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China passes US to return as Germany's top trade partner

China has reclaimed its title as Germany's top trading partner, dethroning the United States after President Donald Trump launched his tariff onslaught, official data showed Wednesday.

Total trade between Europe's biggest economy and China from January to September this year grew slightly to nearly 186 billion euros ($215 billion), according to federal statistics agency Destatis.

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EU-Mercosur deal still 'not acceptable' for France

The EU's trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur, which has drawn the ire of French farmers, "is still not acceptable" in its current form for France, government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said Wednesday.

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UAE faces online boycott calls over Sudan war

The UAE is coming under increasing fire on social media over claims it is embroiled in Sudan's civil war, with calls to boycott its crown jewel: the financial and entertainment hub of Dubai.

Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, despite accusations from the Sudanese government, U.N. experts and international groups.

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Netanyahu visits Israeli troops in Syria beyond ceasefire line

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli troops deployed in Syria beyond a ceasefire line on Wednesday, an Israeli government spokesman told AFP.

Netanyahu was accompanied by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, the army's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the head of the Shin Bet security service David Zini, the spokesman said.

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Zelensky arrives in Turkey for talks on peace efforts

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Turkey on Wednesday for talks to revive peace efforts to end the war with Russia, his top aide said, amid uncertainty over whether US special envoy Steve Witkoff would attend.

"Arrived in Türkiye as part of the delegation led by President Zelensky," the Ukrainian leader's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on X, adding he was "in constant communication" with Witkoff, who has not confirmed whether he will take part in the talks.

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Kremlin declines to comment on report of secret US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine

The Kremlin on Wednesday declined to comment on a media report that the U.S. and Russia have been secretly working on a peace plan for Ukraine.

"In this case, there is nothing new that we can inform you about," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in response to a question about the report by U.S. website Axios.

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Israel says killed two Hezbollah members in Blida, Bint Jbeil

The Israeli military said Wednesday it had killed two Hezbollah members in strikes the previous day in south Lebanon, where Israel has carried out repeated attacks despite the ceasefire.

The Israeli military said in a statement it had "struck and eliminated two Hezbollah terrorists in the areas of Bint Jbeil and Blida in southern Lebanon" on Tuesday.

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Trump says designating Saudi Arabia major non-NATO ally

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, as he hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a gala dinner at the White House.

"Tonight, I'm pleased to announce that we're taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them," Trump said.

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Russian attack kills 19 in western Ukraine

A Russian missile and drone strike on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens, officials said Wednesday, updating a previous toll.

"Nineteen people were killed as a result of a massive combined Russian strike on the city. Another 66 people were wounded, including 16 children," the interior ministry said on social media.

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13 killed in airstrike on Ain al-Helweh, Israel says hit 'Hamas compound'

Lebanon said an Israeli strike on Tuesday night on a crowded Palestinian refugee camp in the country's south killed at least 13 people, as Israel said it struck a Hamas compound.

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