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Oil higher, stocks steady as US-Iran peace talks approach
Investors were cautious Wednesday ahead of a Federal Reserve rate decision and the start of US-Iran peace talks, with oil prices climbing and stocks holding steady.
Sports
Baker strikes on England debut before New Zealand fight back
Sonny Baker struck on his Test debut as England looked to put the Ben Stokes saga behind them against New Zealand at the Oval on Wednesday.
Technology
Plague was killing hunter-gatherers 5,500 years ago: study
The plague was causing deadly outbreaks among communities of hunter-gatherers in Siberia around 5,500 years ago, according to a study on Wednesday that sheds light on how humans could have first caught this scourge.
G7 leaders welcome Trump 'change' on Ukraine
G7 leaders on Wednesday hailed a newly-found unity on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, sensing a shift by President Donald Trump to take a tougher line against Moscow.
Sports
Feyenoord sign Van Bronckhorst as new coach
Dutch club Feyenoord Wednesday appointed former captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst as manager, replacing Robin van Persie after a frustrating season that saw them well adrift of rivals PSV Eindhoven.
Sports
De Minaur races into Queen's Club quarter-finals
Australian top seed Alex De Minaur raced into the Queen's Club quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Denis Shapovalov on Wednesday.
Sports
Borthwick plans to rest Itoje for England tour
England boss Steve Borthwick said on Wednesday that he will rest captain Maro Itoje for their forthcoming Nations Championship matches -- unless injuries in the second row derail his plan.
Politics
Cuba's under-pressure communists meets to fast-track liberal reforms
Cuba's communist leaders were set to meet Wednesday to discuss plans to revive the collapsing economy in the face of a devastating US blockade.
Sports
Golf governing bodies and tours to study distance limit options
The US Golf Association, R&A and the PGA and DP World tours will examine options to limit driving distance among elite players, they said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
Things to know
Prince Harry and family to visit UK in July: media
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will visit the UK next month with their two children, their first family trip back to the country since 2022, British media reported Wednesday.
Sports
Barbarians pick Vakatawa for South Africa match
Former France centre Virimi Vakatawa has been called up to the Barbarians team to face South Africa this weekend, the Babaas announced on Wednesday.
Economy
What happens when the Strait of Hormuz re-opens?
The vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is expected to re-open on Friday after nearly four months, following the signing of a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war.
Boulevard
Belgian driver gets 27-year jail term for deadly carnival crash
A Belgian driver was sentenced Wednesday to 27 years in jail after being found guilty of killing seven people by ploughing his car into a carnival procession while filming himself at the wheel.
Sports
Leafs hire Hiller as head coach ahead of NHL draft top pick
Jim Hiller, fired three months ago by the Los Angeles Kings, was named on Wednesday as the new coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the NHL club announced.
Politics
Russia says Ukraine drone hit bus carrying Belarusian children
A Ukrainian drone hit a bus carrying a children's football team from Belarus in Russia's border Bryansk region, killing a woman who accompanied the team, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Economy
Oil and stocks both steady as US-Iran peace talks approach
Markets were giving little away on Wednesday, with small gains and losses across the main stocks and moderate increases in oil prices, ahead of the start of US-Iran peace talks and a rate decision from the Federal Reserve.
Economy
US retail sales beat expectations in May as energy costs stay high
US retail sales surged past expectations in May, government data showed Wednesday, boosted by higher spending at gas stations as energy costs remained elevated amid fallout from the Middle East war.
Politics
Trump halts intel chief confirmation, renews vote curb demand
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had suspended a Senate hearing on his own nominee for intelligence chief, in a fresh effort to push Congress to back his bill on voting restrictions.
Sports
Connolly leads Australia to four-wicket win over Bangladesh in T20 opener
Cooper Connolly struck a rapid-fire 47 off 27 balls to steer Australia to a four-wicket win over Bangladesh in the opening T20 international on Wednesday.
Sports
England's Fisher and Archer strike against New Zealand after Stokes saga
Matthew Fisher and Jofra Archer each took a wicket as England looked to put the Ben Stokes saga behind them in the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval on Wednesday.
Politics
Football, smoking and 'the boss': a G7 full of quirks
From open-mic moments to photos taking leaders off guard, the G7 summit in France provided a rare chance to see how world leaders behave behind closed doors.
Weather
Spain logs third-warmest year on record in 2025
Spain registered its third-warmest year on record in 2025, with 25 single-day heat records set during the period, national weather agency AEMET said Wednesday.
Sports
Queensland force State of Origin decider after rampant win
Selwyn Cobbo bagged a hat-trick as Queensland forced a decider in the best-of-three State of Origin rugby league series on Wednesday after a comprehensive 44-24 victory over New South Wales.
Politics
G7 leaders applaud Iran 'opportunity', host AI chiefs
G7 leaders on Wednesday hailed the US-Iran deal to end the Middle East war as a "historic opportunity" and hosted AI bosses for an unusual meeting to discuss greater protection for children online.
Economy
'Heartbreaking': Afghan govt staff abandon smartphones
Government workers in different parts of Afghanistan have started switching off their smartphones, following an order imposed Wednesday that they told AFP came from Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Sports
Gill, Kishan tons power India to 402 in Afghanistan ODI
Skipper Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan smashed brisk centuries as India posted 402 all out against Afghanistan in the second one-day international in sweltering Lucknow on Wednesday.
Technology
Groundbreaking US astronaut Christina Koch wins top Spanish award
US astronaut Christina Koch, the first woman to take part in a lunar mission, was on Wednesday named the winner of a top Spanish prize for having "helped extend the frontiers of humanity".
Economy
BBC eyes compulsory redundancies in cost-cutting drive
The BBC will axe some programming and may impose compulsory redundancies to deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of previously announced savings, its new Director-General Matt Brittin told staff Wednesday.
Politics
Trump threatens 'dropping bombs' if Iran doesn't 'behave'
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Iran he was ready to resume military action if Tehran did not abide by its obligations, two days ahead of the signing of an accord to end the war between the foes.
Boulevard
EU lawmakers approve 'return hubs' migration reform
European lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to tougher migration rules that will grant authorities much broader detention powers and allow for the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc.
Politics
Oil steadies, stocks rise as US-Iran peace talks approach
Oil prices steadied as major stock markets mostly rose Wednesday, with attention on upcoming US-Iran peace talks and a rate decision from the Federal Reserve.
Boulevard
Global data declaration targets illegal fishing
Fifteen countries signed a global declaration on Wednesday aimed at combating illegal and destructive fishing with better data.