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Olympic champ says man-made snow in Beijing like 'bulletproof ice'
The Beijing Olympics snowboard slopestyle course is like "bulletproof ice", twice defending champion Jamie Anderson said Wednesday, adding that she was "scared" riding on the artificial snow.

Stars walk disciplinary tightrope in Africa Cup of Nations
Up to 21 stars could be involved in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals this week knowing one mistimed tackle would rule them out of the biggest match in the continent.

South African players support coach Boucher says captain Elgar
South African cricket captain Dean Elgar said on Wednesday that his players supported head coach Mark Boucher, who faces a disciplinary process on charges of racism that could result in his dismissal.

Two Afghan journalists released after Taliban detention
Two Afghan journalists detained by the Taliban earlier this week were released Wednesday, the news editor of their media organisation said.

Barcelona sign Aubameyang as free agent until 2025
Barcelona on Wednesday announced they had signed Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang until June 2025 as a free agent.

UN seeks $169 million in aid for Philippine typhoon victims
The United Nations has increased its fundraising target for victims of Typhoon Rai to $169 million as the Philippines struggles to recover from the devastating storm, the organisation's resident coordinator said Wednesday.

Man disrupts pope audience, shouts: 'God rejects you'
A shouting man denouncing the Church disrupted an audience by Pope Francis at the Vatican Wednesday, before being escorted outside by police.

Man Utd's Mason Greenwood released on bail after arrest
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been released on bail after being questioned over the alleged rape and assault of a young woman, police said on Wednesday.

Australia fly in coffee expert to power them to Beijing gold
Australian athletes at the Winter Olympics have a "performance-enhancing stimulant" to power them to gold -- flying their own barista into the Covid-secure Beijing bubble.

Eurozone inflation rises to new record high
Inflation in the eurozone soared to a new record high in January, official data showed Wednesday, adding pressure on the European Central Bank ahead of a monetary policy meeting this week.

Skiing into the unknown: Beijing's man-made Olympic pistes
When the alpine skiers take to the piste at the Beijing Olympics this week, they will do so on artificial snow in an often drought-ridden region.

Kenya's Asbel Kiprop seeks track comeback as doping ban ends
Kenya's former Olympic and three-time world 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop has vowed to make a successful return to the track after his four-year doping ban elapsed on Wednesday.

Santander profits soar to pre-pandemic levels
Spanish banking giant Santander bounced back from the pandemic as it returned to profit last year, beating analyst expectations and exceeding its pre-Covid earnings, the group said Wednesday.

Stocks advance on strong earnings, oil flat before OPEC+
European stock markets rose Wednesday following strong global earnings that lifted Asian and Wall Street equities overnight.

Sri Lanka gets urgent $500m Indian loan to pay for oil
Sri Lanka was handed temporary relief from energy shortages and rolling blackouts on Wednesday with a $500 million loan from India to finance urgent oil purchases for the cash-strapped nation.

France lifts Covid restrictions as case numbers ease
France on Wednesday loosened several of the restrictions imposed to curb the latest Covid surge, with authorities hoping a recent decline in daily cases will soon ease pressure on overburdened hospitals.

Hybrid car sales catch up to diesel in Europe
Hybrid car sales reached a milestone in Europe last year as they grabbed the same market share as diesel vehicles, while electric models gained more ground, industry data showed on Wednesday.

More talks due as Putin accuses West of trying to draw Russia into war
NATO leaders pursued diplomatic efforts on the Ukraine crisis Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin accused the West of trying to draw Russia into a war but left the door open to further talks.

Rape stalks women in C. Africa's dirty war
Maia looks down at her expanding belly, her eyes welling with tears.

England forced to rejig after Lawes, Hill ruled out of Six Nations opener
Eddie Jones is facing a selection headache after forwards Courtney Lawes and Jonny Hill were ruled out of England's opening Six Nations match against Scotland on Saturday.

Beijing Olympics begins torch relay under shadow of Covid, rights fears
The Beijing Winter Olympics torch relay began its truncated journey to Friday's opening ceremony as China tried to move on from the diplomatic boycotts and Covid fears that have dogged the build-up to the Games.

Beijing Olympics begins torch relay under shadow of Covid, rights
The Beijing Winter Olympics torch relay began its truncated journey to Friday's opening ceremony as China tried to move on from the diplomatic boycotts and Covid fears that have dogged the build-up to the Games.

'Spider-Man' success helps Sony lift annual profit outlook
Sony upgraded its full-year net profit forecast on Wednesday, buoyed by the success of its latest "Spider-Man" movie and strong results in the gaming sector despite the global chip shortage.

'Give us a refund': China's latest World Cup flop sparks fury
Angry Chinese football fans lashed out Wednesday at their country's "shameful" record after a 3-1 defeat at Vietnam ended any slim hope they had of reaching the 2022 World Cup.

Mexico tries to banish homophobic slur from football
Mexico are playing World Cup qualifiers in front of a limited number of tightly controlled fans -- part of efforts to stamp out an anti-gay slur in the football-loving nation.

US to send warship, fighter jets to UAE after Yemen attacks
The United States will deploy a guided missile destroyer and state-of-the-art fighter jets to help defend the United Arab Emirates after a series of missile attacks by Yemeni rebels, a US statement said Wednesday.

Suns cruise to 11th straight win, Giannis' triple-double powers Bucks
Devin Booker scored 35 points and Mikal Bridges tallied a season-high 27 as the league-leading Phoenix Suns dominated the Brooklyn Nets 121-111 to stretch their winning streak to 11 games.

Australia says warship did not bring Covid to eruption-hit Tonga
Australian defence chiefs on Wednesday said a warship delivering aid to Tonga was not the source of an outbreak that has plunged the previously coronavirus-free Pacific kingdom into lockdown.

Sony hikes annual profit forecast on film, gaming success
Sony upgraded its full-year net profit forecast on Wednesday, buoyed by the success of its latest Spider-Man movie and strong results in the gaming sector despite the global chip shortage.

Afghan universities reopen with trickle of women attending
Some public universities opened in Afghanistan Wednesday for the first time since the Taliban seized power in August, with a trickle of women attending classes that officials said would be segregated by sex.

UK college requests removal of slavery-linked memorial
A university college in the United Kingdom is Wednesday to ask a judge to allow the removal from its chapel of a memorial to a historical donor implicated in the slave trade.

Iranian female skier cuts icy path to Beijing Olympics
Iranian Atefeh Ahmadi learned to ski not long after she could walk, but the path to the Winter Olympics has not been an entirely smooth run for the 21-year-old.