'World records not enough': North Korea weightlifters target Olympic gold rush
TikTok agrees to teen limits in US settlement following Meta
Iran proposes Hormuz plan, Trump reportedly refuses
Venezuela's oil cradle pins hopes on US energy deals
Economy
El Nino rewrites the menu in the world's top restaurants
A record-breaking El Nino will likely force the world's top chefs to rethink their menus ahead of droughts, floods and heatwaves upending global food systems.
Politics
US, China buy time with trade truce as pressure builds
Washington and Beijing may have bought themselves breathing space with an extended trade truce, but analysts warn that time is running out for the world's two biggest economies to resolve their strategic rivalry.
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IEA fears global oil supply 'shock' over Russia sanctions
The world could face its biggest oil supply "shock" in decades as major crude exporter Russia is hit by sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, the International Energy Agency warned Wednesday.
7.3-magnitude quake hits east Japan, tsunami advisory issued
A powerful 7.3-magnitude quake jolted east Japan on Wednesday night, rattling the capital Tokyo and prompting a tsunami advisory for parts of the northeast coast, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Cavendish sprints to 159th career win in Milano-Torino
Mark Cavendish won the Milano-Torino cycling race on Wednesday by taking the bunch sprint to claim his 159th career victory.
England's Ewels banned for three games after Six Nations red card
England's Charlie Ewels has been banned for three games following his early red card against Ireland in the Six Nations, officials announced Wednesday.
Ecuadoran toad breaks its silence after 100 years
Ecuadoran biologist Jorge Brito was trekking through the forest when he heard what he thought was the chirp of a cricket.
Russia faces default fears as debt payment due
Russia is due to pay interest on its foreign debt Wednesday as sanctions over the Ukraine conflict have raised concerns that Moscow could face its first default in decades.
'Protect our sky,' pleads Ukraine leader in gut-punch US address
Ukraine's besieged leader invoked September 11 and Pearl Harbor in an impassioned address Wednesday to the US Congress, imploring Washington to step up military aid and impose a no-fly zone to counter the Russian invasion closing in on Kyiv.
Brazil awards Bolsonaro 'medal of indigenous merit'
The Justice Ministry awarded President Jair Bolsonaro Brazil's "medal of indigenous merit" Wednesday, drawing criticism for granting the honor to a leader that indigenous groups accuse of "genocide" and "ecocide."
Odermatt wins overall World Cup skiing title, Shiffrin on track
Marco Odermatt became the first Swiss man to win the overall World Cup alpine skiing title since 2010 on Wednesday, while Mikaela Shiffrin stretched her lead in the women's standings.
Star Russian dancer quits Bolshoi over war
Prima ballerina Olga Smirnova has quit the Bolshoi in Moscow to join the Dutch National Ballet, it was announced Wednesday, making her the first Russian to quit the fabled company over the war in Ukraine.
Chicago Cubs owners to lead bid to buy Chelsea: reports
Chicago Cubs owners the Ricketts family have confirmed they are leading a consortium that will bid to buy English Premier League club Chelsea, according to press reports on Wednesday.
Ukraine slams Russian proposals and appeals to US Congress
Ukraine's leader on Wednesday issued an emotive appeal to US lawmakers for greater Western intervention against Russia, which insisted its invasion was going "successfully" despite the West rallying to Kyiv's side via arms and sanctions.
Howard Schultz returns to Starbucks as interim leader, Johnson exits
Starbucks announced Wednesday that longtime chief Howard Schultz will return to helm the global coffee shop chain on an interim basis while the company searches for a new leader amid a growing unionization drive.
Djokovic free to play French Open 'as things stand', say organisers
Unvaccinated players, including Novak Djokovic, will be free to play at this year's French Open "as it stands", the French Tennis Federation (FFT) said on Wednesday.
Ukraine president urges US Congress to reconsider 'no-fly zone'
Ukraine's besieged leader urged the United States Wednesday to reconsider his plea for a no-fly zone, invoking the terror of the September 11 attacks as he ratcheted up pressure on the White House to move aggressively against the Russian invasion closing in on Kyiv.
Newcastle boss Howe educating himself over Saudi situation
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted Wednesday he had to have a grasp of global issues even though he feels uncomfortable straying from football as he was questioned about the club's Saudi-led ownership.
Azam and Rizwan foil Australia as second Test ends in a draw
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam smashed 196 and Mohammad Rizwan 104 not out to deny Australia victory Wednesday and force a dramatic draw in the second Test in Karachi.
Polish school offers Ukraine teens 'semblance of normalcy'
Stuck to the door of one Warsaw high school is the sign "Laskavo prosimo do shkoli", or "Welcome to school" in Ukrainian, along with the flags of Poland and Ukraine.
Starbucks says Howard Schultz back as interim leader as Johnson exits
Starbucks announced Wednesday that longtime chief Howard Schultz will return to lead the global coffee shop chain on an interim basis while the company searches for a new leader amid a growing unionization drive.
Higher gas prices boosted US retail sales in February
Rising costs for gasoline caused US retail sales to grow in February, according to government data released Wednesday, though the expansion was slightly below expectations.
WTO chief hails Covid vaccines IP compromise
The World Trade Organization chief hailed Wednesday a breakthrough between the EU, the United States, India and South Africa on waiving intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines.
Man City would be good fit for Haaland, says Dortmund advisor Sammer
Borussia Dortmund advisor Matthias Sammer has spoken openly about the possibility of Erling Haaland moving to Manchester City amid reports Wednesday that a clause in the striker's contract would have to be actioned before April 30.
Ukraine shoots down Russian neutrality idea as US steps up aid
Ukraine on Wednesday dismissed Russian neutrality proposals, refused to surrender and vowed prosecution of "war crimes" three weeks into an invasion that is drawing ever-increasing Western support against Moscow.
Two UK-Iranian nationals released from detention
Two dual UK-Iranian nationals have been released from custody, the authorities in Tehran said on Wednesday, ending a lengthy ordeal after years of diplomatic wrangling between the two countries over a cancelled defence deal.
Man Utd must hit reset button after miserable season
Manchester United were established members of Europe's elite a decade ago but they have been reduced to the status of also-rans in the Premier League and even in their own city.
Chernobyl workers held 'hostage' amid fears for reactor safety
A hundred technicians are working under armed guard to maintain the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant in northern Ukraine, held hostage for three weeks by Russian forces who seized the compound in the first hours of the invasion.
'Born-free' Belarusian goes to war alongside Ukraine troops
For teenager Gleb Gunko, war-torn Ukraine will be his first time in combat. But the cause is nothing new. As a Belarusian, he knows what it means to fight for freedom.
Stocks rally, oil steadies on China action, Ukraine hopes
Stocks rallied Wednesday, helped by Ukraine peace hopes and China's pledge to help stabilise markets after recent routs, ahead of a keenly-awaited US interest rate decision.
Far from Kyiv, Africa feels economic fallout from Ukraine crisis
From airlines in Nigeria to shoppers in Malawi, Africans are feeling the impact of the Ukraine crisis in wrenching increases in the price of fuel, grain and fertiliser.
Odermatt wins Switzerland's first men's overall World Cup title for 12 years
Marco Odermatt became the first Swiss man to win the overall World Cup alpine skiing title since 2010 on Wednesday while Mikaela Shiffrin stretched her lead in the women''s standings.
Head of Russia's Yandex resigns after being hit by EU sanctions
The head of Russia's tech giant Yandex, Tigran Khudaverdyan, has resigned after being placed on a list of European sanctions.
UK-Iranian woman held since 2016 'on way home': MP
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has been held in Iran since 2016, was on Wednesday handed over to the UK authorities in Tehran, with her local MP in London saying she was on her way home.