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Donald Trump's tariff plans have increased the risks to public finances, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday, warning countries to get their spending plans under control and prepare for "sharper" trade-offs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Wednesday for an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire", hours after a Russian drone strike on a bus killed nine and as his top aide met Kyiv's allies in London.

Blessing Muzarabani's nine-wicket match figures and determined batting helped Zimbabwe stun Bangladesh by three wickets in the first match of the two-Test series in Sylhet on Wednesday.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul on Wednesday, with the impact felt across Turkey's largest city where people rushed onto the streets.

Brandishing his government-gifted medals near a statue of the Virgin Mary in East Timor's capital, ex-rebel Crisanto de Jesus Alves da Costa says Pope Francis's message of hope on a rare visit last year offered a bright path for Asia's youngest nation.

Ivory Coast's main opposition leader Tidjane Thiam, struck off the electoral list in a row over his nationality, told AFP Wednesday his party would not replace him as its candidate in October's presidential election.

India's defence minister vowed on Wednesday a swift response to those who carried out and planned the Kashmir region's worst attack on civilians in years.

Matheus Nunes says Champions League qualification would be Manchester City's "Premier League trophy" after a poor campaign by their stellar standards.

Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday that the United States would "walk away" unless Russia and Ukraine agree a peace deal, as envoys from Washington, Kyiv and European nations gathered for downgraded talks in Britain.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday urged Hamas to free all hostages in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with "excuses" to attack the territory, as rescuers recovered charred bodies from an Israeli strike.

Stock markets rallied on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said he had "no intention" of firing the head of the Federal Reserve and signalled the possibility of cutting tariffs on China.

A daughter of France's prime minister became Wednesday the latest to accuse the clergy running a school in the Pyrenees of systemic abuse including while Francois Bayrou was a local official, saying a priest beat her during summer camp when she was 14.

Tens of thousands of mourners began saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica Wednesday, as the body of the late Argentine pontiff began three days of lying in state.

The EU on Wednesday slapped Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines for breaking digital competition rules, risking the wrath of US President Donald Trump.

Gaza's civil defence agency on Wednesday said its crew recovered charred bodies from a school-turned-shelter for displaced people, as Israeli strikes killed 17 people in the Hamas-run territory since dawn.

Envoys from Washington, Kyiv and European nations gathered for talks in Britain on Wednesday amid a new US push to end Russia's war in Ukraine, but a planned meeting of foreign ministers was postponed.

Indian tourist brochures dub the Himalayan region of Kashmir "Little Switzerland", and its mountain meadows are usually packed with visitors escaping the sweltering summer heat in the lowland plains of India.

China said on Wednesday the door was "wide open" for trade talks with Washington, a day after US President Donald Trump signalled the possibility of a "substantial" lowering of tariffs on Beijing.

The World Economic Forum confirmed Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into allegations made against its founder Klaus Schwab that reportedly prompting his resignation this week.

Pope Francis's open coffin was transferred Wednesday to St Peter's Basilica for three days of lying in state, with thousands of people gathering to pay their respects to the leader of the world's Catholics.

Equities rallied with Wall Street on Wednesday after Donald Trump said he had "no intention" of firing the head of the Federal Reserve and that eye-watering tariffs on China would be slashed drastically.

Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani's second-best career haul of 6-72 restricted Bangladesh to 255 in their second innings Wednesday, leaving Zimbabwe needing 174 runs to win the first Test at Sylhet.

Envoys from Washington, Kyiv and European nations gathered for talks in Britain on Wednesday amid a new US push to end Russia's war in Ukraine, where a brief Easter truce was shattered by fresh air strikes.

Singapore's election campaign officially kicked off Wednesday, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong facing his first major test amid public frustration over rising living costs and a rejuvenated opposition.

Indian security forces in Kashmir carried out a major manhunt Wednesday, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists killing 26 people in the region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2000.

Tilahun Wale not only lost his right foot to leprosy -- a disease that still affects thousands in Ethiopia -- he also lost his family.

Armed with brushes and paint, volunteers touch up houses left standing after devastating floods last year that killed nearly 200 people and displaced half a million in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre.

Luka Doncic scored 31 points and LeBron James added 21 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 to level their NBA Western Conference playoff series at one game apiece on Tuesday.

Every morning the Congolese city of Bukavu, now under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 movement, counts its dead.

Ahead of his lying-in-state, Pope Francis's body was made ready to withstand Rome's warm spring weather with a temporary embalming and a touch of make-up, an expert told AFP.

Prosecutors will begin to make their case against disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein to a majority-women jury on rape and sex assault charges Wednesday as opening statements begin in his retrial.

An unprecedented coral bleaching episode has spread to 84 percent of the world's reefs in an unfolding human-caused crisis that could kill off swathes of the essential ecosystems, scientists warned Wednesday.

Nguyen Thi Kim's small verdant community in northern Vietnam no longer exists, wiped away in a landslide triggered by Typhoon Yagi's devastating heavy rains last year.

They've been called a cult, accused of coercive fundraising, and legally disbanded in Japan. But in a mountainous town nestled in South Korea, thousands of "Moonies" gathered this month for a mass wedding.

China on Wednesday announced that a veteran astronaut will this week lead two crew members on their first flight to the country's Tiangong space station.

Pope Francis's coffin will be transferred to St Peter's Basilica Wednesday for three days of lying in state, with scores of Catholics and well-wishers expected to pay their respects to the beloved spiritual leader before he is laid to rest.

Asian stocks rallied with Wall Street on Wednesday after Donald Trump said he had "no intention" of firing the head of the Federal Reserve and that eye-watering tariffs on China would be slashed drastically.

After decades spent pruning thorny bushes and working arduous harvests, Khalaf Allah al-Talhi has perfected the art of capturing the fragrant aroma of the desert rose in a bottle.

Donald Trump said Tuesday he had no intention of firing the chair of the US Federal Reserve and signalled a "substantial" lowering of tariffs on China -- moves that brought relief to global markets spooked by his aggressive policies.