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The Vatican: a papal powerhouse, world's smallest state
The Vatican, headquarters of the Catholic Church, is the smallest state in the world, with its own newspaper, national anthem in Latin and supreme leader: the pope.

Trump, Ukraine propel EU and UK towards defence pact
The EU and Britain look set to seal a defence pact at a landmark summit this month as worries about US President Donald Trump and the war in Ukraine spur them beyond the wrangles of Brexit.

Syrian leader to meet Macron in first European visit
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday meets France's Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first visit to Europe since overthrowing longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

History beckons as cardinals gather to elect new pope
Cardinals from across the world will be shut into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday for a secretive conclave to elect the next head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

China's Xi aims to beef up 'no limits' Putin partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping headed to Moscow on Wednesday for a key three-day visit including a grand Victory Day parade and a show of support for Vladimir Putin.

Hit by Trump cuts, journalists at Dubai-based US channel face uncertain future
Sara, a Dubai-based journalist, joined the US-funded Alhurra TV news channel hoping for job security. But after it abruptly stopped broadcasting and fired most staff, she's wondering how to make ends meet.

Roglic gunning for Giro as Pogacar's absence leaves door open
Primoz Roglic is hunting his sixth Grand Tour triumph at this year's Giro d'Italia and will have the chance to snatch the title from Tadej Pogacar with his superstar compatriot sitting out a gruelling three-week race.

Trump's White House creates own media universe
From influencer-only briefings to memes of Donald Trump as the pope and a "Star Wars" Jedi master, the White House is creating its own alternate media reality.

Sotheby's postpones historical gems auction after India backlash
Sotheby's in Hong Kong postponed an auction of gems with ties to early Buddhism on Wednesday after opposition from India, which said the jewels were the country's religious and cultural heritage.

Taiwan bicycle makers in limbo as US tariff threat looms
Weeks after Donald Trump's global tariff bombshell, Jeff Chen's factory in Taiwan is as busy as ever turning out carbon and alloy wheels for high-end bicycles bound for US and European markets.

Tobacco town thrives as China struggles to kick the habit
Visitors mill around a bright red hilltop pagoda in southwestern China, gazing down at a sprawling cigarette factory whose deadly output has put an otherwise unremarkable city on the map.

Venezuelan opposition figures 'rescued', now in US: Rubio
Five Venezuelan opposition figures who have been holed up in Argentina's embassy in Caracas for more than a year are now in the United States after a "rescue" operation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday.

China eases monetary policy to boost ailing economy
China on Wednesday eased key monetary policy tools in a bid to boost its ailing economy as it struggles with the effects of weak consumption and the trade war with the United States.

Haliburton stunner sinks Cavs as Pacers take 2-0 series lead
Tyrese Haliburton scored a dramatic three-pointer with just over a second remaining as the Indiana Pacers stunned the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series on Tuesday.

No rate cuts expected from US Fed facing 'unfavorable' conditions
The US Federal Reserve faces a tough choice Wednesday as it contends with President Donald Trump's tariff rollout: Prioritize tackling inflation by holding interest rates high, do nothing, or stimulate growth and employment by cutting them?

'No one is illegal': Mormon women stage patchwork protest in Washington
At the base of the Capitol in Washington, dozens of Mormon women gathered Tuesday for a unique type of protest: meticulously sewing together giant quilts to call on legislators to protect the US Constitution as Donald Trump gets closer and closer to ignoring it.

Indonesia's silvermen beg to make ends meet
On a rainy day in Indonesia's capital Jakarta, three men coated in metallic paint known as the "manusia silver", or silvermen, brave the elements at an intersection near a mall to ask drivers for change.

Toronto festival head says Trump tariffs would hurt film quality
Hollywood has always been "an international industry," that would suffer creatively if cross-border work was curbed, the head of North America's largest film festival told AFP.

Trump talks tough on China, but early focus elsewhere
Voicing frustration over the lack of success in ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for renewed focus on "our number-one geopolitical foe" -- China.

China vows to defend 'justice' in looming trade talks with US
China vowed Wednesday to defend "justice" in upcoming trade talks with the United States in Switzerland -- the two sides' first negotiations following President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff rollout that roiled global markets.

Man Utd seek to finish off Athletic Bilbao in chase for Europa glory
Manchester United are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao knowing only a calamity will prevent a likely showdown with Tottenham later this month.

AP to continue crediting 'Napalm Girl' photo to Nick Ut after probe
The Associated Press news agency will continue to credit one of its most distinctive photos, "Napalm Girl" taken during the Vietnam War, to photographer Nick Ut despite questions about who took it, the wire said Tuesday.

Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award Unveils Top 10 Finalists for 2025 from 100,000+ Registrations
Over 100,000 registrations received from nurses across 199* countries - a 28% increase from the third edition, which received 78,000+ registrations.One of the shortlisted Top 10 finalists will be honoured with the grand title award and a prize of USD 250,000.These finalists were selected following a rigorous evaluation process, led by esteemed expert jury and grand jury panels. The entire process is independently moderated by the appointed "Process Advisors" Ernst & Young LLP.

Wallace MacDonald Holdings (WMH) Ignites a New Era of American Manufacturing with Revolutionary "Made in America" Technology Complex in Nevada
The First Fully Integrated U.S. Technology Hub for Semiconductors, Solar Wafers, Energy Storage, Advanced Solar Modules, and Cutting-Edge Aerospace Research, Powered by President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance's Vision for American Industrial Dominance

Colombia moves to join China's Belt and Road
Colombia's president on Tuesday said he intends to sign an accord to join Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative during an upcoming China trip, a move sure to damage already frayed relations with Washington.

Martinez cried 'for two days' after nearly missing Barca triumph with injury
Lautaro Martinez said on Tuesday that he was brought to tears at a hamstring injury which nearly kept him out of Inter Milan's Champions League decider with Barcelona.

US, Chinese officials to hold trade talks in Switzerland
Senior US and Chinese officials will travel to Switzerland later this week to kickstart stalled trade talks following President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff rollout, according to statements from both countries.

Barca 'will be back' after painful Champions League exit to Inter, says Flick
Hansi Flick said that his Barcelona players will bounce back from their dramatic Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan, a tie which finished 7-6 on aggregate for the Italians after two epic matches.

US jury awards WhatsApp $168 mn in NSO Group cyberespionage suit
A US jury on Tuesday handed WhatsApp a major victory in its cyberespionage suit against NSO Group, ordering the Israel-based firm to pay some $168 million in damages.

India launches strikes on Pakistan, Islamabad vows to 'settle the score'
India fired missiles at Pakistani territory early Wednesday, killing at least three people, according to Pakistan, which said it had begun retaliating in a major escalation of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Trump vows 'seamless' experience for 2026 World Cup fans
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that all fans from across the globe would be welcome at the 2026 World Cup despite concerns over his border crackdown impacting the tournament.

Motown legend Smokey Robinson sued for sexual assault
Motown legend Smokey Robinson was facing a multimillion dollar lawsuit on Tuesday from four former housekeepers who allege the soul singer repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them.