Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

Having no players with experience in the NBA Finals won't be such a problem for the Boston Celtics, coach Ime Udoka said, even against a finals-familiar Golden State squad.

Marin Cilic and Casper Ruud moved into the French Open semi-finals for the first time on Wednesday courtesy of two big-hitting displays which overwhelmed their opponents.

Queen Elizabeth II will make two appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday, kicking off four days of public events to mark her historic Platinum Jubilee.

Casper Ruud became the first Norwegian man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final on Wednesday when he defeated Danish teenager Holger Rune in four sets at the French Open.

Croatia's Marin Cilic said it was a "great achievement" as he joined Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray in becoming only the fifth active player to make the semi-finals at all four Slams.

With star defender Marcus Smart as a vocal leader plus scoring spark from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics have reached their first NBA Finals since 2010.

Draymond Green believes keeping locker room egos in check has carried the Golden State Warriors back to the NBA Finals.

France is investigating the chaos at last weekend's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, Britain's top diplomat said on Wednesday, as pressure on the French interior minister grew over the police's handling.

Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, the notorious former leader of Colombia's drug trafficking Cali Cartel, died in a US prison at the age of 83, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Queen Elizabeth II said Wednesday that her British subjects and Commonwealth nations should look ahead with "confidence and enthusiasm" as they prepared to celebrate her record-breaking 70 years on the throne.

A jubilant Johnny Depp said Wednesday that a US jury "gave me my life back" by overwhelmingly taking his side in a bitter defamation battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard over mutual allegations of domestic abuse.

US President Joe Biden defended his handling of a spiraling baby formula supply crisis Wednesday, insisting at a meeting with infant food executives that the White House is doing all it can.

Russian forces edged closer Wednesday to taking the key eastern Ukraine city of Severodonetsk but Kyiv's hopes of holding off their invaders were boosted by a US pledge of more advanced rocket systems to help their defence.

After a lifetime steeped in basketball as a fan, player and coach, Steve Kerr is embracing the "mystique" of the Boston Celtics as he leads the Golden State Warriors into the NBA finals on Thursday.

AS Roma teenager Felix Afena-Gyan, 19, scored as Ghana cruised to a 3-0 win over Madagascar on Wednesday and claimed the leadership of Group E as 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying kicked off.

European and US stocks slipped on Wednesday, while the dollar rallied as traders digested data indicating that inflation shows no sign of easing.

Unprecedented restrictions on water usage went into effect Wednesday in the Los Angeles area, which like most of California is in the grip of severe drought for the third consecutive year.

Ukraine are one game away from qualifying for the World Cup after beating Scotland 3-1 in a play-off semi-final in Glasgow on Wednesday in their first competitive match since the country was invaded by Russia.

Lionel Messi stole the show as Copa America holders Argentina powered to a 3-0 win against European champions Italy in the Finalissima at Wembley on Wednesday.

An overwhelming majority of Danes, almost 67 percent, voted Wednesday in favour of joining the EU's common defence policy 30 years after opting out, results showed with 99 percent of ballots counted.

American triple jump legend Christian Taylor said his time out with a ruptured achilles tendon had allowed him to rediscover his love for jumping just in time for the world championships.

Brazilian football legend Pele called Wednesday for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his army's invasion of Ukraine, as the war-torn country's national team was set to vie for a World Cup spot.

The Royal Bank of Canada ended its sponsorship of golfers Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell on Wednesday after they were included in the field for the first event of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series event in England.

Meta's second most powerful executive Sheryl Sandberg made the shock announcement Wednesday she will leave after a 14-year tenure that included helping steer scandal-prone Facebook to advertising dominance.

After weeks of explosive testimony and three days of deliberations, the jury delivered a split verdict on Wednesday in the blockbuster defamation case between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard.

US President Joe Biden has launched a battle against soaring prices as he tries to claw back waning public support ahead of key congressional elections, but is finding he has few tools to defuse sky-high inflation.

A US jury on Wednesday found Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamed each other, but sided far more strongly with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star following an intense libel trial involving bitterly contested allegations of sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Bill Cosby faced sexual assault allegations at a new civil trial in California Wednesday, where opening statements began to address an alleged attack on a teenage girl at the Playboy Mansion almost 50 years ago.

A US jury Wednesday found both Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard liable for defamation -- but sided more strongly with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star following an intense trial riding on bitterly contested allegations of domestic abuse.

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday held a baby formula summit at the White House with advisors and executives from five manufacturers to discuss ways to end a nationwide shortage of the staple infant food.

Wales warmed up for their decisive World Cup qualifying play-off this weekend by losing 2-1 with a second-string team in Poland in the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden is eager for Mexico's leader to attend next week's Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, a top aide said Wednesday, amid a scramble following boycott threats.