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Prince Harry cleared of 'bullying' in African charity row
The UK charity watchdog Wednesday cleared Prince Harry of accusations of bullying in a row with an African charity he founded, but deplored that the bitter internal dispute was played out in public.

Taiwan's orchid growers dig in as US tariffs shoot up
Since the start of US President Donald Trump's global trade war, Taiwanese orchid grower Lee Tsang-yu has watched tariffs on his seedlings shoot from nothing to 20 percent.

Markets tick higher but traders wary as Trump tariffs temper rate hopes
Asian equities edged higher Wednesday as traders weigh Donald Trump's trade war and fresh data that indicated further weakness in the US economy but added to interest rate cut speculation.

Cuba activists say detained on anniversary of 1994 anti-Castro protest
Activists, journalists and relatives of jailed dissidents say they were briefly detained or prevented from leaving their homes by state security agents Tuesday on the anniversary of the "Maleconazo," the largest protest Fidel Castro faced during his rule.

Pro-Trump nationalist to take over as Poland's new president
A Trump supporter backed by the populist opposition will take over as Poland's new president on Wednesday, heralding confrontation with a pro-EU government he has branded "the worst in history".

Nawrocki: nationalist historian becomes Poland's president
Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki, who is set to be inaugurated as Poland's new president on Wednesday, is a former amateur boxer with a particular interest in the criminal underworld.

Lavish 'Grand Mariage' weddings celebrate Comoros tradition, society
It is wedding season in the Comoros, when the diaspora return to the tiny Indian Ocean islands for days-long celebrations that mark an essential rite of passage, the "Grand Mariage".

Russian cover bands take centre stage as big names stay away
In a Moscow nightclub, some 100 heavy metal fans belted out Metallica's hit song, "For whom the bell tolls!"

Squeezed by urban growth, Nigerian fishermen stick to tradition
In the shadow of luxury apartment buildings under construction on the shores of the reservoir, Maniru Umar dips his oar into the water, pushing his shallow, wooden canoe forward through thick reeds.

One dead, nine injured in wildfire in southern France
A woman died and nine people were injured in a wildfire in southern France that has burned 11,000 hectares, local officials said Wednesday.

Chikungunya in China: What you need to know
Cases of chikungunya fever are rising in southern China, prompting local authorities to take measures to curb its spread.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific unveils deal to buy 14 Boeing jets
Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific said Wednesday it would place a US$8.1-billion order for 14 Boeing jets, its first order with the American aircraft maker for 12 years.

US envoy Witkoff arrives in Russia ahead of sanctions deadline
US envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, state media reported, where he will meet with Russian leadership as President Donald Trump's deadline to impose fresh sanctions over the war in Ukraine looms.

Indian army searches for scores missing after deadly Himalayan flood
The Indian army brought in sniffer dogs, drones and heavy earth-moving equipment Wednesday to search for scores missing a day after a deadly Himalayan flash flood.

Steeper US tariffs take effect on many Brazilian goods
US tariffs on many Brazilian products surged Wednesday, as President Donald Trump moved ahead with a pressure campaign against the trial of his right-wing ally Jair Bolsonaro.

Bangladesh mystic singers face Islamist backlash
Sufi singer Jamal has spent decades devoted to his craft but now fears for his future as hardline Islamists gain ground in post-revolution Bangladesh.

'Not backing down': activists block hydro plants in N.Macedonia
Deep in the rugged forests of North Macedonia, small-hydropower developers are facing off with activists who warn that a thirst for lucrative green energy contracts is threatening the country's rivers.

Fire in southern France burns 11,000 hectares, injures nine
A wildfire in southern France slowed overnight into Wednesday after injuring nine people and burning through 11,000 hectares of vegetation, local officials said.

Rugby Australia relaxes 'redundant' limit on foreign-based players
Rugby Australia has signalled that more overseas-based players will be allowed to represent the Wallabies, shifting away from a strict policy that has heavily favoured domestic players.

Son draws fans to airport as LAFC calls Wednesday news conference
South Korean star Son Heung-min has not even been officially announced as joining Los Angeles FC of MLS, but excited fans are already waiting to welcome him.

Investors walk fine line as Trump tariffs temper rate hopes
Asian investors trod warily Wednesday amid lingering uncertainty over Donald Trump's trade war, while another round of data indicated further weakness in the US economy but added interest rate cut speculation.

Son draws fans to airport even though MLS deal not official
South Korean star Son Heung-min has not even been officially announced as joining Los Angeles FC of MLS but excited fans are already waiting to welcome him.

Fritz, Shelton set up all-American Toronto semi-final
US second seed Taylor Fritz overcame a late niggle while serving for the match on Tuesday to beat Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) and reach the ATP Toronto Masters semi-finals.

How Trump's love for TV is shaping US diplomacy
Donald Trump's sudden concern about starving Palestinians was a major shift for the US president, who had previously ignored the endless cries for help from aid groups. So what changed?

Sizzling Osaka to face Tauson in WTA Canadian Open semis
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Canadian Open on Tuesday with a comprhensive 6-2, 6-2 triumph over 10th seed Elina Svitolina.

Fritz banishes brain freeze to advance into ATP Toronto semis
US second seed Taylor Fritz overcame a late niggle while serving for the match on Tuesday to beat Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) and reach the ATP Toronto Masters semi-finals.

NFL buys 10% stake in ESPN, which buys NFL Network, RedZone
The NFL sold its NFL Network and Sunday RedZone television show to ESPN on Tuesday in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the US-based sports television network.

Trump targets tariff evasion, with eye on China
As the United States ramps up tariffs on major trading partners globally, President Donald Trump is also disrupting strategies that could be used -- by Chinese companies or others -- to circumvent them.

Trump seeks sway over Los Angeles Olympics with new task force
Donald Trump on Tuesday established a task force that he will lead on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a Democrat-run city that has frequently clashed with the Republican US president.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeking Trump pardon: lawyer
Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is to be sentenced in October for his conviction on prostitution-related charges, is seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump, one of his lawyers said Tuesday.

Epstein accomplice Maxwell opposes unsealing grand jury transcripts
Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, asked a judge on Tuesday to reject a US Justice Department request to unseal the grand jury transcripts in her criminal case and that of the late notorious sex offender.

Russian oligarch's superyacht to be auctioned in US
A luxurious superyacht seized by the US authorities from sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov is headed to the auction block.