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Spotlight on risk management as skiers tackle notorious Kitzbuehel downhill
Alpine skiing has this season seen a raft of skiers injured in crashes and the spotlight on racing's risk management will never be more in focus than in this weekend's World Cup downhill in Kitzbuehel.
Rare wildlife species found in Cambodian national park
A years-long survey of a Cambodian national park has revealed endangered species never before recorded in the country, highlighting the need for greater conservation efforts, environmentalists said Wednesday.
EU Russia hawks back Trump call to boost defence spending
The EU's top diplomat and Poland's prime minister said Wednesday that the bloc must heed US President Donald Trump's demand to spend much more on defence -- faced with the "existential threat" posed by Russia.
Trump puts US govt diversity workers on leave, calls bishop 'nasty'
US President Donald Trump ordered federal employees of diversity offices to be put on paid leave by Wednesday night, and called a Washington bishop "nasty" after she asked him to "have mercy" for migrants and LGBTQ children.
Semi-finalist Shelton 'shocked' by 'embarrassing' Melbourne TV hosts
Australian Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton said Wednesday he was "shocked" by on-court TV interviews at Melbourne Park, slamming them as "disrespectful".
Sinner races into semis as Swiatek closes on first Melbourne crown
Defending champion Jannik Sinner raced into the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday in imperious fashion after Iga Swiatek was equally ruthless to close on a first Melbourne crown.
Syria's military hospital where detainees were tortured, not treated
Former Syrian detainee Mohammed Najib has suffered for years from torture-induced back pain. Yet he dreaded being taken by his jailers to a military hospital, where he received beatings instead of treatment.
Prince Harry settles lawsuit against Murdoch's UK tabloids
Prince Harry settled on Wednesday a hotly-disputed lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's UK tabloid publisher, which apologised for hacking the British royal's phone and agreed to pay him "substantial damages".
Sinner demolishes De Minaur to set up Melbourne semi with Shelton
Defending champion Jannik Sinner shattered home hopes Wednesday by crushing Alex de Minaur in a straight-sets rout to tee up an Australian Open semi-final against Ben Shelton.
Stock markets diverge tracking Trump plans
European stock markets rallied and Chinese indices slid Wednesday in reaction to US President Donald Trump's policy plans that are starting to impact the global economy.
Sudan 'political' banknote switch causes cash crunch
Sudan's army-aligned government has issued new banknotes in areas it controls, reportedly aimed at undermining its paramilitary rivals but causing long queues at banks, disrupting trade and entrenching division.
Malaysia's Anwar says don't single out China in sea tensions
There will always be border disputes in Asia, and China should not be singled out because of tensions in the South China Sea, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Wednesday.
EU's top diplomat backs Trump call to boost defence spending
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said Wednesday that the bloc must heed US President Donald Trump's demand to spend more on defence, as she issued a stark warning over the threat from Russia.
Simmering anger as Turkey begins burying 76 fire victims
Turkey was preparing to bury its dead Wednesday a day after a huge fire killed 76 people at a ski resort hotel, as questions grew over safety measures at the luxury establishment.
Masa Son, Trump's Japanese buddy with the Midas Touch
Masayoshi Son, the Japanese tycoon helming US President Donald Trump's big new AI push, is the son of an immigrant pig farmer with a spectacular but also sketchy investment record.
Borussia Dortmund sack Sahin after Champions League setback
Borussia Dortmund have fired head coach Nuri Sahin in the wake of Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League loss at Bologna, saying they had "lost faith" in him.
US govt workers in diversity jobs to be put on leave as programs ordered shut
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that US federal employees working in diversity offices must be put on paid leave by Wednesday evening as the new administration of Donald Trump has ordered the programs shut.
Shelton grinds past Sonego into Australian Open semi-final
All-action Ben Shelton battled past stubborn Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) on Wednesday to reach his first Australian Open semi-final.
Borussia Dortmund sack coach Nuri Sahin after Champions League setback
Borussia Dortmund have fired struggling head coach Nuri Sahin after Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League loss at Bologna, saying on Wednesday they had "lost faith" in the young manager.
Markets rise after Trump AI pledge but China tariff fears return
Most Asian markets extended a global rally Wednesday as investors gave a cautious welcome to Donald Trump's first full day in office amid hopes he will take a more cautious approach on trade than initially feared.
'Did not push hard enough': Navalny lawyer speaks of regrets
The top lawyer of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison in February last year, told AFP she regretted not finding the right words to stop him returning to Moscow in 2021.
Bulgaria court ruling turns spotlight on gambling addiction
Lazar was overcome by a "deep sense of fear": his wife had just found out that he had racked up thousands of euros worth of debt after his attempts to control his gambling addiction had failed.
Inoue focused on Korean with bright lights of Vegas on horizon
Japan's unbeaten Naoya Inoue said Wednesday he wants to lay down a marker in his world title bout against South Korean rank-outsider Kim Ye-joon before taking his prodigious talents to Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia later this year.
Mauricio Funes: journalist turned El Salvador president
El Salvador's ex-president Mauricio Funes died Tuesday at the age of 65 in Nicaragua, where he fled two years after leaving office and gained asylum following accusations of corruption in his country.
Navarro urges rule change after double-bounce furore in Melbourne
Emma Navarro called for a change in the rules Wednesday after being unable to challenge a double bounce against her as Iga Swiatek moved into the Australian Open semi-finals.
Asian traders cheer Trump AI pledge but China tariff woes return
Most Asian markets extended a global rally Wednesday as investors gave a cautious welcome to Donald Trump's first full day in office amid hopes he will take a more cautious approach on trade than initially feared.
Lesotho's king pitches green energy to Davos elites
Lesotho's King Letsie III has embarked on an ambitious mission in snowy Davos, where global powerbrokers have converged, to make a royal pitch: invest in his small African nation's green transition.
Buttler rejects calls for England to boycott Afghanistan match
Captain Jos Buttler says England's match against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy should go ahead after calls for a boycott over the Taliban regime's assault on women's rights.
'I believe': Swiatek surges into Australian Open semi with Keys
A ruthless Iga Swiatek said Wednesday her confidence was soaring and she was starting to believe she can go all the way at the Australian Open after years of early exits.
Indonesia rescuers search for survivors as landslide kills 19
Hundreds of rescuers were searching through thick mud and debris to find survivors Wednesday after a rain-triggered landslide in Indonesia killed at least 19 people and left seven missing.
Triple-doubles for Jokic and James fuel lopsided NBA wins
Nikola Jokic delivered his fourth straight triple-double on Tuesday, a league-leading 19th of the season, to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 144-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Five things about the 2025 World Rally Championship
The 2025 World Rally Championship gets its wheels spinning with freshly-crowned champion Thierry Neuville beginning the defence of his title at the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally which begins on Thursday. AFP Sport picks out five things about Monte Carlo and the coming season.