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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.
Economy
Stocks fluctuate after Wall St AI-fuelled sell-off
European and Asian stock markets struggled for direction Wednesday following a tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals recovered further.
Sports
Feyi-Waboso reminds England great Robinson of himself
England Rugby World Cup-winner Jason Robinson believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's impressive skills are reminiscent of his own as the wing looks to provide the current side with a cutting edge in the Six Nations.
Boulevard
Starmer faces MPs as pressure grows over Mandelson scandal
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced growing pressure Wednesday over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, after fresh revelations about the disgraced politician's close ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Politics
HRW urges pushback against 'aggressive superpowers'
Human Rights Watch has urged nations to push back against "aggressive superpowers" such as Russia, China and the United States under Donald Trump, accusing the countries of undermining human rights and undoing much of the progress of the past decades.
Russia demands Ukraine give in as UAE talks open
Moscow on Wednesday demanded Kyiv accept its conditions to end the four-year-war and vowed to press on with its invasion otherwise, as negotiations between the two sides opened in Abu Dhabi.
Politics
Gaza civil defence says 17 killed in strikes after Israel says shots wounded officer
Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli air strikes on Wednesday killed 17 people in the Palestinian territory, with Israel's military saying it struck after gunfire targeting its troops wounded an officer.
Sports
France's Kante joins Fenerbahce after Erdogan 'support'
France midfielder Ngolo Kante has signed for Fenerbahce from Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad thanks to "support" from president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish club said on Wednesday.
Boulevard
CK Hutchison launches arbitration over Panama Canal port ruling
Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country's top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal.
Stocks mostly rise as traders ignore AI-fuelled sell-off on Wall St
Stocks mostly rose Wednesday as investors brushed off another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals continued their recovery on dip-buying following a two-day collapse.
Politics
Acclaimed Iraqi film explores Saddam Hussein's absurd birthday rituals
For Iraqis who lived through the 1990s, dictator Saddam Hussein's birthday on April 28 was a disorientating day of celebration and propaganda.
Politics
On rare earth supply, Trump for once seeks allies
In his year since returning to office, President Donald Trump has shown disdain for longstanding alliances, vowing "America First" even if US friends lose out.
Sports
Ukrainian chasing sumo greatness after meteoric rise
Danylo Yavhusishyn fled the war in Ukraine to become a sumo wrestler in Japan and his rapid rise has taken him to one step away from reaching the ancient sport's highest rank.
Sports
Draper to make long-awaited return in Davis Cup qualifier
Jack Draper insists he is "still improving" as he prepares to return from a long-term injury absence this week in Britain's Davis Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.
Sports
Can Ilia Malinin fulfil his promise at the Winter Olympics?
US figure skater Ilia Malinin arrives at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics carrying an aura of invincibility.
Boulevard
CK Hutchison begins arbitration against Panama over annulled canal contract
Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country's top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal.
Culture
UNESCO recognition inspires hope in Afghan artist's city
Hundreds of years after the celebrated painter Kamal ud-Din Behzad roamed the streets of Herat, artists in the Afghan city are finding joy and hope in his recognition by UNESCO.
Politics
Ukraine, Russia, US negotiators gather in Abu Dhabi for war talks
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States were set to gather in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, seeking to advance fraught talks on how to end the four-year war.
Politics
WTO must 'reform or die': talks facilitator
Successfully reforming the WTO is a matter of life and death for the organisation, warns the facilitator of talks on revamping the global trade body.
Health
Doctors hope UK archive can solve under-50s bowel cancer mystery
In a dusty hospital basement on the outskirts of London, over 100 years of medical history lines the shelves, neatly arranged in row after row of cardboard specimen boxes.
Economy
Stocks swing following latest AI-fuelled sell-off on Wall St
Stocks fluctuated Wednesday following another tech-fuelled sell-off on Wall Street, while precious metals continued their recovery on dip-buying following a two-day collapse.
Sports
Demanding Dupont set to fire France in Ireland opener
France coach Fabien Galthie expects returning talismanic captain Antoine Dupont to spark defending champions France to a higher level in their Six Nations opener against injury-hit Ireland on Thursday.
Politics
Britain's ex-prince Andrew leaves Windsor home: BBC
Britain's former prince Andrew has moved from his luxurious Windsor home to a royal estate in eastern England, the BBC reported Tuesday, as he faces renewed scrutiny over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sports
Coach plots first South Africa World Cup win after Test triumph
Head coach Shukri Conrad had a clear plan which culminated in South Africa winning last year's World Test Championship final, but he has shaken things up as he plots a first major white-ball trophy at the T20 World Cup.
Sports
Spin-heavy Pakistan hit form, but India boycott risks early T20 exit
Pakistan's spin-heavy squad are in winning form ahead of the T20 World Cup, but a controversial decision to forfeit their marquee clash against India could still trigger another early exit.
Sports
Japan eyes Premier League parity by aligning calendar with Europe
Japan's J. League can one day compete with England's Premier League if a calendar switch helps clubs bring in bigger transfer fees, its chairman told AFP ahead of the new season.
Technology
Whack-a-mole: US academic fights to purge his AI deepfakes
As deepfake videos of John Mearsheimer multiplied across YouTube, the American academic rushed to have them taken down, embarking on a grueling fight that laid bare the challenges of combating AI-driven impersonation.
Culture
Love in a time of war for journalist and activist in new documentary
An unlikely love story blossoming in the thick of war provides the backdrop to a new documentary that raises questions about how modern media cover conflict.
Boulevard
'Unprecedented mass killing': NGOs battle to quantify Iran crackdown scale
When the first pieces of information circumvented a near-total blackout during Iran's protests last month, rights defender Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam was already ready to say the scale of the crackdown was "unbelievable".