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UN experts warn of 'annihilation' in Gaza amid Israeli strikes
UN experts demanded action on Wednesday to avert the "annihilation" of Palestinians in Gaza, as rescuers said Israeli strikes across the territory killed dozens of people.

China's Xi lands in Moscow to beef up 'no limits' Putin partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow on Wednesday for a key three-day visit including a grand Victory Day parade and a show of support for Vladimir Putin.

Finnish fighter jet crashes in Arctic town, pilot ejected
A Finnish F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed Wednesday near the Rovaniemi airport in Finland's Arctic north, but the pilot was rescued after ejecting, the armed forces said.

India captain Rohit Sharma announces retirement from Test cricket
India captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the team's tour of England starting next month, but will continue to play the shorter 50-over format.

South African sprinter Simbine shrugs off 'nearly man' tag
In-form South African sprinter Akani Simbine insists he is no "nearly man" despite missing a podium finish in the men's 100m at the last three Olympics by a combined total of just eight-hundredths of second.

Cardinals pray as conclave rituals begin
Red-robed cardinals assembled in the Vatican on Wednesday to pray, shortly before being locked in to elect a new pope to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Disney announces new theme park in Abu Dhabi
The Walt Disney Company announced plans Wednesday for a new theme park in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the country's growing prominence as a global financial and entertainment hub.

US, Chinese stocks up before trade talks, Fed move
US and Chinese stocks rose on Wednesday, along with the dollar, as investors eyed weekend US-China trade talks and an imminent Federal reserve interest-rate decision.

Amorim determined to keep Fernandes at Man Utd despite Saudi interest
Ruben Amorim has insisted he wants to keep Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes despite interest from Saudi Arabia, labelling the Portugal international "one of the top players in the world".

EU eyes targeting 100 bn euros of US goods with tariffs
The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump's sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats told AFP Wednesday.

Second plane falls off US aircraft carrier in 10 days
A US warplane plummeted into the Red Sea when trying to land on the Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, a defense official said Wednesday, the second jet lost from the ship in just over a week.

France, Germany say to cooperate more closely on defence
French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed Wednesday to ramp up security cooperation in the face of Russian threats, as the new German leader visited Paris on his first trip abroad.

Merz tells France Mercosur trade deal must be ratified 'quickly'
Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday EU countries should "quickly" ratify a free trade deal with four South American nations that has met with staunch opposition from France.

World's richest 10% caused two thirds of global warming: study
The world's wealthiest 10 percent of individuals are responsible for two thirds of global warming since 1990, researchers said Tuesday.

New German finance minister says 'no time to lose'
Germany's new Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said Wednesday there was "no time to lose" to jump-start Europe's beleaguered top economy, even as hardline US trade policies complicate his task.

Yemen's Huthis to keep attacking Israeli ships despite US deal
Yemen's Huthi rebels will continue targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea, an official told AFP on Wednesday, despite a ceasefire that ended weeks of intense US strikes on the Iran-backed group.

Hamas insists on 'comprehensive' deal to end Gaza war
Hamas insisted Wednesday on a "comprehensive" agreement to end its war with Israel, as rescuers said Israeli bombardment of Gaza killed at least 26 people amid a growing humanitarian catastrophe.

Nations urge restraint in India-Pakistan clash
Deadly clashes between India and Pakistan sparked alarm and calls for restraint from around the world on Wednesday.

Weight-loss drugmaker Novo Nordisk slims sales forecast
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, known for its blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss treatments Ozempic and Wegovy, cut its annual sales forecast on Wednesday, citing a decline in its US market share.

Kremlin says taking 'all measures' to protect May 9 parade
The Kremlin was forced Wednesday to say it was taking "all necessary measures" to ensure the safety of foreign leaders set to attend its flagship May 9 parade after a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks closed airports across the country, disrupting hundreds of flights.

Stocks mixed before Fed decision, China-US trade talks
Stock markets diverged and the dollar rose on Wednesday as investors awaited an upcoming interest rate decision by the US Federal Reserve and looming trade talks between China and the United States.

Danish firm Orsted halts huge UK offshore wind farm project
Danish renewables firm Orsted said Wednesday it was shelving plans to build a massive wind farm off the UK coast due to rising costs, dealing a setback to Britain's clean energy goals.

Explosions and fire on the contested India-Pakistan border
At dawn Wednesday on the contested border between India and Pakistan, in the usually sleepy Indian-run town of Poonch, a thumping explosion ripped the air as an artillery shell smashed into a building.

Distillery layoffs send shudders across remote Scottish island
When Scotland's windswept Isle of Harris welcomed its first commercial distillery a decade ago, it was about more than just whisky.

Hong Kong loosens rules for harbour reclamation
Hong Kong passed a law on Wednesday that made it easier for the government to create new land through reclamation in the city's famed Victoria Harbour despite objections from environmental activists.

Israel's Gaza plan 'dangerous moment' for civilians: UN official
The UN's human rights chief told AFP Wednesday that Israel's plan for an expanded offensive in the Gaza Strip represented "a very dangerous moment" for civilians there.
Kenya court fines teens for trying to smuggle protected ants
A Kenyan court on Wednesday fined four people, including two Belgian teenagers, more than $7,000 for attempting to smuggle thousands of live ants out of the country.

Kenya court fines ant smugglers for 'bio-piracy'
A Kenyan court on Wednesday fined four people, including two Belgian teenagers, more than $7,000 for attempting to smuggle thousands of live ants out of the country.

Young Barca earn respect but crave trophies after Inter heartbreak
Hansi Flick's brilliant young Barcelona side won hearts in this season's Champions League and re-established themselves at Europe's top table, but fell agonisingly short of reaching the Munich final after one of the competition's greatest semi-finals.

Palestinians in razed West Bank hamlet vow to stay
Standing in the rubble of used to be his home, Palestinian farmer Haitham Dababseh cleared stones to make space for a tent after Israeli army bulldozers destroyed his village in the occupied West Bank.

Next pope faces 'difficult, complex' point in history, cardinals told
The cardinal leading the last mass before a conclave to elect a new pope urged his peers Wednesday to choose someone able to protect the Catholic Church's unity and lead a "difficult and complex" point in history.

J-pop mega-group Arashi to disband after final tour
J-pop mega-group Arashi, wildly popular in Japan and elsewhere in Asia, said they would end their activities as a band following a final tour next year.