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Japan all but sealed their place in the Women's World Cup last 16 on Wednesday with Spain poised to fire a title warning and join them in the knockout rounds.

China's foreign ministry declined to comment on Wednesday on the abrupt sacking of senior diplomat Qin Gang, while scrubbing mentions of him from a government website.

More than 50 pilot whales died after stranding themselves on a beach in Western Australia, but authorities said Wednesday they were "optimistic" that the other 45 whales in the pod could survive.

The chief executive of Britain's NatWest bank, Alison Rose, stepped down Wednesday after admitting a "serious error of judgment" in speaking to a reporter about the banking affairs of arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage.

Equities were mixed Wednesday as the previous day's China-induced rally gave way to cautious trading ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision, with fresh data reviving the possibility of more rate hikes before the end of the year.

A powerful storm pounded the northern Philippines on Wednesday, killing at least one person, toppling trees and knocking out power as thousands sheltered with neighbours or in emergency evacuation centres.

Japan all but booked their place in the Women's World Cup last 16 as forwards Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored twice in three minutes in a 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday.

One sailor died and several others were injured after a fire broke out on a car carrier ship off the Netherlands on Wednesday, the Dutch coastguard said.

Australia coach Tony Gustavsson insisted Wednesday it was simply bad luck that two players were concussed in separate "high-intensity" training incidents on the eve of their Women's World Cup clash with Nigeria, and praised his team for how they responded.

Taiwan staged its first-ever military drill at Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday, briefly halting commercial traffic as soldiers practised defending the facility against a simulated attack by Beijing.

Residents of the rural Bavarian village of Schnabelwaid have said "yes" to the installation of wind turbines on the hillside next to their community in a rare win for an energy source unloved in Germany's biggest region.

President Emmanuel Macron warned Wednesday that separatist sentiment could lead to violence in New Caledonia, as he urged the pro-independence camp to accept a string of votes to stay part of France.

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum warned Wednesday that a depleted Australia still have plenty of "weapons" and told his side they must take their chances in Brisbane.

Vlatko Andonovski said his United States team will do "whatever it takes" when they face the Netherlands at the Women's World Cup on Thursday in a re-run of the 2019 final.

Haunted by previous failures in Haiti and worried about getting stuck in a deadly quagmire, the international community is reluctant to answer a UN call for a special intervention force, experts say.

The US Federal Reserve is poised to announce a fresh quarter percentage-point hike to its benchmark lending rate on Wednesday to tackle inflation, while keeping the option open for more such moves in the coming months.

Single mother Law Oi-wah pled guilty to sedition in an almost inaudible voice, as her 12-year-old son watched from a few feet away in a Hong Kong court.

Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang was abruptly removed from office this week, deepening a mystery over what precisely has happened to a one-time confidant of President Xi Jinping and one of Beijing's most well-known officials.

Australia's Kyle Chalmers said Wednesday that "no one's invincible" after watching superstar Romanian rival David Popovici flop badly at swimming's world championships the previous night.

Caroline Graham Hansen's public criticism of coach Hege Riise for dropping her for the goalless draw with Switzerland has laid bare fractures within a Norway squad on the brink of an early Women's World Cup exit.

For the past decade, Rikkie Kolle has been on a journey that has seen her grow from a little boy in a Dutch harbour city into the Netherlands' latest beauty queen.

North Korea rolled out the red carpet for the Russian defence minister, state media said Wednesday, with delegations from Moscow and Beijing set to attend Korean War anniversary events, the country's first known foreign visitors since its pandemic border closure.

Western nations fear an economic collapse in Tunisia could trigger even greater migrant flows to Europe and have offered financial assistance. Yet prospects of Tunisia's sealing the biggest deal of all -- a $1.9-billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund -- seem increasingly remote.

French chef Renaud Dutel never thought his career would take him to the United Arab Emirates' glam hub of Dubai, but has found there a culinary capital in the making.

Australia's Kyle Chalmers said Wednesday that "no one's invincible" after watching superstar Romanian rival David Popovici flop badly at swimming's world championships the previous night.

Asian markets were mixed Wednesday as the previous day's China-induced rally gave way to cautious trading ahead of a Federal Reserve policy decision, with fresh data reviving the possibility of more rate hikes before the end of the year.

China offered no explanation for the sacking of foreign minister Qin Gang on Wednesday, while scrubbing mentions of him from a government website.

More than 50 pilot whales have died hours after stranding themselves on a beach in Western Australia, with authorities saying Wednesday they are scrambling to save dozens more.

Korean War veteran Ryu Jae-sik has had a bullet fired by a Chinese soldier lodged in his chest for 70 years, a constant reminder of the conflict that never ended.

Australia may have retained the Ashes but a chance to win a Test series in England will spur them on after they "got away" with a draw in Manchester.

When they started to unionize, Amazon tried to get rid of them.

Australia suffered another Women's World Cup blow on Wednesday when striker Mary Fowler -- who replaced missing Sam Kerr in their opening match -- was also sidelined with injury.