'Smells of freedom': Serbians hopeful after landmark election
Machado ready to meet Venezuela leader after shock return
South Africa select 'enforcer' Coetzee for Australia decider
Lula celebrates election win as Brazil markets tumble
Nature
Botanists comb Gabon's rich rainforests with nature on the line
Each year, Gabon's lush rainforests yield the discovery of previously unknown plant species to botanists like Archange Boupoya -- who believes that this exceptional yet largely mysterious natural wealth needs cataloguing to save.
Politics
Mecca pact countries in Iran in bid to stop war restarting
Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan held talks with Iran in Tehran on Monday in an attempt to stop the Middle East war from resuming, as Egypt authorised military support for Riyadh as the kingdom faces attacks by Yemen's Houthis.
Last news
US Supreme Court weighs Trump claim of 'absolute immunity'
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday on whether a former president is immune from criminal prosecution and appeared poised to issue a ruling that could further delay Donald Trump's trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.
Nadal begins Madrid farewell with victory over teen Blanch
Rafael Nadal breezed to a straight sets victory over 16-year-old Darwin Blanch to reach the Madrid Open second round on Thursday as he began his farewell appearance in the Spanish capital.
Biden targets fossil fuel power sector with tough new carbon rules
The United States on Thursday announced sweeping new rules requiring coal-fired plants to eliminate nearly all their carbon emissions or commit to shutting down altogether, a keystone of President Joe Biden's agenda to confront the climate crisis.
O'Sullivan open to offers from potential rival snooker tour
Ronnie O'Sullivan is open to offers from a potential rival snooker tour as the former world champion warned he would walk away from the sport if he felt under-valued.
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Venice's mayor hailed Thursday the smooth launch of a trial of entry fees for day visitors despite protests by residents, saying tourism in the historic Italian city had to change.
Ceremony held for World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in Gaza
A ceremony for seven aid workers of the World Central Kitchen killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza was held in Washington on Thursday.
UK slaps fresh sanctions on Iran after Israel attack
The UK on Thursday joined the United States and Canada in announcing a fresh set of sanctions against Iran's drone and missile industries after its recent attack on Israel.
Putin says plans to visit China in May
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he plans to visit China in May, his first planned trip abroad since re-election as Moscow seeks deeper ties with Beijing.
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
Japanese auto giant Honda announced Thursday the largest automotive investment in Canada's history, worth Can$15 billion (US$11 billion), for a massive new EV battery and vehicle assembly plant.
Robinson's maiden fifty takes New Zealand to 178-7 in 4th T20I
Opener Tim Robinson hit a maiden half-century before Pakistan kept New Zealand down to 178-7 with a three-wicket haul by pace bowler Abbas Afridi in the fourth Twenty20 international in Lahore on Thursday.
French Palme d'Or winner Laurent Cantet dies
French filmmaker Laurent Cantet, who won the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 2008 for his school-set film "The Class", died on Thursday aged 63, his agent said on Thursday.
Weinstein trial: key moments in the scandal that launched #MeToo
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction on sex crime charges, a stunning about-face in the case that launched the #MeToo movement.
Nys holds on in Tour de Romandie for first big win
Thibau Nys grabbed the overall lead in the Tour de Romandie on Thursday when he had enough energy left to outsprint the remnants of a day-long breakaway.
Osaka stumbles against Samsonova, Gauff sails through 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.
Harvey Weinstein: fallen Hollywood 'God' who ignited #MeToo
For decades, Harvey Weinstein was untouchable, reigning over Hollywood as the mega-producer Meryl Streep famously called "God."
French singer wanted to 'fake suicide' to scare girlfriend: prosecutors
French singer Kendji Girac, who was seriously injured by a gunshot this week, wanted to "fake" his suicide to scare his partner, who was threatening to leave him, prosecutors said Thursday.
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
Global warming caused by fossil fuel emissions "most likely" exacerbated the intense rains that lashed the UAE and Oman last week, causing deaths and widespread flooding, an expert group of scientists said Thursday.
American Airlines confirms 2024 forecast despite Q1 loss
American Airlines reported a quarterly loss Thursday on an uptick in labor and other operating costs as the carrier confirmed its full-year financial forecast.
#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.