Last news
Nigeria begins 24-hour supply to end fuel shortage
Nigeria's state-run oil company said it had started a 24-hour distribution of petrol to service stations to end a week-long scarcity that has caused traffic snarls in major cities.
French public spending watchdog warns about post-Covid debt
France's public accounts watchdog warned Wednesday about the state of the country's finances, which have deteriorated dramatically in the last two years due to a massive Covid-19 rescue package, tax cuts and spending commitments.
China has expanded statist economic policies over 20 years in WTO: US
China has not adopted the rules of the World Trade Organization even after 20 years' membership, the United States said Wednesday, adding that the world's second-biggest economy had "retained and expanded" its statist approach to the detriment of businesses and workers globally.
Prince Andrew's settlement 'worth £12 mn' as anger mounts in UK
Disgraced British royal Prince Andrew faced a call Wednesday to "live out his retirement in ignominy" after reportedly settling a sexual assault lawsuit for a whopping £12 million ($16.3 million, 14.3 million euros).
China's Xi orders Hong Kong to suppress outbreak 'above everything else'
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for Hong Kong to take "all necessary measures" to control an Omicron-fuelled Covid-19 outbreak, Beijing-affiliated newspapers in the city said Wednesday, a day after leader Carrie Lam ruled out a China-style hard lockdown.
No 'Miracle on Ice' as Slovakia knock USA out of Olympic hockey
Slovakia eliminated the United States in the Beijing Olympic ice hockey quarterfinals Wednesday, stunning the Americans with a tying goal in the final minute of regulation before winning 3-2 in a shootout.
Metronomy see a 'Small World' emerge from pandemic
As the title of his new album suggests, Metronomy's Joe Mount found an unexpected sense of connection to the rest of the planet in the midst of the pandemic.
Olympic snowboard king Su Yiming showcases a more confident China
Sporting shoulder-length hair, rings and baggy trousers, teenage snowboarding sensation Su Yiming looked every inch the cool, confident ambassador of China's new youth as he swept to home Olympic gold.
Ukraine marks 'Day of Unity' as Russia says ends Crimea drill
Ukrainian leaders were to stage a "Day of Unity" on Wednesday to rally patriotic support and defy fears of a Russian invasion, as Moscow announced an end to military manoeuvres in occupied Crimea.
At least 18 dead in storms near Rio de Janeiro
Landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rainfall killed at least 18 people Tuesday in a tourist town in the hills above Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian firefighters said.
Markets rally on hopes for easing Russia-Ukraine tensions
Asian markets rebounded Wednesday and Europe extended gains on hopes that Russia will not invade Ukraine after Moscow said some of its troops on the countries' border had started pulling back.
UK annual inflation hits fresh 30-year high
UK annual inflation has hit the highest level since 1992, data showed Wednesday, adding pressure to the cost of living and on the Bank of England to keep raising rates.
Slovakia stun USA in Olympic hockey after last-minute goal
Slovakia stunned the United States with a tying goal in the final minute of regulation before winning 3-2 in a shootout to eliminate the Americans in the Beijing Olympic ice hockey quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Australia's Victoria in talks to host 2026 Commonweath Games
Australian state Victoria said Wednesday it was in exclusive talks to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
'One-shot' Noel takes Olympic slalom gold for France
Clement Noel claimed France's first alpine skiing gold medal of the Beijing Olympics when he won the men's slalom on Wednesday.
China govt to help run coal power plants at full capacity
China will help its coal-fired power plants run at full capacity, the government has announced, raising further alarm about the fate of Beijing's climate pledges.
Markets rally, oil holds losses on Russia-Ukraine hopes
Asian markets rebounded and oil held most of the previous day's steep losses Wednesday on hopes that Russia will not invade Ukraine after Moscow said some of its troops on the countries' border had started pulling back.
'One-shot' Noel trumps Strolz for Olympic slalom gold
Clement Noel claimed France's first alpine skiing gold medal of the Beijing Olympics when he won the men's slalom on Wednesday.
France's Noel trumps Strolz for Olympic slalom gold
Clement Noel claimed France's first alpine skiing gold medal of the Beijing Olympics when he won the men's slalom on Wednesday.
India's 'disco king' Bappi Lahiri dies at 69
Indian singer-composer and "Disco King" Bappi Lahiri, who collaborated with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Samantha Fox, has died aged 69, his family said Wednesday, prompting tributes from the world of politics and Bollywood.
Chainsaws, ice and a sauna in India's frozen north
High in the barren Indian Himalayas, artists are chainsawing blocks of ice from a frozen river creating what they hope will be the beginnings of India's answer to China's Harbin International Ice Festival.
Giannis pours in 50 in Bucks victory, Celtics win ninth straight
Giannis Antetokounmpo led a potent Milwaukee attack, scoring a season-high 50 points Tuesday as the Bucks snapped a modest two-game losing skid with a 128-119 win over the Indiana Pacers.
One-horse open sleigh ride across frozen Turkish lake
By the time Kismet the horse sets off, Orhan Goller's bare fingers have already turned blue from the freezing temperatures. But the pure white surroundings and the echo of hooves are enough to delight his customers in eastern Turkey.
Pirozzi's journey from wedding singer to opera star
Anna Pirozzi was more into Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston growing up -- it never even crossed her mind that she might one day be singing in the world's most illustrious opera halls.
New Zealand virus cases spike as anti-vaccine protesters claim win
New Zealand Covid-19 infections reached a record high Wednesday as anti-vaccine protesters claimed victory after police failed to clear vehicles blocking the streets around parliament.
Early riser Hall 'gambles' to bag slopestyle gold at Beijing Games
Alex Hall admitted that he was "not a morning person" but he still managed to rise and shine to claim freeski slopestyle gold at the Beijing Olympics on Wednesday.
Wheat and corn prices ride the Ukrainian rollercoaster
The crisis between Ukraine and Russia, two of the world's biggest wheat and corn producers, has sent the commodities' prices on a wild ride -- with anything from a diplomatic statement to rumor of a maritime blockade roiling markets.
Green wicket holds key to New Zealand-South Africa first Test
New Zealand and South Africa are focusing on the notoriously green Hagley Oval wicket as they draw up battle plans for the first Test starting in Christchurch on Thursday.
Fresh twist in Valieva doping scandal after three substances claim
The Beijing Olympics doping controversy engulfing Russian skater Kamila Valieva took a fresh twist Wednesday after a US media report said she had three substances used to treat heart conditions in the sample which triggered the scandal.
Barcelona clash with Napoli headlines Europa League play-offs
Barcelona's new reality will hit home on Thursday when they play in Europe's second-tier club competition for the first time in 18 years as Napoli visit the Camp Nou in the Europa League.
China may take advantage of Ukraine crisis: US general
China may take advantage of the Ukraine crisis and do something "provocative" in Asia while Western powers are focused on defusing tensions with Russia, a US general warned Wednesday.
US satirist PJ O'Rourke dead at 74
US political satirist PJ O'Rourke, who skewered both Democrats and his fellow Republicans in barbed works including "Republican Party Reptile," has died at age 74, the writer's friends and employers said Tuesday.