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Jegou, Auradou on bench for France Six Nations opener
Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, who were investigated over rape claims last year before they were dismissed, will start on the bench for France's Six Nations opener against Wales, coach Fabien Galthie said on Wednesday.
'Monte-Cristo', 'Emelia Perez' frontrunners at France's Cesar film awards
Home-made hit "Monte Cristo" topped the nominations released Wednesday for the Cesars, France's version of the Oscars, followed closely by international awards season frontrunner "Emelia Perez".
Key DR Congo city close to falling to Rwanda-backed fighters
Rwanda-backed fighters controlled most of the besieged DR Congo city of Goma on Wednesday as residents slowly emerged from their homes after days of deadly fighting in the key mineral trading hub.
Silence and suspicion on Belarus's border with Ukraine
Near a border checkpoint between Belarus and Ukraine, anti-tank spikes and concrete pyramids block what was once a bustling road between two peaceful neighbours.
At least 15 dead in India stampede at Hindu mega-festival
A pre-dawn stampede at the world's largest religious gathering killed at least 15 people in India Wednesday, with many more injured after a surging crowd spilled out of a police cordon and trampled bystanders.
Ton-up Khawaja, Smith power Australia to 261-2 in first Test
Steve Smith powered on after crossing 10,000 Test runs and Usman Khawaja hit an unbeaten 119 as Australia piled the misery on Sri Lanka on day one of the opening Test on Wednesday.
Upstart DeepSeek faces heightened scrutiny as AI wows
With around six million dollars and a stockpile of chips acquired before Washington banned their export to China, startup DeepSeek has produced what Chinese tech titans couldn't -- a world-class AI chatbot.
Stocks firm after tech rout; dollar steady before Fed rate call
Stock markets mostly rose Wednesday, tracking a rally on Wall Street, where tech titans led by Nvidia recovered some of their hefty losses thanks to easing worries over Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek.
Crowd chaos and confusion at site of India festival stampede
Journeying across India for the pinnacle celebration of the Hindu calendar, Laxmi and her family were sleeping by the roadside Wednesday as they waited to cleanse themselves in the sacred Ganges river.
Tesla to report results for 1st time since Trump elected president
Tesla is set to report earnings Wednesday for the first time since President Donald Trump -- a close ally of CEO Elon Musk -- returned to the White House.
Trump's health sec pick RFK Jr faces critical Senate hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr faces a pivotal Senate hearing Wednesday where he will be grilled on his history of promoting vaccine misinformation and plans to upend US science agencies as he bids to become President Donald Trump's health secretary.
US Fed expected to hold rate steady despite Trump pressure to cut
After three interest rate cuts in a row, the US Federal Reserve is expected to take a breather on Wednesday and signal it will remain on pause until the data changes, despite pressure to cut from President Donald Trump.
Spanish economy shines in 2024 with 3.2% growth
The Spanish economy expanded 3.2 percent last year thanks to buoyant exports and consumption that have made it one of the fastest-growing developed countries, official data showed on Wednesday.
Shares in Dutch chip giant ASML soar on bullish orders
Shares in Dutch tech giant ASML soared Wednesday despite a dip in annual net profit, as investors cheered better-than-expected orders for its cutting-edge chip-making machines.
Fears of scam centre kidnaps keep Chinese tourists on edge in Thailand
Chinese tourists visiting Thailand for Lunar New Year are worried about being kidnapped by gangsters to work in hellish scam centres, despite efforts to reassure them.
Dead Sea an 'ecological disaster', but no one can agree how to fix it
An abandoned lifeguard cabin, a rusty pier and mangled umbrellas are all that is left of Ein Gedi, once Israel's flagship beach drawing international tourists to float in the world-famous waters of the Dead Sea.
Prayer and dance: hundreds of millions in Asia celebrate Year of the Snake
From incense offerings and vibrant lion dances in Beijing to prayer rituals at temples in Bangkok and Taipei, hundreds of millions of people across Asia celebrated the Lunar New Year on Wednesday, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
Taiwan could help industry after Trump warns of chip tariffs
Taiwan will consider supporting its domestic industrythe government said Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump warned he will soon place tariffs on overseas-made semiconductor chips.
Dutch chip giant ASML reports 2024 net profit dip but solid orders
Dutch tech giant ASML, which sells cutting-edge machines to make semiconductor chips, reported a drop in annual net profit Wednesday, as geopolitical headwinds and the emergence of Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek disrupt the sector.
Smith joins 10,000 club as Australia start strong in first Test
Skipper Steve Smith crossed a milestone 10,000 runs in Test cricket as Australia reached 145-2 at lunch on day one of the first match against Sri Lanka.
DeepSeek's 'Sputnik moment' exposes holes in US chip curbs
US export controls on high-tech chips may have inadvertently fuelled the success of start-up DeepSeek's AI chatbot, sparking fears in Washington there could be little it can do to stop China in the push for global dominance in AI.
Australia's Steve Smith joins greats with 10,000 Test runs
Australia's Steve Smith on Wednesday joined a select group of batsmen to reach 10,000 career Test runs during the first morning of the opening Test against Sri Lanka.
Film's hapless '90s singleton Bridget Jones returns
Hollywood star Renee Zellweger on Wednesday will mark the return of Bridget Jones -- the Chardonnay-swigging, calorie-counting hapless 1990s singleton -- at the world premiere of the franchise's upcoming film "Mad About the Boy".
Dutch chip giant ASML's net profits dip in 2024
Dutch tech giant ASML, which sells cutting-edge machines to make semiconductor chips, reported a drop in annual net profits Wednesday, as geopolitical headwinds and the emergence of Chinese AI start-up DeepSeek disrupt the sector.
Red tape and rare earths: EU 'compass' charts economic future
Promising a "simplification shock", the EU will unveil a much-anticipated blueprint to revamp Europe's economic model on Wednesday, as the bloc struggles to keep up with China and the United States.
Maxey leads 76ers past Lakers, surging Rockets hold off Hawks
Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points to lead the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-104 NBA victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday as the surging Houston Rockets pulled off a tense 100-96 win over Atlanta.
Sony names new CEO in management reshuffle
Japanese electronics and entertainment giant Sony Group said Wednesday that it has promoted Hiroki Totoki to chief executive officer as part of a wider management reorganisation.
Climate activists appeal long UK jail terms for 'peaceful protest'
Sixteen Just Stop Oil protesters handed tough UK prison terms will appeal for leniency on Wednesday in a closely watched case as two others face court for damaging Stonehenge.
UK eyes third Heathrow runway in growth takeoff bid
Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves is on Wednesday expected to announce controversial plans for a third runway at London's Heathrow airport as the Labour government seeks to kickstart economic growth.
Kirsty Coventry hopes to make waves in IOC presidential race
Former swimming great Kirsty Coventry says she sees no problem in being a candidate to become the most powerful person in sport despite being a minister in the Zimbabwean government whose election in 2023 was described as neither "free nor fair."
Man Utd, Spurs seek Europa League last 16 and much-needed rest
Manchester United and Tottenham are among the sides aiming to ensure direct passage to the Europa League last 16 in Thursday's league phase finale with nine places in the knockout stages up for grabs.
Japan #MeToo survivor says media are failing in wake of Fuji TV scandal
Japanese media are still failing to report sexual assault cases properly, a key figure in the country's nascent #MeToo movement told AFP in the wake of the scandal surrounding celebrity Masahiro Nakai and Fuji TV.