Year: 2025

US tariffs threat a 'shock' to Canadian businesses

Montreal (AFP) – Donald Trump’s threats of import tariffs have sent shockwaves through Canada, forcing businesses to question their dependence on the United States — a reassessment that is creating headaches for many sectors.

A truck prepares to enter the United States at a border crossing in Blackpool, Canada, a country which has vowed to hit back if Washington goes ahead with 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports

Mourinho eyes Europa League run with Fenerbahce

Paris (AFP) – Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce are poised to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League when they visit Anderlecht on Thursday as the Portuguese coach targets a sixth European trophy of his storied managerial career.

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are well placed to reach the last 16 of the Europa League

US judge declines to block Musk from accessing data, firing workers

Washington (AFP) – A US judge on Tuesday declined a request to temporarily block Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from firing federal employees and accessing agency data, a victory for President Donald Trump in his bid to shrink the government workforce.

Elon Musk listens as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House

Pod of 157 dolphins stranded on remote Australian beach

Sydney (AFP) – Dozens of dolphins have died after a pod of more than 150 stranded on a remote beach in Australia’s southern island of Tasmania, environment officials said Wednesday.

A pod of 157 dolphins lies on the sand of a remote beach in Tasmania. Handout photo from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

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