The Irish Press - News from Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Drogheda, Galyway, Ireland and the world

A divided US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting Wednesday on high uncertainty from the Middle East war, in what was likely its last gathering helmed by Jerome Powell.

Jack Draper announced Wednesday he had been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury.

King Charles III declared his "enduring solidarity with the American people" Wednesday, as he visited the 9/11 memorial in New York as part of a state visit focused on healing strained ties between Britain and the United States.

Demand for summer air travel is holding up well despite airlines hiking ticket prices, although possible shortages of jet fuel could throw a wrench in the key travel period, an industry trade body said Wednesday.

Liverpool said on Wednesday that they expected Mohamed Salah to be "available to play again before the end of this season" after injury threatened to disrupt the star striker's farewell to Anfield.

Defending champion Zhao Xintong fell victim to the "Crucible curse" as he was knocked out of the World Snooker Championship on Wednesday following a 13-10 quarter-final defeat by Shaun Murphy.

Australia's foreign minister said Wednesday that China has agreed to work together to facilitate exports of jet fuel, in an attempt to ease supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly clashed with Democratic lawmakers over the Iran war on Wednesday, in his first testimony to Congress since President Donald Trump launched the conflict more than two months ago.

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar vowed Wednesday that frozen EU funds would start flowing to Budapest soon, after talks with top officials on his first vist to Brussels since defeating Viktor Orban.

The United States has still not paid off its membership fee arrears at the World Health Organization, the WHO chief said Wednesday, with Washington's intention to leave conditional on paying up.

Veteran boxing promoter Frank Warren has warned Anthony Joshua that defeat by Kristian Prenga would "kill" plans for a long-awaited clash against fellow British former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

Jannik Sinner ended the inspired run of teen home favourite Rafael Jodar with a 6-2, 7-6 (7/0) victory at the Madrid Open on Wednesday to complete his set of semi-finals reached at all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.

World champion Tadej Pogacar stamped his authority on the Tour de Romandie by sprinting to victory on Wednesday's opening full stage.

Plumes of black smoke towered over the southern Russian town of Tuapse on Wednesday where residents wore face masks to shield themselves from polluted air after multiple Ukrainian drone strikes on a major oil refinery in the coastal town.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has said he wants to emulate managerial great Brian Clough by bringing European glory to the club -- but does not expect a statue in the city.

Uber on Wednesday unveiled a new feature allowing users to book a hotel room directly from its app, the latest step in its push to become a one-stop shop for everyday needs.

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while Wall Street stocks mostly slid as investors awaited a US Fed rate decision and a slew of tech firm earnings.

Two Jewish men were stabbed Wednesday in north London, an attack police declared a "terrorist incident" and which follows a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites.

A centuries-old element of Britain's parliament came to an end on Wednesday as hereditary peers took their seats in the House of Lords for the final time.

Canada's central bank held its key lending rate at 2.25 percent on Wednesday, but warned it may need to act if inflation caused by the Middle East war persists.

Unai Emery said he wanted to write a "new chapter" with Aston Villa as he prepares for a Europa League semi-final against fellow former European champions Nottingham Forest.

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply limited the use of race in drawing electoral districts, in a landmark decision that could reshape congressional maps nationwide and boost Republican prospects ahead of midterm elections.

Dissident guerrillas from Colombia's defunct FARC rebel army took responsibility for a bomb attack that killed 21 people, claiming a "tactical error" during an electoral campaign marked by a surge in violence.

President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Wednesday that it should "get smart soon" and capitulate to Washington's demands for tight controls on its nuclear programme, as a US naval blockade turned the screws on Iran's economy.

UN rights experts on Wednesday urged Saudi Arabia to ditch their foreign labour system in the build-up to the 2034 football World Cup, citing abuse and exploitation concerns.

Oil prices shot higher Wednesday on concerns of an extended blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while stocks slid as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of a US Fed rate decision and a slew of tech firm earnings.

The US Federal Reserve is widely expected Wednesday to keep interest rates unchanged for a third straight meeting, likely the last with chairman Jerome Powell at its helm.

King Charles III will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in New York on Wednesday, the third day of a state visit focused on healing strained ties between Britain and the United States.

Mali's Tuareg rebels told AFP Wednesday the country's ruling junta will fall and that they intend to conquer the north, just days after unprecedented large-scale attacks targeting the nation's military government.

German inflation jumped to its highest level in over two years in April as the Middle East war triggered a surge in energy costs, official data showed Wednesday.

Breathless, wild, and a thrilling display of what can happen when two teams packed with some of the world's best attacking players are encouraged to play without fear.

Swiss banking giant UBS on Wednesday reported that net profit rose a better-than-expected 80 percent to $3 billion in the first quarter, lifted by its investment banking arm.

European stocks slipped as oil prices surged Wednesday, with investors digesting a wave of corporate earnings and awaiting the US Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision.

France has released a detailed "roadmap" to wean the country from planet-heating oil, gas and coal by 2050, an important signal at a moment when nations are reassessing their reliance on fossil fuels.

Chelsea captain and former England international Millie Bright announced her immediate retirement from football on Wednesday.

Bangladesh has recorded 227 child deaths since March in one of its worst outbreaks of measles in decades, with the number of suspected cases reaching nearly 35,000, government data showed Wednesday.

German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz warned Wednesday that a drawn-out conflict in the Middle East could cause shortages of key inputs as it reported tumbling quarterly profits due to fierce Chinese competition.

Finnish lift maker Kone on Wednesday announced the acquisition of its German rival TKE in a huge share-and-cash deal valuing TKE at 29.4 billion euros ($34.4 billion) to create a global giant.

Incoming Hungarian leader Peter Magyar headed to Brussels Wednesday for his first visit to EU chiefs since his election win, looking to turn the page on the bad blood of nationalist Viktor Orban's tenure.