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Google hails 'key milestone' in quantum computing
Google scientists said Wednesday they have passed a major milestone in their quest to develop effective quantum computing, with a new study showing they reduced the rate of errors -- long an obstacle for the much-hyped technology.
England's Tom Curry out of Six Nations with fresh hamstring trouble
England back-row Tom Curry will play no part at all in this season's Six Nations after being ruled out for at least four weeks with a torn hamstring, it was announced Wednesday.
Pet-lovers protest demolition of Turkey quake building
Animal lovers in a Turkish city ravaged by a deadly earthquake protested Wednesday after officials sought to demolish a damaged building thought to contain several animals, AFP correspondents saw.
Brazil storm death toll rises to 48
At least 48 people were killed in floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in southeastern Brazil, authorities said Wednesday, updating the death toll as the search for dozens of missing entered the fourth day.
Paris protest against TotalEnergies East Africa oil pipeline
Activists in Paris Wednesday called out two banks involved in the financing of a controversial fossil fuel project in East Africa, part of a coordinated protest across a dozen cities worldwide.
Webb spots surprisingly massive galaxies in early universe
The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted six massive galaxies that emerged not long after the Big Bang, a study said Wednesday, surprising scientists by forming at a speed that contradicts our current understanding of the universe.
Hockney immersive takes plunge into artist's creative process
David Hockney's first immersive show opened to the public in London on Wednesday offering a hypnotic, multi-sensory journey through the artist's decades-long career, from sun-drenched California swimming pools to the Normandy countryside.
Ten Hag meets Ferguson ahead of Man Utd v Barcelona clash
Erik ten Hag picked the brains of Alex Ferguson ahead of Manchester United's Europa League clash against Barcelona on Thursday, admitting his side need to produce their best performance of the season to progress.
Biden slams Russia over treaty, Putin tightens China ties
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday called Russia's suspension of a nuclear treaty a "big mistake" as Moscow sought closer ties to China and said it was fighting for "historical" lands in Ukraine.
Djokovic nearly '100 percent' after fighting hamstring injury
Top-ranked tennis ace Novak Djokovic on Wednesday said he was close to 100 percent after battling through a hamstring injury during his winning sweep at the Australian Open last month.
Energy-starved S.Africa offers tax breaks to boost green power
South Africa unveiled Wednesday new tax incentives to encourage investment in the production of clean power to help the country battle an energy crisis that has sparked worsening blackouts.
Georgia jailed ex-leader claims doctors trying to 'kill' him
Georgia's jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili on Wednesday accused state-appointed doctors of refusing to treat him and being part of an alleged conspiracy to "kill" him.
'Give us ammo': Wagner chief challenges Russian army
The head of the Wagner mercenary outfit on Wednesday urged Russians to pressure the country's regular army into sharing ammunition with his fighters in Ukraine in a major challenge to the Kremlin.
Sexton out of Italy match, Ryan replaces him as Irish captain
Talismanic fly-half Johnny Sexton has been ruled out of unbeaten Ireland's Six Nations match with Italy on Saturday and will be replaced by James Ryan as skipper, the Irish Rugby Football Union said on Wednesday.
Russia fighting for its 'historical lands': Putin
President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday Russia was fighting for its "historical" lands in Ukraine, at a state-organised patriotic rally in Moscow in support of the Ukraine offensive.
Welsh players meet as strike threatens England Six Nations match
Every professional rugby player in Wales was summoned to a crunch meeting on Wednesday ahead of a potential strike that threatens to scupper this weekend's Six Nations clash with England.
Kandinsky work among masterpieces at London auction
A newly restored masterpiece by Wassily Kandinsky, "Murnau Mit Kirche II", will be auctioned in London on March 1, alongside a Munch and a Kupka once owned by Sean Connery.
Markets stabilise ahead of Fed minutes
Equity markets stabilised ahead of the publication of the minutes from the last US Federal Reserve policy meeting, with investors hungry for clues on interest rates.
Candidates battle for 'Buhari' votes in north Nigerian stronghold
When shoe salesman Haruna Abubakar voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and again in 2019, he was one of more than a million Nigerians backing the former army chief in his stronghold of northern Kano State.
Four dead after Cyclone Freddy crosses Madagascar
A powerful cyclone battered Madagascar on Wednesday, killing four people as it barrelled towards Mozambique but leaving less devastation in its wake than feared, emergency officials said.
Kenya launches probe into sex abuse claims at UK tea firms
Kenyan lawmakers say they will investigate accusations of sexual abuse on tea plantations that supply some of Britain's most popular brands.
10 Palestinians killed, dozens shot in Israel West Bank raid
Israeli troops killed 10 Palestinians Wednesday in a raid on the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, while more than 80 suffered gunshot wounds, the Palestinian health ministry said.
Bayern's Nagelsmann escapes suspension after referee rant
Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann dodged suspension but was handed a large fine Wednesday for "unsportsmanlike" comments made to referees after his side's 3-2 loss at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
India pledge all-out attack to break Australia grip at T20 World Cup
Australia and England are hot favourites to reach Sunday's final of the Women's T20 World Cup, but India captain Harmanpreet Kaur believes there is a factor which can alter the odds.
Hidden pain: C.Africa's rape epidemic
Camille fixes her gaze on her fingers, fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Her gestures are anxious, and her tender features betray her 15 years of age.
Spain to host first Latin Grammys held outside US
Spain will host the next Latin Grammy Awards ceremony, marking the first time the star-studded event is held outside the United States, officials said Wednesday.
Germany expels two Iran diplomats over dual national's death penalty
Germany said Wednesday that it was expelling two diplomats from the Iranian embassy in Berlin in response to the death sentence an Iranian court handed down against an Iranian-German national.
UNESCO conference tackles disinformation, hate speech
Participants at a global UN conference in France's capital on Wednesday urged the international community to find better safeguards against online disinformation and hate speech.
Pupil stabs teacher to death at French school
A teacher at a school in southwest France was killed on Wednesday in a stabbing attack by a teenage pupil in the middle of a lesson, the regional prosecutor said.
US 'committed' to joint sea patrols with Philippines: US navy chief
The United States is "committed" to conducting joint maritime patrols with the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, the US navy chief said Wednesday, as the countries seek to deter Chinese aggression.
Biden meets NATO leaders as Putin talks up China ties
US President Joe Biden was due to meet eastern European leaders on Wednesday to discuss support for Ukraine, while President Vladimir Putin held talks with China's top diplomat in Moscow.
Global stocks slide as traders eye more US rate hikes
Stock markets slid Wednesday, mirroring Wall Street losses, as strong economic data fanned expectations that US interest rates will continue to rise and stay high for some time.