Last news
France coach Deschamps to step down after 2026 World Cup
France's 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 tournament in North America.
French magazine run by autistic journalists hits newsstands
A French magazine produced by autistic journalists went on sale on newsstands for the first time on Wednesday, further raising the profile of a project that has already made waves on television.
US, Canadian and Australian travellers now face UK entry fee
Visitors to the UK from dozens of countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia, must now pay to enter Britain after a new visa-waiver entry system took effect on Wednesday.
France urges European Commission to be firm against Musk interference
France on Wednesday urged the European Commission to protect its member states with "the greatest firmness" against interference in political debate particularly from the billionaire owner of social media platform X, Elon Musk.
Wildfire sparks panicked evacuations in Los Angeles suburbs
Firefighters on Wednesday battled a ferocious wildfire in Los Angeles suburbs, home to many Hollywood celebrities, which devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations as hurricane-force winds fuelled rapid blaze growth.
Nobel winner Ressa tells AFP 'dangerous times' ahead after Meta ends US fact-checking
Philippine Nobel laureate Maria Ressa warned Wednesday of "extremely dangerous times ahead" in an interview with AFP after social media giant Meta ended its US fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram.
Indonesia upholds iPhone 16 sales ban after Apple offers $1 bn investment
Indonesia on Wednesday upheld a ban on iPhone 16 sales despite Apple's $1 billion pledge to invest in the country after a negotiation deadlock, citing the company's failure to meet domestic market requirements.
Dutch great Kluivert named Indonesia coach in hunt for World Cup spot
Netherlands and Barcelona great Patrick Kluivert was named Indonesia coach on Wednesday, tasked with taking the country to their first World Cup since independence.
UK's Catherine turns 43 hoping for better year
Catherine, Princess of Wales celebrates her 43rd birthday on Thursday, seeking to turn the page on a turbulent year which saw her retreat from public life to fight cancer.
France coach Deschamps says will leave after 2026 World Cup
France's 2018 World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday he will leave his post after the 2026 finals.
South Syria fighters reluctant to give up weapons: spokesman
Fighters in southern Syria who helped topple President Bashar al-Assad are reluctant to disarm and disband as ordered by the country's new rulers, their spokesman told AFP.
Dutch great Kluivert named coach of Indonesia
Netherlands and Barcelona great Patrick Kluivert was named Indonesia coach on Wednesday, tasked with taking the country to their first World Cup since independence.
New Zealand crush Sri Lanka by 113 runs in 2nd ODI to win series
New Zealand ripped through Sri Lanka's top-order Wednesday to win the rain-reduced second one-day international in Hamilton by 113 runs and clinch the series.
West Ham cancel Lopetegui press conference as sacking rumours swirl
West Ham have cancelled Wednesday's scheduled press conference featuring manager Julen Lopetegui, with widespread reports saying the Premier League club are preparing sack the Spaniard.
Questions remain over South African involvement in Champions Cup
Doubts are still lingering over the future participation of the three South African teams in the Champions Cup as clubs continue to send weakened sides to Europe.
OpenAI chief Sam Altman denies sister's sexual abuse accusations
Open AI CEO Sam Altman denied on Tuesday allegations from his sister Annie Altman, who has filed a complaint accusing him of childhood sexual abuse.
Hundreds rally for South Korea's Yoon as new arrest bid beckons
Hundreds of supporters of South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol rallied outside his home on Wednesday in a bid to protect him as investigators prepared a fresh arrest attempt.
Bangladesh orders banks to assist UK minister graft probe
Bangladesh money laundering investigators have ordered the country's big banks to hand over details of transactions relating to British anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq in an ongoing graft probe, officers told AFP.
Germans turn to balcony solar panels to save money
As snowflakes gently settled on his balcony solar panels on a cold winter's day, Berliner Jens Sax checked his smartphone to see how much electricity they were generating.
Theekshana hat-trick restricts NZ to 255-9 in 2nd Sri Lanka ODI
Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana took a hat-trick Wednesday as New Zealand posted a competitive 255-9 in a rain-reduced second one-day international in Hamilton.
Young's buzzer-beater lifts Hawks, Celtics down Nuggets
Trae Young's sensational buzzer-beating three-pointer lifted the Atlanta Hawks to a 124-121 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday as Boston beat Denver in a battle of the last two NBA champions.
Grief and nostalgia in India's 'Jimmy Carter village'
In a quiet village tucked in the shadow of India's capital, the late US president Jimmy Carter's name is etched for posterity.
Venezuela's 'colectivos' ready to pounce as opposition plans protest
Venezuela's "colectivos," groups of armed civilian volunteers accused of committing violence on behalf of Nicolas Maduro's pariah regime, are poised to pounce on opposition protests called for the eve of the president's swearing-in ceremony.
Thai police hunt suspect over Cambodian politician shooting
Thai police on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for a gunman suspected of shooting dead a Cambodian opposition politician in a brazen attack in downtown Bangkok.
Venezuela on tenterhooks ahead of rival protests, Maduro swearing-in
Venezuela is on tenterhooks as it braces for pro- and anti-government protests Thursday -- the eve of President Nicolas Maduro's swearing-in for a third term rejected by the opposition and much of the international community as illegitimate.
Devajit Saikia: lawyer, modest player and next India cricket chief
The man set to become one of cricket's most powerful figures as head of India's board enjoys close ties to the country's ruling party and is something of an unknown among fans after a modest playing career.
S. Korea's impeached President Yoon holds out in capital 'fortress'
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's residence has been turned into a "fortress", with layers of barbed wire and vehicle blockades protecting the elusive leader.
Samsung warns fourth-quarter profit to miss forecasts
South Korea's Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it expected fourth-quarter profits to fall sharply from the previous quarter and miss forecasts as it struggled to meet robust demand for chips used in artificial intelligence servers.
China's viral wild boar hunters attract fame and concern
In the frigid night of China's Qinling mountains, hunters with huge social media followings scour the landscape in pursuit of wild boars menacing local farmers' livelihoods.
Forgotten but not gone: Covid keeps killing, five years on
Five years since Covid-19 started upending the world, the virus is still infecting and killing people across the globe -- though at far lower levels than at the height of the pandemic.
Is the world ready for the next pandemic?
An awkward question remains five years after Covid-19 began its deadly rampage: is the world ready to handle the next pandemic?
Trump's provocative, often confusing, US foreign policy is back
In a provocative and headline-grabbing Tuesday speech on his territorial ambitions for the United States, incoming US leader Donald Trump was heavy on intimidation but light on details -- leaving many wondering how seriously the comments should be taken.