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Syria attack on military academy kills 100 as Turkey hits Kurdish-held northeast
An attack Thursday on a Syrian military academy killed more than 100 people, a war monitor said, with state media blaming "terrorist organisations" for the drone strike in government-held Homs.
England's Farrell 'on the same page' as friend Ford against Samoa
England captain Owen Farrell said on Thursday he was on the same page as fly-half George Ford after they were named to start this weekend's World Cup game against Samoa.
French army to begin Niger pullout 'this week'
France said Thursday that it would start withdrawing its troops from Niger this week after a falling-out with the post-coup regime, which insists the exit be carried out in accordance with its "conditions".
Embiid to play for USA at Paris Olympics: reports
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid has pledged to play for the United States at next year's Paris Olympics, multiple media reports said Thursday.
Beckett to Pinter: Nobel-winning playwrights
Norway's Jon Fosse joins a select list of playwrights who have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature over the years.
New Zealand rout England as Cricket World Cup suffers empty feeling
New Zealand handed defending champions England a nine-wicket thrashing at the Cricket World Cup on Thursday at the start of a marathon tournament likely to dictate the event's status in the future of the sport.
Farrell at centre as England make wholesale changes for Samoa
Owen Farrell will start at centre as England head coach Steve Borthwick makes 14 changes for this weekend's Rugby World Cup match with Samoa, the Rugby Football Union announced on Thursday.
Russian strike kills 51 gathered for wake in east Ukraine
A Russian strike on Thursday killed at least 51 people gathered for a wake in an eastern Ukrainian village in what a UN official called a "horrifying" attack.
North Korea call themselves 'world leaders' after weightlifting golds
North Korea proclaimed themselves "world leaders" after winning a sixth Asian Games weightlifting gold on Thursday to cap their return to international competition after a four-year absence.
US to resume Ethiopia food aid but only to refugees
The United States said Thursday it would resume limited food assistance in Ethiopia, delivering to some one million refugees, but will keep most operations suspended after concerns of systematic diversion of aid.
De Leede hopes Dutch can tame Pakistan quick Shaheen
Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede said his team have done their homework to try and counter star Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in their opening World Cup match in Hyderabad on Friday.
'Selfless' O'Mahony wins 100th cap for World Cup decider with Scots
Peter O'Mahony will become the latest Irish player to reach a landmark 100 caps for his country on Saturday when Ireland face Scotland in a match pivotal to both sides' Rugby World Cup hopes.
Azerbaijan 'ready' for EU-mediated talks with Armenia in Brussels
Azerbaijan said Thursday it was willing to attend EU-mediated talks with Armenia in Brussels, two weeks after its forces took control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in a lightning offensive.
Michelin to rate hotels as well as restaurants
From stars to keys -- the Michelin Guide will start rating hotels in the same way as restaurants, it announced on Thursday.
China win dramatic basketball gold as medallist fails doping test
China's women's basketball team staved off a spirited fightback from Japan to retain their Asian Games title on Thursday, as a silver medallist became the latest athlete to fail a doping test.
In tune: Classical concert-goers' hearts, breathing synchronize
People who listen to music together often report feeling a powerful connection to each other as a result of their collective experience.
Ritchie returns for Scotland and Kinghorn wins 50th cap against Irish
Jamie Ritchie has been passed fit and will captain Scotland in their must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B match with the world's number one ranked team Ireland on Saturday.
Conway, Ravindra hit first centuries of Cricket World Cup
New Zealand's Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra hit the first centuries of the Cricket World Cup on Thursday in the opening match of the tournament against England.
'My time': Dusmatov completes gold set as Uzbekistan lord it in ring
Hasanboy Dusmatov gave a boxing masterclass to win Asian Games flyweight (51kg) gold Thursday and complete his collection of major titles on a memorable night in the ring for Uzbekistan.
Inflation, high rates and war crimp global trade: WTO
Global trade growth will be sharply lower than forecast this year as stubborn inflation, high interest rates and the war in Ukraine pressure economies around the globe, the World Trade Organization said Thursday.
Biden administration to build more Mexico border wall
The Biden administration quietly announced plans on Thursday to add to the border wall with Mexico -- extending construction of the barrier that was a signature policy of Donald Trump.
Insecurity, lack of funds slowing aid to Sudan: UN
Efforts to help millions of people in need in Sudan due to the civil war are being hampered by a lack of security and meagre international funding, the United Nations said Thursday.
Messi called up for Argentina qualifiers despite injury
Argentina have called up Lionel Messi for their upcoming South American World Cup qualifiers despite him being on the injured list at his club Inter Miami.
Vinicius quizzed by Spanish judge over racist abuse
Real Madrid forward Vinicius was questioned on Thursday by a Spanish judge investigating the racist abuse hurled at the Brazilian international during a La Liga match in May.
Irish star O'Mahony wins 100th cap for World Cup decider with Scots
Peter O'Mahony will become the latest Irish player to reach a landmark 100 caps for his country on Saturday when Ireland face Scotland in a match pivotal to both sides' Rugby World Cup hopes.
Canada posts August trade jump
Canada saw trade rebound sharply in August, posting a surplus of Can$718 million (US$522 million) with the strongest exports in two years outpacing an uptick in imports, the government statistical agency said Thursday.
Pakistan eye two wins before 'unbelievable India spectacle'
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur hopes his team will have two wins under their belts before they face old rivals India in the eagerly-awaited World Cup blockbuster.
'Mystique' around Pakistan team, says coach Arthur
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur believes there's a "bit of mystique" around his World Cup team as they make a first appearance in India for seven years.
Chinese firm sold satellites for intelligence to Russia's Wagner: contract
Russian mercenary group Wagner in 2022 signed a contract with a Chinese firm to acquire two satellites and use their images, aiding its intelligence work as the organisation sought to push Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a document seen by AFP.
Iraqis marvel at ancient Iraq in new 'Assassin's Creed' game
Iraqi gamers celebrated the release Thursday of the latest instalment of the "Assassin's Creed" action-adventure saga, set in ninth century Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate.
China win basketball gold in Asian Games thriller against Japan
China's women's basketball team made up for their men's shortcomings at the Asian Games on Thursday, retaining their title with a thrilling 74-72 win over Olympic silver-medallists Japan in Hangzhou.
Stocks waver as US rate fears hold sway; oil drops
European stocks markets mostly rose while Wall Street wobbled on Thursday as investors fret over the prospect of higher-for-longer interest rates.