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Nine bodies found in France holiday lodging fire 'tragedy'
Nine corpses were found Wednesday following a fire at a centre in eastern France where a group of adults with learning disabilities were taking their holidays.
France softens tone on Niger coup
Two weeks after the coup in Niger, France has abandoned its tough tone on the crisis and is now inclining towards diplomatic solutions, with military action seemingly ruled out for now, experts said.
Roberts set for debut as Wales ring changes for England warm-up match
Scarlets centre Joe Roberts is set to make his Wales debut in a team showing 15 changes -- an entire side's worth -- for a Rugby World Cup warm-up match against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Kenya political rivals hold talks after protests
Kenya's government and the opposition launched fresh talks Wednesday aimed at resolving a bitter political feud following a spate of violent protests over the high cost of living and calls for electoral reforms.
European stocks rebound, Asia mixed after weak China data
European stock markets rebounded on Wednesday as bank shares recovered and after a mixed showing by Asia.
Seven killed in SW China floods as Beijing triples rain death toll
Seven people were killed in flash floods in southwestern China on Wednesday, as authorities in Beijing tripled the death toll from the capital's heaviest-ever rains.
Eleven missing in France holiday lodging fire: official
Eleven people were missing Wednesday following a fire at a centre in eastern France where a group of adults with learning disabilities were taking their holidays, authorities said.
Fast, cool, deadly: Miyazawa spearheads Japan World Cup charge
Hinata Miyazawa had never been prolific for club or country before the Women's World Cup -- now she is the tournament's leading scorer and spearheading Japan's surprise title charge.
UN says reached deal with Syria over key aid crossing
The United Nations has said it reached agreement with the Syrian government on aid deliveries to rebel-held areas from Turkey, raising concern among relief groups who had wanted Damascus kept out.
Pentagon eyes missile testing role for Australia
Australia could be a testing ground for US hypersonic and other long-range precision weapons under the AUKUS pact, a top Pentagon official told AFP on Wednesday.
Winning $1.58 bn Mega Millions jackpot ticket sold in Florida
A lottery player in the US state of Florida won a record $1.58 billion Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday, the lottery announced.
33 dead, 18 still missing after record Beijing rains
Thirty-three people have been confirmed dead and 18 are still missing after Beijing's heaviest rains on record, officials said Wednesday.
Springboks' success belies S.Africa's rugby inequality
On a parched pitch in an impoverished South African township, a group of young men do push-ups on the hard ground before kicking off a game of rugby.
Asian markets swing as China slips into deflation
Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday after data showing China slipped into deflation compounded worries about the world number two economy's faltering post-Covid recovery.
It's the Women's World Cup, so where are the woman coaches?
The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has showcased the strides made in women's football on the field in recent years -- while exposing the lack of woman coaches at all levels of the sport.
Travel giant TUI on track for 'strong' summer despite wildfires
The world's largest tourism operator TUI said Wednesday it was on track to meet its full-year targets thanks to a "very good travel summer", despite the upheaval caused by heatwaves and wildfires in Europe.
Cathay Pacific rebounds to first-half profit as travel picks up
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday swung to a healthy profit in the first half of the year thanks to a pick-up in travel, with the airline expecting passenger capacity to reach 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels by end of the year.
The temperature the human body cannot survive
Scientists have identified the maximum mix of heat and humidity a human body can survive.
How China is responding to economic challenges
China on Wednesday reported it had entered deflation for the first time since 2021 -- the latest indicator pointing to a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.
Nigeria says not ruling out force in Niger ahead of West African summit
Coup-hit Niger's neighbours have not ruled out military intervention, Nigeria's president said, ahead of a West African coalition's crisis summit in Abuja on Thursday.
El Nino could imperil Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Australia's Great Barrier Reef could deteriorate if warming ocean temperatures spark another mass coral bleaching event later this year, the country's top marine science body said Wednesday.
Cathay Pacific reports first half profit amid travel recovery
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday swung to a healthy profit in the first half of the year thanks to a pick-up in travel, with the airline expecting passenger capacity to reach 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels by end of the year.
Paris Olympics will be last for Australian swim king Chalmers
Australian swim king Kyle Chalmers on Wednesday said the Paris Olympics will be his third and last, but the sprint star insisted it did not mean he was retiring.
Colombia 'dreaming big' as they plot England downfall at World Cup
Colombia captain Catalina Usme is "dreaming big" and coach Nelson Abadia wants to "make history" as the last team standing from the Americas plots the downfall of England in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.
Rocky US-Saudi bond boosted by Israel normalisation push
A spate of high-profile visits by US officials to Saudi Arabia underscores how ties have warmed amid talks over a potential deal that would see the Gulf kingdom recognise Israel, analysts say.
33 dead, 18 still missing after record Beijing rains: officials
Thirty-three people have been confirmed dead and 18 are still missing after Beijing's heaviest rains on record, officials said Wednesday.
Wanted Hong Kong activist says parents 'harassed, intimidated'
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok said Wednesday that her parents were "questioned, harassed and intimidated" by authorities, weeks after officials accused her and seven others of endangering national security.
World's largest cruise ship to set sail as industry rebounds
With cruise bookings seeing a resurgence after the Covid pandemic caused luxury liners to mothball, a Finnish shipyard is putting the final touches on what will be the world's largest cruise ship.
Women wrestlers battle for equality with Swiss 'schwinger kings'
Traditional Swiss wrestling, known as "schwingen" in German, has been a male preserve for centuries -- the ultimate test of manhood for Alpine alpha males.
Biden says will visit Vietnam 'shortly'
US President Joe Biden said Tuesday he would travel to Vietnam "shortly" as part of an effort to improve ties with Hanoi, as Washington seeks to counter China's influence in the region.
In-form Boutier realistic over Women's British Open success
Celine Boutier admits it is a long shot but the French player still starts as favourite to make it three wins in a row at the final major of the season, this weekend's Women's British Open at Walton Heath.
Murray and Zverev master Toronto wind to advance, Ruud wins
Former Toronto Masters winners Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev dispatched first-round opponents in windy conditions on Tuesday to power into the second round of the Canadian hardcourt event.