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Trump says 'getting close' to deal to avoid Iran military action
US President Donald Trump said Thursday a deal was close on Iran's nuclear programme that would avoid military action, sending oil prices tumbling as he boasted of raising "trillions of dollars" on a Gulf tour.
Vladimir Medinsky: Russia's history hawk leading talks with Kyiv
Russia's former culture minister and Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky took part in failed talks with Ukraine at the start of Moscow's invasion in 2022 and has built a career promoting an ultra-patriotic version of Russian history.
Haaland eyes FA Cup to save face after Man City's 'horrific' season
Erling Haaland said Manchester City must deliver in the FA Cup final on Saturday to salvage something from a "horrific" season that saw them deposed as English champions for the first time in five years.
India says Pakistan nuclear arsenal should be under UN surveillance
Pakistan's nuclear arsenal should be under the surveillance of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday, following a four-day conflict between Islamabad and New Delhi last week.
Thai man arrested for smuggling baby orangutans
Thai police have arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom, they said Thursday, in a case linked to an international wildlife trafficking network.
UK economy grows above forecasts, but tariffs threaten progress
Britain's economy grew more than expected in the first quarter, official data showed Thursday, covering the period before business tax hikes and US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz took effect.
Toxic algae killing marine life off Australian coast
A vast bloom of toxic algae is killing more than 200 species of marine life off the southern coast of Australia, scientists and conservation groups say.
Oil prices tumble on hopes for Iran nuclear deal
Oil prices sank Thursday on hopes for an Iran nuclear breakthrough after Donald Trump said a deal was "getting close" and US media reported Tehran had indicated it could be open to curbs on its atomic programme.
Russian delegation, without Putin, arrives in Istanbul for Ukraine talks
A Russian delegation landed in Istanbul on Thursday for the first direct peace talks with Ukraine in more than three years, Russian state media reported, but without President Vladimir Putin as many world leaders had urged.
China first-quarter emissions fell despite rising power demand
China's emissions fell in the first quarter of 2025 despite rapidly growing power demand thanks to soaring renewable and nuclear energy, a key milestone for world's top emitter, analysis showed Thursday.
Eurovision voting: when politics and kitsch converge
Groans and giggles typically greet votes at the annual Eurovision Song Contest, loved and mocked for its kitsch music and seemingly partisan outcomes.
Eurovision: the 16 acts in second semifinal
Sixteen countries are competing in the Eurovision Song Contest's second semifinal on Thursday, with viewers deciding which 10 go through to the grand final.
Israel in Eurovision spotlight at second semifinal
Israel's participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest has drawn protests but its competitor Yuval Raphael -- who escaped the Hamas attack on her country -- is hotly tipped to qualify from Thursday's semifinal.
Can cash handouts replace aid? Kenya offers some answers
Three years ago, Thomas Kazungu Karisa was struggling to make ends meet as a petrol station attendant in the Kenyan county of Kilifi, when a sudden cash donation changed his life.
Cuban cigarillo factory overwhelmed by burning demand overseas
Cuba's sole producer of cigarillos cannot keep up with exploding demand abroad for the smaller, cheaper, machine-rolled version of the island nation's much more famous hand-crafted cigars.
Croatian town pays grandparents for childcare
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the dilemma of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it.
Combs's ex Cassie to face intense defense questioning
Casandra Ventura, the former girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs, is set to receive intense cross-examination from the music mogul's defense team Thursday in his sex trafficking trial.
Kinshasa deploys excavators against illegally built homes
A mother watched in despair as an excavator demolished her Kinshasa home, part of a campaign to clamp down on unauthorised buildings after deadly floods.
All eyes on world's top trio as PGA Championship set to begin
Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Xander Schauffele -- the world's highest-ranked golfers -- tee off together Thursday morning in a showcase group certain to seize the spotlight at the PGA Championship.
Ukraine's Loznitsa warns of danger of despots at Cannes
Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa's new film is a warning about despots -- and the danger of failing to spot them until it is too late.
'Unscientific' Japan megaquake rumours spook Hong Kong tourists
Unfounded online rumours warning that a huge earthquake will soon strike Japan are taking a toll on travel firms and airlines who report less demand from worried Hong Kongers.
Timberwolves oust Warriors, Celtics down Knicks to stay alive
The Minnesota Timberwolves routed the Golden State Warriors to advance to the NBA Western Conference finals on Wednesday as the Boston Celtics kept their playoff campaign alive with a blowout victory over the New York Knicks.
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe: research
The feverish diseases dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that transmit these viruses spread farther north due to global warming, according to new research published Thursday.
End of nuclear in Taiwan fans energy security fears
Taiwan will turn off its last nuclear reactor on Saturday, fuelling concerns over the self-ruled island's reliance on imported energy and vulnerability to a Chinese blockade.
Reddit founder Ohanian buys stake in Chelsea women's team
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian says that he has bought a stake in serial English women's football champions Chelsea.
Sun Yang to swim at China championships after doping ban
Three-time Olympic champion swimmer Sun Yang will compete at China's national championships this weekend, organisers said, but anti-doping rules mean he cannot qualify for this year's World Championships.
'I thought she'd survive': Story of slain Gaza photojournalist touches Cannes
Filmmaker Sepideh Farsi is still in shock after an Israeli air strike killed her documentary's main subject, 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, in Gaza last month.
Pandemic accord, tightened budget on menu at big WHO meet
Next week promises to be a crucial one for the World Health Organization, with member states coming together in Geneva to adopt a landmark pandemic agreement and a slimmed-down budget amid US funding cuts.
Trump to close deal-making Gulf tour in UAE
US President Donald Trump on Thursday closes a Middle East tour in the United Arab Emirates as he focuses squarely on seeking deals after billions of dollars of pledges from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Ex-All Black Mehrtens backing sleeping giant Beziers
Andrew Mehrtens had plenty of tough encounters on the field during his storied career but the former All Black fly-half is facing one of his most formidable yet as he prepares to watch his team Beziers' final match this season in the French second tier.
Piastri in control, Ferrari floundering as F1 arrives in Europe
Oscar Piastri heads into this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix with the momentum of three successive wins behind him as he seeks to consolidate his bid for the Formula One drivers’ world title.
Premier League top-five hopefuls battle for Champions League riches
The Premier League race is over and relegation is decided -- but the battle for Champions League qualification remains wide open with just two rounds to go.