Year: 2025

US lawmakers confirm Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary

Washington (AFP) – The US Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Wall Street billionaire Howard Lutnick as commerce secretary, a key step towards the rollout of President Donald Trump’s “America First” trade agenda, which uses tariffs as a broad negotiation tool.

US President Donald Trump announces reciprocal tariffs from the White House Oval Office on February 13, 2025 as Howard Lutnick looks on

Bayern's Kane says injury could keep him out against Frankfurt

Paris (AFP) – Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane said he was likely to miss Sunday’s Bundesliga game at home to Eintracht Frankfurt after he was replaced at half time in Bayern’s 3-2 aggregate Champions League victory over Celtic.

Bayern Munich's English forward Harry Kane played only the first half against Celtic

Bayern edge out Celtic to reach Champions League last 16 as Milan are dumped out

Paris (AFP) – Bayern Munich needed a stoppage-time goal to see off Celtic and secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, while AC Milan were dumped out by Feyenoord and both Club Brugge and Benfica also advanced.

Alphonso Davies runs off in celebration after scoring the late goal which took Bayern Munich through to the Champions League last 16 at Celtic's expense

Colombian president alleges plot to down his plane with missiles

Bogotá (AFP) – Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro claimed Monday to have been the target of a plot to down his plane with missiles by “big mafias” irate at his government’s attempts to hunt them down.

Gustavo Petro was elected in 2022 on promises of bringing "total peace" to a country battling to extricate itself from six decades of armed conflict

Trump moves to widen IVF access, risking conservative fury

Palm Beach (United States) (AFP) – US President Donald Trump moved Tuesday to increase access to in vitro fertilization, a move likely to be welcomed by many Americans but which risks a backlash from conservatives and the religious right.

US President Donald Trump has called himself the "father of IVF"

Doncic energizes LeBron as NBA homestretch begins

Washington (AFP) – LeBron James is energized to play alongside new Lakers teammate Luka Doncic while in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hopes a National Basketball Association title will secure his place among league legends as the regular-season homestretch begins.

New Los Angeles Lakers teammates Luka Doncic, right, and LeBron James, left, are set to provide a boost for the NBA club, which resumes play after the All-Star break on Wednesday

Bayern score late to see off Celtic in Champions League

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Bayern Munich secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 94th minute strike by Alphonso Davies on Tuesday to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and a 3-2 aggregate win.

Bayern's Alphonso Davies (foreground) floored Celtic with his late goal

China condemns US 'tariff shocks' at WTO

Geneva (AFP) – The sweeping tariffs threatened or already imposed by US President Donald Trump risk triggering inflation, market distortions, and even a global recession, China said Tuesday at the World Trade Organization.

The WTO is upgrading its tariff analysis database and will launch the new version on March 4

Club Brugge dump Atalanta out of Champions League

Bergamo (Italy) (AFP) – Teenage starlet Chemsdine Talbi scored twice as Club Brugge claimed a 3-1 victory away to Atalanta in Italy on Tuesday to win their Champions League play-off tie 5-2 on aggregate and advance to the last 16.

Chemsdine Talbi scored twice as Club Brugge beat Atalanta 3-1 in Italy to win their Champions League play-off tie 5-2 on aggregate

England coach Borthwick has faith in 'world

London (AFP) – Steve Borthwick expects “world-class goal-kicker” Marcus Smith to be back on target when England face oldest rivals Scotland in Saturday’s key Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

Bad day with the boot: Marcus Smith misses a penalty during England's 26-25 Six Nations win over France at Twickenham