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Culture
Jury finds Ticketmaster owner ran illegal monopoly
A US jury on Wednesday found that entertainment giant Live Nation wielded monopoly power at its Ticketmaster business, violating federal and state antitrust laws, according to California's attorney general.
Politics
US says optimistic about reaching peace deal with Iran
The United States said on Wednesday it was discussing a possible second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan and was optimistic about reaching a deal, as Tehran threatened to shut down Red Sea trade unless Washington lifted a naval blockade on its ports.
Politics
IMF and Argentina agree deal unlocking $1 bn in assistance
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Wednesday it had reached an agreement with the highly indebted Argentine government as it reviews the country's financial reforms, paving the way for a $1 billion dollar disbursement.
Politics
World Bank chief economist warns of hunger risk from war in Iran
The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more towards hunger as its economic fallout reverberates further around the globe, the World Bank's chief economist warned in an AFP interview on Wednesday.
Sports
France boss Deschamps confirms Ekitike to miss World Cup
Liverpool and France forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club's Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday.
Politics
Pope urges Cameroon's leaders to examine 'conscience'
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday urged Cameroon's leaders to examine their "conscience" and tackle corruption and rights abuses, in a pointed speech on the first day of his visit to the central African country.
Politics
'Fantastic feeling': Sudan capital returnees relieved after three years of war
Sudanese pilot Mohamad Daafallah grins as he shakes hands with passengers after their landing at Khartoum Airport, exactly three years after it was bombed to shreds during the outbreak of war in Sudan.
Boulevard
France father who kept son in van faces 30 years in jail, says prosecutor
A father who confined his child in a van for more than a year could face 30 years in jail, a French prosecutor said Wednesday, giving further details of his ordeal.
Politics
Pope urges Cameroon authorities to examine 'conscience'
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday called on Cameroon's authorities to examine their "conscience" and break "the chains of corruption" on the first day of a visit to the country.
Culture
Bonjour! 'The White Lotus' starts filming season 4 in France: HBO
The highly anticipated fourth season of "The White Lotus" has begun filming on the French Riviera, HBO announced Wednesday, with a cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter and Steve Coogan.
Sports
Impact sub Kohli shines as Bengaluru move top of IPL
Virat Kohli was introduced as an impact substitute for the first time in the IPL and his 49 led defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a comprehensive five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday.
Politics
Donors pledge 1.5 bn euros as Sudan marks three years of war
Donors pledged about 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) for Sudan at an international meeting held in Berlin Wednesday to mark three years of a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
Economy
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs under 'financial pressures'
The BBC said on Wednesday that the British broadcasting corporation is set to cut up to 2,000 jobs amid a challenging media landscape.
Politics
Teenager kills nine, wounds 13 in Turkey school shooting
A 14-year-old armed with five guns opened fire at a Turkish school on Wednesday, killing nine people, wounding 13 and sparking scenes of mayhem as students jumped out of windows to escape.
Economy
Hormuz shipping muted as US blockade takes hold: tracking data
A trickle of ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday and Wednesday as a US blockade appeared to further curb traffic in the trade route already paralysed by Iranian forces, marine tracking data showed.
Economy
Swiss watchmakers say time will tell on effects of Mideast conflict
The Middle East war has plunged Swiss watchmakers into uncertainty, testing the resilience of an iconic national industry already shaken by several crises.
Sports
Alcaraz pulls out of Barcelona Open with wrist injury
Carlos Alcaraz withdrew on Wednesday from the Barcelona Open because of a wrist injury that troubled him in his first-round match, potentially casting doubt over his Roland Garros defence.
Politics
Trump says will fire Fed chair if he stays beyond mandate
President Donald Trump renewed pressure Wednesday on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, with the US leader threatening to fire the central bank chief if he stays beyond his mandate.
Politics
Donors pledge 1.3 bn euros as Sudan marks three years of war
Donors pledged about 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) for Sudan at an international meeting held in Berlin Wednesday to mark three years of a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
Economy
World Bank announces water security plan covering one billion people
The World Bank announced a plan Wednesday that aims to improve secure water access for a billion people within the next four years.
Sports
Man Utd's Maguire out of Chelsea match after extra one-game ban
Harry Maguire will miss Manchester United's Premier League game away to Chelsea on Saturday after being handed an additional one-match ban for his reaction to being sent off at Bournemouth.
Politics
Oil rises, stocks mixed as investors eye chances for end of Mideast war
Crude prices climbed Wednesday while stocks diverged as investors digested mixed signals about talks to end the war in the Middle East and get oil and gas flowing through the Strait of Hormuz once again.
Sports
Doubles champion Jamie Murray retires from tennis
Jamie Murray, who became the first British doubles player to be ranked world number one, announced his retirement from tennis on Wednesday at the age of 40.
Economy
Merz praises Lufthansa on centenary as strikes ruin party
Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised "the strategic importance" of Lufthansa as the German airline giant marked its centenary, but the celebrations were marred by a wave of recent strikes.
Politics
France's Gulf veteran minehunter patrols Channel
Just a stone's throw from the chalk cliffs of Dieppe in northern France, French Navy minehunter L'Aigle -- a veteran of the Gulf war -- scans the seabed with ultrasound for unexploded devices.
Boulevard
Brazil Supreme Court orders probe into Flavio Bolsonaro for 'slander' of Lula
Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered an investigation of Flavio Bolsonaro, the main rival of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in upcoming elections, for slander over a post linking Lula to drug trafficking.
Economy
IMF chief warns of 'tough times' if oil prices stay high
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned Wednesday of difficult times ahead for the global economy if war in the Middle East is unresolved and oil prices stay high, adding that inflation risks could seep into food prices.
Politics
Bosnia approves gas project by Trump-linked investors
Bosnia approved Wednesday a $1.5 billion energy project led by investors close to US President Donald Trump that aims to reduce the Balkan country's reliance on Russian natural gas.
Politics
Pupil kills nine, wounds 13 in new Turkey school shooting
A 13-year-old opened fire at a Turkish school on Wednesday, killing nine people and wounding 13, with students jumping from windows to escape the second school shooting in the country in as many days, officials said.
Politics
Left-wing candidate Sanchez climbs to second place in Peru vote count
Left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez climbed to second place in Peru's presidential election on Wednesday, positioning himself to face conservative Keiko Fujimori in a June runoff, while his nearest challenger threatened protests over alleged voter fraud.
Culture
New tools rescue old art at Madrid's Prado museum
In a quiet space secluded from the throngs of daily visitors to Madrid's Prado art museum, a team of experts perpetuate an ancient tradition of restoring centuries-old European cultural treasures.
Politics
Cameroonians welcome pope on second leg of African tour
Thousands of people, singing and dancing, welcomed Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon on Wednesday for a three-day trip that includes a visit to the epicentre of a nearly decade-long separatist conflict, where he is expected to bring a message of peace.