Former Trump press secretary Leavitt joins Fox News
Turkey blocks X account of British reporter
Djokovic advances to China Open final as Medvedev out for hitting fan with ball
Yemen, Saudi Arabia strike Houthis as counteroffensive gets underway
Politics
Ukraine says using AI robot guns to shoot down new Russian drones
Ukraine has begun using artificial intelligence-enabled robot guns to take down Russia's new and fast-moving jet-powered drones, the Ukrainian air force said Monday.
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Disgraced former US House speaker dies at 84
Dennis Hastert, the longest-serving Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives whose career ended in disgrace after he admitted sexually abusing teenage boys he had coached, has died aged 84, officials said Monday.
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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.
Under pressure from hard-right, Starmer takes cautious approach to EU 'reset'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is treading a fine line on UK-EU relations as hard-right populists make gains at a time when Brexit and immigration remain toxic issues in Britain.
Stocks drop as fresh trade news awaited, oil down on Iran hopes
Equities stuttered Thursday as investors await fresh developments in trade talks, with US partners looking to reach deals to avoid Donald Trump's tariff blitz, while oil extended losses on hopes for an Iran nuclear deal.
Ukraine, Russia to hold first direct talks since 2022
War rivals Ukraine and Russia are set to go into their first direct talks in more than three years on Thursday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin not included on the list of attendees.
Tatum-less Boston down Knicks to stay alive in playoffs
The Boston Celtics battled back from Jayson Tatum's shattering injury blow to defeat the New York Knicks 127-102 and keep their NBA playoff campaign alive on Wednesday.
South Korea police arrest two over Son Heung-min 'blackmail'
Two people have been arrested for allegedly blackmailing Spurs and South Korea captain Son Heung-min, police said Thursday.
With Trump's second term, Big Tech embraces US exceptionalism
Big tech companies are increasingly waving the US flag in Washington where President Donald Trump is back in charge, pushing his America First agenda.