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A runner who stopped during a marathon in China to pose doing the splits and another who hoarded energy gels have been banned for two years, the local athletic association said Thursday.

The gaping holes torn in a road to Mandalay by last year's devastating earthquake have been filled in, and the route in northern Myanmar partly resurfaced.

North Korea and Belarus's strongmen leaders signed a "friendship and cooperation" treaty on Thursday, state media reported, after Kim Jong Un "warmly" welcomed President Alexander Lukashenko to Pyongyang for a maiden visit.

Denver's Jamal Murray scored 53 points and teammate Nikola Jokic added a monster triple-double as the Nuggets topped the Dallas Mavericks 142-135 on Wednesday.

Israel launched strikes across Iran on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump said Tehran wanted a deal to end the nearly four-week war despite its top diplomat rejecting any talks with Washington.

Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson believes Steve Borthwick's outfit needs to find consistency in their results and performances if they hope to be contenders at next year's Rugby World Cup.

Formula One world champion Lando Norris said Thursday he was confident he could still get into title contention after a disastrous start to the season, starting this week in Japan.

Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout said Thursday he was "ready to rock and roll" as the teenager targets a lightning-fast 200m time in Melbourne this weekend.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said negotiations with Israel under fire would amount to "surrender", as the Iran-backed group launched attacks and Israel said it was expanding a "buffer zone" inside Lebanon.

Taiwan has been targeted by a wave of online disinformation claiming the self-ruled island's gas supplies will soon be completely depleted due to disruptions from the Middle East war -- a narrative officials say could cause panic and undermine confidence in the government.

The IPL roars back into action on Saturday super-charged by India's home T20 World Cup triumph, but with sombre memories of the 11 fans who died in a stampede celebrating Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title last season.

Walking on the Moon by 2030, building a lunar base, and then perhaps on to Mars: after 30 years of honing its expertise, China is challenging the United States' supremacy in spaceflight.

A month after banning raw lithium exports, Zimbabwe is tightening its regulations and ramping up its crackdown on mineral smuggling in a major shake-up that is winning local praise even as it stirs concerns.

Philadelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George made triumphant returns Wednesday, combining for 63 points in the Sixers' 157-137 NBA victory over the Chicago Bulls.

North Korea's Kim Jong Un "warmly" welcomed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on his maiden visit to the fellow Russia ally, with the two strongmen set to sign a friendship and cooperation treaty, state media reported Thursday.

Oil prices rose and equities were mixed Thursday as investors tracked developments in the Middle East warafter Iranian officials were said to have replied to US demands to end a conflict that has sparked warnings of an unprecedented energy crisis.

A ship carrying more than 700,000 barrels of Russian crude oil has arrived in the Philippines, a source with knowledge of the matter told AFP Thursday, days after the country declared a national energy emergency over the Middle East war.

Foreign ministers from the G7 meet outside Paris from Thursday with European nations and allies seeking to narrow differences with the US on the Middle East war while keeping other crises like Ukraine and Gaza high on the agenda.

The World Trade Organization's 166 members appeared deeply divided as ministers gathered in the Cameroonian capital for a key conference starting Thursday, amid global economic turmoil linked to the Middle East war.

A former Australian Rules player has come out as the sport's first openly gay man, with Leigh Ryswyk praised Thursday for "challenging our idea of who a footballer is supposed to be".

NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has called on his side to "roll our sleeves up and be hungry" as they bid to halt a run of three straight Super Rugby defeats on Friday.

US President Donald Trump is ready to "unleash hell" if Iran does not accept a deal to end the nearly four-week Middle East war, the White House warned Wednesday, but a defiant Tehran said it did not intend to negotiate.

Ange Postecoglou said Thursday he was "not done yet" while admitting it was hard to watch as the two clubs that dumped him last year battle to avoid English Premier League relegation.

With the war in Iran leading to a near-total internet blackout in the country, activists around the world -- especially in the United States -- are mobilizing to help Iranians stay connected via Starlink.

Major League Soccer clubs must attract fans overseas to capitalize on the explosion of US football, officials said Wednesday, as the country prepares to co-host the World Cup.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka and second-ranked Elena Rybakina on Wednesday booked a blockbuster semi-final at the Miami Open.

A former Australian Rules star has come out as the sport's first openly gay player, with Leigh Ryswyk praised Thursday for "challenging our idea of who a footballer is supposed to be".

The London marathon could be split across two days next year to reportedly allow up to 100,000 runners to participate and raise millions more for charity.

The United Nations has proposed an emergency plan for crisis-hit Cuba, including tracking fuel use, amid talks with the United States on allowing energy imports for humanitarian services, a UN official said Wednesday.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. / ACCESS Newswire / March 26, 2026 / U.S. Polo Assn., the official sports brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA) founded in 1890, today announced the launch of its Global Polo Shirt Campaign, An Icon Born from the Game. The global campaign is a powerful tribute to the iconic polo shirt's authentic sports origins and its evolution into one of the world's most enduring style essentials.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he arrived on his first visit to the reclusive nation, the Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

Three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs showed his progress toward an NFL comeback on Wednesday, releasing a video clip of an indoor throwing workout.

Pernille Harder struck twice to put Bayern Munich on course for the semi-finals of the women's Champions League after a 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Craig Bellamy believes Wales would add to the spectacle of the World Cup should they progress through the play-offs to take their place in North America.

Reigning NFL champion Seattle will kickoff the 2026 campaign at home on September 9, a Wednesday date one day earlier than recent seasons, the league announced on Wednesday.

The NBA will have a solution by June to teams "tanking" to try and obtain a better NBA Draft spot, commissioner Adam Silver vowed on Wednesday.

A Los Angeles jury's ruling that Meta and YouTube contributed to a teenage girl's depression marks a potential turning point in the years-long legal battle against social media giants -- one that could carry an enormous price tag.

Widespread political and security concerns surrounding the upcoming World Cup are nothing new and will be forgotten once the first ball is kicked, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani said Wednesday.

Oil prices fell and stock markets rallied Wednesday on reports of a US plan to end the war with Iran -- which promptly rejected Washington's overtures, according to state media.