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Brawl mars Turkish football's return from suspension
A violent fight involving flying kicks marred Turkish football's return from a week-long suspension caused by a club president punching a referee.
Icelandic volcano eruption eases as evacuated village remains off-limits
A volcanic eruption that rocked Iceland this week diminished in intensity for a second day Wednesday, though media reports said a nearby evacuated fishing village would remain off limits for at least another week.
Hopes rise for Israel-Hamas truce deal as Gaza toll hits 20,000
Hopes rose Wednesday that Israel and Hamas may be inching toward another truce and hostage-release deal in the Gaza war, following talks in Europe and a visit to Egypt by the head of the Palestinian militant group.
UK teens found guilty of killing trans girl
Two British teenagers were found guilty Wednesday of the "disturbing" murder of a 16-year-old transgender girl who died in a "frenzied and ferocious" knife attack.
Pogba anti-doping hearing moved to unspecified date
Paul Pogba's anti-doping hearing has been moved from January 18 to an unspecified date, a source told AFP on Wednesday.
Oil prices advance, Wall Street stocks set new records
Oil prices rose back above $80 per barrel on Wednesday as the threat of attacks keeps ships out of the Red Sea, while Wall Street stocks set fresh record highs.
Wilder urges Blades to maintain self-belief against in-form Villa
Chris Wilder insisted Wednesday that basement club Sheffield United must retain their self-belief if they are to stand a chance of winning at high-flying Aston Villa.
Russian-Israeli relations crumble over Gaza war: analysts
Among the nations condemning Israel's war in Gaza, one has stood out -- Russia had built a growing friendship with Israel, but that dalliance is over, analysts said, erased by the shifting sands of Middle East geopolitics.
Nuno wants to build on Cooper's 'amazing legacy' at Forest
Newly-appointed Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said he wanted to build on the amazing "legacy" of Steve Cooper at the Premier League club.
US home sales edge up in November but still gloomy
Sales of US existing homes crept up in November, according to industry data released Wednesday, though they remained at a low level as high mortgage rates weigh on activity.
Palace manager Hodgson says Eze set for return to starting side
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said Eberechi Eze is on "the cusp" of a return to the first XI as he prepares to be without Joel Ward, his club captain.
US Soccer blocks MLS from entering reserve teams into US Open Cup
Major League Soccer's plan to have their reserve team clubs enter the US Open Cup instead of the first teams has been blocked by the US Soccer Federation, the league and federation said on Wednesday.
Stock markets retreat while oil prices advance
European and US equities mostly retreated on Wednesday amid profit-taking while oil prices jumped above $80 per barrel as the threat of attacks keep ships out of the Red Sea.
Brentford and Villa charged over flare-up
Brentford and Aston Villa were both charged Wednesday by England's governing Football Association over the clashes late in their Premier League match last weekend.
Surfing tower will be built, says Paris Games chief
The controversial building of a tower to judge the surfing event at the Paris Olympics will go ahead despite the sport's federation saying it is not required, chief organiser Tony Estanguet said on Wednesday.
Congolese vote amid 'chaos', delays, conflict in east
People in the Democratic Republic of Congo voted Wednesday in a high-stakes election pitting the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi against a fragmented opposition, whose leaders denounced "chaos" and "irregularities".
Suriname court upholds 20-year sentence for ex-president in murder trial
Suriname's highest court on Wednesday upheld a 20-year prison sentence for ex-president Desi Bouterse, who lost an appeal against his conviction for the 1982 killings of political opponents.
EU looks to downgrade wolf protection status
The European Commission said Wednesday it wants to allow wolves to be hunted based on new data suggesting the animals pose a rising threat to livestock.
Domestic security boss becomes France's top spook
France's domestic intelligence chief was appointed Wednesday to head the country's DGSE foreign espionage service made famous by the fictional hit series "The Bureau".
Israel and Hamas working toward new truce, hostage deal
Hopes rose Wednesday that Israel and Hamas may be inching toward another truce and hostage release deal in the Gaza war, following secret talks and as the head of the Palestinian militant group visited Egypt.
UK's Supreme Court rules in favour of Guantanamo detainee
Britain's top court ruled Wednesday that a Guantanamo detainee waterboarded by the CIA can use English law in his claim against the UK government over alleged complicity in the torture.
Survivors brave freezing cold after China quake kills 134
Survivors of China's deadliest earthquake in years huddled in makeshift aid tents despite freezing temperatures on Wednesday, too scared to return to homes made dangerous by the disaster.
EU court sides with Ryanair over Air France-KLM aid
A top EU court annulled on Wednesday the approval of a pandemic state aid programme for Air France-KLM that had been challenged by Irish rival Ryanair and Malta Air.
French health minister resigns over controversial immigration law
France's health minister resigned on Tuesday after the adoption of tough new immigration legislation backed by the far-right sparked an unprecedented rebellion within its ranks of President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party.
European stocks waver; London boosted by rate cut hopes
European stock markets wavered on Wednesday but London climbed and the pound sank as news of sharply slowing inflation stoked hopes of a Bank of England interest rate cut.
EU toughens rules on three major porn platforms
The European Union on Wednesday added three pornographic websites to its list of online platforms that are large enough to come under tougher safety regulation.
Africa Cup of Nations organisers confident no repeat of Cameroon tragedy
All is on track for African football's biennial showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations, according to organisers in the Ivory Coast who are confident their security measures will prevent a repeat of the tragedy that overshadowed the 2022 edition in Cameroon.
Dani Alves set to go on trial for rape in February
Former Brazil football star Dani Alves will go on trial in Spain for allegedly raping a woman at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022 between February 5-7, a Spanish court said Wednesday.
EU agrees 'historic' reform of asylum laws
The EU on Wednesday agreed to an overhaul of its asylum laws that includes more border detention centres and speedier deportations, prompting migrant charities to slam the changes as "dangerous" and "cruel".
French govt seeks to calm tensions over immigration bill
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday sought to restore unity to his centrist ruling party after the adoption of a tough immigration bill under pressure from the far right sparked an unprecedented rebellion within its ranks.
DR Congo votes for president, MPs amid delays, conflict in east
People in the Democratic Republic of Congo were voting Wednesday in a high-stakes general election, pitting the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi against a fragmented opposition, while much of the east of the impoverished but mineral-rich country is mired in conflict.
Kyrgyzstan backs new flag, says 'smiling' sun to aid growth
Lawmakers in tightly-controlled Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday backed a proposal to modify the country's flag so that it will feature sun rays, arguing the move would boost the economy.