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Japan court says gender change sterilisation rule unconstitutional
Japan's top court said on Wednesday that requiring transgender people to be sterilised in order to change their legal gender was unconstitutional.
Asia stocks helped by China spending plan, oil down on Israel hope
Most markets rose Wednesday after China unveiled plans for $137 billion in extra debt to boost infrastructure spending, while oil extended losses on hopes that Israel will scale back its plans for a Gaza ground invasion.
Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes
Five Myanmar nationals asked the Philippines on Wednesday to investigate alleged war crimes committed by 10 serving or former members of Myanmar's military against the mainly Christian Chin minority.
'Monster' Inoue targets second undisputed crown against Tapales
Japan's Naoya Inoue announced Wednesday that he will attempt to become an undisputed world champion in a second weight division by fighting Marlon Tapales in December when all four super-bantamweight belts will be at stake.
Santander racks up another record quarter
Spanish lender Banco Santander announced Wednesday another record quarterly profit thanks to high interest rates and a growing customer base.
Israel-Hamas war already affecting regional economies: IMF head
The raging war between Israel and Hamas is already battering the economies of nearby countries, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund told a Saudi investor forum on Wednesday.
Singapore pilgrims seek divine help at century-old temple
On Singapore's tiny Kusu islet, legend has it that a giant turtle turned itself into an island to save two sailors. A century after a Chinese temple was opened on its shores, pilgrims are still flowing in, seeking good fortunes.
'Potentially catastrophic' Hurricane Otis hits Mexico
A major Category 5 hurricane made landfall near Mexico's Pacific beach resort of Acapulco early Wednesday, threatening to wreak "catastrophic" damage, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Kenya's Mau Mau veterans seek royal redress from Charles III
More than six decades after Gitu Wa Kahengeri was jailed, tortured and denied food in a British-run labour camp in Kenya, the anti-colonial fighter says he is still waiting for justice.
Indonesia's three-way presidential race set as deadline nears
The candidates for next year's Indonesian presidential election were set Wednesday, with septuagenarian former special forces general Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, the president's son, seen as the frontrunners.
China to send youngest-ever crew to space station
China will send its youngest-ever crew of astronauts to the Tiangong space station this week, officials said Wednesday, as Beijing pursues plans for a manned mission to the Moon by the end of the decade.
'Severely punished': Vietnam environmental activists face crackdown
Hoang Thi Minh Hong had worried for months she could become the next environmental activist swept up in Vietnam's crackdown, so she closed her NGO and began keeping a low profile.
Hong Kong's leader says to create new national security law in 2024
Hong Kong leader John Lee said Wednesday that the semi-autonomous city would create its own national security law in 2024, four years after Beijing imposed sweeping legislation aimed at silencing dissent.
Arizona Diamondbacks stun Phillies to reach World Series
The Arizona Diamondbacks upset the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 to reach the World Series for the first time in 22 years on Tuesday.
Japan auto show returns, playing catchup on EVs
Tokyo's rebranded auto show returns this weekend just as China looks set to overtake Japan as the world's biggest car exporter after Toyota, Nissan and others got stuck in the electric vehicle slow lane.
No 'gambles' from Martin as Bagnaia takes MotoGP lead to Thailand
Jorge Martin has pledged no more "gambles", beginning with the Thailand MotoGP this weekend, after two ruinous races saw the Spaniard fall behind Francesco Bagnaia in the championship fight.
Stocks lifted by China spending plan, oil down on Israel hope
Most markets rose Wednesday after China unveiled plans for $137 billion in extra debt to boost infrastructure spending, while oil extended losses on hopes Israel will scale back its plans for a Gaza ground invasion.
Climate change and filthy water drive disease in Iraq
A worried Iraqi father points at a blister on the face of his one-year-old daughter, the result of a parasitic infection carried by sandflies in her remote village.
UN agency warns of 'halt' to Gaza aid operations
A UN agency warned it could be forced to stop aid operations in war-riven Gaza on Wednesday due to dwindling fuel supplies, as calls mounted for a humanitarian "pause" in fighting.
US Republicans try, try again with fourth speaker nominee
Republicans on Tuesday made their fourth pick in just two weeks to replace the ousted speaker of the US House of Representatives, underlining the chaos engulfing the fragmented party after three previous nominees failed to win the gavel.
Ronaldo stunners edge AFC Champions League seven-goal thriller
Cristiano Ronaldo rolled back the years to score two stunning goals and propel his Al Nassr side to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Al Duhail of Qatar in the AFC Champions League.
Richard Roundtree, America's 'first Black action hero,' dead at 81
American actor Richard Roundtree, heralded as "the first Black action hero" for his starring role in the iconic 1971 hit "Shaft," died Tuesday at 81, US media reported.
Sydney to review plaques on colonial statues
Australia's oldest city, Sydney, is reviewing statues of its colonial figureheads after an Indigenous leader raised concerns about "offensive" plaques ignoring historical atrocities.
Liverpool clash with Toulouse takes Comolli back to Anfield
Liverpool's home meeting with Toulouse on Thursday might not be their biggest European game of recent seasons, but the match offers a chance for a figure who was once highly influential on Merseyside to return to Anfield.
Cake-loving Nche hopes for sweet taste of success in Rugby World Cup final
South Africa's Ox Nche smiled as he reeled off the desserts he had tasted during the Rugby World Cup in France following Saturday's semi-final win over England.
Family values taught All Blacks coach Foster to keep the faith
Ian Foster grew up with faith "an important part of our family" and the New Zealand head coach has had to draw on deep reserves of that with his job at one point in doubt.
Argentina's Milei repels women voters, fires up disgruntled men
In Argentina, where women have made some recent gains but are still fighting for full equal rights, anti-establishment presidential candidate Javier Milei has divided the electorate with an unashamedly machismo stance.
With Mideast crisis, Russia and China hope to turn tables on US
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States has sought to isolate Moscow and pressure China to keep its distance. With war in the Middle East, Russia and China are seeking to turn the tables.
In US heartland, activists press Native Americans to vote
With an eye on the 2024 presidential election, Codie Horse-Topetchy is feeling jubilant. She just registered 50 people to vote at the Comanche Nation Fair in Lawton, Oklahoma -- a resounding success.
Panama president pushes back against Canadian copper mine protests
Demonstrators and police clashed Tuesday in Panama as protests over a copper mine spilled into their fifth day, with President Laurentino Cortizo vowing he would prosecute acts of "vandalism."
'Potentially catastrophic' Hurricane Otis heads for Mexico
Hurricane Otis on Tuesday strengthened to a powerful Category 4 storm as it barreled toward Mexico's Pacific coast, the US National Hurricane Center said, warning it could be "potentially catastrophic" upon landfall early Wednesday.
Off-duty US pilot who tried to shut down engines was on mushrooms: documents
The off-duty US pilot who tried to shut down the engines of a plane mid-flight over the weekend had taken magic mushrooms and thought he was having a nervous breakdown, court documents showed Tuesday.