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Trump, his 'low IQ' slur, and the right's race obsession
When President Donald Trump this week attacked Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, two of America's most prominent Black figures, he chose a particularly pejorative insult: "low IQ person."
Israeli strikes kill 5 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension
Israeli strikes killed five people, including a journalist, and wounded another in Lebanon on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire that Beirut will request an extension for in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.
UK, France agree three-year deal to stop migrant crossings
Britain and France have agreed a new three-year deal to stop undocumented migrants making the risky journey across the English Channel, according to a French interior ministry roadmap seen by AFP Wednesday.
Trump looks for way out on war, but Iran may not oblige
By extending a ceasefire indefinitely with Iran, President Donald Trump appears to be searching for a way out of a costly war, but Tehran may be unwilling to give him a win.
Iran says won't reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains
Iran said on Wednesday it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remained in place, calling it a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire between the longtime foes.
Ecuador doctors protest crisis as patients bring own meds to surgery
Dozens of doctors, nurses and patients protested Wednesday outside a hospital in Ecuador's capital, expressing outrage at a health care system so overstretched that people undergoing surgery bring their own syringes and medication.
Top Peru ministers quit in protest over stalled US fighter jet deal
Peru's foreign and defense ministers resigned on Wednesday in protest over the interim president's decision to stall a $3.5 billion deal for the purchase of 24 US F-16 fighter jets.
De La Hoya and Ali's grandson slam proposed federal boxing reform
Oscar De La Hoya and Muhammad Ali's grandson on Wednesday slammed proposed changes to federal boxing laws, warning a US Senate committee that the reforms would prioritize corporate profits and Saudi investors over fighters.
Trump alleges Democratic-backed Virginia referendum was 'rigged'
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday alleged a vote in which Virginia backed a new electoral map that could favor Democrats was "rigged" -- echoing his false claims over the 2020 election.
'Seriously fractured'? Scepticism over Trump's Iran leadership split claim
Iranian officials have kept a united front in the Middle East war and there appears for now to be no major split within the leadership, even though factional disagreements exist and the complete absence from public view of key decision makers creates confusion, analysts said.
Shifting goals blur picture of US blockade on Iran
The United States has vowed to blockade Iran's ships until the country makes a deal to end their war. But is the blockade working?
Hezbollah supporters defiant after sons killed fighting Israel
Lebanese town official Sharif Badreddine begged his youngest son not to leave to fight for Hezbollah against Israel in the country's south, but as the tearful father buried his child he could not hide a sense of pride.
Russia says will halt flow of Kazakh oil to Germany
Russia confirmed Wednesday it will halt the pipeline flow of Kazakh oil to Germany next month, citing technical reasons, as Berlin stressed it does not expect an energy supply crunch.
Oil up, stocks mixed on uncertain prospects for US-Iran ceasefire
Oil prices edged higher Wednesday while stocks were mixed after US President Donald Trump announced the extension of a ceasefire with Iran, prompting investors to wait and see if peace talks will resume.
Germany halves 2026 growth forecast on Iran war fallout
The German government on Wednesday halved its growth forecast for this year as the energy shock triggered by the Middle East war hammers Europe's biggest economy.
Russia to block flow of Kazakh oil to German refinery, Berlin says
Germany has learned that Russia plans to halt the flow of Kazakh oil through the Druzhba pipeline to a refinery in eastern Germany starting May 1, the energy ministry in Berlin told AFP on Wednesday.
Vietnam, South Korea sign deals on tech, nuclear power
Vietnam's top leader To Lam hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi on Wednesday, announcing a dozen cooperative agreements including on tech innovation and development of nuclear power plants.
Pope in Equatorial Guinea criticises prison conditions
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday called for "greater room for freedom" in Equatorial Guinea and delivered a rare criticism of living conditions for prisoners before visiting inmates in a jail known for its squalor and ill-treatment of detainees.
Iran says seized two ships seeking to cross Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday their naval forces had seized two container ships seeking to cross the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks.
Iran murals project defiance in war with US
Since the outbreak of war between Iran, Israel and the United States, colourful murals have sprung up across capital Tehran and other major cities, rich in symbolism and themes of resistance and defiance.
Oil prices rise despite US-Iran ceasefire extension
Oil prices edged higher Wednesday while Europe's main stock markets eased on uncertainty surrounding the prospect of resumed Mideast peace talks following an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire.
Pakistan's capital holds its breath with US-Iran talks in limbo
Pakistan's capital was still locked in gear on Wednesday to host high-stakes US-Iran talks that were pushed back at the last minute overnight, but many residents began to tire of the heavy personal and economic toll of tight security restrictions.
Trump extends ceasefire, claims Iran 'collapsing financially'
US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for talks, claiming the Islamic republic was "collapsing financially" because of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The tiny, defiant Nile island caught in the heart of Sudan's war
For nearly two years, Al-Shubbak watched through ancient grey eyes as Tuti, the crescent-shaped island in the heart of the Sudanese capital she calls home, emptied of its inhabitants under a punishing paramilitary siege.
Oil, stocks mixed as traders weigh outlook after Trump extends truce
Oil prices fell and stocks were mixed Wednesday as investors assess the chances of US-Iran peace talks after Donald Trump extended his ceasefire at the eleventh hour but kept his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in place.
Delicate extraction: Malaysia offers rare earths alternative to China
Workers load tonnes of rare earth minerals into bags ready for shipping at a refinery in eastern Malaysia, fuelling the global pushback against China's grip on the critical sector.
Oil, stocks fall as traders weigh outlook after Trump extends truce
Oil prices fell along with stocks Wednesday as investors assess the chances of US-Iran peace talks after Donald Trump extended his ceasefire at the eleventh hour but kept his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in place.
US military says key weapons system staying in South Korea
The United States has not moved a key missile defense system out of South Korea, a US military official said Tuesday, following reports that Washington was shifting parts of it to the Middle East.
Virginia backs new voting map in redistricting fight with Trump
Virginians voted Tuesday to back a new electoral map that could hand Democrats four more seats in the US House of Representatives, turning President Donald Trump's redistricting push into a potential liability for Republicans in upcoming midterm elections.
US tells Afghans to choose Taliban home or DR Congo: activist
The United States is looking to give former Afghan allies stuck in Qatar a choice between emigrating to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo or returning to their Taliban-ruled homeland, an activist said Tuesday.
Mexico pyramid shooter inspired by Columbine attack, pre-Hispanic sacrifices
Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, the 27-year-old gunman behind Monday's shooting at Mexico's famed Teotihuacan pyramids, drew inspiration from pre-Hispanic sacrifices and the notorious 1999 US shooting at Columbine High School, according to investigators.
Strait of Hormuz blockade drives up costs at Panama Canal
The war in the Middle East has boosted demand to move vital cargo through the Panama Canal to such an extent that one vessel carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) paid $4 million to skip the line and avoid a wait that can take up to five days, according to an official report.