
Title rivals Piastri, Norris bid to secure teams' crown for McLaren

Europe, Mediterranean coast saw record drought in August: AFP analysis of EU data

Australia unveils 'anti-climactic' new emissions cuts

Warholm and Bol headline hurdling royalty on Day 7 of Tokyo worlds
Sports
Japan seeks to ramp up Asian Games buzz with year to go
Japanese organisers admit public awareness of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya "needs to be higher" as they look to ramp up interest with Friday marking a year to go until the start of the sporting spectacular.
Weather
Judge weighs court's powers in Trump climate case
A federal judge overseeing a closely watched climate case on Wednesday pressed the lawyer representing young Americans suing President Donald Trump on whether courts have constitutional authority to rein in his fossil-fuel agenda.
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Australian scientists grapple with 'despicable' butterfly heist
Almost eight decades after Colin Wyatt stole and then vandalised thousands of precious Australian butterfly specimens, scientists are still untangling his web of deception.

US faces pressure in UN Security Council vote on Gaza
The United Nations Security Council is slated to vote Thursday on the latest call for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access to Gaza, a move supported by a majority seeking to act despite repeated US vetoes.

As media declines, gory Kirk video spreads on 'unrestrained' social sites
Traditional news outlets were cautious not to broadcast the moment Charlie Kirk was assassinated, but it mattered little in the age of declining media influence.

'I don't cry anymore': In US jail, Russian dissidents fear deportation
Natalia fled Russia fearing imminent arrest for her family's opposition activism and sought political asylum in the United States. But instead of refuge, she found herself locked in jail for over a year, separated from her husband and children and dreading deportation.
Jimmy Kimmel show off air 'indefinitely' after his Kirk comments
Jimmy Kimmel's late-night television show has been taken off the air "indefinitely" after the host was criticized for comments about the motives behind the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, US network ABC said Wednesday.

Meta expands AI glasses line in a bet on the future
Meta showed off new smart glasses on Wednesday as it continued to bank on a lifestyle shift toward blending reality and virtual space despite the efforts inflicting heavy financial losses.

Trump's UK state visit gets political after royal welcome
After the royal hospitality and pageantry, US President Donald Trump's unprecedented second state visit to the UK takes a serious turn on Thursday when he is hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for wide-ranging talks.

Pope Leo puts the brake on Church reforms
Pope Leo XIV sought to reassure Catholics in his first interview published Thursday that he would not change key doctrine on gay marriage and women deacons, after his predecessor's divisive papacy.

Jimmy Kimmel show off air 'indefinitely' after Charlie Kirk comments
Jimmy Kimmel's late-night television show has been taken off the air "indefinitely" after the host was criticized for comments about the motives behind the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, US network ABC said.

ABC says Jimmy Kimmel off air 'indefinitely' after Charlie Kirk comments
Jimmy Kimmel's late-night television show has been taken off air "indefinitely" after the host was criticized for comments about the motives behind the killing of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, ABC said.

Tourists return to Peru's Machu Picchu after community protest
Tourists were back at Peru's ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu Wednesday, officials said, after a protest by residents forced the evacuation of hundreds of stranded visitors.

Simeone calls for more protection after Liverpool scuffle
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone called for managers to be offered more protection from supporter abuse after being sent off for a furious reaction towards Liverpool fans at Anfield on Wednesday.

Trump gets lavish UK banquet - and an awkward guest
US President Donald Trump got a succulent menu for his UK state banquet -- but there was also an awkward guest at the feast in the form of Rupert Murdoch.

Colombia's Restrepo aims to make history as World Athletics head
Former Colombian sprinter Ximena Restrepo has told AFP in an interview that she intends to stand to succeed Sebastian Coe and become the first woman to lead World Athletics.

US stocks finish mixed as Fed cuts rates for first time in 2025
US stocks finished mixed Wednesday while the dollar moved higher as markets digested the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates for the first time in 2025 and signaling it could enact two more cuts this year.

Palmer blames 'lack of concentration' for Bayern defeat
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer lamented his side's loss of focus in Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

12-million-year-old porpoise fossil found in Peru
Peruvian paleontologists on Wednesday unveiled the 12-million-year-old fossil of a prehistoric porpoise found near the country's Pacific coast.

Van Dijk grabs Liverpool win, PSG start Champions League defence in style
Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic late winner to grab Liverpool a 3-2 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their title defence by thrashing Atalanta on Wednesday.

Kane doubles up as Bayern sink Chelsea in Champions League
Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich beat Chelsea 3-1 at home in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

Van Dijk snatches Champions League win for Liverpool as Simeone sees red
Virgil van Dijk's stoppage-time winner sparked a confrontation between Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and Liverpool fans at Anfield as the Reds opened their Champions League campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory on Wednesday.

Cardi B expecting child with football player boyfriend Diggs
Rapper Cardi B is expecting a child with her American football player boyfriend Stefon Diggs, she said Wednesday, following weeks of rumors.

Kvaratskhelia stunner helps holders PSG to winning Champions League start
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a superb goal as Paris Saint-Germain began the defence of their Champions League crown with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Atalanta at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

Thuram on target as Inter Milan cruise at Ajax
A double from French striker Marcus Thuram handed Inter Milan a comfortable 2-0 Champions League win over Dutch giants Ajax Wednesday, last year's runners-up getting their European campaign off to a dominant start.

Chimps ingest alcohol daily: study
Chimpanzees consume the equivalent of at least one alcoholic drink per day as they eat ripe, fermenting fruit, says a study out Wednesday that addresses one possible reason why humans are drawn to booze.

With eye on US threat, Venezuela holds Caribbean military exercises
Venezuela said Wednesday it had begun three days of military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila as tensions soar amid US military activity in the region.

Only 40% of countries have booked lodging for Amazon climate meet
Less than two months before the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil, only 40 percent of nations have booked accommodation in the Amazon city of Belem, where prices have soared, organizers said Wednesday.

Louboutin taps Jaden Smith to lead well-heeled shoemaker's men's line
Christian Louboutin of scarlet-stiletto fame on Wednesday named Jaden Smith, who has followed in his superstar father Will's footsteps as an actor and rapper, as artistic director of the French shoemaker's men's collection.

Pakistan beat UAE to set up India rematch in Asia Cup
Pakistan set up another politically charged showdown with arch-rivals India at the Asia Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates by 41 runs in Dubai on Wednesday.

US Fed makes first rate cut of 2025 over employment risks
The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered interest rates for the first time this year, flagging slower job gains and risks to employment as policymakers face heightened pressure under President Donald Trump.

US sprint star Kerley joins drug-fueled Enhanced Games
Fred Kerley, a two-time Olympic 100m medallist currently serving a suspension, has become the first US man and first track and field athlete to sign up for the Enhanced Games, where competitors will be free to use performance-enhancing drugs.

Decaying body found in US rapper's Tesla identified as teen girl
A dismembered corpse found rotting in an impounded Tesla registered to rising American rap star D4vd was that of a teenage girl, a US medical examiner has said.

Flick backs 'unbelievable' Rashford to shine in Yamal absence
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick wants Marcus Rashford to grab his chance to shine in the absence of the injured Lamine Yamal when the Spanish champions begin their Champions League campaign away to Newcastle on Thursday.
Doctor warns children face heightened risks in US climate trial
Children are "uniquely and disproportionately" harmed by climate change, a medical expert told a US federal court Wednesday in a landmark constitutional case brought by young Americans challenging President Donald Trump's fossil-fuel agenda.
Mourinho poised for Benfica return after Lage sacking
Jose Mourinho said he "didn't hesitate" to express his interest in returning for a second spell as Benfica coach after arriving in Lisbon on Wednesday following the sacking of Bruno Lage.

US Fed makes first rate cut of 2025 on employment risks
The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered interest rates for the first time this year, flagging slower job gains and risks to employment as policymakers face heightened pressure under President Donald Trump.

Fired US health agency chief says was under RFK Jr 'pressure' to ignore science
The ex-chief of the US disease prevention agency told senators Wednesday she was fired for refusing to approve changes to childhood vaccine schedules not backed by scientific evidence, as the Trump administration moves to dismantle longstanding health policy.

Brazil's Bolsonaro adds skin cancer to medical woes
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, convicted last week of leading an attempted coup, has been diagnosed with skin cancer, his doctor said Wednesday.

Colombia vows to fight drug trade 'with or without' the US
Colombia's top military officer has told AFP that his country will fight the resurgent cocaine trade with or without American help, after Washington blacklisted Bogota for what it called flawed anti-drug efforts.

Germany's Merz criticises festival for axing Israeli conductor
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued Wednesday that the "poison of antisemitism" was spreading as he criticised a Belgian festival's decision to axe a performance by a German orchestra with an Israeli conductor.