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Toronto had the worst air quality of any major city in the world on Wednesday, the Swiss firm IQAir said, as Canadian authorities urged people to stay indoors.

Tour de France stage 11 winner Soren Waerenskjold said on Wednesday he had learnt to sprint by watching British great Mark Cavendish as a child.

Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel called the English "usurping pirates" ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between the two countries' teams.

Canada's central bank held its key lending rate at 2.25 percent on Wednesday, citing signs of economic improvement with businesses adapting to new trade relations under US President Donald Trump.

Tech stocks initially led gains but turned lower in mixed equity markets on Wednesday while oil prices slipped back from recent gains that had accompanied fresh US attacks on Iran.

US President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suspend the use of traffic stops after two fatal shootings in less than a week.

England 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died with a brain condition caused by repeatedly heading a football, a coroner's court ruled Wednesday.

Hong Kong police raided a bookstore run by former journalists on Wednesday, AFP reporters saw, the latest in a string of crackdowns on independent bookshops.

Norwegian Soren Waerenskjold launched a long-range sprint to claim victory at the Tour de France on Wednesday in the fastest stage in the race's history.

French Top 14 club Castres said on Wednesday their former New Zealand back-rower Dalton Papali'i has been sidelined for at least six months after tearing his Achilles tendon.

A steady stream of pedestrians and vehicles crossed the border between Spain and Gibraltar on Wednesday as an agreement allowing free movement across the frontier came into force.

British Open golf chiefs have no plans to alter Sunday's final round schedule at Royal Birkdale should England reach the football World Cup final.

Women's rights charity Her Game Too France announced on Wednesday it had ended its partnership with Top 14 club Stade Francais after they had signed US winger Rufus McLean.

Hungary's former foreign minister Peter Szijjarto, an ally of nationalist ex-leader Viktor Orban, announced his resignation as a lawmaker on Wednesday to work for Chinese electric-vehicle giant BYD, prompting conflict-of-interest accusations.

Rory McIlroy said the recent UK heatwave that has transformed conditions ahead of this week's British Open is a "double-edged sword".

Up to 45 percent of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, citing modifiable risk factors such as tobacco and air pollution.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday a revamped format for the men's 2027 one-day international World Cup that could lead to an additional fixture between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

Tech stocks led gains in mixed equity markets on Wednesday while oil prices rose as the US launched another wave of attacks on Iran.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled Wednesday he was not opposed to Chinese carmakers taking over struggling German auto plants but cautioned it could not be a long-term solution for the industry's problems.

The death toll from a devastating Bangkok bar fire has risen to 33, authorities said Wednesday, as Thailand pledged a nationwide overhaul of entertainment venue regulations.

US President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at a decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suspend the use of traffic stops after two fatal shootings in less than a week.

Power was restored across Cuba on Wednesday, authorities said, after the third nationwide outage in less than 10 days.

Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday pledged his "wholehearted support" to his successor as he prepares to hand over to premier-in-waiting Andy Burnham.

The United States launched a wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, after it reimposed a naval blockade in a return to war between the two foes.

France is experiencing a "very worrying" drought that has spurred a record number of water restrictions for the time of year, the ecology minister said on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka is intensifying a military-backed drive to contain the spread of mosquito-borne dengue fever, a senior official said Wednesday, as the death toll climbed to 49 since the start of the year.

Burglars tried to break in to the Barcelona home of Spain star Lamine Yamal on Wednesday, shortly after he helped La Roja reach their second World Cup final, police and media said.

German chemical giant BASF raised its earnings forecast for the year Wednesday after hiking prices for some products following the outbreak of the Iran war, but warned of heightened uncertainty.

European stock markets retreated Wednesday as oil prices built on recent strong gains, with traders focused firmly on the Middle East conflict and technology sector.

Germany's continued World Cup failures are a result of structural, political and cultural problems in German society, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said in on Tuesday.

Stuart Broad believes England must add an extra fast bowler to their attack if they are to be competitive at next year's 50-over World Cup in southern Africa.

As England gears up for the World Cup semi-final Wednesday, there will be one name on everyone's lips: Jude Bellingham, the star midfielder who powered the Three Lions through to the marquee clash against Argentina.