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Countries reached a historic deal on Monday to reverse decades of environmental destruction threatening the world's species and ecosystems, in what the UN chief hailed as "a peace pact with nature."

For the first time astronomers have identified a planet that is spiralling towards a cataclysmic collision with its ageing sun, potentially offering a glimpse into how Earth could end one day.

Fans will on Monday get the chance to meet the national team on its return from Qatar where they lost to Argentina in a nail-biting World Cup final, the French Football Federation (FFF) said.

Steve Borthwick vowed to get Twickenham "roaring" after being appointed as the new head coach of the England rugby team on Monday with just nine months to revive their flagging fortunes until the 2023 World Cup.

Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko urged closer military cooperation with Russia on Monday during a rare visit from President Vladimir Putin, who launched his invasion of Ukraine for his neighbour's territory.

Ballon D'Or winner Karim Benzema announced he was ending his international career on Monday, the day after France lost in the World Cup final to Argentina.

Thomas Darracq has stepped down from his role as coach of France's women's team "for family reasons", the French rugby federation (FFR) said on Monday amid rumours of locker room friction.

Shareholders of troubled German gas giant Uniper on Monday approved the company's nationalisation after it was pushed to the brink of collapse following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday officially apologised for 250 years of the Netherlands' involvement in slavery, calling it a "crime against humanity".

Cryptocurrency tycoon Samuel Bankman-Fried could accept extradition to the United States to face charges over the multi-billion dollar collapse of his FTX group when he appears in court Monday in the Bahamas, according to US and local media.

President Joe Biden's administration on Monday named Joe Kennedy III, a scion of the Irish American political dynasty, as an envoy on Northern Ireland.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday arrived for a rare visit to neighbouring Belarus, which Moscow used to launch its invasion of Ukraine nearly 10 months ago, for talks with close ally and strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko.

A Greek police officer accused of fatally shooting a Roma teen earlier this month was conditionally freed from detention Monday ahead of his trial, a justice source said.

Switzerland's Marco Odermatt extended his alpine skiing World Cup lead after claiming victory in Monday's giant slalom at Alta Badia.

Shareholders of troubled German gas giant Uniper were to vote Monday on the company's nationalisation after it was pushed to the brink of collapse following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Lionel Messi and his teammates were due to arrive in Argentina to a hero's welcome on Monday as millions of their compatriots waited to catch a glimpse of the World Cup trophy.

German business confidence improved for a third straight month in December, a key survey showed Monday, the latest sign a downturn in Europe's top economy may be milder than feared.

US online giant Meta appears to have "breached EU antitrust rules" in the online classified section of its Facebook social network, the European Commission said Monday in a preliminary finding.

Italy's new hard-right government has abandoned plans to allow merchants to refuse card payments under 60 euros ($64), following pressure from the European Union.

Norway's King Harald, 85, will remain in hospital "for a few days" following an infection but his condition is stable, the royal household said Monday.

Steve Borthwick has been appointed as the new head coach of the England men's rugby team on a five-year contract, the Rugby Football Union announced Monday.

Judges in London on Monday ruled that the UK government's controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda was lawful, after a legal challenge by migrants and campaigners.

Steve Borthwick has long been tipped as a future England rugby coach so Monday's announcement by the Rugby Football Union he had been appointed as the full-time successor to Eddie Jones came as no surprise.

Ghana suspended payments on part of its foreign debt on Monday as the country undertakes debt restructuring in line with a bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A jury resumed its deliberations on Monday in the rape and sexual assault trial of Manchester City and France footballer Benjamin Mendy.

Europe equities rose Monday in light pre-Christmas trade with many traders away for the festive break, rebounding gently from last week's losses that followed bumper interest rate hikes.

The parents of a young man who rights group warn is at imminent risk of execution over his involvement in Iran's protest movement issued a video pleading with the judiciary to spare their son's life.

From leaping from his seat in the VIP box to consoling crestfallen players on the pitch, French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a wide-ranging performance at the World Cup final that was not to everyone's taste.

Steve Borthwick has been appointed as the new head coach of the England men's rugby team on a five-year contract, the Rugby Football Union announced Monday.

Losing finalists France on Monday became the last team to leave the World Cup as FIFA announced that the Qatar tournament attracted more than 3.4 million spectators, making it one of the most watched ever.

Russia launched a swarm of attack drones at critical infrastructure in Kyiv on Monday in strikes that Ukraine said provoked emergency blackouts in a dozen regions.

Twitter users voted on Monday to oust controversial owner Elon Musk as CEO in a poll he organized and promised to honor, just weeks after he took charge of the social media giant.