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Economy
How embracing 'ickiness' helped writer Szalay win Booker Prize
Writer David Szalay deliberately dared his readers to face up to the "ickiness" of an affair between a 15-year-old boy and his much older married neighbour in the first chapter of his new book, "Flesh".
Right-tilting EU parliament backs unpicking green business rules
European lawmakers voted Thursday to back the weakening of landmark EU environmental and human rights rules, as part of a business-friendly drive to slash red tape pushed through with far-right support.
Economy
World oil market 'lopsided' as supply outpaces demand: IEA
The world's oil market is experiencing a period of imbalance as growing supply outstrips demand despite stronger deliveries to China, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Thursday.
Sports
Alldritt 'takes up the torch' for France against Fiji after South Africa loss
France head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday recalled Gregory Alldritt to "take up the torch" as captain this weekend against Fiji having dropped him for the humbling defeat to South Africa.
Technology
Hitler likely had genetic condition limiting sexual development: research
Adolf Hitler most likely suffered from the genetic condition Kallmann Syndrome that can manifest itself in undescended testicles and a micropenis, researchers and documentary makers said Thursday, following DNA testing of the Nazi dictator's blood.
Politics
Zelensky sanctions associate as corruption scandal engulfs Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday ordered sanctions on an associate and former business partner at the heart of a massive corruption scandal that has sparked outrage in a nation exhausted by nearly four years of war.
Politics
Germany agrees to keep military service voluntary
Germany's coalition government has agreed a new voluntary military service model, politicians said Thursday, after weeks of wrangling over whether there should be a compulsory element.
Politics
Japan PM Takaichi says she sleeps only 2-4 hours a night
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Thursday she only sleeps for between two and four hours every night, while she also faces criticism for encouraging people to overwork.
Sports
South Africa announces plan to bid for Olympic Games
South Africa plans to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the government said Thursday, aiming to bring one of the world's biggest sporting events to Africa for the first time.
Politics
Juan Ponce Enrile, architect of Philippines martial law, dies at 101
Juan Ponce Enrile, a shrewd political operator who helped usher in the darkest repression of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos's rule, died on Thursday at the age of 101, his daughter said.
Economy
Stocks waver as US government shutdown ends
Stock markets wavered on Thursday after President Donald Trump signed a spending bill to end a record-long US government shutdown.
Economy
Google to pay millions to South African news outlets: watchdog
Google will pay more than $40 million to support South African news media, many of them floundering in a digital age, the country's competition authority said Thursday.
Economy
EU probes Google over news site rankings despite Trump threats
The EU launched a fresh investigation into Google Thursday over suspicions the US giant is pushing down news outlets in search results, despite retaliation threats from US President Donald Trump.
Boulevard
Pakistan grants lifetime immunity to president, current army chief
Pakistan's parliament approved a sweeping constitutional amendment on Thursday granting lifetime immunity to the president as well as the current army chief, a move critics warned would erode democratic checks and judicial independence.
Sports
South Africa's Bavuma says winning in India top ambition
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma on Thursday said that the world champions are battle-ready to achieve their long-cherished ambition of winning a Test series in India.
Sports
Alldritt back to captain France against Fiji after South Africa loss
Gregory Alldritt will captain France against Fiji in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend having been dropped for the humbling defeat to South Africa, the French Rugby Federation announced on Thursday.
Politics
Juan Ponce Enrile, architect of Philippine martial law, dies at 101: daughter
Juan Ponce Enrile, a shrewd political operator who helped usher in the darkest repression of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos's rule, died on Thursday at the age of 101, his daughter said.
Sports
'Ready' Rees-Zammit back in Wales's starting team to face Japan
Louis Rees-Zammit will make his first Wales start since the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Saturday's clash with Japan in Cardiff after coach Steve Tandy said he was "ready to return".
Sports
Spinners decide Tests in India, Gill says before South Africa opener
India captain Shubman Gill said on Thursday fast bowlers could play a key role in the opening Test against South Africa, although spinners usually have the final say in home conditions.
Culture
K-pop group NewJeans ends feud with record label ADOR
All members of the K-pop group NewJeans have resumed working with their record label, the company and their lawyers said Thursday, after accusations of mistreatment and a year-long dispute that stalled their careers.
Politics
Asian stocks rise with focus on Fed, tech as US government reopens
Asian markets rose on Thursday after Donald Trump signed a spending bill to end a record US government shutdown, while focus was also turning to Federal Reserve interest rates and tech bubble worries.
Economy
UK economic gloom deepens before budget
Britain's economy slowed in the third quarter, official data showed Thursday, dealing another blow to the Labour government ahead of its annual budget.
Sports
Scott Barrett returns to skipper All Blacks against England
Scott Barrett returns from injury to captain New Zealand against England at Twickenham on Saturday as the All Blacks continue their quest for a tour clean sweep of the Home Nations.
Economy
Burberry narrows first half loss on turnaround plan
Burberry said Thursday it narrowed losses in its first half thanks to the British luxury fashion label's turnaround plan begun a year ago.
Politics
Sri Lanka to stay in Pakistan after bomb, games move to Rawalpindi
Sri Lanka's cricket board said Thursday that its players will remain in Pakistan to complete a one-day international series and a subsequent T20 tri-series, with all games to be played in Rawalpindi.
Politics
Zanzibar women turn to sponge farming as oceans heat up
Around 10 in the morning each day, women in hijabs and loose long dresses wade through Zanzibar's turquoise shallow tides to tend their sponge farms -- a new lifeline after climate change upended their former work.
Economy
Stocks rise with focus on Fed, tech as US government reopens
Asian markets rose on Thursday after Donald Trump signed a spending bill to end a record US government shutdown, while focus was also turning to Federal Reserve interest rates and tech bubble worries.
Sports
Curry lifts Warriors over Spurs, Thunder rout Lakers, Jokic shines
Stephen Curry scored 46 points and the Golden State Warriors rallied to stun the San Antonio Spurs 125-120 on Wednesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in another marquee NBA matchup.
Nature
Mushroom material takes on plastic packaging at Belgian start-up
On a gleaming new production line in Brussels, Julien Jacquet shows off a row of milky-white soap bar wrappers -- made by what is billed as Europe's first factory for mushroom-based packaging.
Politics
India's top tennis player says denied China visa
India's top-ranked men's tennis player Sumit Nagal said China denied him a visa weeks before he was set to appear at an Australian Open qualifying tournament in southwestern Sichuan.
Economy
In Kyrgyzstan, world's largest natural walnut forest thins away
Rustling through fallen golden leaves, locals in a forest outside Arslanbob in the Kyrgyz mountains were scurrying for walnuts -- an ancient pastime and economic lifeline for the region.
Culture
TV soaps and diplomacy as Bangladesh and Turkey grow closer
In a recording studio in Dhaka, voiceover artist Rubaiya Matin Gity dubs the latest Turkish soap opera to become a megahit in Bangladesh -- a pop-culture trend that reflects growing ties between the two countries.