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Up at 3:00 am: World Cup players in losing battle with jet lag
Every long-distance flyer knows how debilitating jet lag can be, but now imagine you need to train right away and then play in a football World Cup.
Steep drop puts S.Africa inflation back within target range
South African inflation dropped to the lowest level in 20 months in June, slipping back within the central bank's target range, official data showed Wednesday.
US economist renounces EU job after Macron doubts
A US economist has decided not to take up a job advising the European Commission, after French president Emmanuel Macron expressed doubts about hiring an American for the role.
Afghan women protest against beauty parlour ban
Security officials shot in the air and used firehoses Wednesday to disperse dozens of Afghan women protesting against an order by Taliban authorities to shut down beauty parlours, the latest curb to squeeze them out of public life.
Tata to build £4 bn electric car battery factory in UK
Indian conglomerate Tata Group announced plans Wednesday to build a £4 billion ($5.2 billion) electric car battery factory in Britain to supply its Jaguar Land Rover brands, bolstering the country's efforts to phase out fossil fuel vehicles.
Thailand's Pita says unlikely to be PM after suspension from parliament
Thailand's constitutional court suspended reformist Pita Limjaroenrat on Wednesday, in another blow to his hopes of becoming the nation's next leader after a stunning election win.
Beijing's top diplomat tells Kissinger 'impossible to contain' China
Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi told Henry Kissinger on Wednesday that it is "impossible to contain or encircle" China, hailing the former US secretary of state's role in opening up relations between the two powers.
UK annual inflation drops under eight percent
Britain's annual inflation rate slowed more than expected in June as it dropped below eight percent, official data showed Wednesday, easing the country's cost-of-living crisis.
Anger as Hungary cracks down on LGBTQ community
From a hefty fine on a bookshop for selling a novel on which a hit Netflix series is based, to curbing the pension rights of transgender women, Hungary is toughening measures against the LGBTQ community, long a target of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Pakistan spinners strike but Sri Lanka's Madushka stands firm
Opener Nishan Madushka stood firm after Sri Lanka lost three wickets and still trailed Pakistan by 55 runs on day four of the rain-hit opening Test on Wednesday.
O'Sullivan fit for World Cup opener as Ireland vow to get physical
Experienced midfielder Denise O'Sullivan is fit for Ireland's opening match at the Women's World Cup against co-hosts Australia on Thursday after being hurt in the abandoned friendly with Colombia.
Texas judge to hear lawsuit challenging state's abortion ban
A Texas court on Wednesday will hear arguments in the first lawsuit brought on behalf of women denied abortions since the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure just over a year ago.
Herzog to address US lawmakers amid anti-Israel tensions
The US Congress prepared to welcome President Isaac Herzog Wednesday for a speech celebrating 75 years of Israeli independence, as a row over anti-Semitism highlighted fissures in Democratic Party support for the Middle Eastern ally.
Thai reformist suspended from parliament in fresh blow to PM bid
Thailand's constitutional court suspended reformist Pita Limjaroenrat on Wednesday, in another blow to his hopes of becoming the nation's next leader after a stunning election win.
British and Irish Lions to face joint Australia-New Zealand side on 2025 tour
The British and Irish Lions will face a joint Australia-New Zealand side in an unofficial "fourth Test" on their 2025 tour, which will include matches against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, it was announced Wednesday.
Infantino urges fans to 'seize moment' on eve of Women's World Cup
FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged fans to "seize the moment" Wednesday and snap up Women's World Cup tickets, with the opening match yet to sell out on the eve of the tournament.
World Cup will 'wake up' New Zealand's love of football: coach
Staging the Women's World Cup will "wake up" New Zealand's passion for football, the co-hosts' coach Jitka Klimkova said on Wednesday's eve of the tournament.
Extreme heat sparks wildfires, health warnings
Extreme heat was forecast across the globe on Wednesday, as wildfires raged and health warnings were in place in parts of Asia, Europe and North America.
Philippines hope 'meteoric rise' to debut World Cup changes everything
In a country obsessed with beauty pageants, basketball and boxing, the Philippines women's team hope to ignite interest in football when they make the nation's World Cup debut this week.
Martial arts superstar Bruce Lee's legacy endures 50 years on
Hong Kong businessman W. Wong still remembers the day in 1972 when he first heard neighbourhood kids rave about a figure who seemed larger than life: Bruce Lee.
Hoping to attract tourists, Iran looks to neighbours
Iran, largely shunned by western tourists, is making a push to attract visitors from wealthy Gulf Arab states and other nearby countries to boost its sanctions-hit economy.
Player revolt, Putellas fitness overshadow Spain's World Cup charge
Spain are still among the favourites at the Women's World Cup but missing several key players because of a dispute and with concerns about Alexia Putellas' fitness they are taking the hard path.
Most markets track Wall St rally but China weighs on optimism
Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday following a Wall Street rally as investors grow increasingly optimistic that the Federal Reserve will soon end its interest rate hiking cycle and the US economy will avoid a feared recession.
'Deeply hurt': Anti-trans hostility rises in Japan
A courtroom win and new anti-discrimination law could be seen as signs Japan is warming to the protection of LGBTQ rights. But activists warn of a dark side.
Five players to watch at the British Open
The world's best golfers descend on Hoylake, near Liverpool, for the start of the 151st British Open on Thursday.
US soldier who crossed into North Korea had served time in S Korean jail: official
A US soldier who served around two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges was believed to be in North Korean custody Wednesday after crossing the heavily fortified border without authorisation, officials said.
Hurdles world record-holder Amusan charged with anti-doping violation
Women's hurdles world record-holder Tobi Amusan said Wednesday she has been charged with an alleged anti-doping rule violation, casting doubt on her participation in next month’s world championships.
Infantino says 'seize moment' in last-minute World Cup ticket plea
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday urged fans to "seize the moment" and snap up Women's World Cup tickets, with most games yet to sell out on the eve of the tournament.
Search for missing paused in Colombia after landslide kills 15
Rescue teams temporarily suspended efforts to search for survivors Tuesday after a landslide triggered by heavy rains left at least 15 people dead and more than a dozen missing in central Colombia, authorities said.
Private firms scour booming Nevada desert for water profits
Beneath a bone-dry Nevada lakebed, close to the dusty desert where the Burning Man festival is held each year, an ambitious water project is reshaping this pocket of the US West.
Free divers find love and death in Netflix's 'Deepest Breath'
Early in "The Deepest Breath," an underwater drone follows free diver Alessia Zecchini as she plunges 100 meters down into the ocean's dark depths, and back up, all on a single breath.
McIlroy hopes Hoylake return can finally end major drought
Rory McIlroy returns to the scene of his sole British Open triumph at Hoylake this week hoping fond memories can help him snap a nine-year major drought, even if they do make him feel old.