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France's Le Pen vows to block any government
France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Wednesday she would thwart all action by any new government, throwing into doubt Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu's ability to solve the country's deepening political crisis with a coalition cabinet.

Mooney ton rescues Australia in stunning World Cup win over Pakistan
A superb century from Beth Mooney dragged defending champions Australia back from the brink of disaster before they completed a crushing 107-run win over Pakistan in a Women’s World Cup clash in Colombo on Wednesday.

Afghan mobile access to Facebook, Instagram intentionally restricted: watchdog
Access to several social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, has been "intentionally restricted" in Afghanistan, an internet watchdog said Wednesday, a week after a 48-hour telecommunications blackout in the country.

From refugee to Nobel: Yaghi hails science's 'equalizing force'
Nobel chemistry laureate Omar Yaghi was born to Palestinian refugees in Jordan, a quiet, studious child in a "large, rowdy family" that shared a single room with cattle they raised.

Medvedev to face De Minaur in Shanghai quarter-finals
Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday got his revenge against US teenager Learner Tien, beating him in a nail-biter 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4 to proceed to the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals.

Conceicao named as new coach of Al Ittihad
Former AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao will take over as coach of Al Ittihad following the sacking of Laurent Blanc, the Saudi Arabian Pro League club announced on Wednesday.

Victoria Beckham reveals struggle to reinvent herself in Netflix series
Ex-Spice Girl turned designer Victoria Beckham describes herself as someone who "desperately wanted to be liked" in a new three-part documentary about her life.

'Solids full of holes': Nobel-winning materials explained
The chemistry Nobel was awarded on Wednesday to three scientists who discovered a revolutionary way of making materials full of tiny holes that can do everything from sucking water out of the desert air to capturing climate-warming carbon dioxide.

Iran releases Franco-German accused of spying
Iran has released a 19-year-old Franco-German national days after throwing out spying charges against him, France's foreign minister told AFP on Wednesday.
Britain's storied Conservative party faces threat to existence
The leader of Britain's Conservatives vowed to return the party to its roots Wednesday as she tries to revive the fortunes of a once-electoral powerhouse whose very future is now under threat.

Gisele Pelicot urges accused rapist to 'take responsibility'
Gisele Pelicot, the Frenchwoman who became a feminist hero in a mass rape trial last year, was thrust into the national spotlight once again Wednesday, telling the one man who still denies raping her he must "take responsibility" for his actions.

BBVA, Sabadell clash heats up ahead of takeover deadline
Tensions mounted ahead of the closing on Friday of Spanish banking giant BBVA's hostile takeover bid for smaller national rival Sabadell whose uncertain outcome will be announced on October 17.

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief says
The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday.

Veggie 'burgers' face the chop as EU lawmakers back labeling ban
Plant-based "steaks" and "veggie burgers" may be on the way out in the European Union after the bloc's parliament voted Wednesday to restrict such labels to meat only, in a win for disgruntled farmers.

Former FBI chief James Comey pleads not guilty in case pushed by Trump
Former FBI director James Comey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to felony charges in a case widely seen as an escalation of President Donald Trump's campaign of retribution against political opponents.

US envoys arrive at Gaza truce talks as Egypt, Hamas voice 'optimism'
Top US negotiators joined discussions Wednesday aimed at bringing the Gaza war to an end, with the negotiations' Egyptian host saying he had received "encouraging" signs so far.

Germany raises growth forecasts, but warns reforms needed
Germany's economy will eke out meagre growth in 2025 before picking up speed next year, the government Wednesday said as it raised forecasts, but called for "decisive reforms" for a sustained recovery.

Gold tops $4,000 for first time on political, economic worries
Gold topped $4,000 an ounce for the first time Wednesday as investors flocked to the safe investment on worries over the US government shutdown, France's political crisis and global economic uncertainty.

Serie A chief blasts Rabiot's criticism of Milan match in Australia
The CEO of Serie A on Wednesday slammed Adrien Rabiot's criticism of UEFA's decision to allow AC Milan to play a league fixture in Australia.

From refugee to Nobel: Yaghi hails science's 'equalising force'
Born into a family of Palestinian refugees in Jordan with little schooling, Nobel chemistry laureate Omar Yaghi on Wednesday paid tribute to science's "equalising force".

De Minaur, Auger-Aliassime through to Shanghai quarter-finals
Australia's Alex de Minaur cruised through to the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals on Wednesday, ousting Portugal's Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2.

Canal Istanbul stirs fear and uncertainty in nearby villages
In Sazlibosna village, along the planned route of the vast Canal Istanbul project, 68-year-old Yasar Demirkaya fidgets with worn prayer beads as he sips tea at a cafe, uncertain about the future.

Root backs England to end Ashes drought in Australia
Joe Root insists England can end their 10-year long Ashes drought as they bid to finally "bring the urn home" from their tour to Australia later this year.

British PM Starmer hails India opportunities after trade deal
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer touted "unparalleled" opportunities opening up in India as he made his inaugural visit to the country on Wednesday, seeking to promote a trade deal signed this summer.

England captain Kane could miss Wales friendly
England captain Harry Kane could miss Thursday's friendly against Wales after the Bayern Munich striker was unable to train on Wednesday.

Tennis increases support for players under corruption, doping investigation
Tennis players who are caught up in doping or corruption investigations will be entitled to a new series of support packages which were announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Wednesday.

Russia says momentum from Putin-Trump meeting 'gone'
Russia said Wednesday that momentum towards reaching a peace deal in Ukraine had largely vanished following Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump's presidential summit in Alaska, dimming hopes for a quick end to the three-and-a-half year war.

Gold tops $4,000 for first time as safe haven shines
Gold surpassed $4,000 an ounce for the first time Wednesday as investors piled into the safe haven investment over various economic concerns including the US government shutdown.

EU wants key sectors to use made-in-Europe AI
The EU on Wednesday told European businesses in critical sectors to ramp up their uptake of artificial intelligence and pushed for the bloc to cut its dependence on foreign AI providers.

De Minaur, Rinderknech through to Shanghai quarter-finals
Australia's Alex de Minaur cruised through to the Shanghai Masters quarter-finals on Wednesday, ousting Portugal's Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2.

Gisele Pelicot says 'never' gave consent to accused rapist
Gisele Pelicot, who became a feminist hero in a mass rape trial last year, testified in court on Wednesday, telling the one man who still denies raping her that she "never" gave him her consent.

Thousands stranded as record floods submerge Vietnam streets
Record floods submerged streets and inundated homes in Vietnam on Wednesday, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded, with at least eight killed this week.