US vows 'economic asphyxiation' of Iran with new sanctions
Saudi Arabia to invest $7 bn in theme parks near Paris: French presidency
French tourist dies after getting stuck in scorching Death Valley
Vuelta stage three abandoned in dangerous weather conditions
Politics
US proposes expanding UN Sudan arms embargo to entire country
The United States proposed at the UN on Monday to expand an arms embargo on the Sudanese region of Darfur to cover all of Sudan, saying the nation's brutal conflict risks regional expansion.
Sports
Banned Vondrousova appeals doping suspension to CAS
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has appealed against her four-year doping suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the international body said on Monday.
Last news
Climate urgency takes back seat in Senegal election
Surrounded by lush mangrove forests, Julien Arfang Diatta shows the flooded road leading to his village on Senegal's tiny island of Kailo.
US sues Apple in wide-ranging iPhone monopoly case
The US Department of Justice sued Apple on Thursday for illegally maintaining a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing exorbitant costs on consumers.
Russian spacecraft launch aborted seconds before take-off
The launch of a Russian spacecraft to the International Space Station was aborted at the last minute on Thursday, in another high-profile setback for Russia's space programme.
US surgeons transplant pig kidney to live patient in world first
US surgeons have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a living patient for the first time, the hospital said Thursday, a procedure that could help address the chronic shortage of donor organs.
Wales star North confirms Achilles injury in final Test
Wales centre George North confirmed Thursday he had ruptured an Achilles tendon in his final Test appearance.
US urges 'immediate' ceasefire as Gaza war grinds on
The US top diplomat stressed Thursday the need for an "immediate ceasefire" and a deal to free hostages in war-torn Gaza as he visited Egypt for talks with Arab envoys.
Japan tame 'sorry' North Korea as Son goal in vain in World Cup qualifiers
Japan and Australia took big strides towards the next stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup but South Korea dropped two points despite leading through Son Heung-min.
England captain Packer to win 100th Test cap in Women's Six Nations opener
England captain Marlie Packer will make her 100th Test appearance when she leads the reigning champions in their Women's Six Nations opener in Italy on Sunday.
US sues Apple for running iPhone monopoly in wide-ranging lawsuit
The US Department of Justice sued Apple on Thursday for illegally maintaining a monopoly for its iPhone by stifling competition and imposing exorbitant costs on consumers.
Rape convict Robinho appeals to avoid Brazil jail time
Lawyers for former Manchester City and Real Madrid footballer Robinho, who faces a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for rape, said Thursday they filed an appeal with the Supreme Court.
US lawmakers move to bar Pride flags over embassies
US lawmakers moved Thursday toward banning the flying of LGBTQ Pride flags over US embassies, a victory for conservatives in a long-running US cultural battle being played out overseas.
US lawmakers race to avert weekend government shutdown
US lawmakers released a $1.2 trillion package in the early hours of Thursday to complete the 2024 federal budget -- teeing off a race to sign it into law before a government shutdown looming at the weekend.
North Korea says can't host World Cup qualifier: Japan football chief
North Korea told Japan on Thursday that it cannot host next week's World Cup qualifier, Japan's football association chief said, throwing the game into doubt.
Sri Lanka defend Hasaranga's Test selection despite ban
Sri Lanka on Thursday defended the inclusion of all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga in the Test squad for the two-match series against Bangladesh despite his suspension by the ICC.
Blooming good: World's biggest tulip garden marks 75th edition
The world's biggest tulip garden opened to the public on Thursday for its 75th edition, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to enjoy a bewildering array of seven million bulbs in the western Dutch city of Lisse.
US home sales rise in February by most in a year
Sales of existing homes made the biggest jump in a year last month on improved housing supply, according to industry data released Thursday, as mortgage rates held at slightly lower levels.
New cafe in Manhattan staffed by neurodivergent workers
A new French cafe is hoping to break into New York's notoriously competitive food scene while also offering opportunity to people with mental and cognitive disabilities.
Doctors' strike hits Kenyan government-run hospitals
A nationwide doctors' strike in Kenya on Thursday paralysed health services at some government-run hospitals which are already suffering due to a lack of medicines and equipment.
Top French court studies fate of 'Europe's largest' hippo Jumbo
France's top administrative court is to decide if a three-tonne hippopotamus called Jumbo should be freed after decades working as "the largest hippo in Europe" for a family circus.
Ghana president caught in squabble over anti-LGBTQ bill
Ghana's parliament speaker has halted the approval of new ministers in an apparent standoff over President Nana Akufo-Addo's delay in signing off on a highly contested anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed last month.
Global music biz sees 10.2% growth in 2023: industry
Global music revenues were up 10.2 percent last year to $28.6 billion, according figures released Thursday, but record firms are concerned over how to maintain growth in the streaming era.
Irish PM resignation: what happens next?
Leo Varadkar's announcement that he is stepping down as Ireland's prime minister has triggered a leadership contest in his Fine Gael party.
Japan earn scrappy win over North Korea in World Cup qualifier
Ao Tanaka's goal after two minutes gave Japan a nervy 1-0 win over a spirited North Korea in a World Cup qualifier in Tokyo on Thursday.
Son scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday in their first match since the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann.
Leaders tout nuclear power as climate tool at Brussels summit
More than 30 countries -- including European nations, the United States, Brazil and China -- took part on Thursday in the first-ever summit held by the United Nations' atomic energy agency to promote nuclear as a "clean and reliable source of energy".
Panama Canal administrator hopes traffic normalizes by February 2025
Traffic through the Panama Canal could return to normal by next February, its administrator said, after record-low water levels limited the number of ships able to transit through the global pipeline.
Turkey's central bank hikes rate to 50% as inflation rises
Turkey's central bank hiked its key interest rate on Thursday, resuming its tightening cycle as one of the world's highest inflation rates rose again last month.
Switzerland kickstarts rate cuts for major central banks
The Swiss National Bank on Thursday became the first major central bank to cut interest rates after a sustained period of hikes to combat soaring inflation, with all eyes on when the US Federal Reserve will follow suit.
Turkey's central bank hikes interest rate to 50%
Turkey's central bank hiked its key interest rate on Thursday, resuming its tightening cycle as one of the world's highest inflation rates rose again last month.
Russia targets Kyiv after Putin vows revenge for border strikes
Russia fired more than 30 missiles at Kyiv early Thursday, the largest attack on the Ukrainian capital in weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retribution for escalating strikes on Russia's border regions.
Stock markets rally as more rate cuts eyed
European and Asian stock markets largely rallied Thursday following fresh record-highs for Wall Street as investors cheered the prospect of cuts to US interest rates.
Separatist leader Puigdemont eyes return to Spain as Catalan vote looms
Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont is to unveil Thursday his plans for Catalonia's snap May election, a move that could bring forward his return home after years of self-imposed exile.