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Stock markets rise on growing US rate cut hopes
Stock markets rose and the dollar fell Wednesday on growing prospects of cuts to US interest rates after soft inflation data, with Japan's Nikkei hitting a fresh record high.

New cancer plan urged as survival improvements in England slow
Improvements in cancer survival rates in England and Wales have slowed down significantly since 2010, according to a major study released Wednesday, leading to calls for an urgent national cancer plan.

Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
A Hong Kong court on Wednesday found J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura guilty of indecent assault after he harassed a woman working as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year.

Thousands battle Greece fires as heatwave bakes Europe
Greece on Wednesday battled to contain more than 20 wildfires including one menacing its third-largest city Patras as a heatwave stoked blazes and forced the evacuation of thousands in southern Europe.

Woodman-Wickliffe lines up 'one last ride' for Black Ferns at World Cup
For a woman who has dominated women's rugby union over the last decade, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe retains an infectious enthusiasm as she approaches what is likely to be her final competition, the 2025 Women's World Cup.

Bournemouth splash out on Diakite as Zabarnyi replacement
Bournemouth completed the signing of centre-back Bafode Diakite from Lille on Wednesday to help fill the void left by Illia Zabarnyi's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88
Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim, famed for his critiques of political repression, neoliberalism and Western hegemony, has died at the age of 88, the culture ministry announced on Wednesday.

Israel military says approved plan for new Gaza offensive
The Israeli military said on Wednesday it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas condemned what it called "aggressive" Israeli ground incursions in Gaza City.

Romero replaces Son as Spurs captain
Cristian Romero has been named as Tottenham's new captain after the departure of club legend Son Heung-min.

150 species saved in England, but 'time running out' to halt decline
A multi-million pound conservation programme in England helped save 150 struggling species but "time is running out" to halt the decline, the head of Natural England, which led the initiative, said Wednesday.

Man Utd in 'no man's land' due to lack of plan, says Rashford
Marcus Rashford decried Manchester United's lack of strategy as leaving the English giants in "no man's land" after joining Barcelona on loan.

Musk clashes with Altman after accusing App Store of favoring OpenAI
Elon Musk has accused Apple of unfairly favoring ChatGPT on its App Store and threatened legal action, triggering a fiery exchange with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Tuesday.

Zelensky, European leaders hope to sway Trump before Putin summit
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders were to hold urgent talks with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, hoping to convince him to respect Kyiv's interests in his looming summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Nepal waives climbing fees for 97 mountain peaks
Nepal has waived climbing fees for 97 mountains, officials said on Wednesday, hoping to steer people to its lesser-known peaks and boost local economies.

European satellite to step up monitoring of extreme weather
The Ariane 6 rocket on Wednesday blasted off carrying Europe's next generation satellite for warning against extreme weather events.

Swiss pilot surpasses solar-powered plane altitude record
Swiss pilot Raphael Domjan beat the altitude record for a solar-powered electric plane in a flight that took him soaring to 9,521 metres, his team announced Wednesday.

Typhoon Podul pummels Taiwan
Typhoon Podul pounded Taiwan on Wednesday, shutting down businesses in the south, grounding hundreds of flights and knocking out power for tens of thousands of households.
Markets rise on growing rate cut hopes
Markets rose Wednesday on growing hopes of US interest rate cuts after soft inflation data, with Japan's Nikkei hitting a second record high in as many days.

Czech film takes 'conspiracy nuts' on Ukraine war tour
Two men and a woman driven by disinformation and denying the Russian invasion of Ukraine are the unlikely protagonistsof a Czech documentary that will premiere this month.

Test cricket needs quality not quantity to stay alive: Australia chief
Australia cricket chief Todd Greenberg on Wednesday said a slimmer Test calendar could benefit smaller nations because the five-day game was better "where it means something".

Spanish coach Riveiro lays down the law for Ahly stars
Spanish coach Jose Riveiro has laid down the law to the stars of African giants Al Ahly of Egypt as they prepare for another CAF Champions League campaign.

Mali club hope motorbikes can help drive for CAF Cup glory
CAF Confederation Cup contenders Djoliba of Mali hope gifts of motorbikes can steer them to success in a competition where they once finished runners-up.

Scientists unearth 'cute' but fearsome ancient whale
Australian scientists have discovered a razor-toothed whale that prowled the seas 26 million years ago, saying Wednesday the species was "deceptively cute" but a fearsome predator.

European powers tell UN they are ready to reimpose Iran sanctions
Britain, France and Germany have told the United Nations they are ready to reimpose UN-mandated sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme if no diplomatic solution is found by the end of August, according to a joint letter obtained by AFP.

Typhoon Podul hits Taiwan
Typhoon Podul slammed into southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday, with powerful winds and heavy rain lashing the island.

South Korea prosecutors raid party HQ after ex-first lady arrested
South Korean prosecutors raided the headquarters of the former party of jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday to gather evidence in an election meddling case against his wife, a day after she was arrested on corruption and other charges.

Five key things about heatwaves in Europe
Scorching temperatures, such as those recorded in southern Europe, illustrate the intensifying heatwaves in Europe, which scientists consider a direct result of climate change.

For Trump, Putin summit presents the ultimate test of dealmaking
Among the constants in Donald Trump's turbulent career have been a flair for drama and a belief in his dealmaking powers. In inviting Vladimir Putin, Trump will have plenty of the first -- and put the second to the ultimate test.

Trump and Putin: a strained relationship
Donald Trump styles himself as a strongman. And that's exactly what he sees in Vladimir Putin.

Fortnite developer claims win against Apple and Google
An Australian court has found Apple and Google misused their market power in a dispute with the maker of wildly popular video game Fortnite.

Palestinian mother 'destroyed' after image used to deny Gaza starvation
Palestinian-Canadian Faiza Najjar was able to leave Gaza last year, but could not bring her four adult daughters with her. She watched from a distance as food shortages in the territory worsened.

Soft US inflation boosts Asia markets
Japan's Nikkei hit a second record high in as many days Wednesday, as hopes of US interest rate cuts following soft inflation data cheered equity investors across Asia.