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Ancelotti tests positive for Covid a week before Chelsea first leg
Carlo Ancelotti has tested positive for Covid-19, Real Madrid announced on Wednesday, with the Italian likely to miss his team's La Liga game against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Lavrov hails China as part of emerging 'just world order'
Beijing and Moscow advanced a vision of a new world order Wednesday as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made his first visit to key ally China since the invasion of Ukraine.
Zimbabwe repossessing unused land from black farmers
Zimbabwe has begun repossessing idle land from black farmers who benefitted from controversial land reforms two decades ago, Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka said Wednesday.
Four million Ukrainian refugees flee war
More than four million Ukrainians have fled the country within five weeks to escape Russia's "senseless war", the United Nations said Wednesday.
Russia's Lavrov to visit India as pressure over Ukraine builds
Russia's foreign minister will visit India for a two-day visit beginning Thursday, officials said, likely to press New Delhi to resist Western pressure to condemn the Ukraine invasion.
Eurozone stocks slide, as Germany slashes growth outlook
Eurozone stock markets slid Wednesday after strong gains the previous session, as Russia downplayed hopes of a breakthrough in peace talks with Ukraine and Germany's growth outlook darkened.
'Genius' Shane Warne bid farewell at state memorial service
Shane Warne was remembered as "mesmerising" and a "genius" at a state memorial service in Melbourne Wednesday attended by tens of thousands of spectators and legendary players, with music superstars Elton John and Chris Martin performing by video link.
10-hour blackouts, hospitals stop surgery as Sri Lanka crisis worsens
Sri Lanka on Wednesday began imposing record nationwide 10-hour daily power cuts as more hospitals announced the suspension of routine surgeries in response to severe shortages of fuel and life-saving medicines.
Marta Ortega, the heiress taking the reins of Zara
Marta Ortega, whose father founded Zara-owner Inditex, will become the world's most powerful woman in the ready-to-wear sector when she takes the reins of the company on Friday.
Flamboyant Japanese baseball manager ups ante on hover-bike
His extravagant outfits and jaw-dropping stunts are headline news in Japan, but now larger-than-life baseball manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo has upped the theatrical ante by entering the stadium on a hover-bike.
Over four million Ukrainian refugees have fled war: UN
More than four million Ukrainians have now fled the country to escape Russia's "senseless war", the United Nations said Wednesday.
Talks on Yemen war start in Saudi, without Huthi rebels
Talks on Yemen's devastating war started in the Saudi capital Wednesday, but without the Huthi rebels, hours after the Riyadh-led coalition announced a ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
German economists slash 2022 growth outlook on Ukraine, energy
The German government's economic advisers slashed their growth forecast for 2022 on Wednesday, warning that the war in Ukraine and soaring energy prices would take a toll on Europe's biggest economy.
Tale of two cities as Shanghai goes into slow-motion lockdown
At home in Pudong district, on reduced pay and playing computer games to lift the gloom, 25-year-old Chinese engineer Terry is in the locked-down half of Shanghai.
Thousands bid farewell to Shane Warne at state memorial service
Shane Warne was remembered as a "genius" at a state memorial service at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday attended by tens of thousands of spectators and legendary players, with music stars including Elton John performing by video link.
Russian FM hails China as part of emerging 'just world order'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday said Moscow and Beijing are leading the way towards a fairer world order, as he makes his first visit to the key ally since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month.
Shelling 'all night' casts doubt on Russian vow to de-escalate in Ukraine
Ukraine on Wednesday accused Russia of shelling Chernigiv in northern Ukraine despite promising to scale back military activity around the city and the capital Kyiv after more than a month of war.
Pakistan PM's future in doubt as coalition ally switches sides
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's future looked increasingly in doubt Wednesday after a key coalition partner switched allegiance ahead of a parliamentary no-confidence vote that could be held as early as this weekend.
Iraqi MPs try for third time to elect new president
Iraqi lawmakers were Wednesday set to try for a third time to elect a new national president after two previous attempts failed because of boycotts by a Shiite Muslim coalition.
Why did North Korea fake a 'monster missile' test?
North Korea faked a "successful" launch of its most powerful long-range missile to shore up domestic support for Kim Jong Un's regime after the real test ended in failure, analysts say.
Energy prices push Spanish inflation to 37-year high
Spanish inflation has surged to a near 37-year high due to soaring energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, official data showed Wednesday, adding pressure on the government.
Australian beach town of Byron Bay inundated by floodwaters
The Australian coastal enclave of Byron Bay, known for its celebrity residents and idyllic beaches, was inundated by floodwaters Wednesday as severe storms again battered the country's east.
Most markets rally on Russia pledge, but traders cautious
Most stocks rose again Wednesday as investors gave a cautious welcome to Russia's pledge to "radically" wind down military activity around two cities including Kyiv, lifting hopes for a ceasefire in the month-long Ukraine war.
Government critic prevented from leaving India
A prominent Indian activist and writer has said she was prevented from flying to Europe to speak about intimidation of journalists and rights in the world's largest democracy.
Healy hits century as Australia power into World Cup final
A double-century opening stand carried tournament favourites Australia to a commanding 157-run win over the West Indies on Wednesday and a place in the Women's World Cup final.
'Monster' Inoue to face Donaire in sequel to boxing classic
Japan's Naoya Inoue will face Nonito Donaire of the Philippines in a bantamweight title unification fight in Japan in June, adding a sequel to their classic 2019 encounter.
Israel's Bennett warns of terror 'wave' after shooting rampage
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned of a "wave of murderous Arab terrorism" ahead of funerals Wednesday for two of five people killed in a shooting rampage in an ultra-religious Jewish town.
US trial begins of Islamic State 'Beatle'
The first trial on US soil of an alleged major figure in the Islamic State (IS) group -- an accused member of the kidnap-and-murder cell known as the "Beatles" -- will begin in earnest Wednesday near Washington.
Versailles reopens room where French democracy was founded
The Palace of Versailles is reopening the site of on an often-overlooked part of its history on Friday with a fully restored Jeu de Paume Room that hosted the founding of French democracy.
Geneva watch show returns under shadow of Ukraine war
Switzerland's top luxury watch fair will resurface this week in Geneva after two years of pandemic-induced virtual shows, but Ukraine's raging conflict and Covid lockdowns in China could dampen the mood.
China state broadcaster airs first NBA match since 2020
NBA basketball returned to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV for the first time in nearly 18 months on Wednesday, after China blacklisted it following a team official's support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
10-hour power cuts in Sri Lanka as crisis worsens
Sri Lanka on Wednesday began imposing record nationwide 10-hour daily power cuts as it ran out of hydro-electricity on top of a severe shortage of fuel.