Thailand lifts ban on afternoon alcohol sales
Thailand on Wednesday relaxed decades-old alcohol sales restrictions, allowing consumers to buy wine, beer and spirits during previously prohibited afternoon hours in a six-month trial.
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Norway postpones deep-sea mining activities for four years
Norway on Wednesday postponed the first licences to permit deep-sea mining in its Arctic waters for four years, a delay environmentalists hope signals the "nail in the coffin" of the plans.
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Sri Lanka cyclone survivors face colossal clean-up
Survivors of Cyclone Ditwah that has ravaged Sri Lanka in recent days began returning to their devastated homes on Wednesday, faced with a massive clean-up as they start rebuilding their lives.
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Zara owner Inditex posts higher profits
Zara owner Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, posted Wednesday higher profits for the first nine months of its fiscal year despite stiffer competition from low-cost clothing outlets like Shein and Primark.
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Australia meet New Zealand as S. Africa face Italy at Rugby World Cup
Hosts Australia face a blockbuster group clash with New Zealand at the 2027 Rugby World Cup as holders South Africa were pitted with Italy in the draw in Sydney on Wednesday.
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YouTube attacks Australia's world-first social media ban
YouTube on Wednesday attacked Australia's looming social media ban for under-16s as rushed, but the government called the policy a shield to protect children from "predatory" algorithms.
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France's Macron in China with Ukraine on the agenda
French President Emmanuel Macron touched down on Wednesday in China, where he is expected to put pressure on his counterpart Xi Jinping to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine and discuss trade relations.
Read moreIndonesia bucks pressure to label floods national disaster
Indonesia's government is resisting growing pressure to declare a national disaster over devastating floods that killed hundreds of people and laid waste to parts of Sumatra island.
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South Korea's ousted leader urges rallies a year after martial law
South Korea's ousted former leader Yoon Suk Yeol issued a call from prison on Wednesday urging his supporters to rally for "freedom" and defending his decision to declare martial law a year ago.
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KFC readies finger-licking Japanese Christmas
KFC in Japan is gearing up for the Christmas tradition of millions of families thronging the US fast-food chain for special festive buckets of deep-fried chicken and other treats.
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