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

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a "nationwide security emergency" as the country scrambled to respond to a wave of mass kidnappings that have seen hundreds of people, mostly schoolchildren, captured in a week.

The consequences of climate change such as last year's deadly floods "increasingly threaten" the growth of Spain's economy, one of the developed world's most dynamic, the OECD warned on Wednesday.

Former England captain Lewis Moody said he had been "brought in off the bench" as he paid tribute to fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow in helping raise awareness of motor neurone disease.

Food giant Campbell's has dismissed as "absurd" claims allegedly made by a senior executive, who has since been placed on leave, that its soups are made with "3D-printed" chicken and consumed by "poor people."

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey faces another legal battle in London next year over civil sexual assault allegations, three years after he was cleared of criminal charges, a court heard Wednesday.

Formula One technical guru Adrian Newey will become Aston Martin's team principal in 2026.

A huge fire that engulfed a Hong Kong residential estate has killed at least 36 people and left more than 200 unaccounted for in the city's worst blaze in decades.

Joe Marchant will join Sale next season, the Prem club announced Wednesday, meaning the England centre will become available again for international selection ahead of the next Rugby World Cup.

As biting prices weigh on families heading into the US holiday season, farmers and business owners say President Donald Trump's tariffs have driven up production costs on everything from turkeys to vegetables.

Strasbourg defender Ben Chilwell has set his sights on delivering "the biggest middle finger" to his critics by winning a place in England's World Cup squad.

Britain's government signalled Wednesday it could issue permits for oil and gas extraction around existing North Sea fields, despite a promise to halt licences for new production in the area.

Russia said Wednesday that ongoing talks to end the war in Ukraine were "serious", after earlier welcoming parts of a new US plan to halt the deadliest fighting in Europe since World War II.

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau declared they have "total control" of the coup-prone west African country Wednesday, closing its borders and suspending its electoral process three days after general elections, with military sources confirming its president's arrest.

Britain's government unveiled a tax-raising budget Wednesday welcomed by financial markets, as its hard-hitting action aims to slash state debt as well as fund public services.

NASA has confirmed that it will contribute to Europe's Martian rover Rosalind Franklin, which is scheduled to launch in 2028 after repeated delays, the European Space Agency said on Wednesday.

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau declared "total control" of the coup-prone west African country Wednesday, closing its borders and suspending its electoral process three days after general elections.

German insurance giant Allianz signalled Wednesday looming job cuts due to its adoption of artificial intelligence with a report saying up to 1,800 roles, mainly in call centres, could be axed.

Ireland plans to curb its high population growth with sweeping new migration and asylum rules, its justice minister said Wednesday.

Newly discovered fossils prove that a mysterious foot found in Ethiopia belongs to a little-known, recently named ancient human relative who lived alongside the species of the famous Lucy, scientists said Wednesday.

A huge fire engulfed a Hong Kong residential estate and killed at least 13 people on Wednesday, with firefighters saying they were blocked from reaching some of the people seeking help.

The Swedish Energy Agency said Wednesday it was giving some $40 million in support to low-carbon steelmaker Stegra, amid fears surrounding the ambitious startup's finances.

Moldova on Wednesday displayed a Russian drone that fell on its soil outside its foreign ministry as it summoned Moscow's envoy over the crash, in an overt criticism of Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Rachelle Mazraani is travelling from Sydney to Beirut for Pope Leo XIV's visit this week, one of many Lebanese at home and abroad who hope the trip will revive their struggling country.

England's World Cup-winning wing Abby Dow has retired from rugby aged 28, it was announced Wednesday.

A British man broke down in court Wednesday as he dramatically changed his plea and admitted deliberately ploughing his car into crowds at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade, injuring scores of people.

India's historic city of Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, a landmark event for a metropolis that is a power centre for some of the country's most influential politicians.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed Wednesday that Europe would keep supporting Ukraine and pressuring Russia until a "just and lasting peace", calling a revised US plan a "starting point" to end the war.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca tried to keep his youthful side's stunning 3-0 win at home to 10-man Barcelona in perspective by insisting "nothing has changed" for the Blues.

The Swedish Energy Agency said Wednesday it was giving some $40 million in support to low-carbon steelmaker Stegra, amid fears surrounding the ambitious startup's finances.

The Indian city of Ahmedabad will stage the 2030 multi-sport Commonwealth Games 100 years after the inaugural edition was held in Hamilton, Canada, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

The European Union stepped up its pressure on Shein on Wednesday after the online retail giant faced an uproar in France over the sale of childlike sex dolls.

Steve Tandy insisted on Wednesday he had faith in the largely untested team he has selected to face world champions South Africa this weekend.

Britain's centre-left Labour government unveiled a tax-raising budget Wednesday to curb debt and fund public services -- and said the country would grow less than expected over the coming years.

France's highest court ruled against ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy Wednesday over illegal financing of his 2012 re-election bid, the second definitive conviction for the former head of state.

A British driver broke down in court Wednesday as he dramatically changed his plea and admitted deliberately ploughing his car into crowds at Liverpool's Premier League victory parade, injuring scores of people.

The co-founder of Palestine Action challenged a UK ban on the activist group Wednesday that has led to mass arrests and sparked concerns over free speech and civil liberties.

In one afternoon, Amani Bazzi went from being a doting mother-of-four to a widow grieving three young children.

Hungary will deliver more oil products to Serbia, its foreign minister said Wednesday, ahead of a shutdown of the Balkan nation's oil refinery, under US sanctions due to its majority-Russian ownership.

A huge fire ripped through several high-rise blocks in a Hong Kong residential estate on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, with media reporting that some residents were trapped inside.