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S&P 500, Nasdaq end at records as oil prices retreat
Major Wall Street stock indices shrugged off a surprisingly big jump in US inflation Wednesday and pushed to fresh records on artificial intelligence bullishness and hopes for ths US-China summit.
Politics
Iran holds World Cup send-off for national football team
Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday for the national football team as it prepared to play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Sports
McIlroy's toe 'totally fine' after nine-hole PGA practice
Rory McIlroy said his nagging right pinky toe injury was "totally fine" after playing a nine-hole practice round on Wednesday at Aronimink ahead of the PGA Championship.
Culture
Rare 'Ocean Dream' blue-green diamond sells for $17 mn at auction
"Ocean Dream," the largest blue-green diamond ever recorded, sold for $17 million Wednesday, Christie's auction house said.
Sports
California says probing possible violations over World Cup ticket sales
California has contacted FIFA over possible legal violations in the sale of World Cup tickets following allegations that some fans purchased seats in categories that were later changed, the state's attorney general said Wednesday.
Boulevard
France blames stomach bug for new cruise outbreak, lifts lockdown
French authorities on Wednesday allowed asymptomatic passengers to leave a British cruise ship, saying a gastrointestinal virus was behind an outbreak of sickness that came after an elderly man died of a heart attack.
Politics
US races to secure rare earths to rebuild depleted arsenal
The United States is working hard to create a supply chain for rare earths -- metals needed to replenish its military arsenal amid the conflict in Iran -- that does not depend on China, the sector's global leader.
Boulevard
Matthew Perry drug middleman jailed for two years
A middleman who helped provide "Friends" actor Matthew Perry with the drugs that killed him was jailed in California on Wednesday.
Warsh confirmed as Fed chair as central bank faces Trump assault
The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chairman to lead a central bank whose independence is under attack and with inflation at a three-year high.
Sports
Kohli ton powers Bengaluru past Kolkata, to top of IPL
Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 105 to lead defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the top of the IPL table with a six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday.
Politics
Ex-Nicaragua guerrilla believes Ortega-Murillo days numbered
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's co-leader and wife Rosario Murillo will lose power once her ageing husband dies, ex-guerrilla commander Monica Baltodano told AFP in an interview from exile in Costa Rica.
Things to know
Four ejected from Eurovision after Israel song disruption
Four people were thrown out of the first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final, which saw attempts to disrupt Israel's performance, organisers said Wednesday.
Politics
Berlin launches scheme to swap trash for treats
One man's trash is another man's treasure and under a new scheme launched in Berlin on Wednesday, residents and visitors alike will be encouraged to collect rubbish in return for various rewards.
Sports
Sarah Taylor named England men's fielding coach
Former England women's wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has been named as fielding coach for the men's team during next month's Test series against New Zealand in a landmark appointment.
Sports
No plans for PGA outside USA or moving off May date
The PGA Championship is not considering playing the event outside the United States or moving off its current May date, PGA of America officials said on Wednesday.
Politics
US Senate backs Trump on Iran war despite deadline lapse
US senators on Wednesday narrowly rejected a resolution curbing President Donald Trump's power to wage war on Iran -- their first vote on the conflict since a 60-day deadline expired for the White House to seek formal authorization.
Sports
Key urges 'world-class' bowler Robinson to make England recall count
England cricket chief Rob Key highlighted Ollie Robinson's eye-catching statistics after recalling the seamer for the first Test against New Zealand following two years in the international wilderness.
Economy
From Black Death to Covid, ships have long hosted outbreaks
A deadly outbreak on a cruise liner is just the latest in a long history of infectious diseases spreading rapidly in the cramped confines of ships, from the Black Death to Covid.
Sports
Furyk wants long-term US Ryder blueprint, maybe role for Tiger
Jim Furyk said Wednesday he wants a long-term blueprint for United States success in the Ryder Cup, with the 2027 American captain also seeing a possible role next year for Tiger Woods.
Sports
McIlroy back on course on eve of PGA despite blister
Rory McIlroy was back on course at Aronimink on Wednesday, a day after a blister on his toe caused him to cut short a practice round for the PGA Championship.
Health
France locks down 1,700 on cruise ship after 92-year-old dies
French authorities on Wednesday confined more than 1,700 passengers and crew on a British cruise ship after an elderly passenger died and dozens suffered upset stomachs, health officials said.
Sports
Eulalio seizes control of drenched Giro d'Italia
Portuguese rider Afonso Eulalio claimed a sizeable lead in the Giro d'Italia's overall standings on Wednesday after a rain-lashed 203km stage five was won by his escape partner Igor Arrieta of UAE Team Emirates.
Boulevard
New trial ordered for US lawyer convicted of murdering wife, son
A US court on Wednesday overturned the conviction of a prominent lawyer serving a life sentence for killing his wife and son in a sensational case that drew national attention.
Economy
Stocks rise ahead of US-China summit
Stock markets drifted higher Wednesday as investors awaited a high-stakes summit between the United States and China, while oil prices diverged as Middle East peace talks stalled.
Economy
US wholesale prices jump 6.0% year-on-year in April, highest since 2022
Wholesale prices in the United States rose sharply in April, lifted by a surge in energy costs related to the Iran war, registering their highest 12-month increase in more than three years.
Politics
Nations drawing down oil stocks at record pace: IEA
Countries are tapping into oil inventories and strategic reserves at a "record pace" due to the "unprecedented" supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.
Sports
Carrick on brink of permanent Man Utd job: reports
Michael Carrick is expected to be recommended as Manchester United's permanent manager by club chiefs after overseeing a dramatic improvement in the club's fortunes, it was widely reported on Wednesday.
Politics
Strong US economy's resilience to shocks tested by Iran war
If you look at the numbers, the United States economy seems to be doing surprisingly well despite massive successive shocks from the pandemic, Ukraine war, tariffs, and now the Iran war energy crunch -- but economists warn that resilience is precarious.
Things to know
Starmer clings on as leadership talk overshadows king's speech
The pomp of a speech by King Charles III to Britain's parliament Wednesday failed to quell speculation that a senior government minister is poised to launch a leadership challenge against embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Things to know
Italy cheers UK's Catherine on first foreign visit since cancer diagnosis
Britain's Princess Catherine was greeted with cheers during a visit to Italy on Wednesday on her first official foreign trip since her 2024 cancer diagnosis.
Sports
Keys says players will strike over Grand Slam pay if 'necessary'
Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys told AFP that "many players" are united on the question of Grand Slam prize money and that they will boycott a major tournament if their voices are not heard.
Things to know
Eurovision stage inspired by Viennese opera
The Eurovision Song Contest's staging this year is inspired by grand Viennese opera, with more than 3,000 lights and lasers used to conjure up different visual worlds for all 35 performances.