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Despite war's end, Afghanistan remains deep in crisis: UN relief chief
Climate change, women's rights, displacement, poverty: Afghanistan remains a priority as it faces overlapping crises, the UN's relief chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Wednesday, deploring "brutal" aid budget cuts.

NFL fines Falcons and assistant coach over Sanders prank call
The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 on Wednesday over a phone number leak that led to a prank call to rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

British teen Brennan takes stage 1 of Tour de Romandie
British teenager Matthew Brennan took over the yellow jersey of the Tour de Romandie after winning a sprint on the opening stage in Fribourg on Wednesday.

Swedish reporter gets suspended term over Erdogan insult
A Turkish court on Wednesday handed a Swedish journalist an 11-month suspended sentence for insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but remains behind bars awaiting trial on a second more serious charge.

Renewable energy in the dock in Spain after blackout
Fierce debate raged in Spain on Wednesday over the role its reliance on renewable energy may have had in this week's blackout which disrupted millions of lives, though officials sought to downplay any potential link.

South Africa sets up inquiry into slow apartheid justice
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Wednesday a judicial inquiry into claims of deliberate delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes three decades after the end of white-minority rule.
Stocks retreat as US GDP slumps rattles confidence
Stocks slid on Wall Street on Wednesday, pulling European indexes off earlier highs after the US economy contracted in the first quarter, heightening fears about the fallout of President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz on the world's largest economy.

Migrants' dreams buried under rubble after deadly strike on Yemen centre
Africans in search of a better future became the latest casualties of Yemen's decade-long conflict after a deadly strike blamed on the United States hit a migrant detention centre, killing dozens of people.

Trump blames Biden's record after US economy shrinks
President Donald Trump lashed out at his predecessor's economic record Wednesday after US financial markets fell on the news that the American economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year.

UK scientists fear insect loss as car bug splats fall
A UK-wide decline in bug splats recorded on car number plates indicates an "alarming" fall in the number of flying insects, UK scientists said in a survey published Wednesday.

Mexico avoids recession despite tariff uncertainty
Mexico's economy returned to growth in the first quarter of 2025, avoiding a recession despite deep uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, official data showed Wednesday.

Rwandan awarded for saving grey crowned cranes
White wings flashing overhead in the sunlight, conservationist Olivier Nsengimana points out Rwanda's grey crowned cranes, migratory birds that have made an extraordinary comeback in the Great Lakes region.

Spurs have 'unbelievable opportunity' for European glory: Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou said Tottenham have an "unbelievable opportunity" to end a miserable season with a trophy as he prepares his team to face Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

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.

Poppies flourish at Tower of London for WWII anniversary
Britain's iconic Tower of London will be covered in a cascading installation of 30,000 red ceramic poppies to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.

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.

Stocks drop after US economy contracts amid tariffs turmoil
Stock markets retreated into the red Wednesday after the US economy contracted in the first quarter, a stark reminder of the risks President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz could hold for the world's largest economy and its main trading partners.

US economy unexpectedly shrinks on import surge ahead of Trump tariffs
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of the year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports as businesses and consumers stockpiled ahead of the introduction of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.

Dravid says Suryavanshi, 14, needs support from fame
Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid on Wednesday lauded IPL's teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for his fearless approach and strength, but warned him of life in the spotlight.

Arsenal can win 'anywhere' says Merino after Champions League defeat by PSG
Defiant Mikel Merino says Arsenal have "proved we can win anywhere" and insists they can still reach the Champions League final after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their last-four tie.

Bangladesh crush Zimbabwe by an innings in second Test
Bangladesh won the second and final Test against Zimbabwe by an innings and 106 runs on Wednesday, a decisive victory in less than three days to level the series.

Swiatek recovers against Keys to reach Madrid Open semis
Iga Swiatek kept her Madrid Open title defence alive, as she avenged her Australian Open defeat to Madison Keys with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against the American in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Spurs captain Son out of first leg of Europa League semi-final
Son Heung-min will miss the first leg of Tottenham's Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, manager Ange Postecoglou said on Thursday.

US economy unexpectedly shrinks in first three months of Trump presidency
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of this year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports ahead of the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump.

India to ask caste status in next census for first time in decades
India will conduct its first official caste census since independence, the government announced on Wednesday, a move likely to have far-reaching consequences for its politics and contentious affirmative action policies.

Burkina junta rallies supporters after claimed coup 'plot'
Several thousand people rallied in support of Burkina Faso's ruling junta Wednesday, days after the military authorities said they had uncovered a "plot" to overthrow the government.

Forest owner Marinakis steps back as European qualification looms
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis will not have a controlling interest in the Premier League club next season, making the move ahead of their potential return to European football.

US economy unexpectedly contracts in first three months of Trump presidency
The US economy unexpectedly contracted in the first three months of this year, according to fresh data published Wednesday, due largely to a surge in imports ahead of the introduction of sweeping tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Bilbao will give 'soul' to beat Man United: Nico Williams
Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams said his team will give their "soul" to beat Manchester United on Thursday and reach the Europa League final.

Sweden arrests teen after triple killing
Swedish police have arrested a teen suspect after three youths aged from 15 to 20 were killed in a shooting at a hair salon, authorities said Wednesday, amid rising concern over gang violence in the Scandinavian nation.

Pakistan says India planning strike after deadly Kashmir attack
Pakistan said on Wednesday it had "credible intelligence" that India was planning an imminent military strike and vowed to retaliate, as worries of spiralling conflict grew over a deadly attack in Kashmir.

Cardinals lay groundwork for conclave, hope for quick vote
A week before the conclave to choose a new pope opens, preparatory talks intensified Wednesday as cardinals sounded out potential candidates -- with many hoping the election will be quick.