Russell to lead Scotland against France in Rugby World Cup warm-up
Finn Russell will captain Scotland in Saturday's World Cup warm-up match against France -- less than 10 months after Gregor Townsend left the fly-half out of his initial squad for the autumn series.
Read moreStock markets slide after US downgrade
Asian and European stock markets slumped Wednesday after the United States had its top credit rating downgraded by Fitch.
Read more'We can beat them': Sweden set up USA showdown at World Cup
Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said his in-form side are "convinced" they can knock the United States out of the Women's World Cup after setting up a last-16 tie with the holders this weekend.
Read moreUS face Sweden World Cup test as South Africa make history
Sweden and holders the United States will meet in the Women's World Cup last 16 while South Africa stunned Italy for a first win ever at the tournament on Wednesday and a place in the knockout stage.
Read moreWest Africa envoys to fly to coup-hit Niger as Europeans leave
Envoys from the West African bloc ECOWAS were expected in Niger on Wednesday, a week after a coup that triggered alarm among neighbours and allies, as France evacuated more citizens from the capital Niamey.
Read moreMud-struck German heavy metal bash slashes attendance
The world's biggest heavy metal music festival starting in northern Germany on Wednesday was forced to cap attendance after heavy rains turned its farmland venue into a muddy quagmire.
Read moreStreets become rivers as Beijing records heaviest rain in 140 years
Deadly rains that pummelled China's capital in recent days were the heaviest since records began 140 years ago, Beijing's weather service said on Wednesday, as a massive cleanup operation began.
Read moreYouths cheer pope's arrival in Portugal for global festival
A beaming Pope Francis arrived in Lisbon on Wednesday for a gathering of some one million youths from around the world as the Catholic Church reflects on its future, greeted by Portuguese leaders and children bearing flowers.
Read moreColombia's Caicedo '100 percent' after World Cup health scares
Linda Caicedo underwent X-rays after health scares at the Women's World Cup but is "100 percent" fit for Colombia's clash with Morocco on Thursday, coach Nelson Abadia said.
Read moreRunning wild: stray dogs threaten rare Balkan lynx
For years, the Balkan lynx has struggled to survive as deforestation destroyed its habitat and poachers targeted the elusive mountain cat along with the animals it relies on for food.
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