Madras Times - Stay Informed with Madras Times: Round-the-clock Coverage of Chennai, India, and Global Affairs in Six Languages

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday to curb its ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump warned he could widen attacks unless the Islamic republic returned to talks.

Harry Kane said he was "gutted" for England and their fans after his team were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi engineered a spectacular comeback for Argentina against England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday to keep the defending champions on track for back-to-back titles.

Lautaro Martinez scored a 92nd minute winner as Lionel Messi inspired World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain.

Brazilian tribal chief Raoni Metuktire, the most recognized face of the fight to save the Amazon rainforest, was discharged Wednesday after spending a month in hospital and undergoing intestinal surgery.

Wall Street stocks advanced Wednesday following another benign US inflation report as oil prices edged higher following the latest escalation of fighting between the United States and Iran.

France on Wednesday moved closer to joining the ranks of countries that guarantee the right to assisted dying, a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron.

The European Union announced Wednesday it had accepted a plan by Elon Musk's X social media platform to correct digital content violations that led to a 120-million-euro ($138-million) fine.

Amazon said Wednesday it will launch satellite internet services in South Africa, entering a market where rival Elon Musk's Starlink has struggled to secure regulatory approval.

Toronto had the worst air quality of any major city in the world on Wednesday, the Swiss firm IQAir said, as Canadian authorities urged people to stay indoors.

The United States' leading scientific body is set Thursday to launch a major report on the link between climate change and extreme weather, a growing research field now underpinning lawsuits seeking billions in damages from the fossil fuel industry.

Lionel Messi's Argentina clash with England in a marquee World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with European champions Spain lying in wait for the winners.

OpenAI, the owner the ChatGPT chatbot, lost Wednesday its appeal against the EU's refusal to register its name as a trademark.

Buenos Aires police on Wednesday erected barricades around the city's beloved Obelisk monument in anticipation of potential rowdiness during the Argentina-England World Cup semi-final.

Toronto had the worst air quality of any major city in the world on Wednesday, the Swiss firm IQAir said, as Canadian authorities urged people to stay indoors.

Tour de France stage 11 winner Soren Waerenskjold said on Wednesday he had learnt to sprint by watching British great Mark Cavendish as a child.

Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel called the English "usurping pirates" ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between the two countries' teams.

Canada's central bank held its key lending rate at 2.25 percent on Wednesday, citing signs of economic improvement with businesses adapting to new trade relations under US President Donald Trump.

Tech stocks initially led gains but turned lower in mixed equity markets on Wednesday while oil prices slipped back from recent gains that had accompanied fresh US attacks on Iran.

US President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suspend the use of traffic stops after two fatal shootings in less than a week.

England 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died with a brain condition caused by repeatedly heading a football, a coroner's court ruled Wednesday.

Hong Kong police raided a bookstore run by former journalists on Wednesday, AFP reporters saw, the latest in a string of crackdowns on independent bookshops.

Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold launched a long-range sprint to claim victory at the Tour de France on Wednesday in the fastest stage in the race's history.

French Top 14 club Castres said on Wednesday their former New Zealand back-rower Dalton Papali'i has been sidelined for at least six months after tearing his Achilles tendon.

A steady stream of pedestrians and vehicles crossed the border between Spain and Gibraltar on Wednesday as an agreement allowing free movement across the frontier came into force.

British Open golf chiefs have no plans to alter Sunday's final round schedule at Royal Birkdale should England reach the football World Cup final.

Women's rights charity Her Game Too France announced on Wednesday it had ended its partnership with Top 14 club Stade Francais after they had signed US winger Rufus McLean.

Hungary's former foreign minister Peter Szijjarto, an ally of nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban, announced his resignation as a lawmaker on Wednesday to work for Chinese electric-vehicle giant BYD, prompting conflict-of-interest accusations.

Rory McIlroy said the recent UK heatwave that has transformed conditions ahead of this week's British Open is a "double-edged sword".

Up to 45 percent of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, citing modifiable risk factors such as tobacco and air pollution.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday a revamped format for the men's 2027 one-day international World Cup that could lead to an additional fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

Tech stocks led gains in mixed equity markets on Wednesday while oil prices rose as the US launched another wave of attacks on Iran.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled Wednesday he was not opposed to Chinese carmakers taking over struggling German auto plants but cautioned it could not be a long-term solution for the industry's problems.

The death toll from a devastating Bangkok bar fire has risen to 33, authorities said Wednesday, as Thailand pledged a nationwide overhaul of entertainment venue regulations.

US President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suspend the use of traffic stops after two fatal shootings in less than a week.

Power was restored across Cuba on Wednesday, authorities said, after the third nationwide outage in less than 10 days.

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday pledged his "wholehearted support" to his successor as he prepares to hand over to premier-in-waiting Andy Burnham.

The United States launched a wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after it reimposed a naval blockade in a return to war between the two foes.

France is experiencing a "very worrying" drought that has spurred a record number of water restrictions for the time of year, the ecology minister said on Wednesday.