Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been named president for a transitional period, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) has reported. Sharaa was also authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase which will carry out its task until a new constitution is adopted, SANA reported on Wednesday, citing commander Hassan Abdel Ghani.

Israeli captive Agam Berger has been handed over to the Red Cross in the Jabalia refugee camp. Dressed in a military uniform, she appeared walking, escorted by Palestinian fighters, through the rubble of a wrecked building in the camp. She then appeared on a stage and waved to onlookers, before getting into a car belonging to the Red Cross.

Investors have poured billions of dollars into artificial intelligence research and development over the past year, hoping to capitalise on this rapidly advancing technology. Generative AI could automate countless tasks and change how many sectors do business. The US has largely led this revolution but now a Chinese rival has emerged. DeepSeek's models are faster, smaller and a lot cheaper. Will investors still be willing to put up billions if a more cost-effective alternative exists? And who is in the best position to benefit from AI's vast potential?

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is facing a critical moment. Violence near the Venezuelan border, a state of emergency, and US deportation flights have tested his leadership. Can Petro hold onto power and regain the trust of a divided nation?

Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has arrived in Israel. He's set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss the ceasefire and implementing the second phase of the deal. Israeli media is also reporting that Witkoff has visited the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza, to see US security contractors that are screening Palestinian vehicles.

The humanitarian aid entering Gaza is providing desperately needed relief to Palestinians after 15 months of Israel's war. But the lifeline provided by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees is at risk. An Israeli ban on UNRWA is due to come into effect on Thursday.

At the Plum Village, Europe's largest Buddhist monastery, presenter Amanda Burrell finds out how the teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh are helping people reconnect with Earth. She speaks to climate campaigner Christiana Figueres about the transformative impact that mindfulness and concepts such as interbeing have had on her work, including successfully negotiating the Paris Agreement in 2015. In Sweden, Amanda meets Erik Fernholm and others from the Inner Development Goals, an organisation which has synthesised the latest scientific research to create a roadmap linking inner transformation to systems change. At their lively annual summit, she sees how these ideas are going mainstream, with big businesses such as IKEA and even the United Nations getting on board.

A Russian delegation has arrived in Syria. It's the first since the fall of Moscow's long-time ally Bashar al-Assad. The future of Russia's air and naval base on the Syrian coast remains unclear. The visit comes a day after the EU agreed to lift some sanctions on the country.

In Ukraine, authorities say a Russian attack on the southern city of Mykolaiv has killed at least two people. Meanwhile, Russia says a nuclear power plant was among the targets during a massive Ukrainian drone attack. Moscow said on Wednesday that the country’s energy infrastructure had come under attack by at least 100 drones overnight. Ukraine also reported strikes. The continuing barrages were accompanied by barbs from the two countries’ presidents, suggesting little prospect of peace talks. The Russian Ministry of Defence said on Telegram that 104 drones were involved in raids across western Russia, many targeting power and oil facilities. Local officials claimed that air defence systems had destroyed one drone that had attempted to strike the nuclear power plant in the western region of Smolensk.

The Los Angeles wildfires have killed at least 25 people and caused billions of dollars in damages. Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle reflects on the devastating impact of the wildfires and explores how lessons from this disaster might shape future decisions on preparedness and firefighting resources, especially in the context of the climate crisis.