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Zverev finishes overnight job at Cincinnati Open
Former champion Alexander Zverev polished off a weather-hit third-round victory at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday, winning the final four points of a 6-4, 6-4 win over Brandon Nakashima before weather again disrupted play.

Bukele critics face long exile from El Salvador homeland
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has tightened his grip on power and made life ever-more difficult for critics -- now a growing number face the prospect of a long and painful exile.

McIlroy 'shot down' suggestion of Ryder Cup playing captain role
Masters champion Rory McIlroy said Wednesday he rejected the suggestion he could serve as playing captain at a Ryder Cup "sometime soon," saying he thinks combining roles is too onerous.

'Water lettuce' chokes tourism, fishing at El Salvador lake
The waters of El Salvador's Lake Suchitlan are normally busy with fishermen and tourists -- but this year, you'd be forgiven for thinking it isn't a lake at all.

Peru's president signs military crimes amnesty bill into law
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on Wednesday signed into law a controversial bill granting amnesty to military personnel, police and members of civilian self-defense units over a bloody 1980-2000 campaign against leftist Shining Path guerrillas.

At least 26 migrants dead in two shipwrecks off Italy
At least 26 migrants died Wednesday when two boats sank off the coast of Italy's Lampedusa island, with around 10 others still missing, the coastguard and UN officials said.

Root says Warner jibe 'all part of the fun' heading into Ashes
Joe Root has brushed aside David Warner's jibe that he will need to "take the surfboard off his front leg" if England are to triumph in Australia in the upcoming Ashes series.

Plastic pollution treaty talks in disarray
Attempts to finalise a landmark treaty combating plastic pollution descended into disarray on the penultimate day on Wednesday as dozens of countries rejected outright the latest draft text, leaving the talks in limbo.

Trump eyes three-way meeting with Putin, Zelensky
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would seek a three-way meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, immediately after his Alaska summit with the Russian leader aimed at ending the three-year war in Ukraine.

'Viable' chance for Ukraine ceasefire thanks to Trump: UK PM
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said there was now a "viable" chance for a Ukraine ceasefire, ahead of talks between US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Vance visits US troops during UK trip
US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday took another detour from his high-profile holiday in the UK to visit American forces stationed in the country and praise their "courage".

Premier League has no say on delay over Man City charges, says chief exec
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said his "frustration" at waiting for a verdict in a series of financial charges against Manchester City is irrelevant as the case is in the hands of an independent hearing.

Trump names Stallone, Strait among Kennedy Center honorees
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday named "Rocky" star Sylvester Stallone and country music great George Strait among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, as he pursues a controversial overhaul of the storied arts institution.
Israeli military says approved plan for new Gaza offensive
The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it had approved the framework for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas condemned what it called "aggressive" Israeli ground incursions in Gaza City.

Europeans urge Trump to push for Ukraine ceasefire in Putin summit
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies urged US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to support Kyiv and push for a ceasefire when he meets Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week.

Stocks extend gains on US rate-cut bets
Stock markets rose Wednesday, with Wall Street building on the previous day's record highs after steady US inflation data fuelled hopes that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.

Venus Williams receives wild card for US Open singles
Two-time former champion Venus Williams is set to make her 25th US Open appearance after receiving a wild card into the women's singles.

Massive fire burns on mountain near western Canada city
Nearly 20,000 residents of a community in western Canada were on standby Wednesday as a wildfire engulfed a mountain overlooking the city of Port Alberni, the latest area threatened in the country's second-worst fire season on record.

Plastic pollution plague blights Asia
Kulsum Beghum sorts waste at a landfill in Dhaka. Her blood contains 650 microplastic particles per millilitre, according to an analysis funded by a waste pickers' union.
Typhoon Podul pummels Taiwan, heads towards China
Typhoon Podul pounded Taiwan on Wednesday, shutting down businesses in the south, grounding flights and knocking out power for thousands of households, while parts of China made preparations for the storm to make landfall.
Russia in major Ukraine advance as Europe braces for Trump-Putin meet
Russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine was gaining speed and seizing ground Wednesday as European leaders were to hold online talks with US President Donald Trump ahead of his Alaska summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Stock markets extend gains on growing US rate cut hopes
Stock markets rose Wednesday, with Wall Street building on the previous day's record highs after steady US inflation data fuelled hopes that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates.
Typhoon Podul pummels Taiwan, heads towards mainland
Typhoon Podul pounded Taiwan on Wednesday, shutting down businesses, grounding flights and knocking out power for tens of thousands of households, while parts of mainland China made ready for the storm.

In heatwave, Romans turn to vintage snow cones to stay cool
Forget ice cream, sorbet or even the beloved Italian gelato -- when Romans swelter in a heatwave, they turn to the traditional "grattachecca".

Russia in major Ukraine advance ahead of Trump-Putin meet in Alaska
Russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine was gaining speed and seizing more ground Wednesday ahead of a summit in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Ankara, Damascus top diplomats warn Israel over Syria action
Turkey's foreign minister and his Syrian counterpart on Wednesday warned Israel not to stir up chaos in Syria and demanded an end to all external interventions aimed at destabilising the war-torn country.

Deadlocked plastics treaty talks 'at cliff's edge'
Negotiators from 184 countries remained riven Wednesday on how to curb plastic pollution, less than 36 hours before they were slated to deliver a binding global treaty.

Stock markets rise on growing US rate cut hopes
Stock markets rose and the dollar fell Wednesday on growing prospects of cuts to US interest rates after soft inflation data, with Japan's Nikkei hitting a fresh record high.

New cancer plan urged as survival improvements in England slow
Improvements in cancer survival rates in England and Wales have slowed down significantly since 2010, according to a major study released Wednesday, leading to calls for an urgent national cancer plan.

Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
A Hong Kong court on Wednesday found J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura guilty of indecent assault after he harassed a woman working as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year.

Thousands battle Greece fires as heatwave bakes Europe
Greece on Wednesday battled to contain more than 20 wildfires including one menacing its third-largest city Patras as a heatwave stoked blazes and forced the evacuation of thousands in southern Europe.

Woodman-Wickliffe lines up 'one last ride' for Black Ferns at World Cup
For a woman who has dominated women's rugby union over the last decade, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe retains an infectious enthusiasm as she approaches what is likely to be her final competition, the 2025 Women's World Cup.