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Boulevard
Guatemala minister ousted after gang members' jail break
Guatemala's president on Wednesday ousted his interior minister and two other officials after 20 members of the Barrio 18 gang, designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by the United States, escaped from prison.
Sports
Chelsea's Maresca banned for Forest match after wild celebration
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was given a one-match touchline ban on Wednesday for dissent and over-celebrating a last-gasp goal in a 2-1 Premier League win over Liverpool on October 4.
Politics
Madagascar vows to install colonel as president after takeover
Military officers who seized power in Madagascar in a protest crisis said their leader would be sworn in as the country's new president on Friday.
Nature
US judge 'reluctantly' tosses youth case challenging Trump climate policies
A federal judge on Wednesday tossed a youth-led lawsuit accusing US President Donald Trump's fossil-fuel agenda of trampling their inalienable rights, ruling that he lacked jurisdiction to intervene.
Boulevard
Flood-hit Mexican town digs out debris, fearing disease outbreaks
Mexican survivors of floods and landslides that killed at least 66 people last week have appealed for urgent aid, saying they are worried about disease outbreaks as rotting animal carcasses pile up in the mud.
Politics
NATO and EU scramble to boost drone defences to counter Russia
NATO and the EU on Wednesday sought ways to boost anti-drone defences, as Europe scrambles to counter the threat from Russia after a series of air incursions.
Politics
UN relief chief urges Israel to open Gaza border crossings
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urged Israel on Wednesday to immediately open all crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid, as called for in a US-backed ceasefire plan.
Education
Exiting TED leader clings to tech optimism
Chris Anderson took over TED 25 years ago, when the internet was young and optimism abounded about the future it could deliver.
Politics
EU economy chief urges G7 to join plan tapping Russia assets for Ukraine
The EU will urge G7 partners to consider tapping immobilized Russian assets in aiding Ukraine, the bloc's economy commissioner told AFP on Wednesday, as finance ministers of the group convene in Washington.
Economy
US says working on new $20 bn 'facility' for Argentina
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said he was working to help corral the private sector around a new $20 billion "facility" to support Argentina's embattled economy.
Sports
Rain denies Pakistan historic World Cup win over England
Pakistan were denied a shock victory over England when their Women's World Cup match was washed out as Colombo continued to be drenched by unrelenting monsoon showers on Wednesday.
Politics
Madagascar enters military rule after colonel seizes power
Madagascar braced for military rule Wednesday after an elite army unit seized power following President Andry Rajoelina's impeachment, promising elections within two years as the international community voiced alarm over the crisis.
Dutch tech giant ASML posts stable profits, warns on China
Dutch tech giant ASML warned Wednesday of a steep fall in its China business next year, as it booked flat net profits in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Sports
FIFA hopes 2026 World Cup cities will be 'ready' for games after Trump comments
FIFA said on Wednesday it hoped all 16 host cities will be "ready" to stage games at the 2026 World Cup finals after US President Donald Trump suggested matches could be moved for security reasons.
Economy
Canada fears for auto jobs after Stellantis announces US investment
Canadian leaders said Wednesday that Jeep-maker Stellantis's decision to invest $13 billion in the United States threatens Canadian jobs, urging action to counter what they called another casualty of President Donald Trump's trade war.
Sports
Doris to return from injury to captain Ireland in November
No 8 Caelan Doris will return from injury to captain Ireland for their four November Tests as part of the Autumn Nations Series, the Irish Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday.
Politics
Ahmedabad set to host 2030 Commonwealth Games
The Indian city of Ahmedabad is in prime position to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport announced on Wednesday.
Politics
Gaza to Egypt crossing remains shut as Israel pushes for hostage remains
The lifeline Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remained shut on Wednesday despite reports that it could reopen to aid convoys, as Israel insisted Hamas hand over the remains of the last deceased hostages it holds.
Politics
US Treasury chief: Beijing's rare earths move is 'China vs world'
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent slammed Beijing's rare earth export curbs Wednesday as "China versus the world," vowing that Washington and its allies would "neither be commanded nor controlled."
Boulevard
Maronite leader says Pope Leo will carry message of 'peace' to Lebanon
Pope Leo XIV will carry a message of peace to Lebanon and the Christians of the Middle East when he visits next month, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai told AFP on Wednesday.
Politics
Row over conscription mars Germany's Russia strategy
The German government on Wednesday tried to smooth over a row within its ranks over conscription that threatens to overshadow its push to bolster military deterrence against Russia.
Sports
Russell, Antonelli extend Mercedes deals for 2026
British driver George Russell and Italian Kimi Antonelli have signed contract extensions with Mercedes for next season, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday.
Boulevard
US Supreme Court hears voting rights case that could decide Congress control
The US Supreme Court was hearing a case Wednesday on Black voter rights that could cement Republican control over the House of Representatives -- potentially even by next year's crucial midterm elections.
Politics
Ceasefire called after new Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes kill dozens
Dozens of troops and civilians were killed in a fresh round of border skirmishes between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday, officials on both sides of the frontier said, hours before Islamabad said the two sides had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire.
Politics
Kenyans swarm home of fallen 'hero' Raila Odinga
"A king", "a hero", "Nelson Mandela", "Jesus Christ" -- no superlatives were too much for the crowd that came to mourn the death of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga at his Nairobi home on Wednesday.
Economy
Greece weighs disputed 13-hour workday reform
Greece's parliament on Wednesday debated a controversial reform proposed by the conservative government, which would allow 13-hour workdays under exceptional circumstances, drawing fire from unions and opposition parties.
Economy
'Absolutely critical' to boost growth in Europe: IMF official
It is absolutely critical for European countries to boost growth and productivity to catch up with the United States, a senior IMF official told AFP, calling on policymakers to make "smarter" spending choices.
Culture
'Adolescence' creator asks dads to share letters with sons
Stephen Graham, the creator and star of searing teen murder saga "Adolescence", launched an appeal Wednesday for fathers around the world to pen and then share letters to their sons.
Boulevard
Magnus Carlsen and chess federation agree on new world championship
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and world number one Magnus Carlsen have a long history of disagreements, but on Wednesday both backed a new world championship concept that sets the stage for the Norwegian's return.
Sports
De Jong pens new Barca deal to 2029
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong signed a new deal until 2029, the Spanish champions announced Wednesday.
Boulevard
Pokemon brushes up decades-old formula with 'Legends: Z-A'
New challenges will test Pokemon trainers' reactions in their virtual beast battles, as the near-30-year-old saga's latest instalment hits Nintendo consoles on Thursday.
Politics
Syrian leader seeks reset in Russia relations in Putin meeting
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Wednesday he wanted to "redefine" relations with Moscow as Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted him in Moscow, their first meeting since key Kremlin ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted last year.