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Global stock markets closed mixed on Wednesday as Wall Street tumbled while Europe made small gains -- and Asia rallied on China's plans to boost infrastructure spending.

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Israel has the right to respond to the October 7 Hamas attack but must do everything it can to protect civilians.

Israel faced growing international pressure Wednesday to rethink plans for a massive ground operation in Gaza where the Hamas-run health ministry says Israel's relentless bombing campaign has killed 700 people in 24 hours.

The US House of Representatives finally elected a new speaker on Wednesday, ending weeks of bitter Republican infighting that paralyzed Congress at a time of international and domestic crisis.

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Israel has the right to respond to the October 7 Hamas attack but must do everything it can to protect civilians.

Australia opener David Warner said he "lives for World Cups" after hitting his 22nd ODI century in the 309-run mauling of the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Barcelona continued their perfect start in the Champions League and warmed up for the Clasico at the weekend with a2-1win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Israel faced growing international pressure Wednesday to rethink plans for a massive ground operation in Gaza where it has pressed a relentless bombing campaign that the Hamas-run health ministry says killed 700 people in 24 hours.

Australia's Glenn Maxwell revealed he had endured "dark thoughts" over his World Cup dream after breaking his leg in a freak accident.

A virtual unknown beyond the shaded verandas and air-conditioned municipal halls of the Deep South, Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson is emblematic of the broader ideological and partisan divides that shape US politics.

Republicans finally rallied behind a new standard-bearer Wednesday as the US House of Representatives elected its 56th speaker -- ending weeks of turmoil and bitter infighting that has paralyzed Congress in a period of international and domestic crisis.

Mexican authorities rushed to send emergency aid and assess damage in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco on Wednesday after a powerful hurricane severed communications and road links.

More than 500 miners who stayed underground for almost three days in a standoff between rival South African labour unions were all brought back to the surface on Wednesday, police said.

Australia's record-breaking batsman Glenn Maxwell blasted mid-match, nightclub-style light shows at the World Cup as "the dumbest idea" on Wednesday, claiming they cause "shocking headaches".

Senegal has stopped a collection of its first president's precious possessions from going under the hammer in France, saying on Wednesday it had reached a "friendly agreement" with the auction house.

American and allied forces deployed in Iraq and Syria as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition have been repeatedly targeted by drone and missile attacks this month.

Global stock markets held the line Wednesday as Wall Street and Europe made small gains, while Asia rallied after China unveiled plans for $137 billion (129 billion euro) in extra debt to boost infrastructure spending.

Two London police officers were fired Wednesday after a disciplinary hearing found them guilty of gross misconduct during the stop and search of two black professional sprinters, in the latest scandal to hit Britain's biggest force.

The Sudanese army and paramilitaries -- at war with each other for six months -- said Wednesday they had accepted an invitation to resume US- and Saudi-brokered negotiations.

Gaza's hospitals were facing "complete collapse", Palestinian medics warned Wednesday as the UN said supplies were running critically low and the Hamas-run health ministry reported 700 deaths in Israeli strikes in 24 hours.

Experienced scrum-half Tomas Cubelli is one of three changes made by Argentina head coach Michael Cheika for Friday's Rugby World Cup third place play-off with England to the side that began the semi-final with New Zealand.

The Europa Conference League may not be the highest level of European football but there is a small town in Kosovo where it has taken on the enormity of the World Cup.

US President Joe Biden welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the White House for a lavish state visit Wednesday with the two leaders hailing their shared stand on the Israel-Hamas conflict, Ukraine and China.

Glenn Maxwell's fastest World Cup century off 40 balls and 104 by David Warner led Australia to a record World Cup 309-run rout of the Netherlands on Wednesday for their third straight victory at the tournament.

Everton face a 12-point deduction after an investigation into alleged breaches of financial rules by the Premier League club, according to a report on Wednesday.

Two UK police officers committed gross misconduct during a stop and search of British sprinter Bianca Williams in London, a disciplinary hearing found Wednesday.

Afghanistan have beaten both reigning champions England and former title winners Pakistan at the ongoing World Cup in India, with the Netherlands defeating an otherwise impressive South Africa.

Sales of new US homes picked up more than anticipated in September, government data showed Wednesday, with the tight supply of real estate pushing more buyers into the market for new properties.

Liverpool defender Andy Roberson has undergone surgery on the shoulder injury he suffered while playing for Scotland.

Boeing reported another hefty loss Wednesday as it trimmed its full-year forecast for deliveries of the 737 to address a manufacturing problem on the aircraft.

After weeks of chaos and vicious infighting, US Republicans were hopeful Wednesday that the party can finally rally round its latest nominee for House speaker -- a staunch Donald Trump ally who spearheaded legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday rejected the "misrepresentations" of his remarks a day earlier on Palestinian grievances that infuriated Israel.