Stock markets mostly fell Wednesday in thin trading, following a year of record gains for key assets as central banks cut interest rates and the tech sector boomed on growth of artificial intelligence.
Ruben Amorim is still optimistic about Manchester United's prospects this season despite ending a torrid 2025 with a lacklustre 1-1 draw at home to strugglers Wolves.
Efforts to break a deadlock in 2025 over plans for a new European fighter jet have been unsuccessful, a German government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.
- Iran prosecutor pledges 'decisive' response if protests destabilise country
- Emery defends failure to shake hands with Arteta after Villa loss to Arsenal
Economy
China said on Wednesday it will impose additional 55 percent tariffs on some beef imports from countries including Brazil, Australia and the United States that exceed a certain quantity from January 1.
December 31, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Taiwan coastguard says Chinese ships 'withdrawing' after drills
Politics
December 31, 2025
Asian stocks were mixed at the start of the final trading day of 2025 on Wednesday, with some tracking Wall Street losses as investors eased towards the New Year break.
December 31, 2025
RECENT NEWS
The outgoing United Nations refugee chief fears an increasingly fragmented world is fuelling global conflicts and crises, and inflaming hostility towards people desperately fleeing for safety.
December 31, 2025
Cambodian master classical dancer Penh Yom walks between her teenage students, painstakingly adjusting a bent-back finger here and the tilt of a head there, as she passes on a centuries-old art form.
December 31, 2025
Central Asia, the Sahel region and northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025, according to AFP analysis based on data from the European Copernicus programme.
December 31, 2025
Sports
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are set for more world domination in 2026, starting at the Australian Open, while Aryna Sabalenka is bubbling with confidence as she chases further Grand Slam success.
December 31, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Bulgaria was preparing to switch to the euro on Wednesday night to become the 21st eurozone member, amid concerns the move could usher in higher prices and add to political instability rattling the Balkan country.
Iowa farmer Aaron Lehman was already paying a hefty price for health insurance, but his premium is set to skyrocket in January when major government subsidies expire, after US President Donald Trump's Republican party declined to extend them.
American actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., who played a corrupt politician on HBO crime drama "The Wire" and had roles in numerous films directed by Oscar winner Spike Lee, died at age 71 on Tuesday, his manager said.
Japanese tech investor SoftBank said Wednesday that its stake in OpenAI is now around 11 percent after completing the second stage of a $41-billion investment in the maker of ChatGPT.
December 31, 2025
Boulevard
Bangladesh bids farewell on Wednesday to former prime minister Khaleda Zia with a state funeral expected to draw vast crowds, mourning a towering leader whose career defined politics for decades.
December 31, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Taiwanese tech titan TSMC has started mass producing its cutting-edge 2-nanometre semiconductor chips, the company said in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday.
Former Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn has been rushed to hospital in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis, media reports said Wednesday.
Guinea's junta chief Mamady Doumbouya, who had pledged not to run for office after seizing power four years ago, has been elected president after securing a sweeping majority of the vote, according to initial results by the country's election commission published on Tuesday.
Chelsea assistant coach Willy Caballero defended Enzo Maresca's decision to replace Cole Palmer after the controversial substitution sparked jeered from angry fans during the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday.
December 30, 2025
- Depleted Man Utd 'lack quality', says Amorim
- 'We know what we want': Arteta eyes title after Arsenal thrash Villa
- Arsenal end Villa winning run, Man Utd, Chelsea stumble
- Arsenal crush Villa to make statement in title race
- Senegal top AFCON group ahead of DR Congo as Tanzania make history
- Maresca in the firing line as Chelsea stumble against Bournemouth
- Stocks mixed, silver rebounds as 2025 trading winds down
- Senegal top AFCON group, DR Congo to face Algeria in last 16