Last news
Culture
Germany's Merz criticises festival for axing Israeli conductor
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued Wednesday that the "poison of antisemitism" was spreading as he criticised a Belgian festival's decision to axe a performance by a German orchestra with an Israeli conductor.
Things to know
Thousands protest in London over Trump UK visit
Armed with signs and shouting slogans, thousands of anti-Donald Trump protesters descended Wednesday on central London to decry the US president's unprecedented second state visit to the UK.
Health
Fired US health agency chief testifies on pressure to 'replace evidence with ideology'
The ex-chief of the US disease prevention agency told senators Wednesday she was fired for refusing to approve changes to childhood vaccine schedules not backed by scientific evidence, as the Trump administration moves to dismantle longstanding healthy policy.
Politics
Palestinians flee Gaza City in face of deadly Israeli offensive
Huge numbers of Palestinians were fleeing Gaza City by any means on Wednesday as the Israeli military pressed its ground offensive, killing dozens in strikes.
Sports
England take Salt path to victory over Ireland in first T20
Phil Salt backed up a record-breaking century with a powerful innings of 89 as England beat Ireland by four wickets in the first T20 in Dublin on Wednesday.
Technology
French strikes hit Bayeux Tapestry transfer ahead of UK loan
Protests and strikes planned for Thursday in France have forced a delay in the transfer to a secret location of the Bayeux Tapestry ahead of its historic planned loan to the UK next year, an official said.
Culture
New York officials sink Times Square casino bid
A well-financed campaign to build a casino in the heart of New York's theater district collapsed Wednesday as a government-appointed panel voted down the proposal.
Economy
Canada central bank cuts key lending rate citing Trump tariffs
Canada's central bank cut its key lending rate on Wednesday, offering a boost to borrowers in an economy squeezed by US President Donald Trump's trade war.
Sports
Pakistan Asia Cup match belatedly goes ahead amid India handshake row
Pakistan's Asia Cup match with the United Arab Emirates began one hour late Wednesday as the fallout rumbles on from a handshake row with arch-rivals India.
Sports
Nader pulls off shock in 1,500 metres, Moon rises to pole vault challenge at worlds
The beauty of sport is its ability to surprise and Isaac Nader produced one of the biggest ever in international 1,500 metres finals as he won the world title on Wednesday while Katie Moon was a more predictable winner of a third successive pole vault crown.
Weather
Ex-US climate envoy: Trump threatening 'consensus science' worldwide
President Donald Trump is leading the world "in the wrong direction" on climate and weaponizing clean energy as a culture-war issue, according to John Podesta, a longtime advisor to Democratic presidents.
Politics
EU proposes action on Israel trade and ministers over Gaza
The European Union on Wednesday proposed curbing trade ties with Israel and sanctioning ministers in its strongest action yet over the war in Gaza, though reluctance from key member states risks blocking adoption.
Politics
US Treasury official expected to be named IMF's second-in-command: source
The US Treasury Department's chief of staff is anticipated to join the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a key role as its number-two official, a source told AFP on Wednesday.
Sports
Man City 'apparently' not Champions League contenders: Guardiola
Pep Guardiola acknowledged that Manchester City are not considered among the favourites to win the Champions League ahead of their opening game against Napoli on Thursday.
EU says India's Russia links jeopardise closer ties
The European Union's top diplomat warned Wednesday that its push for closer ties with India could be hampered by New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil and involvement in military drills with Moscow.
Sports
Ukraine reach BJK Cup semi-finals for first time
Ukraine reached the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time with gritty performances from Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk against Spain on Wednesday in Shenzhen.
Sports
Benjamin sets up 'historic' hurdles showdown with Warholm and Dos Santos
Olympic 400m hurdles champion Rai Benjamin said on Wednesday he was ready for another "historic" tussle with great rivals Karsten Warholm and Alison dos Santos after all three cruised into the world championships final.
Sports
Milan-Cortina bobsleigh track 'surpasses expectations', say Winter Olympics organisers
The bobsleigh track for the 2026 Winter Olympics has "surpassed expectations" after being completed in time for the Milan-Cortina Games, organisers said on Wednesday.
Stocks, dollar calm ahead of expected US rate cut
Stock markets and the dollar steadied as investors expected the US Federal Reserve to cut interest rates Wednesday to shore up the world's biggest economy.
Economy
Nvidia CEO disappointed over China chip ban report
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang on Wednesday said he was disappointed by a report that Beijing has barred major Chinese tech companies from buying his company's world-leading chips, a crucial component in the generative AI revolution.
Sports
Portugal's Isaac Nader wins world men's 1,500m gold
Portugal's Isaac Nader outsprinted Briton Jake Wightman to claim a surprise gold in the men's 1,500 metres at the world championships on Wednesday.
Technology
France launches appeal to acquire Proust's 'madeleine' writings
France's National Library launched a public appeal for donations on Wednesday to acquire hundreds of unpublished documents belonging to Marcel Proust, including some showing how the famed writer settled on one of his most famous lines.
Politics
East Timor to scrap MP pensions and SUVs after protests
East Timor's parliament on Wednesday said it would scrap lifetime pensions for MPs, bowing to public pressure after dropping a plan to buy SUVs for lawmakers in one of southeast Asia's poorest nations.
Sports
Van Niekerk enjoys second wind in Tokyo after injury nightmare
South Africa's 400 metre world record holder Wayde van Niekerk said Wednesday he was grateful just to be competing at the World Athletics Championships after serious injury derailed his career.
Sports
American Moon wins third straight world pole vault gold
American Katie Moon won a third consecutive women's pole vault world title in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Politics
King gives Trump royal welcome on UK state visit
Donald Trump was welcomed by King Charles III to Windsor Castle Wednesday with a royal spectacle featuring gun salutes, mounted horses and bagpipes as the US president's historic second state visit got into full swing.
Economy
Man Utd post sixth straight annual loss despite record revenues
Manchester United on Wednesday reported an annual net loss for the sixth consecutive year despite record revenues of £666.5 million ($910 million).
Sports
Australian teen Gout Gout revels in world championships debut
Australian teen sensation Gout Gout advanced to the semi-finals of the 200 metres at the world championships on Wednesday and immediately vowed to keep emulating Jamaican legend Usain Bolt.
Economy
AI may boost global trade value by nearly 40%: WTO
Artificial intelligence could boost the value of global trade by almost 40 percent by 2040 thanks to cost reductions and productivity gains, the World Trade Organization said Wednesday.
Sports
New Zealand star Miller out of Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final
Jorja Miller has been ruled out of New Zealand's Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final against Canada in a blow to the reigning champions' hopes of defending their title.
Sports
Lyles and Gout Gout advance to world 200m semi-finals
Noah Lyles' bid to match Usain Bolt's record of four consecutive world 200 metres titles got off to a steady start as the American safely negotiated his heat on Wednesday.
Boulevard
S.Africa commission begins probe into alleged links between politics and crime
A judicial commission set up by South Africa's president to investigate explosive claims by a top cop linking politicians to criminal gangs began its public hearings on Wednesday, weeks after a delayed start.