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US-China progress sparks hope for COP29, says Azerbaijan
The United States and China are closing the divide on the contentious issue of international climate finance, raising hopes for a breakthrough at a crucial climate conference in Azerbaijan, according to the host country's chief negotiator.
Zelensky says Russia planning attacks on Ukraine nuclear plants
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky charged Wednesday before the United Nations that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is planning to attack nuclear power plants in his country, warning of catastrophic consequences.
Film legend Bardot, nearing 90, enjoys her 'silent solitude'
Brigitte Bardot, the 1960s French cinema icon who left the silver screen behind her a half-century ago, says as her 90th birthday approaches that she now "flees humanity" in favour of "silent solitude".
Walking on the Moon in Cologne: Europe's lunar life simulator
A large, ordinary-looking warehouse in the German city of Cologne is the closest you can get to walking on the Moon -- without leaving Earth.
Google files EU complaint over Microsoft cloud services
Google said Wednesday that it had filed a complaint against Microsoft at the European Commission, accusing its rival of "anticompetitive" licensing practices to force customers to use its cloud service.
Finnish zoo to return pandas to China early
Finland will return two giant pandas on loan from China more than eight years ahead of schedule because of financial problems at the zoo where they are housed, its chair told AFP on Wednesday.
At last! China's Zhang Shuai ends 24-match losing streak
Zhang Shuai won her first WTA Tour match since January 2023 when she triumphed at her home China Open on Wednesday to snap a painful run of 24 defeats.
Global stocks trade mixed tracking China stimulus
Global stock markets traded mixed Wednesday as China's latest measure to bolster its economy, the world's second-largest, largely failed to extend gains for equities.
EU backs plan to downgrade wolf protection status
EU member states on Wednesday voted in favour of lowering the protection status of wolves, a move decried by conservationists that paves the way for a relaxation of tight hunting restrictions.
Jacks says new-look England need time to master ODIs
Will Jacks says England's new-look one-day side need time to get to grips with a format they rarely play after beating Australia to keep their five-match series alive.
Madrid's Mbappe suffers thigh injury before Atletico derby
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has sustained a thigh injury ahead of this weekend's La Liga derby with Atletico, his club said on Wednesday.
Russian MPs back adoption ban on countries allowing gender reassignment
Russia's parliament Wednesday voted to back a bill banning the adoption of Russian children in countries that allow gender reassignment, the latest in a series of ultra-conservative social measures.
France minister vows new immigration 'rules' after student murder
France's conservative interior minister on Wednesday vowed consequences after a Moroccan man suspected of murdering a 19-year-old university student and leaving her body in a Paris forest was arrested in Switzerland.
EU states back plan to downgrade wolf protection status
EU member states on Wednesday voted in favour of lowering the protection status of wolves, in a move decried by conservationists that paves the way for a relaxation of strict hunting rules.
Unions vow 'bitter resistance' as Volkswagen talks begin
Volkswagen bosses and workers' representatives started crunch talks Wednesday about the ailing German auto titan's drastic cost-cutting plans, with thousands of staff staging a protest and unions vowing "bitter resistance".
Naomi Osaka wants 'no regrets' after hiring Serena's former coach
Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka said on Wednesday she "didn't want to have regrets" after confirming she has teamed up with Serena Williams' renowned former coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Lady Gaga plants lipstick smile on 'Mona Lisa' in Louvre clip
Lady Gaga comes face to face with the "Mona Lisa" in the Louvre and plants a lipstick smile on her face in a new video clip released Wednesday by the singer and the French museum.
Man City confirm Rodri knee ligament injury
Manchester City confirmed on Wednesday that Rodri suffered ligament damage to his right knee during their 2-2 draw with Arsenal, although the full extent of the injury remains unclear.
Hezbollah's Fadi rockets: More power, little precision
Fadi, a type of rocket used for the first time by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah against Israel, has more explosive power and range than rockets deployed previously, but lacks precision, experts say.
Naomi Osaka wants 'no regrets' after teaming up with Mouratoglou
Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka said Wednesday that she "didn't want to have regrets" after confirming she has teamed up with Serena Williams' renowned former coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
New Zealand flanker 'Braveheart' Sititi relishes his 'crazy' rise
"Braveheart" Wallace Sititi says he is still processing his "crazy" rise this year from the fringes of the Waikato Chiefs to facing world champions South Africa with the All Blacks.
OECD calls for higher property taxes to fight debt
The OECD slightly raised its world economic growth forecast for 2024 on Wednesday but called for higher property and environmental taxes to combat soaring debt in many countries.
Environmentalists smear Finland's parliament in red paint
Environmental activists sprayed red paint on Finland's parliament building on Wednesday to protest against the peat industry, sparking strong criticism from politicians.
World Cup winner Varane retires
France World Cup winner Raphael Varane on Tuesday announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.
Britain's Rightmove rejects higher £6.1-bn Murdoch bid
British property website Rightmove said Wednesday it had rejected a third "unsolicited" proposal, worth £6.1 billion (US$8.2 billion), from REA Group, the Australian peer majority-owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp empire.
Stocks rally stutters but Hong Kong, Shanghai up on new China move
Hong Kong and Shanghai extended gains Wednesday as China announced another interest rate cut the day after unveiling a series of measures to boost the country's ailing economy.
Cuts, cash, credit: China's latest bid to jumpstart flagging economy
China this week unveiled a bundle of new measures aimed at kickstarting its economy, which has been battered in recent years by unprecedented headwinds including a property sector crisis and sluggish spending.
Hezbollah fires missile at Tel Aviv in Israel
Hezbollah said it had fired a ballistic missile at the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday, with the Israeli military describing the launch as unprecedented.
Zelensky to take UN stage in plea to sustain support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky takes center stage at the United Nations on Wednesday as he seeks to sustain global support ahead of US elections that could bring a sharp shift from his top backer.
Leftist Sri Lanka leader stuck with painful IMF deal: analysts
Sri Lanka's new leftist leader has little room to renegotiate an IMF bailout that threw a lifeline to his bankrupt country but imposed punishing and unpopular austerity measures, analysts say.
Cryptocurrency platform boss urges tighter regulation
The co-founder of one of the world's most popular cryptocurrencies called for tighter regulation of the sector to guard against the fraud and wild swings that have dogged it, in an interview with AFP.
'Crazy' tree planter greening Sao Paulo concrete jungle
In just over two decades, Brazilian Helio da Silva has single-handedly planted about 40,000 trees in the urban jungle that is Sao Paulo.