Police: 15-year-old accused of playing with stolen gun charged in killing of 14-year-old

Reuters
China's foreign ministry congratulates Putin on his inauguration as president of Russia
China's foreign ministry congratulated Vladimir Putin on his inauguration as president of Russia, according to a spokesperson on Wednesday. "China congratulates President Putin on his inauguration," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, noting President Xi Jinping had already sent a congratulatory message to Putin on his re-election.
Reuters
New members of elite Swiss Guard sworn in to protect the pope
Maximilian Fischer, 20, is one of the new recruits to an institution that has been protecting popes since the 16th century - the Swiss Guard. Known to tourists in St Peter's Square for its colourful yellow, red and blue uniforms and ceremonial halberd weapons, the "world's smallest army" comprises Swiss Catholics aged between 19 and 30 and it remains all male. "My mum always made these jokes that when I was older, I could go to the Swiss Guards because I was Swiss," Fischer told Reuters.
Yahoo Finance
These 3 stocks are poised to benefit from the massive energy transition
The energy transition will benefit companies providing electrical needs for surging demand. Analysts point to these three stocks as a Buy.
Yahoo Finance
Trump wants to levy his new tariff regime 'quickly.' Here's how long it might take.
Donald Trump and his allies have made new tariffs into a centerpiece of his potential second term economic agenda. They are openly exploring legally-untested options for making them a reality.
Yahoo Finance
Stock buybacks hit highest level since 2018
Stock buybacks are soaring in another sign that companies are feeling better about the macroeconomic outlook.
Associated Press
Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US
Mexico was days from requiring visas for Peruvian visitors. Mexico began requiring visas for Peruvians on Monday in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country, after identical moves for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians. “I had to treat it as a emergency,” said Paredes, who worked serving lunch to miners in Arequipa, Peru, and borrowed money to fly to Mexico's Tijuana, across from San Diego.
AFP
Palestinian symbol protest clouds Eurovision contest
Eurovision song contest organisers apologised after a Swedish singer breached a ban on political symbols by wearing a pro-Palestinian scarf as he performed.Saade, whose father is of Palestinian origin, wore a keffiyeh scarf -- a Palestinian and Arab symbol -- on his arm.
Associated Press
Former Las Vegas casino executive to be sentenced in bookmaking money laundering case
A former top executive for major Las Vegas casinos was set to appear before a federal judge on Wednesday after admitting he allowed an illegal bookmaker to gamble millions of dollars at the MGM Grand and pay off debts in cash. Scott Sibella pleaded guilty in January to violating federal anti-money laundering rules that require casinos to file reports of suspicious transactions. Following Sibella's guilty plea, the MGM Grand and nearby Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas settled a related U.S. Justice Department money laundering probe.
Associated Press
California Supreme Court to weigh pulling measure making it harder to raise taxes from ballot
The California Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments Wednesday about whether to remove a measure from the November ballot that would make it harder for the state and local governments to raise taxes. Right now, the Legislature can raise taxes with a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and Assembly. The measure would also change how communities can raise taxes through citizen initiatives.
Associated Press
Disney receives key approval to expand Southern California theme parks
Disney has received a key approval to expand its Southern California theme parks in its first push to make major changes to its iconic Disneyland in decades. The Anaheim City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the plan to transform Disney's 490-acre (488-hectare) campus in densely-populated Southern California by moving parking to a multi-story structure and redeveloping a massive lot with new entertainment and rides. It was a second, required vote for the plan after the council gave initial approval last month.
AFP
Markets mixed as traders weigh rates outlook
Equity markets were mixed Wednesday as the latest global rally ran out of steam due to a lack of major catalysts, while investors contemplated the outlook for monetary policy."There was limited data on corporate earnings to worry the markets, with no unexpected surprises and a lack of major US economic data in the days ahead," said Kyle Rodda at Capital.com.
Associated Press
Russia launches a 'massive' missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy facilities
Russian forces unleashed a nighttime barrage of more than 50 cruise missiles and explosive drones at Ukraine’s power grid Wednesday, targeting a wide area in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a “massive” attack. The bombardment blasted targets in seven Ukrainian regions, including the Kyiv area and parts of the south and west, damaging homes and the country's rail network, authorities said. Russia has repeatedly pounded Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the war that is stretching into its third year and has claimed thousands of lives.
AFP
Spain struggles to stamp out drug trade in poor south
The killing of two police by drug traffickers has focused attention on smuggling networks in southern Spain, where poverty makes it easy for gangs to recruit youngsters. Gangs easily recruit teenagers who make hundreds of euros acting as a lookout and tipping them off when the authorities are moving in.
CNN
Hamas has offered a ceasefire deal. Here’s why that won’t bring an immediate end to the war in Gaza
Hamas’ announcement was initially met with jubilation in Gaza and cautious optimism by regional leaders after it was presented as an acceptance of an Israeli proposal. But Israel issued what looked like a holding position, saying that Hamas’ position was “far from” meeting its demands.
AFP
Japanese auto giant Toyota posts record net profit
Toyota reported record annual net profit of more than $30 billion on Wednesday but the world's largest automaker by sales warned that the current year would be less spectacular.For this year it expects net profit of 3.57 trillion yen, down 27.8 percent, because of investments in "growth areas" such as electric and hydrogen cars, as well as in "human capital".
Associated Press
Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after calm day on Wall St
Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday after U.S. stocks held relatively steady on Wall Street. U.S. futures and oil prices slipped, while the yen weakened further against the U.S. dollar. Market players are watching to see how authorities react to the yen's persisting weakness against the U.S. dollar.
Associated Press
Toyota racks up booming profit, vows to invest to keep growth going
Toyota doubled its net profit in the fiscal year that ended in March, as strong vehicles sales and a favorable exchange rate lifted results for Japan’s top automaker. Toyota Motor Corp.'s annual profit totaled 4.9 trillion yen ($31.9 billion), up from 2.45 trillion yen the year before, while its sales jumped 21% to 45 trillion yen ($290 billion), the company said Wednesday. The results exceeded Toyota’s own projection for a 4.5 trillion yen ($29 billion) profit, as its global sales surged to 9.4 million vehicles from 8.8 million vehicles in the previous fiscal year.
Associated Press
Israel reopens key crossing for aid to enter Gaza that was closed over weekend rocket attack
The Israeli military said Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a key terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid that was closed over the weekend after a Hamas rocket attack killed four Israeli soldiers nearby. An Israeli tank brigade seized the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt early Tuesday, and it remained closed, but that limited incursion does not appear to be the start of the full-scale invasion of the crowded southern city that Israel has repeatedly promised.
CNN
Destructive tornadoes and storms pummel Michigan Tuesday, and millions more face a severe weather threat Wednesday
Powerful tornadoes and storms swept through southwestern Michigan Tuesday evening, destroying or damaging homes and businesses and injuring several residents – and millions more from northeast Texas to the Carolinas face at least a slight risk of severe weather Wednesday.
AFP
Malaysia plans to introduce 'orangutan diplomacy': minister
Malaysia intends to gift orangutans to palm oil-purchasing countries as part of an initiative similar to China's panda diplomacy, the commodities minister said on Wednesday.Johari Abdul Ghani said the "orangutan diplomacy" strategy would gift the endangered great apes to palm oil trading nations, especially major importing territories like the EU and India.

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