cutting rates 'too quickly'
The US Federal Reserve should be careful not to cut rates "too quickly" and risk reigniting stubborn inflation, a senior bank official said Wednesday.
Archbishop of Canterbury to end official duties on January 6
Anglican church leader Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, said Wednesday he will step down on January 6 having resigned over a damning report into the church's handling of a serial abuse case.
Barcelona push back Camp Nou return to mid-February
Barcelona said on Wednesday their return to the Camp Nou would be delayed until at least mid-February as the iconic stadium undergoes modernisation and expansion work.
US cites new Russian tactics for decision to supply landmines to Ukraine
The US decision to send anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine -- in a major policy shift -- was triggered by a change in Russian battlefield tactics favoring infantry over mechanized units, US Defense Secretary Loyd Austin said Wednesday.
Arnault family to complete Paris FC takeover 'in coming days'
The family of France's richest person, Bernard Arnault, will complete the acquisition of Paris FC "in the coming days", the Ligue 2 club's president said during a press conference Wednesday.
'Rust' premieres three years after on-set shooting death
The Western "Rust" got its world premiere on Wednesday at a Polish film festival, three years after its cinematographer was killed in an on-set shooting.
Under-fire Spain minister defends agencies' role in floods
Spain's under-fire ecological transition minister, a candidate for a top European Commission post, said Wednesday that questioning the role of state agencies during the country's devastating floods was "dangerous".
Trump names loyalist Matthew Whitaker as NATO ambassador
President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticized NATO as overly reliant on American money, on Wednesday nominated loyalist Matthew Whitaker to the crucial post of ambassador to the alliance.
Iconic Real Madrid lockers on display in London auction
Real Madrid dressing-room lockers used by legends including Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham have been put on display in London as part of a Sotheby's auction.
Johnson & Johnson risks UK lawsuit over talc cancer claim
UK claimants announced Wednesday legal action against US pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant Johnson & Johnson, alleging that women diagnosed with cancers were exposed to asbestos in the company's talcum powder.
UN watchdog chief welcomes Iran nuclear gesture as Western powers seek censure
European powers and the United States have submitted a resolution censuring Iran for its lack of cooperation on its nuclear dossier, despite the head of the UN watchdog on Wednesday welcoming "a concrete step" by Iran to cap its uranium stockpile.
Germany power past Canada to reach Davis Cup semis
Three-time Davis Cup winners Germany eased into the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory against Canada on Wednesday.
Arnault family to complete Paris FC acquisition "in coming days"
The family of France's richest person, Bernard Arnault, will complete the acquisition of Paris FC "in the coming days", the Ligue 2 club's president said during a press conference Wednesday.
Hezbollah says Israel 'cannot impose conditions' for truce
Hezbollah's leader delivered a defiant speech on Wednesday saying Israel cannot impose its conditions for a truce, as US envoy Amos Hochstein headed from Lebanon to Israel to try to end the war.
Rich nations pressed to put money on table at UN climate talks
Pressure mounted on wealthy nations Wednesday to put a figure on the table as time runs out at COP29 to strike a deal on climate assistance for poorer countries.
Pakistan reopens Punjab schools after smog improves
Schools reopened Wednesday in Pakistan's most populated province after authorities announced a drop in dangerous air pollution, with parents rejoicing their children's return to classes.
All Black fly-half Plummer to join French side Clermont
New Zealand fly-half Harry Plummer will join Clermont next season on a three-year deal, the French Top 14 club announced on Wednesday.
Stock markets retreat ahead of Nvidia earnings
US and European stock markets retreated on Wednesday as investors eagerly awaited results from artificial-intelligence giant Nvidia.
Ford to cut 4,000 jobs in Europe
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent's beleaguered car industry.
As Trump returns, China seizes chance for climate mantle
With Donald Trump expected to take the United States again out of climate diplomacy, China, the world's largest emitter but green energy powerhouse, is seizing on the chance to project itself as the global leader.