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Major stock markets mostly rose and the dollar fell Thursday before the release of US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the Federal Reserve's timetable for cutting interest rates.

The number of women in Britain dying during pregnancy or soon afterwards has reached its highest level in almost two decades, a new study reported Thursday.

The world added 50 percent more renewable energy capacity in 2023 over the previous year but more is needed in the battle against climate change, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel on Thursday confirmed the imminent signing of England defender Eric Dier from Tottenham, telling reporters "he is in Munich".

Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip Thursday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Egypt on the final leg of regional talks aimed at preventing the Israel-Hamas war from spreading.

Qatar must shoulder the pressure of defending their crown when they kick off the Asian Cup on home soil against Lebanon on Friday, captain Hassan Al-Haydos warned.

The world added 50 percent more renewable energy capacity in 2023 over the year before, the International Energy Agency said Thursday, predicting booming growth in the next five years.

An intercom blares out on the crowded cruise, sending Chinese tourists racing to the upper decks for a glimpse of what they've all come to see: democratic, self-ruled Taiwan.

South Africa on Thursday accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, saying that even the October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions.

Papua New Guinea's prime minister declared a 14-day state of emergency in the capital on Thursday, after 15 people were killed in riots as crowds looted and burned shops.

Dakar Rally overall leader Yazeed Al-Rajhi's hopes of winning this year's car race at home have been crushed after an accident in Thursday's sixth stage around Shubaytah, organisers said.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel on Thursday lauded the "extraordinary" Franz Beckenbauer, who died last weekend aged 78.

Google suffered a legal blow at the European Court of Justice on Thursday when the body's adviser recommended that a 2.4-billion-euro ($2.6-billion) fine levied on it for anti-competitive practices be upheld.

China launch their Asian Cup campaign on Saturday in the throes of a domestic anti-corruption drive that has triggered the downfall of numerous leading football figures including former coach Li Tie.

Ex-England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has at best "maybe a year" to live, he said Thursday.

Third seed Sebastian Korda powered into the Adelaide International semi-finals for a second straight year Thursday, but needed five match points to set up a last four clash with seventh seed Jiri Lehecka.

Australia go for Asian Cup glory boasting few stars but with a record-breaking coach in Graham Arnold, an in-form striker born in Uruguay and an imposing defender whose goal-scoring exploits are more akin to a forward.

Two Russian missiles struck a hotel in Ukraine's second city Kharkiv, injuring 13 people including foreign journalists, local authorities said Thursday.

Stock markets rose Thursday as investors gear up for the release of major US inflation data that could have a huge bearing on the Federal Reserve's timetable for cutting interest rates.

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice will on Thursday publish a long-awaited opinion on a contested 2.4-billion-euro ($2.6-billion) fine that Brussels slapped on Google for anti-competitive practices.

Brunei's polo-playing Prince Abdul Mateen, one of Asia's most eligible bachelors, married his commoner fiancee on Thursday as part of a lavish 10-day celebration in the oil-rich sultanate.

Millions of people offline, banks knocked out and the world's most advanced semiconductor industry paralysed -- Taiwan's doomsday scenario includes not just invading Chinese troops but also a wave of attacks against its cyber infrastructure.

China warned Taiwan's voters Thursday to make the correct choice in the island's weekend elections, describing the presidential frontrunner as a "severe danger" who would threaten peace by following the "evil path" of independence.

The UK government on Thursday announced plans for what it said was the country's "biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years to bolster its energy independence and meet carbon emission targets.

Britain's world number 19 Cameron Norrie pulled out of the Auckland Classic with a wrist injury on Thursday, leaving his fitness in doubt just three days before the Australian Open.

Elvis impersonators swaggered through Sydney's Central Station on Thursday, boarding the "Blue Suede Express" on an unlikely annual pilgrimage paying homage to The King.

Serial Africa Cup of Nations underachievers South Africa are under immense pressure to excel at the 2024 tournament in the Ivory Coast, says star forward Percy Tau.

Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis pitched Republicans Wednesday on their bids to be the 2024 presidential candidate in the final debate before nominating begins -- but spurned repeated chances to make the case for abandoning front-runner Donald Trump.

Top seed Novak Djokovic was drawn Thursday against a qualifier or lucky loser to begin his bid for an 11th Australian Open crown, and could meet fellow Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in the third round.

Israel bombarded the southern Gaza Strip overnight, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to travel to Egypt on Thursday for more talks aimed at containing Israel's war against Hamas.

Taiwan will vote for a new president on Saturday in an election closely watched across the world, as the new leader will set the course for the democratic island facing growing aggression from China.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui was just five months and 20 days old when the country won the Africa Cup of Nations for the only time in 1976.