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A French-UK nuclear umbrella for Europe? Not likely, say analysts
France and Britain are unlikely to include European allies in their nuclear deterrence, analysts said after future German leader Friedrich Merz called for European defence "independence" and a possible "nuclear sharing".
Former African leaders launch debt relief drive for poor nations
The high debt saddling the world's poorest countries needs an urgent reset to avoid multiple crises, African leaders said Thursday as they launched an initiative for debt relief and fairer borrowing terms.
Baby, you're a firework! Katy Perry to blast off into space
Pop star Katy Perry is set to "shoot across the sky" this spring when she lifts off as part of a six-member, all-female crew on Blue Origin's next space flight, the company announced Thursday.
EU will 'do the same' if US imposes tariffs hikes: French finance minister to AFP
French Finance Minister Eric Lombard told AFP on Thursday that the European Union would "do the same" if the United States follows through with 25 percent tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.
UK's Starmer pushes Trump for Ukraine guarantees against Putin
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump Thursday to plead for a US "backstop" to any Ukraine ceasefire, insisting it would be the only way to deter Russia's Vladimir Putin from invading again.
East DR Congo explosions kill at least 11
Two explosions that rocked a city in eastern DR Congo after a meeting of the M23 armed group Thursday have killed at least 11 people and injured around 60, a hospital source told AFP.
Israel sends negotiators after Hamas hands over hostage bodies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched negotiators to Cairo on Thursday after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
European stock markets slide as Trump targets EU with tariffs
European stock markets struggled Thursday after US President Donald Trump's latest tariffs salvo, this time against the European Union, while earnings from chip titan Nvidia failed to impress despite another record performance.
Ocalan: Kurdish PKK founder who urged his fighters to disarm
Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed founder of the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), is an icon to many Kurds, but a "terrorist" to many within wider Turkish society.
England's limp Champions Trophy exit underlines sharp decline
England's sorry exit from the Champions Trophy following defeat against Afghanistan is painful proof of the end of an era for the former kings of white-ball cricket.
For Tour de France foreign starts are a money-spinner
As the Tour de France this week unveiled its fourth foreign start in five years in Barcelona, organisers could point to the financial logic while fending off political criticism from those who believe the world's greatest cycling race should exclusively showcase its home country.
Hollywood giant Gene Hackman and wife found dead at home
American cinema giant Gene Hackman was found dead Wednesday alongside his wife, following a rich career portraying everyman characters with an edge in films including "The French Connection."
Legendary Irish trio to retire at end of Six Nations
Three "legends" of Irish rugby, record caps holder Cian Healy, last year's Six Nations title-winning skipper Peter O'Mahony and fellow Test centurion Conor Murray will retire from international rugby at the end of the Six Nations they announced on Thursday.
Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker jailed over 2019 mob attack
A Hong Kong court jailed a former pro-democracy lawmaker and six others on Thursday for rioting in relation to a mob attack in 2019, despite lawyers arguing that the men were victims not aggressors.
Russia says talks on annexed Ukrainian land 'non-negotiable'
The Kremlin on Thursday ruled out giving back Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed as part of a future peace deal, setting out a major red line as Russian and US officials met in Istanbul for a new round of talks aimed at normalising relations.
Israel dispatches negotiators after Hamas hands over hostage bodies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched negotiators to Cairo on Thursday after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
WHO decides mpox epidemic still global health emergency
Mpox remains an international public health emergency, the World Health Organization said Thursday after deciding the epidemic still merits the highest level of alert, with cases rising and its geographic spread widening.
UN nature talks in 'end game' to break funding deadlock
Brazil spearheaded a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock at UN nature talks in Rome on Thursday, as nations struggled against the clock to agree a deal over money to halt rapid global species loss.
'No need to overthink': China Tesla fans unfazed by Musk politics
Tesla founder Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration has risked isolating the firm's traditionally liberal customers in its home market but consumers in US trade rival China seemed largely indifferent on Thursday.
Marquez 'has fire inside again' ahead of MotoGP season opener
Six-time world champion Marc Marquez warned on Thursday that he has the fire back in his belly ahead of MotoGP's season-opening race in Thailand.
Audi Brussels shuts down as Europe's auto woes deepen
An Audi factory in Brussels billed as the "cradle" of the German carmaker's electric drive is shutting down production for good on Friday, the latest sign of the woes afflicting Europe's auto industry.
Thailand deports dozens of Uyghurs to China
Thailand deported dozens of Uyghurs to China on Thursday despite warnings from human rights groups that they would face persecution on their return, drawing swift condemnation from the United Nations.
Gaza polio vaccination drive reached 600,000 children: WHO
A polio vaccination drive in Gaza reached more than 600,000 children, the head of the World Health Organization announced Thursday, saying a ceasefire allowed previously-missed children to receive a dose.
Hosts Pakistan finish bottom after Bangladesh match washed out
Pakistan's last Champions Trophy group match with Bangladesh on Thursday was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Rawalpindi because of rain, ensuring the host country's title defence ended with a wet whimper.
Caution urged as ailing pope records slight improvement
Pope Francis, battling pneumonia in both lungs, slept well and is resting, the Vatican said Thursday, after revealing the 88-year-old's condition was slightly improving.
Stock markets struggle as Trump tariffs target EU
Stock markets struggled Thursday after US President Donald Trump's latest tariffs salvo, this time against the European Union, while earnings from chip titan Nvidia failed to impress despite another record performance.
US cuts overseas aid contracts by more than 90%
The United States has slashed its multi-year aid contracts by 92 percent, as it sought around $60 billion in savings in development and overseas humanitarian programs, the State Department said Wednesday.
'Excited' Pietersen joins IPL's Delhi as team mentor
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen on Thursday joined Indian Premier League team Delhi Capitals as mentor for the upcoming edition of the lucrative T20 tournament.
Jailed PKK leader Ocalan expected to call for peace with Turkey
Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was expected to make a "historic declaration" on Thursday on ending the decades long conflict between Kurdish groups and the Turkish state.
Oscar-winning US actor Gene Hackman, wife found dead at home: media reports
Oscar-winning US actor Gene Hackman and his long-time wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead inside their home in New Mexico, media outlets reported on Thursday.
EU's top team in India to bolster relations
The EU's top team arrived in India on an "unprecedented" visit Thursday, aiming to broaden commercial and diplomatic ties and hedge against souring relations with the United States.
Climate crisis revives Soviet hydro plan in Central Asia
Central Asian countries are setting rivalries aside to build a giant hydroelectric plant originally planned in Soviet times, a bid to strengthen energy and food security and mitigate the effects of climate change.