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After two years of Covid-19 cancellations, Rio de Janeiro's mayor officially opened the world's most famous carnival celebration Wednesday, handing the key to the city to "King Momo," the symbolic ruler of the festivities.

Locals trickling back to the pummelled Ukrainian village of Moshchun must effectively sign away their lives for permission to enter.

Phoenix's All-Star guard Devin Booker has a "mild right hamstring strain" and it is not clear when he will return as the Suns battle the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA playoffs first round.

Producers of the movie "Rust" demonstrated "plain indifference" to firearms hazards and repeatedly violated industry safety protocols on the set where actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer, New Mexico health officials said Wednesday.

Dallas star Luka Doncic said Wednesday he was "feeling pretty good" as he rehabilitates a left calf strain, but remains uncertain to play game three of the Mavericks' NBA playoff series against Utah.

Italian ministers on Wednesday signed a deal with Angola to ramp up gas supplies from the southern African country as Italy urgently scrambles to break away from Russian gas over the Ukraine war.

French President Emmanuel Macron and far-right rival Marine Le Pen on Wednesday sought to sway millions of undecided voters as they clashed in a one-off televised debate four days ahead of presidential elections.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was under growing pressure on Wednesday over his perceived lack of leadership over the war in Ukraine and his dogged refusal to send heavy weapons to the country.

Monaco beat local rivals Nice 1-0 on Wednesday as the resurgent principality side claimed a fifth straight win and moved above their neighbours in the fight for European qualification in Ligue 1.

Atletico Madrid were left frustrated by a goalless draw with Granada on Wednesday as Diego Simeone’s side missed the chance to pull away in the race for La Liga’s top four.

Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players from the 2022 tournament in response to the invasion of Ukraine, but ATP and WTA organisers branded the move "unfair" and "very disappointing" on Wednesday.

Besieged Ukrainian troops defending Mariupol called desperately for outside help Wednesday, warning the strategic port could fall within hours as Russia demanded they surrender and the latest civilian evacuation bid failed.

Novak Djokovic battled back from a set and a break down to beat Laslo Djere in his opening match of the ATP event in Belgrade on Wednesday, avoiding a third consecutive defeat.

Producers of the film "Rust" were handed the maximum allowable fine over safety breaches on the set where actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer, New Mexico health officials said Wednesday.

Ahead of their first concert since the start of Russia's invasion, members of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra voice hope that their music will heal troubled souls and help boost Ukrainian culture.

Inside a quiet restaurant in western Ukraine, displaced baker Olena trailed a wax-covered needle over a boiled egg to send a message to a soldier fighting the Russians.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" star Johnny Depp testified Wednesday that his ex-wife Amber Heard would regularly "verbally decimate" him and once threw a vodka bottle at him, severing the tip of one of his fingers.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen walked out of a meeting Wednesday of finance officials from the world's richest countries along with several of her counterparts when Russian officials spoke, in protest against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, a source familiar with the event said.

US rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested Wednesday over a shooting incident last year as he arrived at Los Angeles international airport, police said.

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said he will need his "A-game" to beat Dillian Whyte on Saturday as the tensions mounted ahead of the bout with his British rival.

World number one Ko Jin-young will seek to bounce back from a disappointing performance in the Chevron Championship last month when she returns to LPGA action at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles on Thursday.

An auction of the jersey worn by Diego Maradona when he scored twice against England in the 1986 World Cup, including the infamous "hand of God" goal, kicked off Wednesday with a bid of over $5 million.

West Indies limited-overs captain Kieron Pollard has retired from international cricket, announcing his decision on social media on Wednesday.

Finance officials from the world's richest countries are convening on Wednesday to address global challenges like rising debt and a possible food crisis -- if they can overcome boiling tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players from the 2022 tournament in response to the invasion of Ukraine, but men's tour organisers the ATP branded the move "unfair" on Wednesday.

Felix Auger-Aliassime was given a scare at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday as the number three seed needed a decider to beat qualifier Carlos Taberner.

Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament has been slammed as "unfair" by men's tour organisers the ATP.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" star Johnny Depp testified on Wednesday that his ex-wife Amber Heard would regularly "verbally decimate" him, slap him and throw things at him.

Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian and Belarusian tennis players due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine will see several stars miss the third Grand Slam tournament of the season.

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen prepared Wednesday for their one-off televised debate four days ahead of France's presidential elections, seeking to sway millions of voters who are still undecided.

European stocks rose Wednesday as investors tracked corporate earnings and developments in the Ukraine conflict, while US stocks were mixed as Netflix shares tumbled after the streaming giant reported a drop in subscribers.

A warming world and intensive agriculture are causing insect populations to plummet by nearly half compared to areas less affected by temperature rises and industrial farming, researchers said Wednesday.