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Pope Leo XIV held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square before the service in an usually informal style.

Amad Diallo and Riyad Mahrez starred as defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria had contrasting victories on Wednesday when the first round of African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches concluded in Morocco.

It took longer than expected, but Nasry Asfura has gone from businessman to mayor to president-elect of Honduras, carrying the blessing of US President Donald Trump who has described him as a "friend of freedom."

Nasry Asfura, a conservative businessman backed by US President Donald Trump, was declared winner of the Honduran presidential vote Wednesday, weeks after a razor-thin election marred by delays and allegations of fraud.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored as Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in Marrakesh on Wednesday.

Major US stock indices finished at fresh records Wednesday following a shortened pre-holiday session while gold and silver prices also struck fresh highs.

Cristian Romero could be hit with an extended suspension after he was charged by England's ruling Football Association with failing to leave the field and acting in an "aggressive" manner when he was sent off against Liverpool last Saturday.

Hundreds of Bolivian miners protested on Wednesday against the elimination of long-standing fuel subsidies by the government.

The decision by African football bosses to change the Africa Cup of Nations from a biennial competition to a tournament held every four years has been met with a mixed reaction on the continent with some seeing it as simply caving in to pressure from European clubs and FIFA.

On the eve of Christmas, President Donald Trump has unleashed a fresh blast of vitriol at late-night comedy talk shows, saying comedian Stephen Colbert is a "pathetic trainwreck" who should be "put to sleep."

Captain Riyad Mahrez scored in each half as 2019 champions Algeria eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Sudan in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday.

Flash flood warnings were in effect in Los Angeles and most of southern California on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of deadly mudslides.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hs urged his players to "step up" in the absence of "impossible to replace" skipper Ruben Amorim.

A Danish video game studio said it was delaying the release of the first James Bond video game in over a decade by two months to "refine the experience".

Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, imprisoned for attempting a coup, was temporarily released Wednesday to undergo surgery in the capital Brasilia, a source at the clinic told AFP.

A Serbian court dropped charges Wednesday against a former construction minister over the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people, citing a lack of evidence.

Stock markets steadied Wednesday in thin Christmas Eve trade while gold and silver prices struck fresh highs.

From a total Washington novice, Silicon Valley investor David Sacks has against expectations emerged as one of the most successful members of the second Trump administration.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca expects both Liam Delap and Estevao to be available when in-form Aston Villa visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Precious and industrial metals are surging to record highs as the year ends, driven by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, robust industrial demand and, in some cases, tight supply.

European and Asian markets were tepid Wednesday in thin Christmas Eve trade as investors struggled to track a record day on Wall Street fuelled by forecast-topping US economic data.

Four United Nations rights experts on Wednesday condemned the US partial naval blockade of Venezuela, determining it illegal armed aggression and calling on the US Congress to intervene.

Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem on Wednesday, as the Palestinian city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes his side are damaging their own hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League because of a poor record at set-pieces.

Two police officers were killed in an overnight explosion in Moscow when they tried to stop a suspicious person, Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement Wednesday.

The European Union and some member states reacted sharply Wednesday to US sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European commissioner Thierry Breton.

Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is relishing the prospect of knocking former club Chelsea out of the League Cup following his key role in a penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace.

Cambodian and Thai officials began four days of talks at a border checkpoint on Wednesday aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes, Phnom Penh said.

Kosovo and Serbia need to "normalise" their relations, Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti told AFP Wednesday, several days before legislative elections where he is seeking to extend his term with more solid backing.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said the Magpies' recent good run against Manchester United will count for little at Old Trafford on Friday.

Thomas Frank will give his Tottenham squad Christmas Day off but only because it fits in with their schedule ahead of Sunday's match away to London rivals Crystal Palace.

Italian regulators ordered Meta on Wednesday to open its WhatsApp chat platform to rival AI chatbots as it and EU authorities pursue a probe that the US tech giant is abusing its dominant market position.