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Barcelona ground out an unconvincing 3-2 home win against basement club Almeria on Wednesday thanks to a late Sergi Roberto goal, moving them up to third in La Liga.

The United States and Venezuela reached a deal Wednesday to swap 10 American prisoners for an ally of President Nicolas Maduro, as Washington eases pressure on the leftist Caracas government while it pushes for progress on democracy.

The US Supreme Court played a critical role in deciding the 2000 presidential election when it halted a vote recount in Florida with Republican George W. Bush holding a razor-thin edge over Democrat Al Gore.

Ireland announced legal action Wednesday against the UK government in the European Court of Human Rights over a law granting immunity to combatants in the Northern Ireland conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday defended a new immigration law that has split his party and sparked the resignation of his health minister, calling it a necessary "shield".

US electric scooter rental company Bird announced Wednesday that it filed for bankruptcy protection as the once-hot startup reorganizes itself.

A UN Security Council vote on a much-delayed resolution calling for a pause to the Israel-Hamas war was postponed again Wednesday as members wrangled over wording while the death toll in Gaza continued climbing.

Poland's pro-EU government on Wednesday launched a reform of state media and sacked their management, as right-wing lawmakers staged a sit-in to protest the changes and public broadcasts were interrupted.

Former Germany forward Max Kruse on Wednesday announced his retirement from football.

The EU agreed reforms Wednesday that will loosen budget rules with the goal of encouraging investments while keeping debt and spending under control, after France and Germany bridged their differences.

The Premier League fixture between Bournemouth and Luton abandoned after Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest will be replayed in full, it was announced on Wednesday.

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said on Wednesday his players will have a sleepless night as they contemplate a dream victory at Crystal Palace.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced guarded hope Wednesday that the United States would be able to support a new UN Security Council resolution on Gaza, with a sticking point on access for aid.

A violent fight involving flying kicks marred Turkish football's return from a week-long suspension caused by a club president punching a referee.

A volcanic eruption that rocked Iceland this week diminished in intensity for a second day Wednesday, though media reports said a nearby evacuated fishing village would remain off limits for at least another week.

Hopes rose Wednesday that Israel and Hamas may be inching toward another truce and hostage-release deal in the Gaza war, following talks in Europe and a visit to Egypt by the head of the Palestinian militant group.

Two British teenagers were found guilty Wednesday of the "disturbing" murder of a 16-year-old transgender girl who died in a "frenzied and ferocious" knife attack.

Paul Pogba's anti-doping hearing has been moved from January 18 to an unspecified date, a source told AFP on Wednesday.

Oil prices rose back above $80 per barrel on Wednesday as the threat of attacks keeps ships out of the Red Sea, while Wall Street stocks set fresh record highs.

Chris Wilder insisted Wednesday that basement club Sheffield United must retain their self-belief if they are to stand a chance of winning at high-flying Aston Villa.

Among the nations condemning Israel's war in Gaza, one has stood out -- Russia had built a growing friendship with Israel, but that dalliance is over, analysts said, erased by the shifting sands of Middle East geopolitics.

Newly-appointed Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said he wanted to build on the amazing "legacy" of Steve Cooper at the Premier League club.

Sales of US existing homes crept up in November, according to industry data released Wednesday, though they remained at a low level as high mortgage rates weigh on activity.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said Eberechi Eze is on "the cusp" of a return to the first XI as he prepares to be without Joel Ward, his club captain.

Major League Soccer's plan to have their reserve team clubs enter the US Open Cup instead of the first teams has been blocked by the US Soccer Federation, the league and federation said on Wednesday.

European and US equities mostly retreated on Wednesday amid profit-taking while oil prices jumped above $80 per barrel as the threat of attacks keep ships out of the Red Sea.

Brentford and Aston Villa were both charged Wednesday by England's governing Football Association over the clashes late in their Premier League match last weekend.

The controversial building of a tower to judge the surfing event at the Paris Olympics will go ahead despite the sport's federation saying it is not required, chief organiser Tony Estanguet said on Wednesday.

People in the Democratic Republic of Congo voted Wednesday in a high-stakes election pitting the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi against a fragmented opposition, whose leaders denounced "chaos" and "irregularities".

Suriname's highest court on Wednesday upheld a 20-year prison sentence for ex-president Desi Bouterse, who lost an appeal against his conviction for the 1982 killings of political opponents.

The European Commission said Wednesday it wants to allow wolves to be hunted based on new data suggesting the animals pose a rising threat to livestock.

France's domestic intelligence chief was appointed Wednesday to head the country's DGSE foreign espionage service made famous by the fictional hit series "The Bureau".