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The Taliban's hyper-reclusive supreme leader made a rare public appearance Wednesday, an Afghan government spokesman said, berating the international community in a speech for criticising his rule.

Equities mostly rose Wednesday as traders awaited key US inflation data that could have a bearing on Federal Reserve interest rates, and on the eve of a European Central Bank's latest monetary policy decision.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that "external interference" would not stop Beijing from unifying with Taiwan, as he met the self-ruled island's former leader in a rare display of cross-strait dialogue.

Barry Callebaut, the world's biggest supplier of chocolate to the food industry, said Wednesday that the surge in global cocoa prices had chipped away at profits.

Israeli strikes hit Gaza on Wednesday as Muslims marked the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and after US President Joe Biden labelled Israel's approach to the war a "mistake".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned Wednesday that Israel's "disproportionate response" in the Gaza war with Hamas risks "destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world".

Gazans did their best to celebrate the end of Ramadan in the driving rain on Wednesday, as the war raged on with 14 killed, including children, in a strike on their home, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said.

South Korea's opposition was set to triumph in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, with exit polls suggesting it increased its majority in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.

World Athletics announced on Wednesday it will become the first international federation to award prize money at an Olympics, beginning at this year's Games in Paris.

US President Joe Biden hosts a lavish state visit for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Wednesday, featuring a major upgrade in defense ties against China -- and music by Paul Simon.

British three-time Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock has announced he will retire from gymnastics after the Paris 2024 Games.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from areas at risk of being submerged in water across Kazakhstan and Russia amid the worst flooding in decades, officials said Wednesday.

High youth unemployment, feuding politicians and a cost of living crisis: young South Korean voters told AFP what was on their minds as they voted -- some for the first time -- in elections Wednesday.

Equities mostly rose on Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street, with investors lasering in on the release of crucial US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the outlook for interest rates.

Record-seeking TJ Perenara was on Wednesday named to start at scrum-half in place of the injured Cam Roigard for the Wellington Hurricanes who face a huge challenge to their unbeaten Super Rugby record against the Waikato Chiefs at the weekend.

With the flow of new recruits into the seafaring sector drying up, a German company is exploring a potentially revolutionary measure -- sending ships off without a captain on board.

Niculina Moica felt the weight of history as she pushed open the rusty iron gate to the former Communist prison of Jilava, where she was detained as a teenager.

All Blacks loose forward Ethan Blackadder will make a cautious return for the Canterbury Crusaders on Friday after a horror run of injures, head coach Rob Penney said Wednesday.

Ratings agency Fitch said Wednesday it had downgraded China's sovereign credit outlook to negative, citing increased risks to the country's public finances, in a move Beijing swiftly called "regrettable".

The European Parliament votes Wednesday on a landmark reform of EU laws on asylum-seekers and irregular migrants.

EU lawmakers will vote Wednesday on a vast overhaul of the bloc's asylum policies that would harden border procedures for irregular arrivals and require all member countries to pitch in.

Spain's Pedro Sanchez, whose criticism of the Gaza war has raised tensions with Israel, on Wednesday addresses parliament on the conflict in remarks expected to clarify plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

US President Joe Biden issued some of his sternest criticism yet of Israel's war on Hamas, calling its approach a "mistake" as the country faces a Wednesday court deadline to prove it is not throttling aid to hunger-stricken Gaza.

Egyptian rapper Dareen is a whirlwind of sharp verses and curly hair on stage, bringing the Cairo crowd to its feet and a fresh perspective to Egypt's male-dominated rap scene.

Warner Bros. offered a glimpse of its eagerly anticipated "Joker" sequel at CinemaCon on Tuesday, as the Hollywood studio set out plans to build on the success of last year's blockbuster "Barbie."

Ten years have passed but whenever Mary Shettima hears footsteps at the door, she thinks her kidnapped daughter has come home.

Israel faces a Wednesday deadline to present to the country's top court measures to increase aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, where hunger is spreading after more than six months of war.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced a reckoning from voters Wednesday in parliamentary elections seen as a referendum on his rule following a campaign that skirted many of the country's real problems.

Microsoft on Tuesday announced a $2.9 billion investment over the next two years in Japan to bolster the country's push into artificial intelligence and strengthen its cyber defences in the face of threats from China and Russia.

Major winner Cam Smith was pleased to regain "a little bit of energy" as he completed his first Masters practice round Tuesday after being laid low by food poisoning.

Indian folk singer Maithili Thakur thought she was successful, with millions following her Hindu devotional tunes on social media -- but then Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent her popularity into the stratosphere.

Equities mostly rose in Asia on Wednesday following a tepid day on Wall Street, with investors lasering in on the release of crucial US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the outlook for interest rates.