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Sports
Coach Thioune tasked with saving battling Bremen
Daniel Thioune was named Werder Bremen coach on Wednesday and tasked with saving the struggling Bundesliga side from the drop.
Politics
Russia vows to act 'responsibly' once nuclear pact with US ends
Russia vowed Wednesday to act "responsibly" should its last nuclear treaty with the United States expire on February 5, amid mounting fears the agreement's collapse could spur a new arms race between the top nuclear powers.
Things to know
Son of Norway's crown princess admits excesses but denies rape
The son of Norway's future queen on Wednesday admitted a life of excess, blaming it on an "extreme need for recognition", but denied raping a woman at his parents' royal estate in 2018.
Economy
US calls for minerals trade zone in rare move with allies
US President Donald Trump's administration called Wednesday for a preferential trade zone among allies on critical minerals crucial for advanced technology, in a rare turn to multilateralism in the face of China's dominance.
Sports
Vowles dismisses Williams 2026 title hopes as 'not realistic'
British Formula One team Williams has made progress but "it's not realistic" to target the title in 2026 or 2027, its principal James Vowles told AFP in the build-up to a new season marked by an overhaul of the technical regulations.
Sports
'Dinosaur' Glenn chasing skating gold in first Olympics
US champion Amber Glenn said Wednesday she may feel like a dinosaur competing in her first Winter Olympics at the age of 26 but she sees it as a great opportunity to put the US back on the women's podium after a two-decade absence.
Politics
Gaza health officials say strikes kill 23 after Israel says shots wounded officer
Gazan health officials said Israeli air strikes on Wednesday killed 23 people, with Israel's military saying it struck after one of its officers was wounded by enemy gunfire.
Politics
Italy foils Russian cyberattacks targeting Olympics
Italy has thwarted a series of Russian cyberattacks targeting the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the foreign minister said Wednesday, as security operations ramp up with just hours to go.
Economy
Stocks stabilise after Wall St AI-fuelled sell-off
Stock markets stabilised Wednesday following a tech-led selloff spurred by AI disruption fears, while precious metals recovered further.
Sports
Figure skating favourite Malinin feeling 'the pressure' in Milan
Olympic men's figure skating star Ilia Malinin admitted Wednesday that being the favourite was a tough burden to carry.
Economy
Netflix film probes conviction of UK baby killer nurse
A Netflix documentary released Wednesday about a former UK nurse jailed for life for murdering seven babies is taking a fresh look at the puzzling case of the prolific child killer.
Sports
Timber hopes League Cup can be catalyst for Arsenal success
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber believes lifting the English League Cup could inspire the Gunners to even more success this season.
Politics
China calls EU 'discriminatory' over probe into energy giant Goldwind
Beijing accused the European Union on Wednesday of taking "discriminatory" measures after the bloc opened an investigation into Chinese clean energy giant Goldwind over concerns the firm unfairly benefitted from state subsidies.
Economy
Sales warning slams Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk's stock
Shares in Danish pharmaceuticals group Novo Nordisk plunged Wednesday after the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy anti-obesity drugs warned of lower sales this year in the key US market.
Sports
Can Vonn defy ACL rupture to win Olympic medal?
Lindsey Vonn is convinced that her dream of a medal at the Winter Olympics could still become reality even after knee ligament damage almost forced her to drop out days before the Milan-Cortina Games.
Politics
Breakthrough or prelude to attack? What we know about Iran-US talks
US and Iranian officials are due this week to hold their first talks since Iran launched a deadly crackdown on protests, in a meeting likely to be crucial in determining if the US carries out renewed military action against the Islamic republic.
Boulevard
German far-right MP detained over alleged Belarus sanctions breach
German police detained a regional lawmaker of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a state parliament Wednesday for questioning about a suspected breach of EU export sanctions on Belarus.
Politics
MSF says its hospital in South Sudan hit by government air strike
Doctors Without Borders said Wednesday its hospital in Lankien, South Sudan was hit by a government air strike overnight, after another of its health facilities was looted.
Politics
Merz heads to Gulf as Germany looks to diversify trade ties
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz headed to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to kick off a Gulf tour as the biggest EU economy seeks to diversify its key trade and energy partnerships.
Sports
Selection process for future Olympic hosts set for reform
The International Olympic Committee is considering reforming its procedure for awarding future Games to restore "transparency" and establish a clearer timetable, as the contest looms as to who hosts the 2036 Summer Olympics.
Politics
Serbian minister on trial over Trump-linked hotel plan
Serbia's culture minister and other senior officials appeared in a Belgrade court Wednesday to face corruption charges over a scrapped hotel project linked to the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
Politics
UK PM says Mandelson 'lied', regrets appointing him US envoy
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said he regretted appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, as the UK leader faced a storm of criticism after fresh revelations about the disgraced politician's close ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Sports
Cochran-Siegle tops first Olympic downhill training
American Ryan Cochran-Siegle topped times for the first training run of the men's Olympic downhill at Bormio on Wednesday.
Politics
Gaza health officials say strikes kill 21 after Israel says shots wounded officer
Gazan health officials said Israeli air strikes on Wednesday killed 21 people in the Palestinian territory, with Israel's military saying it struck after gunfire targeting its troops wounded an officer.
Sports
Injured Vonn's Olympic bid is 'inspirational', ski stars say
US speed queen Lindsey Vonn's desire to race at the Olympics despite a ruptured knee ligament is an inspiration to all racers, her male counterparts said after training on Wednesday.
Nature
Albania arrests 20 for toxic waste trafficking
Albanian police arrested 20 people over their role in toxic-waste trafficking from the Balkan country to Thailand, police said Wednesday.
Politics
US-Africa trade deal renewal only 'temporary breather'
African manufacturers warned on Wednesday that a one-year extension to the long-standing duty-free deal with the United States was only a temporary "breather" and could jeopardise long-term investment.
Sports
Mir sets pace on Sepang day two, Yamaha absent
Spaniard Joan Mir set the pace on the second day of MotoGP pre-season testing in contrasting conditions at the Sepang circuit on Wednesday, as Italian-Japanese factory team Yamaha opted to stay off track.
Politics
Xi, Putin hail 'stabilising' China-Russia alliance
China's President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin hailed their countries' "stabilising" economic, political and security alliance in the face of "turbulent" times globally, as they spoke via video call on Wednesday.
Economy
GSK boosted by specialty drugs, end to Zantac fallout
British pharmaceutical group GSK reported Wednesday a sharp rise in annual net profit, boosted by strong sales of HIV, respiratory and cancer treatments as it recovered from costly US lawsuits over its Zantac heartburn treatment.
Things to know
UK's ex-prince leaves Windsor home amid Epstein storm: reports
Britain's former prince Andrew has moved out of his sprawling home on the royal Windsor estate, media reports said Wednesday, after newly released documents reignited the scandal over his links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sports
Sky is the limit for Ireland fly-half Prendergast, says captain Doris
Captain Caelan Doris said on Wednesday that he has faith in young fly-half Sam Prendergast ahead of Ireland's daunting Six Nations opener away to reigning champions France in Paris, despite reservations about his defence.