Most equities rise after oil price plunge, US data in focus
Tom Kim defies jet-lag, Kho cards ace as Asian Games golf begins
Polar oceans transformed as warming melts ice habitats: research
Thai teen rocker Nene aims to tour, write music... and return to school
Nature
Lost shark becomes viral star in South Korea
A wayward shark has become an unlikely celebrity in South Korea, drawing massive crowds, earning plaudits from the local mayor and even moving the stock market.
Nature
Ivory Coast clamps down on harmful illegal gold rush
A gaping hole in the ground dug by a hundred prospectors is all that is left of an illegal gold mine in Ivory Coast, one of many the state has vowed to eradicate within six months.
Last news
Iranians' World Cup dream crushed by US travel ban
A year out from kick-off, Iranian football fans are watching their World Cup dream slip away after a US travel ban barred them from entering the land of "Great Satan" to cheer on their team.
Australia says China anxiety, geography driving closer Indonesia ties
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Thursday that security anxiety over China was partly driving deepening ties with Indonesia in a region riven by rivalry between Beijing and Washington.
'Hurt': Ukrainians in Poland worried by rise of nationalists
For several months, Halyna Muliar watched Poland's presidential campaign from home in Poznan, worried as candidates swerved further to the right and increasingly aimed nationalist slogans at Poland's 1.5 million Ukrainians -- war refugees and economic migrants.
Overton, Bethell back in England Test squad for first India Test
Jamie Overton was on Thursday handed a surprise recall to the England squad for the first Test against India while Jacob Bethell's return creates a top-order selection headache.
New Zealand parliament gives record bans to Maori MPs over haka
New Zealand's parliament on Thursday handed record-long suspensions to three Indigenous Maori lawmakers who last year staged a protest haka on the debating floor.
Germany's Merz heads for delicate talks with Trump
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, hoping to build a personal relationship despite discord over Ukraine and the threat of a trade war.
Rangers appoint former Southampton boss Martin as new head coach
Scottish Premiership club Rangers on Thursday confirmed the appointment of former Southampton boss Russell Martin as their new head coach on a three-year deal.
Zelensky slams Russia after three generations killed in drone strike
A Russian drone slammed into a residential house in central Ukraine overnight Thursday, killing three members of one family, including a one-year-old baby, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
TotalEnergies on trial in landmark greenwashing case in France
French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies goes on trial in Paris on Thursday over allegations of misleading climate claims, an unprecedented "greenwashing" case against a fossil fuel firm in France.
Equities on front foot as US data feeds rate-cut hopes
Shares enjoyed a healthy run Thursday after soft US economic data boosted expectations the Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates and put the focus on key jobs figures coming at the end of the week.
Vietnamese say no to more kids after two-child limit scrapped
After Vietnam removed its two-child limit, pharmacy worker Nguyen Thi Nguyet Nga says she still has no plans to have more kids, since she barely has time to see her daughters or the money to provide them a good life.
Namibia's Mouton eyes Top 14 'dream' with Grenoble
Namibia's Gerswin Mouton has experienced a path less trodden by most professional rugby players, but that will count for nothing as he aims to help fire Grenoble to the French Top 14 on Saturday.
Indonesia allowing nickel industry abuses to go unchecked: report
The Indonesian government is allowing environmental damage including deforestation and violations against Indigenous people to go unchecked around a multi-billion dollar industrial park on a once-pristine eastern island, a report said Thursday.
Albania town where everything's coming up roses
In Permet, deep in the spectacular Vjosa Valley of southern Albania, roses rule supreme, whether used to make perfumes, flavoured water or the Turkish delights sought out by thousands of sweet-toothed tourists.
As birthrates fall, Turkey's government steps in
Alarmed by the fact that Turkish women are having fewer children, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has moved to tackle falling birthrates -- "a threat greater than war" -- through policies designed to bring on the babies.
US pressures NATO to seal deal on ramping up defence spending
US defence chief Pete Hegseth on Thursday pushed NATO to agree a deal on ramping up defence spending that can satisfy President Donald Trump at a summit later this month.
American, Kazakhs in Bali face death penalty over drugs: authorities
An American man and two Kazakh nationals face the death penalty for alleged drug crimes on the popular Indonesian resort island of Bali, authorities said Thursday, the latest cases in a nation with some of the world's toughest narcotics laws.
Sci-fi writer Charles Stross' dark take on Silicon Valley 'religion'
Twenty years ago, British sci-fi author Charles Stross plunged readers into a head-spinning tale of mind uploading, the dismantling of the solar system and inhuman artificial intelligence masquerading as a cat.
Kohli 'lost for words' after 11 die celebrating Bengaluru IPL win
Virat Kohli said he was lost for words after celebrations of a dream IPL title turned to tragedy when 11 mainly young cricket fans were crushed to death in Bengaluru.
Fighter pilot takes next giant step for India's space plans
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla blasts off into space next week as the first Indian to join the International Space Station (ISS), bearing with him New Delhi's dreams of its own manned space flight.
New eurozone rate cut expected as Trump trade war weighs
US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz, persistent growth worries and slowing inflation are expected to prompt eurozone rate-setters to lower borrowing costs again on Thursday.
Oilers beat Panthers in OT to win NHL Stanley Cup Final opener
Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl scored the game-winning goal with 31 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Oilers over Florida 4-3 in Wednesday's opening game of the NHL Stanley Cup Final.
Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2
Gamers on Thursday finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, which could score record early sales for the Japanese "Super Mario" creator.
NATO looks to thrash out spending deal under US pressure
US defence chief Pete Hegseth will seek on Thursday to drive home a deal on ramping up NATO defence spending that can satisfy President Donald Trump at a summit later this month.
Burundi votes but with opposition neutered
Burundi votes for a new parliament on Thursday but with little risk of an upset after the main opposition was effectively barred from running.
China lead mine plan weighs heavily on Myanmar tribe
Hundreds of protesting Myanmar tribespeople march up a hillside to a cavernous facility where a Chinese joint venture's giant milling machines stand ready to grind up the rocks of their ancestral homeland for lead ore.
Most Asian markets rise as US data feeds rate-cut hopes
Asian shares mostly rose Thursday after soft US economic data boosted expectations the Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates and put the focus on key jobs figures coming at the end of the week.
EU eyes 'leadership' role on oceans ahead of UN summit
The European Union will Thursday unveil a new roadmap on marine conservation -- addressing climate and pollution threats to biodiversity as well as challenges for coastal livelihoods -- ahead of a UN summit on preserving the world's seas.
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in hajj apex
Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day.
'Floating village' to house thousands of Asian Games athletes
Athletes at next year's Asian Games in Japan will stay on a "floating village" cruise ship and in converted shipping containers, an organising official told AFP, defending the cost-cutting move.
Morocco set for sheepless Eid as drought persists
As the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha approaches, Fatima Kharraz can't seem to find the usual sense of celebration after drought-stricken Morocco urged people to forego the traditional sheep sacrifice this year.
Trump administration ramps up attack on Harvard, Columbia
President Donald Trump ramped up his campaign against top US universities Wednesday, banning visas for all foreign students coming to attend Harvard and threatening to strip Columbia of its academic accreditation.