How Schalke returned to the Bundesliga after their 'worst season ever'
Two women die on migrant boat seeking to reach UK
Mumbai coach Jayawardene backs Suryakumar to find his 'rhythm'
Under full moon, Shakira thrills 2 million fans on Rio's Copacabana beach
Culture
Fleeting freedom at festival for India's transgender community
For a few fleeting days each year, India's often-shunned transgender community is welcomed and revered at a festival that is at once sacred ritual, celebration, and a refuge.
Politics
Trump says cutting US troop numbers in Germany 'way down'
President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on Washington's decision to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany, as a rift in transatlantic ties deepens over the Middle East war.
Last news
Politics
Routine returns but Iranians struggle to afford daily life
Gyms and cafes have reopened in Tehran as life returns to a familiar rhythm under a ceasefire following weeks of US-Israeli airstrikes, but for IT worker Mayhar such everyday amenities are out of reach as financial pressures mount.
Sports
Gill, Buttler guide Gujarat to comfortable win over Bengaluru
Sparkling cameos by skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler complemented a stellar display with the ball and in the field, carrying Gujarat Titans to a four-wicket victory over defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.
Economy
US Congress votes to end record government shutdown
The US Congress on Thursday approved funding for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ending a record-breaking partial government shutdown that has disrupted critical agencies for more than two months.
Politics
Myanmar moves Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest
Myanmar's junta chief-turned-president on Thursday ordered deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, five years after sweeping her into detention in a 2021 coup.
Sports
Bottas opens up on dangerous weight-loss diet
Valtteri Bottas on Wednesday revealed he deliberately endured a dangerous near-starvation diet to control his weight during his second season as a Formula One driver with Williams 12 years ago.
Politics
UK PM urges country to unite against antisemitism after latest attack
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed Thursday to boost security for the Jewish community following the latest attack against it, while urging Britons to unite against antisemitism.
Economy
First direct US-Venezuela flight in years arrives in Caracas
The first direct flight between the United States and Venezuela in seven years landed Thursday in Caracas, a new sign of a thaw after Washington deposed leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.
Politics
Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in the spotlight but still out of sight
Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention since a 2021 military coup, with her announced movement to house arrest a tantilising update that still leaves her isolated from the public eye.
Weather
Just telling nations to quit fossil fuels 'not realistic': COP31 chief
The Turkish COP31 president-designate said Thursday the clean energy transition will be a top issue at the climate summit but simply telling nations to phase out fossil fuels "is not realistic".
Sports
Italian footballer and coaching bodies join Serie A in backing Malago as new FA chief
Italy's player and coaching associations on Thursday joined Serie A in endorsing Giovanni Malago, who headed the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, for the presidency of Italy's football federation (FIGC).
Politics
Myanmar coup-leader turned president orders Suu Kyi to house arrest
Myanmar's junta-chief turned president on Thursday ordered deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be moved to house arrest, five years after sweeping her into detention in a 2021 coup.
Sports
Pogacar increases hold on Romandie lead with sprint win
Tadej Pogacar continued to dominate the Tour de Romandie on Thursday, winning a sprint finish to take the second full stage the day after winning the mountainous opener.
Politics
Oil slumps after hitting peak, stocks rise
Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries about a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, before slumping later in the session.
Politics
Britain's King Charles honors fallen US troops on last day of visit
King Charles III paid respects to fallen US troops at a military cemetery on Thursday, the final day of a state visit aimed at healing ties between Britain and the United States strained by the war in Iran.
Ruud's Madrid title defence ended by Blockx, Andreeva into final
Up-and-coming Belgian Alexander Blockx ended the title defence of Casper Ruud by defeating the former world number two 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open semi-finals on Thursday, while Mirra Andreeva booked her spot in the women's final.
Culture
Banksy confirms behind new London statue of man blinded by flag
Elusive street artist Banksy on Thursday confirmed he was behind a new work drawing crowds in central London: a statue of a suited man striding into the void while holding a flag that blocks his view.
Culture
German artist Georg Baselitz dies aged 88
German artist Georg Baselitz, whose expressive paintings and sculptures stirred controversy in West Germany before winning global acclaim, has died aged 88.
Things to know
Trump hails 'greatest king' Charles as state visit wraps up
President Donald Trump hailed Charles III as the "greatest king" at a White House farewell Thursday -- and said the United States needed more people like Britain's monarch.
Politics
Mexico demands evidence behind US drug charges against governor
Mexico is seeking "irrefutable" evidence to back up the shock US drug trafficking charges against a sitting governor and other officials before proceeding with extradition requests, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday.
Sports
Infantino re-election boost after securing Asia, Africa backing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino's hopes of securing re-election as the head of world football received a massive boost on Thursday after pledges of support from the African and Asian regional confederations.
Sports
Du Plessis says Dutch talent is 'secret sauce' of new Euro T20 franchise
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes local Dutch players will be the "secret sauce" for his Rotterdam franchise in a new European Twenty20 competition.
Boulevard
Traffic stop: Warsaw's celebrity birds on perilous urban quest
Waddling across a Warsaw expressway, a brood of wild sea ducks brought traffic to a halt as volunteers held motorists at bay -- an annual ritual to protect the bustling Polish capital's famous ducklings.
Technology
Drivers help study road-trip mystery: what became of bug splats?
Long an emblem of the summer road trip, squashed bugs on the car have become less numerous over the years, many people say -- causing concern about the health of the world's insect populations.
Saudi wealth fund to cut LIV golf funding after 2026 season
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is cutting funding for the breakaway LIV Golf league after the 2026 season, a spokesperson from the fund told AFP on Thursday.
Politics
In Mauritania, Mali refugees hope Russia will depart their homeland
From the safety of Mauritania, Mali refugee Mosso said he would only return home if Russian mercenaries leave his country, something he is more hopeful of following large-scale attacks by jihadists and separatists last weekend.
Economy
Oil strikes 4-year peak, stocks rise
Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday on worries over a resumption of hostilities in the Middle East, while US and European stock markets mostly rose as investors turned to central bank decisions and corporate earnings.
Boulevard
Under-fire UK PM heckled after Jewish-targeted stabbings
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was booed and heckled with shouts of "Jew harmer" Thursday as the Jewish community in London accused him of doing too little to protect them, a day after a knife attack.
Politics
King Charles to honor US troops on final day of visit
King Charles III was set to pay his respects to fallen US troops at a military cemetery on Thursday, the final day of a state visit aimed at healing ties between Britain and the United States strained by the war in Iran.
Politics
US first-quarter growth rebounds less than expected as inflation surges
US economic growth rebounded less than expected in the first quarter as consumer spending cooled, while inflation surged in March with fallout from the Middle East war beginning to bite, government data showed Thursday.
Sports
Ruud's Madrid title defence ended by Belgian Blockx
Up-and-coming Belgian Alexander Blockx ended the title defence of Casper Ruud by defeating the former world number two 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open semi-finals on Thursday.
Boulevard
Manila landfill fire leaves locals gasping
Filipino ferry dispatcher Dave Delos Reyes has been handing out N95 masks for nearly three weeks to protect passengers against the smoke that a landfill fire has sent billowing above a stretch of Manila Bay.
ECB warns of risks from Mideast war as it holds rates
The European Central Bank held interest rates steady on Thursday and warned of growing risks to the growth and inflation outlook thanks to the war in the Middle East.
Culture
Statue pops up on London plinth bearing Banksy's name
A large statue has appeared on a plinth in central London with Banksy's name scrawled on the base, prompting speculation Thursday that it may be the famously enigmatic street artist's latest work.
Economy
Iran's supreme leader defies US blockade as oil prices soar
Iran's supreme leader declared Thursday that the United States had suffered a shameful defeat, defiantly rejecting a warning from President Donald Trump that an economically-punishing US naval blockade could be enforced for months to come.
Politics
Ukraine wants details of Russia's army parade truce offer
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said Kyiv would seek details from Washington about a Kremlin offer for a ceasefire on May 9, when Russia holds large-scale World War II commemorations.
Sports
LIV Golf looking for new partners amid Saudi pullout reports
LIV Golf said on Thursday it was seeking to secure "long-term financial partners", amid rumours Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund will stop financing the series at the end of the 2026 season.
Boulevard
Cambodia deports more than 600 Thais linked to cyberscams: minister
Cambodia deported more than 600 Thais allegedly involved in online scams on Thursday, the information minister said, part of a crackdown against the multibillion-dollar illicit industry that has ballooned in the country in recent years.
Sports
Mainoo signs new five-year Man Utd contract
Kobbie Mainoo has signed a new contract at Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2031, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over his future.
European rocket puts Amazon internet satellites in orbit
Europe's most powerful rocket Ariane 6 successfully released 32 satellites into orbit Thursday for Amazon's internet constellation, which is bidding to rival Elon Musk's giant Starlink.