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Politics
Trump administration takes steps to curb energy cost hikes
US President Donald Trump's administration scrambled Wednesday to rein in surging energy costs from war in the Middle East, temporarily waiving a century-old shipping law and easing Venezuela sanctions.
Health
Vaccines facing misinformation spike: WHO experts
Vaccine programmes are being challenged by rising misinformation and an uncertain pipeline for research funding, the World Health Organization's immunisation experts said Wednesday.
Politics
Pakistan announces Eid 'pause' in conflict with Afghanistan
Pakistan announced on Wednesday a "temporary pause" in hostilities with Afghanistan to mark the end of Ramadan, after Kabul promised to avenge the deaths of hundreds killed in a strike on a Kabul drug treatment centre.
Health
'Happened so fast': UK students panicked by meningitis outbreak
Hundreds of masked-up students queued Wednesday to get vaccinated at the UK university campus at the heart of a deadly meningitis outbreak, as the number of cases rose to 20.
Sports
WNBA, players union agree 'transformative' labor deal: reports
The WNBA and the league's players' union have reached a verbal agreement on a record-breaking labor deal, US media reports said Thursday, heading off the prospect of a strike.
Economy
Global music market grows, calls for AI compensation: industry body
The global music industry generated $31.7 billion last year, driven by online streaming, industry body IFPI said Wednesday, as it called on the sector to ensure AI-generated content compensates musicians.
Politics
Maiduguri bombings follow surge of jihadist violence in Nigeria
Nigeria's defence chiefs visited Maiduguri Wednesday after one of the deadliest attacks in the Borno state capital in years, in a show of defiance.
Weather
Belgian court suspends TotalEnergies climate trial
A Belgian court Wednesday adjourned a case pitting TotalEnergies against a farmer seeking compensation for climate-change damage, pending the outcome of a separate trial against the French energy giant in Paris.
Economy
Troubled waters: Thai fishermen marooned by rising fuel costs
With his belongings stuffed into a plastic bag, Thai fisherman Narongsak Kongsuk heads home, far from the sea.
Sports
Doku adamant Man City still have plenty to play for after Champions League exit
Jeremy Doku believes Manchester City demonstrated enough quality while being knocked out of the Champions League to show that Pep Guardiola's men could yet enjoy a successful season.
Health
Afghanistan vows to avenge deadly Kabul bombing but says open to talks
A mass funeral for some of the hundreds of victims of a Pakistani strike on a Kabul drug treatment centre was held in Afghanistan on Wednesday, with the Taliban government promising retribution but leaving the door open for talks to end the conflict.
Politics
Stocks fall, oil surges as US inflation jumps and Israel strikes gas facilities
Stocks markets fell and oil prices surged Wednesday after a closely watched US inflation gauge came in hotter than expected and Iran said that Israel struck one of its gas facilities.
Things to know
Nigerian president meets royals on 'historic' UK state visit
King Charles III ceremonially welcomed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at Windsor Castle on Wednesday in the first state visit by the leader of Africa's most populous nation in nearly four decades.
Politics
South Lebanon residents flee death and destruction
The line of cars stretched as far as the eye could see along the coast of southern Lebanon, as residents of areas bombarded in the Israel-Hezbollah war poured into the ancient city of Sidon in search of safety.
Sports
Buttler ready to continue England career despite 'poor' T20 World Cup
Jos Buttler is refusing to accept his England career is over despite admitting he had a "poor tournament" at the recent T20 World Cup.
Economy
Why convoys cannot fully protect oil tankers from Iran attacks
The Israeli-US war on Iran has provoked a reaction from Tehran that has effectively choked a large chunk of the world's oil supply, and untangling the blockage will take a regional effort beyond what is currently being proposed, experts have told AFP.
Health
UK PM leads efforts to halt deadly meningitis spread
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday led urgent calls for young people who visited a nightclub at the centre of a deadly meningitis outbreak to come forward, as the number of cases rose.
Boulevard
EU lawmakers back ban on sexualised AI deepfakes
EU lawmakers on Wednesday approved a ban on AI systems generating sexualised deepfakes, after a global outcry over non-consensual nudes created by Elon Musk's chatbot Grok.
Sports
Stripping Senegal of AFCON title a 'disgrace for Africa' say fans
Senegal football fans slammed the decision to strip the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and give it to Morocco, calling the move a "disgrace for Africa" as they woke up to the news Wednesday.
Politics
Under Hezbollah fire, people in north Israel hope for better days
Israeli dairy and fruit farmer Tommy Kurlender refused to abandon his herd during the last war with Hezbollah, and vowed he would again stay put this time around.
Politics
Iran women's football team cross Turkish border to head home: AFP
The Iranian women's national football team crossed the Turkish border into Iran on Wednesday, among them several players who withdrew an asylum bid in Australia.
Politics
Fear in central Beirut as Israel strikes, with and without warning
Sara Saleh and her family fled wearing their pyjamas on Wednesday when Israel's military said it would strike a central Beirut building near the school-turned-shelter where they had been staying.
Politics
'France is wild': Macron to unveil name of Europe's largest warship
President Emmanuel Macron was set to unveil on Wednesday the name of France's next aircraft carrier, as the country looks to reinforce its status as a major maritime power.
Sports
Arsenal's Trossard says Leverkusen win ideal ahead of League Cup final
Arsenal's Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen is the perfect preparation for Sunday's League Cup final with Manchester City, according to forward Leandro Trossard.
Politics
Israel conducts wave of strikes on Beirut
Israel repeatedly struck central Beirut on Wednesday, with Lebanese authorities reporting a death toll of at least 12 including a director for Hezbollah's Al Manar TV channel, and said it would strike river crossings in south Lebanon.
Boulevard
Seven-year term sought for Norway princess's son for alleged rapes
Prosecutors in Norway called Wednesday for the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Marius Borg Hoiby, to serve seven years and seven months in prison for offences including the alleged rape of four women.
Politics
US govt says Anthropic AI an 'unacceptable risk' to military
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic posed an "unacceptable risk" to military supply chains, the US government insisted Tuesday, as it defends against the tech firm's challenge to a designation as dangerous.
Politics
Head of victorious Nepal party hails 'win for the country'
The head of the victorious party in Nepal's election hailed its landslide triumph as a "win for the country" on Wednesday, urging new lawmakers to deliver for people who "sacrificed their blood" in last year's protests.
Economy
Brussels touts 'EU Inc.' company status to lure start-ups
The EU unveiled Wednesday a scheme to make it much easier for innovative start-ups to launch and grow across the 27-nation bloc, as part of a push to help Europe keep up with US and Chinese economic rivals.
Politics
UN maritime body kicks off emergency talks on Mideast shipping
The head of the UN's maritime body Wednesday urged "practical measures" to protect trade ships threatened by the Middle East war, as he opened an emergency meeting amid fears for thousands of stranded ships and seafarers.
Economy
Oil wavers, stocks rise as attention turns to US Fed
Stocks markets climbed and oil prices wavered on Wednesday, as traders were reassured by a partial resumption of Iraq's crude exports and turned their focus to upcoming central bank decisions.
Politics
Israel says killed Iran intel chief, tells military to hunt down officials
Israel said Wednesday its forces had killed another top Iranian official, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, and said its military was authorised to kill any senior figure of the Islamic republic in its sights.