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Politics
IEA to launch largest-ever release of oil reserves
The International Energy Agency said on Wednesday its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves to ease the impact of the Middle East war, the biggest such release ever.
Sports
Iran 'welcome to compete' in World Cup, says Trump
US President Donald Trump would "welcome" Iran's participation at the upcoming World Cup in North America, despite the ongoing Middle East war, the White House said on Wednesday.
Sports
Scotland can handle Six Nations pressure, says Darge
Rory Darge says Scotland can handle the intense pressure as they prepare for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Ireland with a chance to win the title.
Sports
Vingegaard seizes control of Paris-Nice with stage 4 win
Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard took control of the Paris-Nice stage race with victory on Wednesday's fourth stage marred by lashing rain, cross-winds and crashes.
Things to know
North America 'heat dome' left winners and losers: study
Billions of mussels scorched and baby birds dropping from sweltering nests: North America's 2021 heatwave caused a cascade of ecological damage, some of it catastrophic, some unexpected, a new study showed Wednesday.
Politics
Iran warns ready for long war that would 'destroy' world economy
Iran said Wednesday it was ready for a long war of attrition that would "destroy" the world economy, after firing on two commercial ships and threatening any vessels from the US or its allies.
Sports
Bayern trio Musiala, Davies and Urbig sidelined with injuries
Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Jonas Urbig will all miss matches after picking up fresh injuries in Tuesday's 6-1 Champions League win at Atalanta.
Politics
UN urges 'exemptions' to get aid through Strait of Hormuz
The United Nations aid chief warned Wednesday that the Middle East war was impacting aid routes and called for "exemptions" so humanitarian supplies could get through.
Economy
Oil prices jump despite strategic reserve release
A record release of oil from strategic reserves by IEA nations failed to ease concerns about the impact from the Middle East war, with crude prices pushing further higher and stocks sliding.
Nature
Earth's ice is melting: where and how fast?
Melting glaciers and ice sheets are raising sea levels while the Arctic is poised to log one of its worst winters on record.
Weather
Arctic sea ice among lowest on record: AFP review of US data
Arctic sea ice is headed for one of its smallest winter peaks on record, an AFP review of US data showed Wednesday, as climate change shrinks the region's frozen cover and heightens geopolitical tensions.
Economy
Man set himself alight in fatal Swiss bus fire: prosecutor
An inferno on a Swiss bus that killed six people was seemingly started by a "disturbed" man on board who set himself alight, the investigating prosecutor said Wednesday.
Boulevard
Kneecap rapper wins fresh court victory over UK government
An Irish-language singer from punk-rap group Kneecap will not face a terrorism charge after UK prosecutors lost a High Court challenge Wednesday against a judge's decision to dismiss the case.
Boulevard
'This is me, very pretty': inside a Cambodian cyberscam site
Multilingual scripts, images of young women and timed toilet breaks: a police tour of a newly busted cyberscam operation in Cambodia on Wednesday revealed how fraudsters ensnare foreign victims online.
Culture
Spain to deploy tool to track social media hate speech
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday announced the creation of a tool to track hate speech on social media and hold them accountable, in his latest measure targeting tech giants.
Politics
Death toll from Ukrainian attack on Russia's Bryansk rises to 7: governor
The death toll from a Ukrainian missile strike on the western Russian city of Bryansk rose to seven people on Wednesday, the region's governor said.
Culture
'Legendary' Barbra Streisand to receive Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes
Hollywood and Broadway legend Barbra Streisand will be awarded an Honorary Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, organisers announced Wednesday, honouring a career that has spanned more than six decades.
Sports
Devine, Mooney top women's Hundred auction
New Zealand's Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney of Australia topped the bidding in the inaugural auction for English cricket's women's Hundred on Wednesday, each securing deals worth £210,000 ($282,000)
Economy
British fintech Revolut gets full UK banking licence
British fintech company Revolut on Wednesday said it had obtained a full UK banking licence from regulators, lifting restrictions on it competing with established retail lenders.
Economy
US consumer inflation unchanged but price shocks from Iran war loom
Consumer inflation in the United States remained stable at 2.4 percent in February, official data showed Wednesday, with price shocks from the US-Israel war on Iran yet to be reflected in the data.
Culture
Kneecap rapper scores new court victory as UK prosecutors lose appeal
An Irish-language singer from punk-rap group Kneecap will not face a terrorism charge after UK prosecutors lost a High Court challenge Wednesday against a judge's decision to dismiss the case.
Economy
IEA says members to release 400 mn barrels from oil reserves
The International Energy Agency said Wednesday its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves to ease the impact of the Middle East war, the biggest such release ever.
Boulevard
Trump's 'racist hate speech' fuelling rights abuses: UN watchdog
A UN watchdog warned on Wednesday that racist hate speech by US President Donald Trump and other political leaders coupled with intensified immigration crackdowns were fuelling grave rights violations.
Politics
Four killed in Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv exchange drone strikes
Russian and Ukrainian drone strikes killed at least four people Wednesday, officials said, as the war between the neighbours dragged on for more than four years with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight.
Sports
India T20 hero dons disguise for unexpected train home
Indian cricket fans were stumped to discover that star all-rounder Shivam Dube could have been travelling incognito on a train with them, fresh from delivering a record third T20 World Cup crown.
Iran hits ships in Gulf chokepoint as G7 dips into oil reserves
Iran fired on two commercial ships in the Gulf on Wednesday, setting at least one vessel on fire, as it pressed its campaign against its energy-exporting neighbours and forced world governments to dip into their strategic oil reserves.
Technology
Russia says internet outages to last as long as 'necessary'
Mobile internet outages in Russia will last as long as "necessary" to ensure citizens' safety, the Kremlin said Wednesday, after network disruptions were recorded in Moscow and other Russian cities.
Economy
US consumer inflation unchanged at 2.4% year-on-year in February
Consumer inflation in the United States remained stable at 2.4 percent in February, in line with market expectations, government data showed Wednesday, as affordability concerns persist in the world's largest economy.
Sports
Rana takes five wickets as Bangladesh crush Pakistan in ODI opener
Bangladesh pace sensation Nahid Rana claimed his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals to lead his team to a crushing eight-wicket win over Pakistan in their opening match on Wednesday.
Sports
Barca blunder: Fan ends up at wrong St James Park
A red-faced Barcelona fan was treated to a surprise evening of third-tier English football after mixing up Exeter's St James Park with the famous home of Newcastle.
Sports
Malaysia's JDT reach Asian Champions League quarter-finals
Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim reached the Asian Champions League quarter-finals for the first time despite a 1-0 loss to Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday, advancing 3-2 on aggregate.
Politics
Oil jumps, stocks drop as Mideast war prolongs market volatility
Oil prices rallied and equities mostly dropped Wednesday as traders assessed the latest developments affecting global markets as a result of the Middle East war.