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Oldest known lizard ancestor discovered in England
Scientists announced Wednesday they have discovered the oldest-known member of the lizard family in southwest England, a tiny creature that used its surprisingly large teeth to hunt cockroaches 242 million years ago.

Smoke from 2023 Canada fires linked to thousands of deaths: study
Canada's record-breaking 2023 wildfires exposed more than 350 million people in North America and Europe to air pollution that likely contributed to tens of thousands of deaths, according to new estimates published Wednesday.

Software company Oracle shares surge more than 35% on huge AI deals
Oracle shares surged more than 35 percent in early trading Wednesday after the software giant projected massive revenue growth based on contracts tied to artificial intelligence.

UK aims to transform Alzheimer's diagnosis with blood test trial
UK researchers on Wednesday announced the trial of a blood test for Alzheimer's which it is hoped will transform diagnosis of the disease.

US Senate panel advances nomination of Trump's Fed governor pick
A US Senate committee on Wednesday advanced the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice to join the Federal Reserve board, despite concerns that he might not resign from the White House even if confirmed.

Israeli strikes shake quiet Qatar, strain US ties
Ahmed was in a university lecture when he heard the bangs: loud explosions from unprecedented Israeli air strikes targeting Hamas that shattered Qatar's peace and put the wealthy Gulf region on edge.

Russian drones in Poland put NATO to the test
The intrusion of Russian drones into Poland -- whether deliberate, as Ukraine's European allies contend, or accidental -- is a test of NATO's readiness and resolve, experts say.

Emotional Axelsen well beaten on return from six months out
Reigning two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen was dumped out in the first round of the Hong Kong Open on Wednesday as his eagerly anticipated return fell flat.

US producer inflation unexpectedly falls in first drop since April
US producer prices unexpectedly fell in August, government data showed Wednesday, driven in part by a pullback in energy and trade -- and prompting President Donald Trump to renew calls for lower interest rates.

Viking ships make final high-risk voyage to new Oslo home
Three 1,200-year-old Viking ships that have stood the test of time are embarking on their final and possibly riskiest journey to their new forever home in Norway.

UK PM expresses 'confidence' in ambassador to US after Epstein letter
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed the UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson Wednesday after details emerged of the diplomat's friendship with disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Belgium seeks US help in drug trafficking fight
Belgium's prime minister appealed Wednesday for American help to counter transnational drug trafficking as he visited the port of Antwerp, a key smuggling hub into Europe, with US homeland security chief Kristi Noem.

Spain PM's wife denies embezzlement in fresh court hearing
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez on Wednesday denied in court misusing public funds by hiring a personal assistant in an embezzlement probe that has rattled the leftist government, legal sources said.

Stock markets strike records despite geopolitical unrest
Global stock markets struck fresh record highs on Tuesday as expectations of more cuts to US interest rates offset escalating geopolitical tensions.

Spain to deploy 'extraordinary' security for Vuelta finale
An "extraordinary" security boost will accompany the final two stages of the Vuelta in the Madrid region, Spanish authorities said on Wednesday, as pro-Palestinian protests rock one of cycling's grand tours.

Ex-Premier League referee Coote charged with making indecent child image
Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent image of a child.

Ryder Cup pairings not 'set in stone', says Europe captain Donald
Luke Donald says his Ryder Cup pairings are not "set in stone" as the Europe captain fine-tunes preparations for this month's showdown.

What we know about Israel's attack on Hamas in Qatar
In a stunning development, Israel launched a surprise air raid targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital Doha Tuesday, killing six people including the son of the group's lead negotiator in ceasefire talks.

Poland warns of escalation, holds NATO talks after Russian drone intrusion
Poland gathered its NATO allies for urgent talks on Wednesday after Russian drones flew into Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, warning that the situation was inching closer to "open conflict".

Australia Davis Cup captain Hewitt handed ban for pushing anti-doping official
Australia Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has been handed a two-week suspension for "offensive conduct" after being found guilty of pushing a doping control official, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said on Wednesday.

New French PM vows 'profound break' with past to exit crisis
France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised a "profound break" with the past on Wednesday as he faced the thorny task of trying to build a government with enough parliamentary support to avoid an early demise.

Israel vows to strike foes anywhere after Qatar attack
Israel on Wednesday warned its enemies they were not safe anywhere, a day after strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar -- a US ally -- drew a rare rebuke from President Donald Trump.

Kony defence urges ICC judges to halt case
The main defence lawyer for Ugandan rebel chief Joseph Kony Wednesday urged International Criminal Court judges to freeze the case against his client, as he cannot challenge evidence in his absence.

British horse racing strikes over proposed tax rise on betting
British horse racing is holding a historic one-day strike on Wednesday in protest against a proposed tax rise on betting that racing chiefs warn could cause "irreparable damage".

Zara owner Inditex shares soar as sales growth revives
Shares in Zara owner Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, soared on Wednesday as a positive start to the autumn season enthused investors and eclipsed slower-than-expected sales growth.

Stock markets rise amid geopolitical unrest
Global stock markets rose Wednesday, with some Asian indices reaching record heights, as expectations of more cuts to US interest rates offset escalating geopolitical tensions.

Poland calls urgent NATO talks after Russian drone incursion
Poland gathered its NATO allies for urgent talks on Wednesday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, after Russian drones flew into Polish airspace in an overnight attack on Ukraine.

Three dead, three missing in attempts to cross Channel
Three people are believed to have been crushed to death and three others were missing in two separate incidents as migrants attempted to cross the English Channel, French officials said on Wednesday.

Hong Kong legislature rejects same-sex partnerships bill
Hong Kong lawmakers rejected on Wednesday a bill that would have granted limited rights to same-sex couples, with the legislature's conservative pro-Beijing voices prevailing to deal a major blow to the city's LGBTQ community.

'Block everything': protests grip France as new PM starts job
France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu was set to take office on Wednesday as protesters took to the streets in a show of grassroots opposition to President Emmanuel Macron, sparking clashes with police and dozens of arrests.

Von der Leyen urges EU to fight for place in 'hostile' world
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday urged Europe to assert its independence in a "hostile" world, as she condemned Russia's drone incursion in Poland and pushed for tougher action against Israel over Gaza.

Kidnapped Israeli-Russian academic Tsurkov released in Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the release of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023.