
India-Pakistan Tensions Surge

China Strikes Back: Tariff War

Spain: China's Gateway to Europe

Europe's Economic Self-Sabotage

Everything is fine: Trump's cabinet shrugs off shrinking economy

Trump praises Musk as chief disruptor eyes exit

Syria reports Israeli strikes after warning over Druze as sectarian clashes spread

Migrants' dreams buried under rubble after deadly strike on Yemen centre
Politics
Microsoft president urges fast 'resolution' of transatlantic trade tensions
Microsoft President Brad Smith called Wednesday for a swift resolution of trade tensions between the United States and Europe, during an interview with AFP in Brussels.
Politics
US economy unexpectedly shrinks on import surge before Trump tariffs
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year due largely to a surge in imports as businesses and consumers stockpiled ahead of the introduction of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.
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How thieves manage to steal cryptocurrency
US officials announced on Tuesday they had recovered $3.6 billion of bitcoin stolen in a 2016, throwing a light on the scams that surround cryptocurrency.

Madagascar cyclone toll rises to 92 amid calls for aid
The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Batsirai has risen to 92 in Madagascar, authorities said Wednesday, as humanitarian organisations ramped up aid efforts with more than 110,000 people in need of emergency assistance.

Black diamond, largest ever cut, sells for £3.2 million
"The Enigma", the world's largest known cut diamond at 555 carats, went under the hammer in London on Wednesday for £3.16 million ($4.3 million, 3.8 million euros) having recently gone on display for the first time.

Israel hits missile targets in Syria: military
Israel launched strikes against targets in Syria early Wednesday, hitting anti-aircraft batteries in response to a missile fired from Syria, the military said.

Solace for Salah in Liverpool's experience of losing finals, says Klopp
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool's experience of recovering from losing finals to win major titles can provide solace for Mohamed Salah after Egypt's African Cup of Nations final misery.

New York latest Democrat-run state to roll back mask mandates
New York on Wednesday joined a wave of Democrat-run US states to roll back mask mandates, a symbolic step towards restoring normal life in one of the early pandemic epicenters in America.

'I didn't kill anyone,' Paris attacks suspect claims
The only suspected assailant still alive after the terror attacks that rocked Paris in November 2015 said Wednesday that "I didn't kill anyone, I didn't hurt anyone" as he took the stand for the first time in the trial over the jihadist massacres.

UN court orders Uganda to pay DR Congo $325 mn war damages
The UN's top court on Wednesday ordered Uganda to pay the Democratic Republic of Congo $325 million over a brutal war two decades ago, just a fraction of what Kinshasa demanded.

Wales must get more physical against Scotland, says Lake
Dewi Lake says Wales must be more physical in Saturday's Six Nations clash against an in-form Scotland after their hammering by Ireland in their tournament opener.

West Ham fine Zouma for abusing cat as pets are taken into care
West Ham on Wednesday fined Kurt Zouma the "maximum amount possible" for mistreating his pet cat as the RSPCA charity said it had taken two animals belonging to the France defender into care.

Krishna stars as India down West Indies to clinch ODI series
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna led India's inspired bowling to outplay West Indies by 44 runs in the second one-day international and clinch the series on Wednesday.

Climate hope as scientists in UK set fusion record
Scientists in Britain announced Wednesday they had smashed a previous record for generating fusion energy, hailing it as a "milestone" on the path towards cheap, clean power and a cooler planet.

Researchers brave relentless violence to work in DR Congo
As Tony Ukety peers into a microscope in an effort to wipe out a devastating tropical disease, he is acutely aware that there is a more immediate threat looming outside the walls of his research centre.

Germany taps Greenpeace chief Morgan as first climate envoy
Germany's foreign minister on Wednesday unveiled former Greenpeace chief Jennifer Morgan as her special climate envoy, as part of a pledge to put the battle against global warming "at the top" of the diplomatic agenda.

'Bavaria Express' steams to third straight luge Olympic gold
Germany extended their domination of the luge track in Beijing on Wednesday as Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won the men's doubles title for the third straight Winter Games.

Madagascar cyclone toll rises to 80
The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Batsirai has risen to 80, Madagascar's authorities said Wednesday, releasing data from the regions hardest-hit by the storm that left bodies buried under their collapsed homes.

West Ham fine Zouma 'maximum amount' for abusing pet cat
West Ham on Wednesday fined defender Kurt Zouma the "maximum amount possible" for mistreating his pet cat as the RSPCA charity said it had taken two animals belonging to the France international into care.

FIFA backs semi-automated offside system to boost VAR
FIFA hopes the rolling out of its semi-automated offside technology being trialled at the Club World Cup will not only speed up decision-making but offer increased clarity for football supporters.

Dutch museum grapples with history of Indonesian independence
A bullet-torn shirt and photos of freedom fighters are among the exhibits documenting Indonesia's struggle for independence from the Dutch in a groundbreaking show at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.

England could end Covid isolation requirement by March: Johnson
England will scrap the legal requirement to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 later this month if infection levels remain stable, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unexpectedly announced Wednesday.

Strauss says West Indies axe not the 'end' for Anderson, Broad
Andrew Strauss said on Wednesday he is adamant that James Anderson and Stuart Broad still have a future in Test cricket after England's two most successful Test bowlers were left out of next month's tour of the West Indies.

King of Spain tests positive for Covid-19: royal palace
Spain's King Felipe VI has tested positive for Covid-19 but is experiencing only mild symptoms, the royal palace said Wednesday.

'I didn't kill anyone,' Paris terror attacker claims
The only assailant still alive after the terror attacks that rocked Paris in November 2015 said Wednesday that "I didn't kill anyone, I didn't hurt anyone" as he took the stand for the first time in the trial over the jihadist massacres.

Bid to defuse Ukraine tensions intensifies as 'positive' signs emerge
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday ramped up efforts to stop Russia from invading Ukraine, as Kyiv and Moscow said they saw 'positive signals' toward resolving the crisis.

Conte open to reuniting with Eriksen at Tottenham
Antonio Conte has opened the door to a possible Tottenham return for Christian Eriksen after saying it would be a "good opportunity" to work with the Denmark international again.

Shiffrin left 'low' but US finally win Beijing Olympic gold
US ski star Mikaela Shiffrin's Beijing Olympics threatened to turn into a winter nightmare but there was long-awaited redemption for snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis as she won Team USA's first gold of the Games on Wednesday.

Arteta hits back at Aubameyang, saying he was 'solution, not the problem'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday he was the "solution, not the problem" following former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure from the club after a series of disciplinary problems.

Stock markets rise on eve of US inflation data
Stock markets climbed Wednesday on the eve of highly anticipated US inflation data, with sentiment buoyed by easing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Zouma faces growing backlash over cat abuse video
More than 110,000 people have signed an online petition calling for West Ham defender Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted as part of a growing backlash over his abuse of his pet cat.

Vietnam arrests green activist on tax charges
Vietnam on Wednesday arrested a high-profile environmentalist known for taking on the energy industry on suspicion of tax evasion, state media said.

No slip-ups as snowboarder wins first US gold of Beijing Games
Snowboard cross rider Lindsey Jacobellis said her infamous fall that cost her a title in 2006 had "kept her hungry" as she won the United States' first gold medal of the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.

UK MPs' report finds Brexit burdening businesses
Britain's trade with the European Union has been dented by Brexit, with businesses facing greater costs, paperwork and border delays since the UK's full withdrawal, a watchdog panel of MPs said Wednesday.

Lando Norris extends contract with McLaren F1 team
British driver Lando Norris has extended his contract with McLaren until 2025, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

Japan offers gas to Europe over Ukraine fears
Japan is offering Europe part of its liquified natural gas imports over fears supplies will be disrupted by tensions surrounding a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tokyo's trade minister said Wednesday.

Fresh hopes for landmark treaty to rescue ocean life
World leaders are under pressure to conclude years of talks on an agreement to protect open oceans that help sustain life on Earth, cover almost half the planet and currently fall under no country's laws.

Madagascar cyclone toll rises to 30
The death toll from Cyclone Batsirai, which left Madagascar on Monday morning, has risen to 30, according to an updated count from authorities, and could rise further as bodies continue to be found in the rubble of collapsed houses.

Vlhova wins Olympic slalom gold after Shiffrin misfires again
Slovakia's Petra Vlhova produced a stunning second leg to win Beijing Olympic slalom gold on Wednesday after Mikaela Shiffrin slid out of medal contention with a botched first run.

Kenya's fledgling curlers set sights on 2026 Winter Games
A revered athletics powerhouse at the Summer Olympics, Kenya has only ever seen two of its nationals competing at the Winter Games.

Australian PM condemned for 'shocking' response to sexual abuse claims
Two prominent advocates for sexual abuse survivors pilloried Australia's prime minister Wednesday, decrying "weasel words" and a response to widespread abuse that had not "measured up".