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Politics
Funds for climate adaptation 'lifeline' far off track: UN
Wealthy countries are failing to meet their promised targets to provide a funding "lifeline" to help poorer nations prepare for worsening climate calamities, the UN warned Wednesday.
Nature
Record Vietnam rains kill seven and flood 100,000 homes
Flooding triggered by record heavy rains in central Vietnam this week killed at least seven people and inundated more than 100,000 homes, the environment ministry said on Wednesday.
Economy
Markets extend record run as trade dominates
Markets hit record highs Wednesday thanks to optimism over US trade deals, the AI sector and an expected interest-rate cut from the Federal Reserve.
Politics
Sudan govt accuses RSF of attacking mosques in El-Fasher takeover
Sudan's army-aligned government accused paramilitaries on Wednesday of attacking civilians in mosques during their recent takeover of the western city of El-Fasher, where satellite images show evidence of "continuing mass killing", Yale researchers say.
Downgraded Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba
A downgraded Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early on Wednesday after ripping a path of destruction across Jamaica, which authorities have designated a "disaster area."
Protests erupt as Tanzania votes without an opposition
Hundreds protested on Wednesday in Tanzania's largest city, tearing down banners of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and burning a police station, as the East African country went to the polls in elections where the main challengers have either been jailed or barred from standing.
Sports
Rain washes out 1st Australia-India T20 match
Persistent rain forced the opening Twenty20 clash between Australia and India to be abandoned on Wednesday, leaving Suryakumar Yadav stranded on 39 and Shubman Gill on 37.
Economy
Spain's Santander bank posts record profit
Spanish banking giant Santander reported record profits on Wednesday for the first nine months of 2025, buoyed by strong client growth and a solid performance in its key markets.
Boulevard
FIA taken to court to block Ben Sulayem's uncontested candidacy
Swiss racing driver Laura Villars filed legal action Wednesday against motorsport's governing body to challenge FIA election rules, which she argues prevent her or any other candidate from running against incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Economy
Chemicals firm BASF urges EU to cut red tape as profit dips
The boss of German chemicals giant BASF on Wednesday called for the European Union to relax carbon trading rules, as the firm reported a drop in core profit with the industry in crisis.
Politics
Romania says US will cut some troops in Europe
Washington has told Romania and allies it will reduce some US troops deployed on NATO's eastern flank, Romania's defence ministry said Wednesday, a move a NATO official swiftly downplayed to AFP.
Politics
Israel hits dozens of targets as Gaza sees deadliest night since truce
Israel said it had carried out strikes on dozens of Hamas targets following the death of a soldier, with Gaza experiencing its deadliest night of bombing since a US-brokered truce went into effect earlier this month.
Mercedes-Benz reassures on Nexperia chips as profit plunges
German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz sought to reassure investors Wednesday over a feared shortage of microchips as it reported plunging third-quarter profits.
Boulevard
France tries Bulgarians over defacing memorial in Russia-linked case
Four Bulgarians were to go on trial in France Wednesday accused of desecrating a Jewish memorial with red handprints last year, which prosecutors think may have been foreign interference linked to Russia.
Downgraded Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba, NHC says
A downgraded Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early on Wednesday after ripping a path of destruction across Jamaica, which authorities have designated a "disaster area."
Politics
BBC says journalist questioned and blocked from leaving Vietnam
A Vietnamese BBC journalist has been blocked by authorities from leaving the country for "several months", the broadcaster said, heightening concerns about press freedoms in the nation.
Economy
UK drugmaker GSK lifts 2025 guidance despite US tariffs
British pharmaceutical group GSK on Wednesday raised its full-year outlook after strong sales growth in its third quarter, brushing off the potential impact of US tariffs.
Economy
Mercedes-Benz profit plunges on China slump and US tariffs
German premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz reported plunging third-quarter profit Wednesday, hit by weak sales in China as well as US tariffs.
Things to know
South Korea gifts Trump replica of ancient golden crown
US President Donald Trump may be facing "no kings" protests back home, but in South Korea officials had the perfect gift for the monarch-loving magnate -- a replica golden crown.
Boulevard
Record Vietnam rains kill four and flood 100,000 homes
Flooding triggered by record heavy rains in central Vietnam this week killed at least four people and inundated more than 100,000 homes, the environment ministry said on Wednesday.
Nature
Norway's energy giant Equinor falls into loss
Norwegian energy giant Equinor said Wednesday it suffered a net loss in the third quarter as it lowered its outlook for oil prices, forcing it to write down the value of its assets.
Economy
Asia stocks join Wall Street records as tech bull run quickens
Asian stock markets surged on Wednesday, matching record gains on Wall Street the previous day as investor confidence in AI tech and coming interest rate cuts in the United States reaches fever pitch.
Sports
New Zealand hammer reckless England despite Archer's brilliance
New Zealand defeated England by five wickets in the second ODI in Hamilton on Wednesday, with the return of Jofra Archer unable to ignite the visitors' full-throttle style of cricket.
Economy
Record potato harvest is no boon in fries-mad Belgium
Fries powerhouse Belgium is in for a record potato harvest this year -- but that's hardly cause for celebration for farmers who face a slump in prices partially driven by a crunch in exports.
Economy
Deutsche Bank posts record profit on strong trading
Germany's largest bank Deutsche Bank posted record third-quarter profit Wednesday and beat expectations, boosted by a strong performance at its investment bank.
Economy
UBS beats expectations as claws backs provisions
Swiss banking giant UBS reported third-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations, thanks in part to clawing back provisions for possible litigation, but also sustained by strong performances in its trading and wealth divisions.
Culture
German neo-Nazi rappers push hate speech, disinfo on TikTok
Far-right German-language rappers are flouting hate speech rules by spreading extremist rhetoric and disinformation on platforms such as TikTok, an AFP investigation found.
Politics
US aid flows to Nigeria anti-landmine efforts - for now
When the United States suddenly moved to dismantle its foreign aid system earlier this year, the UN's landmine safety and removal project in Nigeria braced for impact.
Low turnout as Tanzania votes without an opposition
There were few voters at polling stations in Tanzania's biggest city on Wednesday as the main challengers to President Samia Suluhu Hassan were either jailed or barred from running.
Things to know
Monarch-loving Trump gifted golden crown once worn by South Korean kings
President Donald Trump may be facing protests back home calling for "no kings" in the United States, but in South Korea officials had the perfect gift for the monarch-loving magnate -- a replica golden crown.
Politics
Dutch vote in test for Europe's far right
The Dutch headed to the polls Wednesday for a snap election seen as a litmus test for the strength of the far right, which has made powerful gains across Europe.
Politics
Fugitive ex-PM says Bangladesh vote risks deepening divide
Bangladesh's fugitive ex-leader Sheikh Hasina warned Wednesday that holding elections without her party -- the first since her overthrow -- was "sowing the seeds" of further division in her country.