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Stocks spin wheels despite upbeat US jobs data
Optimism over better-than-expected jobs data in the United States proved short lived with stocks failing to hold onto gains as investors worried about delays to interest rate cuts.
NATO launches 'Arctic Sentry' mission after Greenland crisis
NATO on Wednesday said it had launched a new mission to bolster security in the Arctic, in a move to assuage US President Donald Trump after he backed off claims on Greenland.
Israel's Netanyahu at White House to push Trump on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, after rushing to Washington to push the US president to take a tougher stance in nuclear talks with Iran.
Johannesburg residents 'desperate' as taps run dry
Sitting in the middle of a Johannesburg road as traffic snaked around her, Susan Jobson banged empty bottles to protest the water cuts that have upended her life for nearly three weeks.
Stock markets rise as US jobs data beats expectations
World stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday as data showed US job growth beat expectations in January, reassuring investors about the outlook for the world's top economy.
Daniel Siad, the modelling scout with close ties to Epstein
Hundreds of emails containing photographs of young women from around the world suggest modelling scout Daniel Siad may have been a significant recruiter for convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to public documents reviewed by AFP.
IOC to try to convince Ukrainian not to wear banned helmet
The International Olympic Committee will try to convince Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych to not wear a banned helmet that depicts victims of the war with Russia at the Milan-Cortina Games, a spokesperson said Wednesday.
Tractors hit Madrid to protest EU's trade deal with South America
Hundreds of honking tractors rolled into Madrid on Wednesday as Spanish farmers staged a protest against the European Union’s trade deal with four South American countries.
The obstacles to holding war-time elections in Ukraine
Throughout Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin -- and more recently the White House -- have said Ukraine must hold elections as part of any peace deal.
Stock markets mixed, dollar dips before US jobs data
World stock markets diverged and the dollar slipped Wednesday ahead of US jobs data as investors weighed the outlook for Federal Reserve interest rates and digested more annual earnings.
Three Ukrainian toddlers, father, killed in Russian drone attack
A Russian drone strike on a house in northeastern Ukraine killed three toddlers and their father and wounded their pregnant mother, officials said Wednesday.
WTO must reform, 'status quo is not an option': chief
The World Trade Organization must urgently reform itself, its chief warned Wednesday, saying that "I don't think the status quo is an option".
European airlines warn of 'severe disruption' from new border checks
European airlines warned Wednesday that the new entry system for travellers into the Schengen open-borders zone will cause "severe disruption" over peak summer months, and called for action to resolve "critical issues" behind already existing delays.
Meloni and Merz: EU's new power couple
From trade deals to cars, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are increasingly joining forces to steer the EU agenda -- risking sidelining French President Emmanuel Macron.
Veteran Tajik leader's absence raises health questions
Tajikistan's long-time leader Emomali Rakhmon has not appeared in public for two weeks, raising questions about the health of the president of the Central Asian nation bordering Afghanistan and China.
EU must 'tear down barriers' to become 'global giant': von der Leyen
The EU must "tear down the barriers" that prevent it from becoming a truly global economic giant, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday, ahead of leaders' talks on making the 27-nation bloc more competitive.
Stock markets rise, dollar dips as traders await US jobs
Asian and European stock markets rose Wednesday while the dollar slipped as investors weighed weak US consumer data that boosted the case for more interest rate cuts ahead of key jobs figures due later in the day.
US grand jury rejects bid to indict Democrats over illegal orders video
Federal prosecutors failed to bring charges Tuesday against six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to refuse illegal orders, outraging President Donald Trump, who had called for jail time, US media reported.
Asian stock markets rise, dollar dips as traders await US jobs
Asian stock markets rose Wednesday while the dollar slipped as investors weighed weak US consumer data that boosted the case for more interest rate cuts ahead of key jobs figures due later in the day.
Australia charges two Chinese nationals with foreign interference
Australian police said Wednesday they have charged two Chinese nationals with foreign interference, accusing them of spying on a Buddhist group at the behest of police in China.
Bangladesh to vote on democratic reform charter
Bangladesh votes on Thursday in the first parliamentary elections since a 2024 uprising ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year iron-fisted rule -- and also holds a landmark referendum for sweeping democratic reforms.
Netanyahu to push Trump on Iran missiles in White House talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will push Donald Trump on Wednesday to take a tougher stance in nuclear talks with Iran, after rushing to Washington to stiffen the US president's resolve.
Asian stock markets mixed as traders weigh US data, await jobs
Asian stock markets fluctuated Wednesday after a strong start to the week as investors weighed weak US consumer data that boosted the case for more interest rate cuts but stoked concerns about the world's number one economy.
Charcoal or solar panels? A tale of two Cubas
The US oil siege, which has worsened an already severe energy crisis, has created two classes of Cubans: those who use generators or solar panels to power their ovens, and those who have resorted to cooking over open fires.
Several wounded in clashes at Albania opposition rally
Protesters clashed with police in the Albanian capital on Tuesday, with opposition supporters hurling Molotov cocktails and stones at government buildings and officers responding with tear gas, AFP journalists saw.
Anti-Khamenei slogans in Tehran on eve of revolution anniversary: social media footage
Some residents of the Iranian capital Tehran on Tuesday chanted slogans against the Islamic republic and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the eve of the most significant annual commemoration of the 1979 Islamic revolution, according to footage posted on social media.
Ukrainian athlete vows to wear banned helmet at Winter Olympics
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych vowed Tuesday that he would wear a helmet that depicts victims of the war with Russia "on race day" at the Milan-Cortina Games despite a ban imposed by Olympic chiefs.
US commerce chief admits Epstein Island lunch but denies closer ties
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted Tuesday to having lunch on the private island of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2012, but denied closer ties, amid bipartisan calls for his resignation.
Stocks mixed as muted US retail sales spur caution
Stock markets were largely mixed Tuesday as traders assessed mixed company earnings and the outlook for the tech sector ahead of key economic data releases, with lacklustre US retail sales data keeping investors cautious.
Macron wants more EU joint borrowing: Could it happen?
French President Emmanuel Macron has revived the idea of joint EU borrowing that has long been divisive in the European Union, although the bloc has shifted its position on the issue to head off several crises.
Starmer says UK govt 'united', pressing on amid Epstein fallout
A defiant British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to move on Tuesday from fevered speculation about his future after fighting off strident calls to resign over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Could the digital euro get a green light in 2026?
The push for a digital euro has gained greater urgency as Europe seeks to bolster its financial sovereignty, with hopes the proposal will move forward this year after European lawmakers Tuesday backed the plans.