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Russian forces edged closer Wednesday to taking the key eastern Ukraine city of Severodonetsk but Kyiv's hopes of holding off their invaders were boosted by a US pledge of more advanced rocket systems to help their defence.

The World Health Organization lamented Wednesday that it had no access to data about North Korea's Covid-19 outbreak, but assumed the crisis was deepening, contrary to Pyongyang's reports of "progress".

Russia said Wednesday it was moving to limit the damage from an EU oil ban as its other key energy export, gas, has fallen after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine.

World number one Iga Swiatek said on Wednesday that "the sky is the limit" as she looks to extend her 33-match winning streak and reach the French Open final.

French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said Wednesday that women's matches had less appeal than men's at Roland Garros, an opinion dismissed as "surprising and disappointing" by world number one Iga Swiatek.

The strongest hurricane on record to hit Mexico's Pacific coast in May left at least 11 people dead and 33 missing after triggering landslides and flooding, officials said Wednesday.

Britons prepared Wednesday to mark a record-breaking 70 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth II, with four days of festivities offering temporary respite from an inflationary crisis and doubts over the monarchy's future.

NATO said Wednesday it will hold talks involving Turkey, Finland and Sweden in hopes of ending Ankara's opposition to the Nordic nations joining the alliance ahead of a summit this month.

One of the victims of a New York subway shooting is suing Glock, the manufacturer of the firearm used in the attack, saying its marketing efforts appeal to criminals.

European and US stocks slipped on Wednesday, as traders digested data showing that runaway inflation shows no sign of easing.

With the war in Ukraine forcing countries in Europe to rethink their security policy, Denmark on Wednesday held a referendum on whether to join the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out.

Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy has been charged with a further count of rape, it was announced Wednesday following the lifting of reporting restrictions.

Brazil registered the highest number of fires in the Amazon for the month of May since 2004, and the highest ever for the Cerrado savanna region last month, according to official figures released Wednesday.

Britain's airports are coming under fire for failing to prepare for this week's jubilee getaway and the busy summer season, as passengers face long delays and cancelled flights.

Eleven more teams will join an expanded CONCACAF Champions League from 2024 under a sweeping revamp of the competition unveiled on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Ukraine had promised not to use new long-range missiles to strike inside of Russia as he warned of "many months" of conflict ahead.

Scientists have produced the first genetic map of chimpanzees in the wild, offering a detailed reconstruction of the endangered species' past migrations, and a new tool to combat illegal trafficking.

Rory McIlroy said Wednesday players joining a new Saudi-backed golf series should not face heavy sanctions but reiterated he had no interest in signing up to the controversial venture.

President Emmanuel Macron urged the French government on Wednesday to investigate with "full transparency" the chaos at this weekend's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, as the interior minister came under increasing pressure over the police's handling.

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee should provide a boost to Britain's beleaguered retail and tourism sectors, but could also then slow the stuttering economy, analysts said on Wednesday.

Former world number one and two-time Grand Slam title winner Amelie Mauresmo said Wednesday that women's matches had less appeal at the French Open when it came to controversial night session scheduling.

Daria Kasatkina said Rafael Nadal's late-night "fighting spirit" in defeating Novak Djokovic to make the French Open quarter-finals inspired her to secure a maiden Grand Slam semi-final spot on Wednesday.

Iga Swiatek powered into the French Open semi-finals on Wednesday as a comfortable victory over American Jessica Pegula extended the world number one's winning streak to 33 matches.

The United States on Wednesday named Mike Hammer, a veteran diplomat known for his frankness and amiability, as envoy for the Horn of Africa with the delicate task of building on Ethiopia's fragile efforts toward peace.

French film legend Catherine Deneuve will receive an honorary award at the 79th Venice Film Festival, organisers said Wednesday.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday renewed threats of a military offensive in northern Syria, which he said would target Kurdish "terrorists".

At least 33 people remained missing and 11 were confirmed dead Wednesday after Hurricane Agatha swept through Mexico, local officials said.

With the war in Ukraine forcing countries in Europe to rethink their security policy, Denmark voted Wednesday in a referendum on whether to join the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out.

The deadly collapse of a building in southwestern Iran has accentuated anger over price rises and economic deprivation that sparked protests which have now lasted three weeks and show no sign of abating, observers say.

The United States and Taiwan launched talks on Wednesday aimed at deepening their trade ties, in a clear challenge to Beijing.

Daria Kasatkina reached her maiden Grand Slam semi-final on Wednesday with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory over fellow Russian, Veronika Kudermetova.

A prominent Turkish anti-femicide campaign group went on trial on Wednesday accused of activity against law and morals, with several hundred women rallying outside Istanbul's main court in protest.