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Politics
Russian strike kills 25 as Zelensky's Turkey peace bid stumbles
A Russian strike in western Ukraine on Wednesday killed at least 25 people including three children, ripping the top floors off a block of flats, as an attempt by President Volodymyr Zelensky to revive the peace process with talks in Turkey fell flat.
Culture
Manga's roots and influence celebrated in Paris exhibition
Featuring ancient narrative scrolls and medieval theatre masks, a new manga exhibition in Paris traces the global phenomenon's history back to its roots in traditional Japanese art forms.
Economy
Stocks steadier before key Nvidia results as oil slides
Stocks steadied Wednesday following heavy losses as investors awaited Nvidia earnings for further clues about whether AI-fuelled valuations are justified.
Sports
Springbok Mostert has Italy red card rescinded
South Africa lock Franco Mostert has had the red card he received against Italy rescinded, the Autumn Nations Series organisers announced on Wednesday.
Politics
China, Netherlands move to resolve Nexperia chip row
The Netherlands said Wednesday it had suspended its proposed takeover of Chinese-owned chip maker Nexperia in a sign of "good will", a move China welcomed as a positive "first step".
Nature
EU states back new delay to anti-deforestation rules
EU member states Wednesday backed a new one-year delay to landmark anti-deforestation rules that have hit a wall of opposition from businesses and trading partners, diplomats told AFP.
Boulevard
Top French wine show risks purists' ire with alcohol-free drive
A top French wine salon risks upsetting the traditional defenders of the country's famed viticulture by handing over increased space to the booming alcohol-free sector.
Politics
Trump faces moment of truth on explosive Epstein Files
A bill requiring the release of government records on Jeffrey Epstein heads to Donald Trump for his signature Wednesday, spurring a showdown over whether the US president will allow full disclosure -- or return to trying to bury the case.
Politics
Trump tariff hikes hit US August imports, delayed data shows
President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on dozens of trading partners hit US imports in August, according to a Wednesday report delayed by a record government shutdown that ended last week.
Politics
With Shein, Temu rising, EU to overhaul consumer protection rules
Faced with the explosive growth of online shopping platforms like Shein and Temu, the EU executive said on Wednesday it was time to reform consumer protection rules to match the new reality in e-commerce.
Nature
White rhino born at Spain zoo in conservation success
A southern white rhino calf has been born at a zoo in eastern Spain, in a success for a European programme aimed at preserving the threatened species.
Technology
Monkey business: Neanderthals and ancient apes likely kissed too
Scientists have found evidence suggesting that kissing dates back up to 21 million years and that our ape ancestors and Neanderthals likely locked lips, research published Wednesday said.
Economy
Mammoth German rail project hits the buffers - again
The opening of a mammoth German rail project, which has become emblematic of the infrastructure woes plaguing Europe's biggest economy, has been delayed yet again, reports said Wednesday.
Nature
Lula lands in Amazon to press for climate deal
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Belem on Wednesday to press negotiators to reach an early deal at UN climate talks as nations remain far apart on contentious issues.
Politics
Russian strikes kill 25 as Zelensky makes peace bid in Turkey
A Russian strike on the west Ukrainian city of Ternopil on Wednesday killed at least 25 people, including three children, ripping off the top floors of a block of flats and overshadowing President Volodymyr Zelensky's push to revive a peace process in Turkey.
Economy
To combat climate anxiety, COP negotiator recommends meditation
To handle the stress of negotiating deals on attempts to curb catastrophic global warming, Christiana Figueres, one of the main architects of the Paris Agreement, recommends meditation.
Economy
'Fantastic': nursing home pub lifts spirits in France
On a recent Saturday in a retirement home in the northeastern French village of Kunheim, happy hour started early.
Health
UK PM posts heartfelt video letter to son on International Men's Day
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer published a heartfelt video letter to his son on Wednesday to mark International Men's Day, telling him how proud he was of him.
Sports
Daly returns as England ring changes for Argentina Test
Elliot Daly will play his first game since breaking his arm while on British and Irish Lions duty in Australia after being named in England's side to face Argentina at Twickenham on Sunday.
Politics
Trump's embrace of crown prince ushers in new era in US-Saudi ties
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's trip to Washington has been a triumph, with Donald Trump rolling out the red carpet for "the future king" and absolving him of the criticism he has faced for years.
Economy
UN nuclear head renews call for Iran to allow inspections at key sites
The head of the UN nuclear agency on Wednesday renewed his call for Iran to allow inspections at key nuclear sites attacked by Israel and the United States in June.
Boulevard
Macron slams 'bourgeois' drug users as French activist says won't be silenced
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday accused urban middle class drug users of fuelling a narcotics-driven crime wave that has caused alarm nationwide, and a wave of murders in the second city of Marseille.
Politics
EU moves to delay 'high-risk' AI rules, cut cookie banners
The EU executive proposed rolling back key AI and data privacy rules on Wednesday as part of a push to slash red tape and help Europe's high-tech sector catch up with global rivals.
Culture
Governance and rape allegations threaten famed French comics festival
One of the world's biggest comics festivals, which draws top graphic novelists and cartoonists each year, was close to cancellation on Wednesday after publishers pulled their support and the French government piled pressure on organisers.
Sports
UEFA approves Barcelona's Camp Nou return in Champions League
UEFA has given Barcelona the go-ahead to play Champions League matches at their partially rebuilt Camp Nou stadium, the La Liga giants said on Wednesday.
Politics
Stocks steadier before key Nvidia results
Stocks struggled to kickstart a recovery Wednesday following heavy losses triggered by worries over an AI-fuelled bubble.
Economy
Netherlands halts Nexperia takeover in gesture to China: minister
The Netherlands has suspended its proposed takeover of Chinese-owned chip maker Nexperia in a sign of "good will" towards Beijing, Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans said Wednesday.
Scotland parties after ending World Cup drought
Bleary-eyed Scotland fans woke up on Wednesday pinching themselves after their World Cup dream finally came true on a night of intense drama in Glasgow following decades of pain.
Economy
China passes US to return as Germany's top trade partner
China has reclaimed its title as Germany's top trading partner, dethroning the United States after President Donald Trump launched his tariff onslaught, official data showed Wednesday.
Boulevard
Arsenal to end partnership with Visit Rwanda
Premier League leaders Arsenal will end their partnership deal with Rwanda at the end of this season, the African country's development board announced on Wednesday.
Culture
Christie's suspends Paris sale of world's 'first calculator'
Christie's said Wednesday it was suspending the Paris auction of one of just a handful of examples of the world's first calculating machine, developed by French mathematician and inventor Blaise Pascal in 1642.
Sports
Santner fireworks give New Zealand ODI series win over West Indies
Captain Mitchell Santner delivered late fireworks with the bat as New Zealand beat the West Indies by five wickets in the second one-day international on Wednesday to win the series.