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China and Taiwan will clash this week in a politically tinged Women's Asian Cup quarter-final while Australia hope that a bumper home crowd can help drag them through against a dangerous North Korea.

Scotland's astonishing 50-40 victory over France should make them favourites to beat Ireland on Saturday in their final Six Nations match, save for one thing -- the Irish have beaten them in their last 11 Tests dating back to 2017.

The US-Israeli war on Iran represents a serious challenge to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino's relationship with President Donald Trump less than three months before the World Cup, even if shared economic interests mean the alliance is likely to survive, analysts say.

Four-time major champion Jannik Sinner edged talented Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/4) in a scintillating Stadium Court clash on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.

Kharg Island, a scrubby stretch of land in the northern Gulf, handles almost all of Iran's crude exports and any attempt to seize it would mark a major escalation in the conflict, analysts say.

Victor Wembanyama scored 39 points as the red-hot San Antonio Spurs defeated the Boston Celtics 125-116 on Tuesday in a potential NBA Finals preview.

When the envelopes are opened at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, one of the few guarantees is that actors from Ireland -- population just over five million -- are increasingly likely to be in the frame.

Bam Adebayo erupted for a jaw-dropping 83 points -- the second highest total in NBA history -- as the Miami Heat thrashed the Washington Wizards 150-129 on Tuesday.

Asian equities extended gains Wednesday while oil stabilised after a report said the International Energy Agency was considering the release of a record amount of its reserves to counter soaring prices.

Iran unleashed early Wednesday defiant new strikes around the region including drones targeting a Saudi oilfield, as the International Energy Agency reportedly proposed its largest-ever oil reserve release to calm markets and prices.

Fan buzz around life-simulation game "Pokemon Pokopia" sent Nintendo shares soaring on Wednesday, with some hailing the new title as a welcome antidote to global conflicts.

Bam Adebayo erupted for a jaw-dropping 83 points -- the second highest total in NBA history -- as the Miami Heat thrashed the Washington Wizards 150-129 on Tuesday.

Australian designer Katie Perry has won the right to sell clothes under her name, claiming victory Wednesday in a years-long trademark spat with US pop megastar Katy Perry.

Nubank CEO David Velez, whose massive Brazil-based digital bank is on the verge of entering the prized US market, hailed a "positive" regulatory climate under President Donald Trump in an interview with AFP.

Even Flavio Bolsonaro didn't seem to take his presidential candidacy very seriously when his father, Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, tapped him as a political heir from behind bars.

Jose Antonio Kast became Chile's president on his third attempt, becoming the country's most right-wing leader in over three decades by pledging a firm hand on security and order.

Chile's most right-wing president in over three decades, Jose Antonio Kast, will be sworn in on Wednesday on a promise to tackle surging rates of violent crime and carry out mass migrant deportations.

Formula One's new era heads into its first sprint in Shanghai this weekend, with the Chinese Grand Prix promising a very different test to Melbourne, where George Russell led home a Mercedes one-two.

Bangladesh's Tangail sari is fighting for survival as weavers warn that automation and economic pressures are pushing the centuries-old craft to the brink despite its global acclaim.

A woman alleged to have shot up the luxury Los Angeles home of global megastar Rihanna was charged Tuesday with attempted murder.

Microsoft on Tuesday warned a judge that the Pentagon blacklisting of Anthropic could hamper US warfighters and imperil the country's drive to lead in artificial intelligence.

Disgraced movie mogul and convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein says life in prison is "hell" in an interview where he repeatedly claimed he was not guilty of any crimes.

With daily attacks shaking the city, schools shuttered for days and many shops closed, Tehran residents are trying to adapt to wartime conditions under an Israeli-US assault seeking to determine the future of the Islamic republic.

Hundreds of pounds of caviar, black truffle, sushi and tomahawk steak have been shipped to Hollywood for the traditional lavish Oscars after-party this Sunday.

The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump would not be "happy" if Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran during the Middle East war, but it held back any strong criticism for Moscow.

The United States said Tuesday it was striking Iranian ships capable of mining the crucial Strait of Hormuz and threatened escalation if Tehran presses ahead, as the Middle East war wreaks havoc on global oil markets.

Lamine Yamal's last-gasp penalty earned Barcelona a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, while Liverpool lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in Istanbul for the second time this season.

Vincent Kompany said that Michael Olise could become one of the world's best footballers after the France international starred with a brace in Bayern Munich's 6-1 thumping of Atalanta in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Two more members of Iran's visiting women's football team have claimed asylum in Australia after they were branded "traitors" at home over a pre-match protest, the government said Wednesday.

Tottenham's interim coach Igor Tudor bemoaned an "incredible situation" which led him to withdraw goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes of Tuesday's 5-2 Champions League defeat at Tottenham.

A bus caught fire in western Switzerland on Tuesday killing at least six people and injuring five others in what police said may have been a deliberate act.

Bayern Munich put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday by sweeping aside Atalanta 6-1 in a powerful demonstration of why the German giants are one of the favourites to win the competition.

Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann confirmed he plans to stay at the club and dreams of "doing something big" after thrashing Tottenham 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Eddie Howe believes Newcastle can upset Barcelona in the Camp Nou to make the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time despite the blow of conceding late to draw Tuesday's last 16, first leg 1-1.

France's Dassault on Tuesday unveiled its latest private jet, the Falcon 10X, pitched to rival the flagship planes from Gulfstream and Bombardier.

Fresh Israeli strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs and south Lebanon on Tuesday after the Israeli army warned people to evacuate, with Lebanese authorities saying nearly 760,000 people had been registered as displaced.

Lamine Yamal's penalty with the last kick of the game rescued Barcelona from defeat at Newcastle in a 1-1 Champions League last 16, first leg draw on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday by sweeping aside Atalanta 6-1 in a powerful demonstration of why the German giants are one of the favourites to win the competition.

Models wore mountain capes, shepherds' hats and carried bags with bells attached to them as Louis Vuitton brought the curtain down on Paris fashion week with a back-to-nature show Tuesday.