Pogacar holds off Mas to claim Vuelta stage six victory
Severe Thunderstorms Hit Eastern Australia After SA Deluge
A lasting Dolly Parton legacy: childhood literacy
More than goals: What Mourinho wants from Real Madrid's Mbappe
Economy
S.Africa sounds alarm as infant vaccinations plummet
South Africa's infant vaccination rate has fallen to its lowest level in years, with more than a third of babies receiving no vaccines at the start of 2026, the health department said Thursday.
Economy
Finland defends shores against oil spill risk
On a lush island in the Gulf of Finland, workers are toiling to protect the coastline from oil-spills -- a risk heightened by Russian shadow fleet shipments and Ukrainian drone attacks.
Last news
#SaveToomaj: Iran urged to spare rapper after 'grotesque' verdict
Iranian authorities on Thursday faced pressure to release and clear a prominent rapper sentenced to death in a verdict supporters say is merely revenge for his music backing anti-government protests.
Courtois can return next week: Madrid coach Ancelotti
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Thursday that injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could return from injury as soon as next week.
Trump back in court for more tabloid testimony
A key witness in the criminal trial of Donald Trump detailed Thursday how he worked with the former president's personal lawyer to kill a Playboy model's story about a sexual relationship with the Republican.
WADA ask 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case: statement
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has asked an independent prosecutor to review its handling of the case where 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a prescription heart drug.
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
Every metre that farmer Igor Kniazev ploughs in an east Ukrainian village holds the danger of mines, booby-traps and unexploded shells -- the remains of a nearly three-month Russian occupation that ended over a year ago.
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
A long-awaited transitional ruling council was sworn in Thursday in violence-wracked Haiti, while the Caribbean nation's embattled prime minister Ariel Henry submitted his formal resignation.
Boris Becker discharged from bankruptcy: lawyer
Former German tennis star Boris Becker has been discharged from bankruptcy by a London court following a deal with his debtors, the 56-year-old's German lawyer said Thursday.
Osaka stumbles against Samsonova in Madrid Open
Liudmila Samsonova brought former world number one Naomi Osaka's return to clay to a halt in the second round of the Madrid Open on Thursday with a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
'Miles to go', says Dyche as Everton eye revival
Everton manager Sean Dyche insists his club still have "miles to go" in their bid for a sustained revival despite the shock 2-0 win over Liverpool that should secure their Premier League survival.
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
At least 155 people have died in Tanzania as torrential rains linked to El Nino triggered flooding and landslides, the country's prime minister said Thursday.
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
Saudi Arabia's state oil giant Aramco and world football governing body FIFA on Thursday announced a major sponsorship agreement until the end of 2027.
Stocks fall as tech shares sink, US economy slows
London's stock market reached a new record high but Wall Street and eurozone equities tumbled Thursday as tech shares sank after Meta signalled an AI spending spree and data showed slower US economic growth.
French students protest again after police break up pro-Palestinian demo
Students in Paris protested again Thursday after police broke up a pro-Palestinian solidarity demonstration the night before at one of France's most prestigious universities.
Pro-Palestinian US campus protests grow as police crack down
College campuses across the United States braced for fresh protests by pro-Palestinian students Thursday, extending a week of increasingly confrontational standoffs with police, mass arrests and accusations of anti-Semitism.
Spanish govt to 'oversee' scandal-hit football federation
The Spanish government decided Thursday to create a commission to 'oversee' the country's scandal-hit football federation (RFEF) and try to pull it out of crisis.
Austrian artist turns Hitler manifesto into cookbook
Long reviled as a manifesto of hate, Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" has become the raw ingredient for an art project reconstituting the toxic text into something more savoury: a cookbook.
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
A crew of three astronauts from China's Shenzhou-18 mission took off on a rocket bound for the Tiangong space station Thursday, the latest mission in Beijing's space programme that aims to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030.
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction on sex crime charges and ordered a new trial.
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
The leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party on Thursday ended a coalition deal with the Greens, leaving him facing fresh pressure as the head of a minority government in Edinburgh.
Slot philosophy could suit Liverpool: Van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said Arne Slot's attacking tactics could be the ideal match for the Premier League club if the Feyenoord boss wins the race to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
BTS agency files complaint against subsidiary head over breach of trust
The South Korean agency behind K-pop sensation BTS on Thursday filed a legal complaint against its powerhouse subsidiary's head for allegedly orchestrating a plan to break away from the parent company.
Nestle sales slump on weak North America demand for frozen food
Swiss food giant Nestle reported slimmer sales than expected in the first quarter on Thursday, weighed down by weak demand for frozen pizza and snacks in North America.
US economic growth slows significantly in first quarter
The US economy cooled markedly in the first three months this year, expanding less than anticipated as consumer spending and exports decelerated, according to government data released on Thursday.
In east Ukraine, exhausted troops eagerly await new US weapons
Exhausted Ukrainian soldiers near the front line were eagerly awaiting the arrival of desperately needed US weapons Thursday, with some bitter at how much the long wait has cost them.
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona's relationship seemed on the rocks in January but they have made the decision to stay together in a marriage of convenience.
President, fan support key in decision to stay: Barca coach Xavi
Xavi Hernandez said Thursday he has decided to stay on as Barcelona coach for a "cocktail of reasons", including support from key figures at the club and supporters.
French Open has 'fingers crossed' for Nadal appearance, say organisers
French Open organisers have their "fingers crossed" that Rafael Nadal will be able to play this year's event, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Thursday.
Macron warns 'mortal' Europe needs stronger defence
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday warned that Europe faced an existential threat from Russian aggression, calling on the continent to adopt a "credible" defence strategy less dependent on the United States.
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
Thousands of flights were cancelled in France and Europe on Thursday as a strike by French air traffic controllers over pay caused stoppages not seen in decades.
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
The sails of the windmill above the Moulin Rouge cabaret, one of the most famous landmarks in Paris, collapsed overnight, with its operator saying there was no foul play.
Turkey central bank holds key interest rate steady
Turkey's central bank held its key interest rate steady on Thursday but warned it could hike it again as the country's soaring inflation remains a headache for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.
Residents protest as Venice launches five-euro entry fee
Venice on Thursday began charging day-trippers for entry, a world first aimed at tackling mass tourism but opposed by protesters objecting to treating the historic Italian city as a museum.