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The Netherlands is heading towards a partially technocratic government four months after far-right leader Geert Wilders swept to a stunning election win, but without the anti-Islam firebrand as prime minister.

The United States sanctioned three Israeli settlers and two farming outposts Thursday, accusing them of being involved in "undermining stability in the West Bank."

Domenico Tedesco has signed a two-year extension to stay on as Belgium coach until the 2026 World Cup, it was announced Thursday, as the team unveiled a new kit which pays tribute to the comic book hero Tintin.

Starship, the world's most powerful rocket, flew further and faster than ever before during its third test flight Thursday, although it was eventually lost as it re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, SpaceX said.

Stafford McDowall is set to make just his second Scotland appearance after being selected to start in their Six Nations match against leaders Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Title-chasing England have recalled Elliot Daly for their final Six Nations clash away to France on Saturday in the lone change to the side that denied Ireland successive Grand Slams.

German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall said Thursday it plans to set up at least four factories in Ukraine, as it targets a record 10 billion euros ($10.9 billion) in sales this year.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon received their first call-ups to the England squad on Thursday for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

US consumer spending warmed slightly in February, according to government data released Thursday, with retail sales regaining ground after an earlier hit from cold weather.

Yuri Feniuk's relatives pleaded with him not to return to the front line in eastern Ukraine when he finally made it home, demoralised and weakened, after nearly one year in Russian captivity.

South Africa's biggest opposition party has triggered a furious row by appearing to call into question the country's hard won reputation for holding fair elections.

President Joe Biden said Thursday he is against the proposed sale of US Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel, as election year considerations appeared to outweigh the risk of angering key ally Japan.

Andy Farrell has kept faith with the Ireland starting XV from the 23-22 defeat to England last weekend hoping they redeem themselves by beating Scotland on Saturday to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles.

US and European stock markets were mostly higher Thursday as a mixed bag of indicators failed to deter investors from expecting interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank.

China blasted Washington's "bandit" mentality Thursday after the US House passed a bill that would ban TikTok unless it splits from its Chinese owner, as former Trump treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin said he is preparing a buyout plan.

The UK government on Thursday unveiled a new definition of extremism to determine which organisations get public funds and meetings with officials, prompting criticism from civic, political and religious groups.

Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby was recalled to the France squad named Thursday for this month's friendly double-header at home to Germany and Chile.

The world's most powerful rocket Starship successfully blasted on its third test flight Thursday, in a live streamed event watched by two million people.

This Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw is set to throw up a series of heavyweight ties after a midweek in which penalty shoot-out drama really brought Europe's elite club competition to life.

Once a bustling Palestinian town with sought-after restaurants and auto mechanics, Huwara in the occupied West Bank has been hit hard by the fallout from Hamas's October 7 attack.

Spanish MPs on Thursday approved an amnesty law for Catalan separatists with their figurehead Carles Puigdemont already mulling his return after years of self-imposed exile to avoid prosecution over the 2017 independence bid.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann on Thursday announced a much changed 26-man squad for the upcoming March friendlies, three months out from the country hosting Euro 2024.

The EU on Thursday wielded a powerful new digital law to press TikTok and seven other platforms on the AI risks for upcoming elections in the 27-nation bloc, including from deepfakes.

Performance art pioneer Marina Abramovic turns to the Dutch television interviewer sitting next to her and tells him to take his clothes off. And he obliges.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday urged Russians to vote for him at a "difficult" time for the country, hours before polls open and as Kyiv launched a barrage of deadly attacks on Russian border regions.

President Joe Biden said on Thursday he opposed the proposed sale of US Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel, in a move that could annoy Washington's close Asia-Pacific ally Tokyo.

Senegal's President Macky Sall has told his government to enact an amnesty law as soon as it is officially published, amid hope a jailed main opposition candidate could be released ahead of the presidential poll in 10 days' time.

Inter Milan return to their Serie A title march with the visit of Napoli on Sunday night as both teams lick their wounds after painful eliminations from the Champions League.

The Paris and Frankfurt stock markets hit fresh record highs Thursday as investors eye interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank as inflation cools.

Efforts grew on Thursday to get more aid into the war-devastated Gaza Strip, where the UN warns of famine and desperate residents have stormed relief shipments.

France coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday it was "ideal" to be able to name an unchanged side to face England in a potential Six Nations decider this weekend.

Dua Lipa, SZA and Coldplay will headline the 2024 Glastonbury music festival, organisers said on Thursday, marking the first time that women acts take two of the top three slots.