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Sweden arrests teen after triple killing
Swedish police have arrested a teen suspect after three youths aged from 15 to 20 were killed in a shooting at a hair salon, authorities said Wednesday, amid rising concern over gang violence in the Scandinavian nation.

Pakistan says India planning strike after deadly Kashmir attack
Pakistan said on Wednesday it had "credible intelligence" that India was planning an imminent military strike and vowed to retaliate, as worries of spiralling conflict grew over a deadly attack in Kashmir.

Cardinals lay groundwork for conclave, hope for quick vote
A week before the conclave to choose a new pope opens, preparatory talks intensified Wednesday as cardinals sounded out potential candidates -- with many hoping the election will be quick.

More automakers drop earnings guidance over tariffs
Germany's Mercedes-Benz and US-European group Stellantis, whose brands include Jeep, Peugeot and Fiat, joined other automakers Wednesday in suspending their annual financial guidance because of uncertainty over US tariffs.

William and Kate release romantic image on low-key anniversary
Prince William and his wife Catherine marked their 14th anniversary by releasing a romantic photograph of themselves on the Scottish island of Mull, as the princess continues her cancer recovery.

Israel says strikes Syria to shield Druze as clashes spread
Israel struck Syria on Wednesday in what it called a "warning" against attacks on the Druze minority, in a military intervention that came as sectarian clashes spread near Damascus, killing 13 people.

Champions Cup format 'not perfect' says EPCR boss
The chief executive of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), Jacques Raynaud, has told AFP that while the current format of the Champions Cup "is not perfect", it is still "very good".

Iran hangs man as Israeli spy after 'unfair' trial: activists
Iran on Wednesday executed a man convicted of espionage for Israel and involvement in the killing of a Revolutionary Guard but activists said he was sentenced to death after an unfair trial and a confession obtained by torture.

Stock markets mostly rise ahead of US economic data, tech earnings
Stock markets mostly rose Wednesday ahead of key US economic and earnings reports that could offer fresh insights into the health of the world's largest economy amid Donald Trump's tariffs.

German growth better than expected but tariff turmoil looms
Germany's struggling economy grew faster than expected at the start of the year, data showed Wednesday, in a boost for the incoming government of conservative Friedrich Merz even as US tariffs threaten to derail the nascent recovery.

Sinner denies beneficial treatment in doping scandal ahead of Rome return
Jannik Sinner has insisted that he did not receive preferential treatment from anti-doping authorities as he prepares for his return to action at next week's Italian Open in Rome following a three-month ban which caused anger among a section of the men's tennis tour.

Eurozone economy grows more than expected despite US tariff turmoil
The eurozone economy expanded more than expected at the start of the year, official data showed on Wednesday, despite US President Donald Trump's tariffs but global trade tensions threaten more pain and near stagnation in 2025.

Toulouse hooker Mauvaka out of Champions Cup semi
France hooker Peato Mauvaka will miss Toulouse's Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux-Begles and will likely miss the remainder of the season because of a knee injury, the Top 14 leaders announced on Wednesday.

Germany's next finance minister, 'bridge-builder' Lars Klingbeil
Germany's incoming finance minister Lars Klingbeil is a self-styled political "bridge-builder" whose calm and personable demeanour belies his sharp political instincts.

Mehidy century puts Bangladesh in command against Zimbabwe
All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz hit his second Test century to propel Bangladesh to 444 in their first innings in the second match against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Steelmaker ArcelorMittal warns of uncertainty
Steelmaker ArcelorMittal warned Wednesday that tariff uncertainty could cause further economic disruption as its global footprint helped it weather the turbulence in the first quarter.

Vietnam's Gen-Z captivated by 50-year-old military victory
The Vietnam War ended before most of the current population was born, but like many young people Hoang Ha Linh was swept up in the excitement of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

Moroccan-based cardinal says Church does not need Francis 'impersonator'
Cardinal Cristobal Lopez, the Spanish-born archbishop of Rabat, admits he is a little anxious ahead of his first conclave, although also curious.

US official tells UN top court 'serious concerns' over UNRWA impartiality
A US official on Wednesday told the International Court of Justice there were "serious concerns" about the impartiality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Jeep owner Stellantis suspends outlook over tariffs
US-European auto giant Stellantis, whose brands include Jeep, Peugeot and Fiat, dropped its annual financial guidance on Wednesday due to uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

New Zealand, Phillippines sign troops deal in 'deteriorating' strategic environment
The Philippines and New Zealand signed an agreement on Wednesday allowing the deployment of troops on each other's territory, a move aimed at bolstering security in a "deteriorating" strategic environment.

Aston Martin limits US car imports due to tariffs
British luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda said Wednesday that it is limiting shipments to the United States after US President Donald Trump slapped 25-percent tariffs on car imports.

Pakistan says India planning strike as tensions soar over Kashmir
Pakistan said on Wednesday it had "credible intelligence" that India was planning an imminent military strike and vowed to retaliate, as worries of spiralling conflict grew over a deadly attack in Kashmir.

Australian triple-murder suspect allegedly cooked 'special' mushroom meal
An Australian woman promised a "special meal" for her in-laws before dishing up a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms that killed three of them, jurors heard Wednesday.

Most stock markets rise despite China data, eyes on US reports
Stocks mostly rose Wednesday ahead of key US economic and earnings reports, while traders took in their stride data showing Chinese factory activity contracted at its fastest pace for nearly two years as Donald Trump's trade war kicked in.

TotalEnergies profits drop as prices slide
TotalEnergies said Wednesday that its net profit fell in the first quarter despite expanding production, as a slide in global crude oil prices penalises the financial performance of energy firms.

Volkswagen says tariffs will dampen business as profit plunges
Europe's largest carmaker Volkswagen said Wednesday that first quarter profit plunged due to higher costs as it warned of muted business for the rest of the year in the wake of trade tensions.

Jeep owner Stellantis suspends 2025 earnings forecast over tariffs
Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, Peugeot and Fiat, said Wednesday it was suspending its 2025 earnings forecast due to uncertainty caused by US tariffs.

China's Shenzhou-19 astronauts return to Earth
Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Wednesday after six months on the country's space station, state media footage showed, as Beijing advances towards its aim to become a major celestial power.

French economy returns to thin growth in first quarter
France's economy returned to growth in the first three months of the year but the expansion was modest, held back by sluggish household consumption and stagnant investment, official data showed Wednesday.

Ex-Premier League star Li Tie loses appeal in 20-year bribery sentence
Former Premier League midfielder Li Tie has lost his appeal against a 20-year prison sentence for bribery, a Chinese court said on Wednesday.

Belgium's green light for red light workers
A police station in the historic sailors' quarter of the Belgian port of Antwerp is surrounded by sex workers' neon-lit red-light windows.