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On a parched pitch in an impoverished South African township, a group of young men do push-ups on the hard ground before kicking off a game of rugby.

Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday after data showing China slipped into deflation compounded worries about the world number two economy's faltering post-Covid recovery.

The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has showcased the strides made in women's football on the field in recent years -- while exposing the lack of woman coaches at all levels of the sport.

The world's largest tourism operator TUI said Wednesday it was on track to meet its full-year targets thanks to a "very good travel summer", despite the upheaval caused by heatwaves and wildfires in Europe.

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday swung to a healthy profit in the first half of the year thanks to a pick-up in travel, with the airline expecting passenger capacity to reach 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels by end of the year.

Scientists have identified the maximum mix of heat and humidity a human body can survive.

China on Wednesday reported it had entered deflation for the first time since 2021 -- the latest indicator pointing to a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.

Coup-hit Niger's neighbours have not ruled out military intervention, Nigeria's president said, ahead of a West African coalition's crisis summit in Abuja on Thursday.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef could deteriorate if warming ocean temperatures spark another mass coral bleaching event later this year, the country's top marine science body said Wednesday.

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific on Wednesday swung to a healthy profit in the first half of the year thanks to a pick-up in travel, with the airline expecting passenger capacity to reach 70 percent of pre-pandemic levels by end of the year.

Australian swim king Kyle Chalmers on Wednesday said the Paris Olympics will be his third and last, but the sprint star insisted it did not mean he was retiring.

Colombia captain Catalina Usme is "dreaming big" and coach Nelson Abadia wants to "make history" as the last team standing from the Americas plots the downfall of England in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.

A spate of high-profile visits by US officials to Saudi Arabia underscores how ties have warmed amid talks over a potential deal that would see the Gulf kingdom recognise Israel, analysts say.

Thirty-three people have been confirmed dead and 18 are still missing after Beijing's heaviest rains on record, officials said Wednesday.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok said Wednesday that her parents were "questioned, harassed and intimidated" by authorities, weeks after officials accused her and seven others of endangering national security.

With cruise bookings seeing a resurgence after the Covid pandemic caused luxury liners to mothball, a Finnish shipyard is putting the final touches on what will be the world's largest cruise ship.

Traditional Swiss wrestling, known as "schwingen" in German, has been a male preserve for centuries -- the ultimate test of manhood for Alpine alpha males.

US President Joe Biden said Tuesday he would travel to Vietnam "shortly" as part of an effort to improve ties with Hanoi, as Washington seeks to counter China's influence in the region.

Celine Boutier admits it is a long shot but the French player still starts as favourite to make it three wins in a row at the final major of the season, this weekend's Women's British Open at Walton Heath.

Former Toronto Masters winners Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev dispatched first-round opponents in windy conditions on Tuesday to power into the second round of the Canadian hardcourt event.

Asian markets wavered Wednesday after data showing the first drop in Chinese consumer prices compounded worries about the world's number two economy.

Kenya's government and the opposition are set to launch talks Wednesday aimed at resolving a bitter political feud following a spate of deadly protests over electoral reforms and the high cost of living.

Two Ukrainian combat drones headed for Moscow were shot down, Russian officials said on Wednesday, the latest in a surge of drone attacks targeting the capital.

China slipped into deflation as consumer prices contracted last month for the first time in more than two years, official data showed Wednesday, as slowing domestic spending weighs on the country's post-Covid economic recovery.

Portugal may have snuck into this Rugby World Cup through the back door but the future looks bright for a country where the game is steadily building its numbers among the younger generation.

Embattled office-sharing firm WeWork on Tuesday warned US regulators that it is worried about its survival.

Australia's biggest lender Commonwealth Bank reported a record annual profit Wednesday as it raked in money from customers forced to pay higher interest rates.

The 2023/24 French Ligue 1 season kicks off this weekend with Paris Saint-Germain the overwhelming favourites to win another title despite Lionel Messi's departure and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Kylian Mbappe.

Premier League clubs have splashed out over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) on fresh faces ahead of the start of the new season on Friday.

In his dry cleaning shop near the Warner Bros. and Disney studios, Tom Malian looks in despair at a carousel mostly empty of the shirts, jackets and pants it held before Hollywood went on strike.

Uncertainty over the future of Kylian Mbappe hangs over French football ahead of the new Ligue 1 season, which starts this weekend.

Seamer Trent Boult is set to play international cricket again after being named Wednesday to the New Zealand ODI squad that will face England in September ahead of the World Cup.