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Hundreds of Gazans found rare respite at the beach this week from more than six months of traumatising Israeli bombardments in the Palestinian territory.

The European Union must act fast or risk falling perilously behind the economies of China and the United States, EU leaders heard Thursday as they headed into summit talks on how to leverage the bloc's huge market to stem its decline.

Off the pace in the Champions League and the Spanish top flight last season, Real Madrid have bounced back strongly to give themselves a strong shot at securing both.

The deadly heatwave that hit Africa's Sahel region in early April would not have occurred without human-induced climate change, according to a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group published Thursday.

Max Verstappen again publicly committed his long-term future to Red Bull on Thursday, saying that as long as he was happy there was "no reason to leave".

Two German-Russian men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia and planning attacks -- including on US army targets -- to undermine military support for Ukraine, prosecutors said Thursday.

China's Zhou Guanyu said Thursday that he will experience a "mix of emotions" when he finally races his first grand prix on his home track at the weekend.

Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC announced Thursday a nearly 9 percent increase in net profits in the first quarter of 2024, buoyed by global demand for its microchips used to power everything from mobile phones to AI technology.

Daniele De Rossi will stay on long-term as Roma coach, the Serie A club announced on Thursday, hours before their Europa League quarter-final decider with AC Milan.

Twenty20 World Cup hosts the United States have named Stuart Law as head coach, US cricket officials said, with the Australian calling it "an exciting opportunity."

Charles Leclerc said Thursday that Ferrari will be closer to Red Bull at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, but he still expects his fight to be for the minor podium places.

Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning about falling debris that could cause a tsunami.

Social media platform X said Thursday it would work with Pakistan's government "to understand its concerns" after authorities insisted an ongoing two-month ban was based on security grounds.

The heavy debt weighing on developing countries can be alleviated through readily available measures, the UN's trade and development chief said, pleading for bold international action.

Rescuers were removing mountains of rubble on Thursday from the site of a lethal Russian missile strike on Ukraine's historic city of Chernigiv, where at least 18 people were killed in an attack that has prompted fresh pleas for allies to boost Kyiv's overstretched air defence systems.

The European Union's economy is falling further behind China and the United States, a major headache that will dominate leaders' talks on Thursday as they discuss how to stem the bloc's economic decline and bounce back.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is set to visit India as his businesses seek new markets in the world's most populous nation, with electric carmaker Tesla -- suffering a sales downturn in the United States -- reportedly scouting factory locations.

Donald Trump's unprecedented criminal trial resumes Thursday in New York with the judge seeking to complete jury selection and kick off arguments in the politically explosive case early next week.

The Philadelphia 76ers, fueled by 23 points from NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, rallied to beat the Miami Heat 105-104 on Wednesday and book a first-round playoff clash with the New York Knicks.

Former Australia cricket captain Meg Lanning said Thursday that an unhealthy "obsession" with food and exercise led to her sudden international retirement last year aged just 31.

Taiwan's incoming president Lai Ching-te has made Time Magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People of 2024", which the island hailed Thursday as a recognition of its "democratic achievements".

Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning about falling debris that could cause a tsunami.

Harry Kewell said his Yokohama F-Marinos side must be more clinical if they are to reach the Asian Champions League final following a 1-0 defeat in their semi-final first leg.

A Sydney bishop brutally stabbed during a live-streamed sermon said Thursday he is recovering and forgives his attacker, declaring: "You are my son."

Ukraine's sole Olympic champion from the Tokyo Games, Zhan Beleniuk, is looking forward to defending his Greco-Roman wrestling title in Paris but has told AFP he believes the Russians will stay away in protest at the IOC's hardened stance on their participation.

Asian markets rose Thursday with traders mulling the outlook for US interest rates as Federal Reserve officials questioned the need for a cut anytime soon.

He is a former history teacher who is gunning to become the first far-right state premier in post-war Germany. But first, Bjoern Hoecke will have to appear in court on Thursday for publicly using a banned Nazi slogan.

Clark Laidlaw comes from a proud Scottish rugby family but it is in New Zealand that he has made his mark as a forward-thinking coach with a focus on "mind, body and soul".

Antonio Rudiger put Real Madrid into the Champions League semi-finals, not only by scoring the winning penalty against Manchester City on Wednesday but also by keeping Erling Haaland quiet across the tie.

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the "pain" of the Champions League quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich to fuel their Premier League title bid.

A leading contender to become the Solomon Islands' next prime minister has vowed to rip up a security pact with China, as the Pacific nation began counting votes Thursday in a pivotal general election.

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane looked forward to the Champions League semi-final meeting with England teammate Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid, saying it was "why we moved abroad."