EXPLAINER-The missing Maltese academic at the heart of Washington intrigue . In recent weeks, U.S. Attorney General William Barr, with backing from President Donald Trump, has stepped up an inquiry into the origins of an FBI investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

UPDATE 2-Multinationals face heftier tax hit in biggest overhaul for decades . FACTBOX on OECD proposals: (Adds quotes, reaction, link to FACTBOX)

Russian lawmakers look to ban e-mail users who share illegal content . A group of pro-Kremlin lawmakers has drafted legislation that would allow authorities to block individual e-mail or online messenger users who circulate banned content.

UPDATE 2-China's Hikvision sees only limited impact from U.S. blacklisting . Trading in Hikvision shares suspended (Adds quotes from Hikvision general manager Hu Yangzhong)

Brexit is tragedy, should be as soft as possible - Dutch finance minister . Dutch finance minister Wopke Hoekstra said on Wednesday that Brexit was a "tragedy" for Britain and the European Union, and should be agreed under the softest possible terms.

High-tech jacket allows deaf people to feel the music . Twin sisters Hermon and Heroda Berhane love dancing but can't hear the music because they're both deaf, so the invention of a jacket with sensors that enables them to feel the different sounds has transformed their nights out in London clubs.

Iraq has a calmer night after a week of protests . Iraq had its calmest night since anti-government protests began more than a week ago over corruption and unemployment.

BT seeks to repair customer ties with new services and products . The boss of Britain's biggest telecoms provider BT on Wednesday set out plans to improve the company's relationship with customers with new superfast services, more technical support and a return of its brand to the high street.

UPDATE 1-Multinationals face heftier tax bills under OECD proposals . Governments will get more power to tax big multinationals doing business in their countries under a major overhaul of decades-old cross-border tax rules outlined on Wednesday by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

UPDATE 2-Ladbrokes-owner GVC raises profit forecast again as U.S. offers bigger bets. . Shares rise 3.9% (Adds analyst, CEO comments, shares and other details)