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Trump signs bill to end record US government shutdown

President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks.

The shutdown magnified partisan divisions in Washington as Trump took unprecedented unilateral actions — including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers — to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands.

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Ronaldo expects his 6th World Cup at age 41 next year is 'definitely' his last

Cristiano Ronaldo said he expects his record sixth World Cup next year at age 41 will be his last.

"Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old," Ronaldo told CNN anchor Becky Anderson in a live video link from Portugal's training camp to a tourism conference in Saudi Arabia.

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Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar hospitalized after cardiac complications in pre-season testing

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar is in stable condition in hospital after falling ill with a heart issue, his club Sao Paulo has said.

Brazilian media reported that Oscar was doing tests on an exercise bicycle when he collapsed and was unconscious for about two minutes.

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Asian shares mixed in cautious trading after mixed day on Wall Street

Asian shares were mixed Wednesday in cautious trading after most U.S. stocks rose, settling back to where they were before last week's swoon over the future of artificial intelligence.

U.S. futures edged higher while oil prices declined.

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Diverse and resilient energy production needed to meet future demand

Electricity demand will rise much faster than overall energy growth in the coming decades, underscoring the need for diversified energy sources, according to an analysis released Wednesday.

The report by the International Energy Agency said renewable energy, led by solar power, will grow faster than any other major source in the next few years and that coal and oil demand will likely peak globally by the end of this decade. The report noted that many natural gas projects were approved in 2025, due to changes in U.S. policy, indicating worldwide supply will rise even as questions remain about how it will be used. Meanwhile, global nuclear power capacity is set to increase by at least a third by 2035 after being stagnant for years.

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Wall Street points higher on optimism over end to US government shutdown

Wall Street is on track to open higher Wednesday with an end to the U.S. government shutdown appearing closer, and technology stocks appeared to regain their footing after wild swings this week.

Futures for the S&P 500 rose 0.4% while futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.3%. Futures for the technology-heavy Nasdaq index rose 0.6%.

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Taiwan's foreign minister says closer ties with Israel align with island's interests

Taiwan wants to deepen its ties with Israel despite criticism over its war in Gaza because Israel has shown support for Taiwan unmatched by other countries in the Middle East, the island democracy's foreign minister told reporters on Wednesday.

Taiwan will be "friendly to countries that are friendly to us," Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung said. He said that a declaration signed earlier this year by 72 members of the Israeli parliament in support of Taiwan's inclusion in key international organizations is an example of Israel's support.

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Gal Gadot wins Israel's Genesis Prize for her wartime support

Israeli actor Gal Gadot has been awarded Israel's Genesis Prize in recognition of her strong support for Israel at a time when many in the entertainment industry have criticized it over the war in Gaza.

Describing herself as a "proud Jew and a proud Israeli," the "Wonder Woman" star, who at times has paid a personal price for her advocacy, said she would donate the $1 million prize to organizations committed to helping Israel recover from the trauma of its two-year war against Hamas.

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French rap artist Orelsan says 'misunderstanding' caused feud with Mbappé

French rap artist Orelsan said Wednesday a "misunderstanding" likely caused his feud with football star Kylian Mbappé.

Orelsan, one of the most popular and bestselling current French rap artists, drew the ire of the Real Madrid forward with a line from a song on his latest record, "La fuite en avant." The track — "La petite voix" — features Orelsan rapping in the manner of an inner voice that criticizes and insults the artist, his family and his fans.

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UK Cabinet minister denies plotting to oust embattled leader Starmer

A senior member of the British government on Wednesday denied he's plotting to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a sign of deep anxiety in the Labour Party over its dire poll ratings less than 18 months after a landslide election victory.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said talk of a leadership challenge coming from Labour officials and lawmakers is "self-defeating and self-destructive." He spoke after aides to the prime minister preemptively told British media outlets that Starmer would fight any leadership challenge.

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