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Heavy casualties in Ukraine after Russian strikes
At least 20 people were killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine on Wednesday, including 14 when a missile slammed into an apartment block in the north of the country as they slept.
IMF preparing El Nino assistance, concerned about AI bubble burst: chief to AFP
The International Monetary Fund is preparing to offer support to countries exposed to the effects of El Nino, the organisation's director Kristalina Georgieva told AFP on Wednesday, expressing concern about food security.
French wine harvest set to hit historic low
With its wine industry hit by a swathe of summer heatwaves, France is set to see this year's harvest hit a historic low.
West must embrace 'national power' or face decline: Rubio
The western world must embrace "national power" and technological innovation or risk sliding into decline, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to warn on Wednesday during a visit to Greece.
Kyiv 'cannot agree' to EU membership limiting food exports: minister
Ukraine's agriculture minister on Wednesday said his country would not agree to EU membership if that would entail permanent restrictions on farm subsidies and exports of agricultural products.
Shell refining margins reach record highs as wars hit supply
British energy giant Shell said Wednesday that its refining margins surged 75 percent in the third quarter compared with the second, as the Middle East and Ukraine wars hit supplies.
Arteta targets more Arsenal glory after signing new deal until 2030
Mikel Arteta vowed "this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together" after signing a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal until 2030.
Former Spain, Barca winger Pedro retires from football
Spanish World Cup winner and former Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez retired from football on Wednesday at the age of 39.
Russell hit with Singapore grid penalty for taking new power unit
George Russell's hopes of winning the 2026 world championship hit another road bump on Wednesday when it was announced that because of an engine penalty he would have to start from the back of the grid in this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix.
Arteta signs new Arsenal deal until 2030
Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal that will keep him at the Emirates until 2030, the club announced on Wednesday.
Spotify expands audiobooks to more than 180 markets
Streaming giant Spotify announced Wednesday it is expanding access to its audiobook service to more than 180 markets, up from 22 currently, as the format continues to gain popularity.
Stocks decline as oil climbs on Mideast flareup
Oil prices rose Wednesday on fresh concerns about Middle East supplies following a warning that Iran appeared to be stepping up attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, weighing on stock markets.
French-Japanese duo wins chemistry Nobel for solving molecular 'mystery'
France's Henri Kagan and Japan's Kenso Soai on Wednesday won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for solving the mystery of why only one form of certain molecules appears in nature, a discovery decisive for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
Gauff says online abuse was 'draining' after China Open exit
Coco Gauff said online racist abuse had left her feeling exhausted after she went out of the China Open with her loss to Elise Mertens on Wednesday.
England's Nations League surge helps heal World Cup wounds
England's free-scoring start to the Nations League has begun to heal the wounds of a painful World Cup exit as Thomas Tuchel's men train their sights on winning a home Euros in 2028.
As sector struggles, Porsche puts luxury ahead of volume
Luxury sports car maker Porsche announced Wednesday it plans to sell fewer vehicles, but at a higher price to try to regain profitability hit by competition from China.
Mayor of opposition stronghold Izmir defects to Erdogan party
The mayor of Izmir, Turkey's third city and an opposition stronghold, on Wednesday defected to the ruling AKP, in a huge symbolic victory for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
'It's personal': Fiji minister pushes better climate finance at pre-COP
Fiji's climate change minister wants streamlined access to financial assistance for Pacific nations, telling AFP on Wednesday the issue was "personal", with waves washing away parts of her own village.
Mertens beats Gauff to set up Swiatek clash at China Open
Elise Mertens beat a listless Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday to seal her spot in the China Open quarter-finals, where she will face Iga Swiatek.
Russia glosses over dark Soviet past in reinvented museum
In a Moscow museum that once housed evidence of Stalin-era repression, serene family scenes flickered on a screen as a narrator hailed the tranquility of pre-World War II life in the Soviet Union.
Benin full of pride at role in Messi's last dance
Football fans in Benin declared that it was "an honour" that the west African nation provided the opposition for Lionel Messi's final international appearance -- and most only had eyes for the Argentinian superstar.
UK tax body opened probe into Man City in 2018: FT
UK tax authorities launched an investigation into Manchester City in 2018 to determine whether the club -- recently found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules -- used complex arrangements to reduce tax, the Financial Times reported Wednesday.
France suspends stun grenade use at student protests ahead of PM speech
France has suspended the use of stun grenades by police at student-led demonstrations, the interior minister said Wednesday, as allegations of police brutality mounted after days of sometimes violent demonstrations across the country.
Yemen's Houthis claim new attacks on Saudi airports as conflict deepens
The Houthis claimed a flurry of attacks on Saudi targets on Wednesday including firing a ballistic missile at Riyadh airport, as the group battles for territory in Yemen against government forces supported by the kingdom.
Indonesian court hears 'negligence' complaint against state over fires, haze
Indonesia's government was accused of "gross negligence" in a court case that opened on Wednesday against the president and other officials over a toxic haze emitted by wildfires that blanketed parts of Borneo island.
Germany factory production at highest level for 18 months
German industrial production rose to its highest level for a year and a half in August, according to data released Wednesday, but officials warned that the economy's recovery was still fragile.
Rubio in Greece to urge against Western civilisation 'decline'
Top US diplomat Marco Rubio was in Athens on Wednesday ahead of a "strategic dialogue" with the NATO member on regional and energy security, the State Department said.
Thailand floods death toll rises to 60 since mid-September
Flooding in Thailand since mid-September has killed 60 people nationwide, the government said on Wednesday, with river water levels still rising in some regions.
Micron workers at Taiwan plant vote in favour of strike
Hundreds of workers at a Micron Technology plant in Taiwan have voted to strike, their union said Wednesday, after talks with the US memory chip giant over bonus reforms collapsed.
US pushes Russia for information on plague reports
The United States made a formal request pressing Russia for information on the reported plague death of a laboratory technician, a source close to the matter said Tuesday, as calls grew for transparency from Moscow.
In 'The Social Reckoning,' Jeremy Allen White takes on Facebook's 'frightening' ambition
Jeremy Allen White finds the power of social media frightening -- an anxiety he's now confronting in his latest film.
Myanmar leader lands in Malaysia for migrant return talks
Myanmar's leader landed on Wednesday for his first visit to Malaysia since taking power in a 2021 coup, as Kuala Lumpur seeks his cooperation to return thousands of migrants.