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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.
Sports
Eight-time world surf champion Gilmore set for comeback
Surfing great Stephanie Gilmore said Wednesday she was coming out of retirement in a bid to win a record ninth world title.
Sports
England keep options open as Stokes tells team 'don't be afraid'
Captain Ben Stokes told England not to be afraid of Australia as selectors kept their options open Wednesday by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad for the first Test.
Sports
England include spinner Bashir in 12-man squad for Ashes opener
England named off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad Wednesday alongside four frontline pace bowlers, keeping their options open for the first Ashes Test against Australia in Perth.
Boulevard
Thousands of Kenyans displaced by Lake Naivasha flooding
The tourist boats that normally ply Kenya's famed Lake Naivasha have had a different task in recent weeks: evacuating hundreds of flooded homes.
Politics
Stocks struggle as Nvidia takes centre stage amid AI bubble fears
Stocks struggled Wednesday to kickstart a recovery following the latest stagger across world markets that has been caused by worries over an AI-fuelled bubble and uncertainty over US interest rates.
Sports
Hope century blasts West Indies to 247-9 against New Zealand
Captain Shai Hope blasted an unbeaten 109 to propel the West Indies to a competitive 247-9 off 34 overs Wednesday in a rain-shortened second one-day international against New Zealand.
Nature
Without US satellites, 'we go dark', climate monitor tells AFP
US budget cuts risk creating blind spots in Earth monitoring systems that would imperil weather forecasting and climate research for years to come, the deputy chair of a key UN-backed climate monitoring body warned in an AFP interview.
Culture
Rediscovering Iznik's lost art of vibrant Ottoman tilemaking
For over 300 years, the closely-guarded secrets of the Ottoman Empire's luminous tilework was lost, but its rediscovery has revived a key part of Turkey’s cultural heritage.
Sports
LeBron makes winning return for Lakers in 23rd season
LeBron James made a winning start to his NBA-record 23rd season on Tuesday, returning after a near one-month injury absence in the Los Angeles Lakers' 140-126 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Politics
China to halt Japan seafood imports amid Taiwan spat: reports
China will suspend imports of Japanese seafood, media in Tokyo reported Wednesday as a diplomatic spat sparked by comments about Taiwan deepens.
Culture
Roblox game platform launches age checks for chat
Gaming giant Roblox Corp says it will roll out compulsory facial recognition or ID checks from next month for players wanting to access its chat features.
Economy
Why is bitcoin plunging?
The value of bitcoin has fallen sharply since reaching record heights last month, briefly falling below $90,000 on Tuesday compared with above $126,000 at the start of October.