Baltic startups take aim at deterring Russia on NATO's eastern flank
OPEC+ tipped to raise production again but new quotas loom
Tourists chase high-octane thrill in China's trending biker capital
De Zerbi unsure over Richarlison's future at Spurs
Culture
Vincent Pastore, who played 'Big Pussy' on 'The Sopranos,' dead at 80
Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for mob enforcer-turned-informant Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's hit series "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80, his manager told AFP on Saturday.
Sports
Tottenham manager De Zerbi 'happy' with pre-season progress
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said he was "happy for a lot of things" as they return to London unbeaten in three pre-season games after a 2-1 win over Chelsea in Sydney.
Last news
Russia tells UN court Ukraine shelled dam
Russia accused Ukraine at the UN's top court Thursday of destroying a key dam with artillery strikes, and alleged that Kyiv was led by neo-Nazis -- a claim Moscow has used to try to justify its invasion.
Rice set to leave West Ham, says club chairman
West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed captain Declan Rice will be sold during the summer transfer window, just hours after the club ended their decades-long trophy drought.
Australia's Smith speeds to hundred in WTC final against India
Australia star Steve Smith wasted little time in reaching his hundred on the second day of the World Test Championship final against India at the Oval on Thursday.
UNICEF 'concerned' by reports of Taliban ban on foreign school NGOs
The Taliban government may have banned international NGOs from offering education to out-of-school Afghan children, UNICEF said Thursday, putting the teaching of half a million boys and girls at risk.
'Savings running out': high inflation hits Hungarians
Antal Palya looks for the cheapest cuts of chicken at a Budapest market. Others in Hungary, home to the European Union's highest inflation rate, now need food aid. For some in the middle-class, even poverty looms.
Djokovic and Alcaraz in era-defining French Open duel
Having battled through 59 encounters with Rafael Nadal over 16 years of epic rivalry, Novak Djokovic faces the Spanish legend's heir apparent Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open in a match laced with era-defining potential.
Eurozone in recession at start of 2023
The eurozone entered into a technical recession at the start of the year, shrinking by 0.1 percent for a second consecutive quarter, figures from the EU's statistic agency showed Thursday.
Kiko Navarro, Alcaraz's boyhood coach says 'Paris was our dream'
Few people know Carlos Alcaraz better than Kiko Navarro, the coach who shaped the Spaniard in his formative years into the fearless world number one targeting a second Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Zelensky visits flood-hit Ukraine region as 5 reported killed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the region flooded by the breached Kakhovka dam Thursday, as Moscow-installed authorities said five people had been killed in the disaster.
US, Saudi urge Western nations to repatriate IS jihadists
Riyadh and Washington urged Western governments Thursday to repatriate citizens who joined the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, where thousands still languish in prisons or camps.
Players guaranteed to earn at least $30,000 at Women's World Cup
Every player at next month's Women's World Cup is guaranteed to earn at least $30,000, FIFA says, with the winners taking home $270,000.
World warming at record 0.2C per decade, scientists warn
Record-high greenhouse gas emissions and diminishing air pollution have caused an unparalleled acceleration in global warming, 50 top scientists warned Thursday in a sweeping climate science update.
Springbok Kolbe heading to Japan's Suntory
World Cup-winning Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe will play for Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath next year, the club announced Thursday.
Three South Korean players fined for boozing at Baseball Classic
Three South Korean players have been fined and ordered to do community service for drinking during their failed World Baseball Classic campaign.
Markets mostly turn lower as rate hike worries return
Renewed fears that the US Federal Reserve will lift interest rates next week sent most markets into reverse Thursday, tracking losses across Wall Street and Europe, while traders were looking for measures from China to boost growth.
The Afghan valley proud of its young suicide bombers
Taliban-trained suicide bomber Ismail Ashuqullah regrets missing the chance to blow himself up at the height of the Afghan war -- like many other young men from the lush green Tangi Valley.
'Black city': Polish port Gdansk chokes on coal dust
Iwona Wozniewska's family has lived next to the Polish port of Gdansk for decades. But dust from surging coal imports has left her longing for something she once took for granted -- fresh air.
Boult set to return for New Zealand at ODI World Cup
Seamer Trent Boult could return for New Zealand at the ODI World Cup later this year despite not having a national contract, Black Caps coach Gary Stead said Thursday.
WhatsApp debuts one-to-many broadcasting 'Channels'
WhatsApp on Thursday began letting select organizations try a new feature called "Channels" that lets them broadcast to followers on the popular, Meta-owned messaging service.
The loneliness of one of Albania's last sworn virgins
For decades, Gjystina Grishaj chopped wood, drove tractors and tended livestock as the man of the house in a remote valley in northern Albania, only to find herself alone after years of sacrifice supporting her family.
'Comrades' ultra-marathon, a symbol of hope in S.Africa
After dropping off children at school, South African minibus driver "Roro" Mokgele Ramathe parks up and strips down to his training kit underneath.
African space tech? Don't rule it out, says Nigeria's startup king
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji might not have the personal wealth of Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, but his level of success as an African entrepreneur bears comparison with any Silicon Valley tech titan.
Bjork: 'Musk should build solar-powered festival ships'
Bjork called on tech billionaires to come up with greener solutions for touring musicians such as environmentally friendly cruise ships to host roving festivals, in an interview with AFP.
Nathaniel Mary Quinn's fractured portraits set off Paris show
Artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn discovered his unique cut-up style when he decided to produce an additional portrait for an exhibition with only five hours to spare.
In DR Congo's capital, homeless teens pin future on rap
Life on the streets is grim and desperate, says "Business," a homeless teen in DR Congo's capital Kinshasa.
Sunak brings gifts to Biden - and message of UK-US unity
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was set Thursday for White House talks with President Joe Biden armed with reminders of UK ambitions on artificial intelligence and Ukraine -- and a reminder also of Biden's British roots.
Campaigners see hope in Japan same-sex union rulings
A Japanese regional court on Thursday ruled the country's failure to recognise same-sex unions an "unconstitutional situation", offering hope to campaigners who have brought a series of lawsuits with mixed results.
Chiefs chase Reds revenge in Super Rugby quarter-finals
The Waikato Chiefs have a score to settle against the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals this weekend when the New Zealanders look to avenge their only defeat this campaign.
'We didn't offer much resistance' says Heat's Spoelstra
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra admitted his team had been "pummeled" in the paint in their 109-94 defeat to the Denver Nuggets and had failed to respond to the challenge.
'Incredible' Jokic, Murray feat propels Nuggets past Heat
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray carved out a slice of NBA history on Wednesday, both notching 30-point triple-doubles as the Denver Nuggets downed the Miami Heat 109-94 to regain the upper hand in the NBA Finals.
Hong Kong's top court to hear appeal on banned Tiananmen vigil
Hong Kong's top court agreed on Thursday to hear an appeal from government prosecutors against a prominent activist for her involvement in a banned Tiananmen Square vigil, challenging a lower court ruling in her favour.
Australian football pioneer Rasic dies aged 87
Australia remembered Rale Rasic as a pioneer Thursday after the man who took the country to its first football World Cup died aged 87.