Last news

Nepal waives climbing fees for 97 mountain peaks
Nepal has waived climbing fees for 97 mountains, officials said on Wednesday, hoping to steer people to its lesser-known peaks and boost local economies.

European satellite to step up monitoring of extreme weather
The Ariane 6 rocket on Wednesday blasted off carrying Europe's next generation satellite for warning against extreme weather events.

Swiss pilot surpasses solar-powered plane altitude record
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan beat the altitude record for a solar-powered electric plane in a flight that took him soaring to 9,521 metres, his team announced Wednesday.

Typhoon Podul pummels Taiwan
Typhoon Podul pounded Taiwan on Wednesday, shutting down businesses in the south, grounding hundreds of flights and knocking out power for tens of thousands of households.
Markets rise on growing rate cut hopes
Markets rose Wednesday on growing hopes of US interest rate cuts after soft inflation data, with Japan's Nikkei hitting a second record high in as many days.

Czech film takes 'conspiracy nuts' on Ukraine war tour
Two men and a woman driven by disinformation and denying the Russian invasion of Ukraine are the unlikely protagonistsof a Czech documentary that will premiere this month.

Test cricket needs quality not quantity to stay alive: Australia chief
Australia cricket chief Todd Greenberg on Wednesday said a slimmer Test calendar could benefit smaller nations because the five-day game was better "where it means something".

Spanish coach Riveiro lays down the law for Ahly stars
Spanish coach Jose Riveiro has laid down the law to the stars of African giants Al Ahly of Egypt as they prepare for another CAF Champions League campaign.

Mali club hope motorbikes can help drive for CAF Cup glory
CAF Confederation Cup contenders Djoliba of Mali hope gifts of motorbikes can steer them to success in a competition where they once finished runners-up.

Scientists unearth 'cute' but fearsome ancient whale
Australian scientists have discovered a razor-toothed whale that prowled the seas 26 million years ago, saying Wednesday the species was "deceptively cute" but a fearsome predator.

European powers tell UN they are ready to reimpose Iran sanctions
Britain, France and Germany have told the United Nations they are ready to reimpose UN-mandated sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme if no diplomatic solution is found by the end of August, according to a joint letter obtained by AFP.

Typhoon Podul hits Taiwan
Typhoon Podul slammed into southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday, with powerful winds and heavy rain lashing the island.

South Korea prosecutors raid party HQ after ex-first lady arrested
South Korean prosecutors raided the headquarters of the former party of jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday to gather evidence in an election meddling case against his wife, a day after she was arrested on corruption and other charges.

Five key things about heatwaves in Europe
Scorching temperatures, such as those recorded in southern Europe, illustrate the intensifying heatwaves in Europe, which scientists consider a direct result of climate change.

For Trump, Putin summit presents the ultimate test of dealmaking
Among the constants in Donald Trump's turbulent career have been a flair for drama and a belief in his dealmaking powers. In inviting Vladimir Putin, Trump will have plenty of the first -- and put the second to the ultimate test.

Trump and Putin: a strained relationship
Donald Trump styles himself as a strongman. And that's exactly what he sees in Vladimir Putin.

Fortnite developer claims win against Apple and Google
An Australian court has found Apple and Google misused their market power in a dispute with the maker of wildly popular video game Fortnite.

Palestinian mother 'destroyed' after image used to deny Gaza starvation
Palestinian-Canadian Faiza Najjar was able to leave Gaza last year, but could not bring her four adult daughters with her. She watched from a distance as food shortages in the territory worsened.

Soft US inflation boosts Asia markets
Japan's Nikkei hit a second record high in as many days Wednesday, as hopes of US interest rate cuts following soft inflation data cheered equity investors across Asia.

Glitz and graft: Pogba in race against time as Ligue 1 season looms
Paul Pogba's return to Monaco this summer set tongues wagging as the 2018 World Cup winner made his comeback to football after nearly three seasons on the sidelines -- a turbulent period blighted by injury, blackmail and an 18-month doping ban.

Liga champions Barca aim to add steel to youthful flair
While Barcelona thrilled on their way to winning La Liga last season, scoring 102 goals in the process, coach Hansi Flick accepts this season his team need to improve defensively.

'Nobody else knew': Allied prisoners of war held in Taiwan
In a small urban park in Taiwan, more than 4,000 names are etched into a granite wall -- most of them British and American servicemen held by the Japanese during World War II.

Putin, North Korea's Kim vow stronger ties ahead of US-Russia summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un have vowed to strengthen cooperation, days ahead of Putin's summit in Alaska with Donald Trump, Pyongyang's state media reported Wednesday.

German gas drive fuels fears of climate backsliding
Germany's conservative-led government has launched a drive to rapidly build more gas-fired power plants, fuelling fears about climate policy backsliding and sparking unease even within its own ranks.

India reels from US tariff hike threat
Indian exporters are scrambling for options to mitigate the fallout of US President Donald Trump's threatened tariff salvo against the world's most populous nation.

European leaders to hold Ukraine online summit before Trump-Putin meet
European leaders will hold online talks with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, hoping to convince him to respect Ukraine's interests when he discusses the war with Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Chatbot Grok stirs confusion over suspension after Gaza claims
AI chatbot Grok on Tuesday offered conflicting explanations for its brief suspension from X after accusing Israel and the United States of committing "genocide" in Gaza, as it lashed out at owner Elon Musk for "censoring me."

Dutch child survivor of Japan's WWII camps breaks silence
It has taken Tineke Einthoven 80 years to be able to speak about what she lived through as a child in brutal Japanese internment camps during World War II without breaking down.
South Korea's ex-first lady Kim arrested
South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee was arrested late Tuesday over a range of charges including stock manipulation and corruption, prosecutors said.

Alonso becomes MLB Mets career homer king
Pete Alonso became the New York Mets all-time home run leader on Tuesday, smashing two homers to spark the Mets over Atlanta 13-5 and reach 254 for his Major League Baseball career.
Typhoon Podul intensifies as it nears Taiwan
Thousands of people sheltered and fishermen secured their boats across storm-battered southern Taiwan on Wednesday as Typhoon Podul intensified on its approach to the island.
Cincinnati washout leaves Zverev, Pegula stranded mid-match
Carlos Alcaraz beat the heat and humidity of a Midwest summer as the world number two advanced to the fourth round of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Tuesday.