Messi says Argentina retirement is 'saddest day of my career'
Bangladesh nuclear plant draws hope -- and worry
Oil rises and stocks fall as Hormuz worries flare
US beat Canada 1-0 to wrap up four-win international break
Weather
Pacific presses world for help 'surviving' climate change at pre-COP summit
Pacific leaders pressed wealthy nations for more funds to help them "survive" climate change Wednesday at a gathering aimed at drawing the world's attention to life on the frontline of global warming.
Politics
Turkey, Australia's joint COP31 leadership raises doubts
Australia and Turkey are co-hosting COP31 in November but the highly-unusual decision to share leadership has raised questions about how the climate summit will unfold -- and who holds the power.
Last news
First responders in Gaza run out of supplies
First responders in Gaza said Thursday that their operations were at a near standstill, more than two months into a full Israeli blockade that has left food and fuel in severe shortage.
Pakistan shoots down 25 Indian drones near military installations
Pakistan's army said Thursday it shot down 25 Indian drones, a day after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in two decades.
Xi meets Putin in Moscow as Ukraine reports truce violations
China's Xi Jinping was in Moscow on Thursday for a state visit ahead of the Kremlin's grand Victory Day celebrations, as Ukraine accused Russia's army of launching air strikes just hours into a supposed truce.
Israel forces close UN schools in annexed east Jerusalem
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that Israel closed three of its schools in annexed east Jerusalem, months after an Israeli ban on its activities took effect.
Trump to announce 'trade deal' with UK
The United States and Britain were reportedly set to announce a trade agreement on Thursday that could have implications for President Donald Trump's tariffs assault, but the scope of the deal could be limited.
'Jumbo': the animated Indonesian film smashing records
An Indonesian animated movie is smashing regional box-office records and could be set for wider success as it prepares to open beyond the Southeast Asian archipelago's silver screens.
Stocks rise on trade hopes, London boosted by reports of deal
Asian markets were mixed Thursday ahead of weekend tariff talks between China and the United States, while London was boosted by reports that a "major trade deal" flagged by Donald Trump was with Britain.
Emirates airline group announces record $6.2 bn gross profit
Dubai's Emirates Group, which includes the Middle East's biggest airline, announced on Thursday gross annual profit of $6.2 billion, its third record in three years.
Accused mushroom murderer sent children to movies before deadly meal
An Australian woman accused of triple murder sent her children to the movies before serving up a toxic mushroom lunch that killed her guests, a court heard on Thursday.
Nintendo forecasts 15 million Switch 2 sales in 2025-26
Japanese gaming giant Nintendo forecast Thursday that it would sell 15 million units of its hotly awaited Switch 2 console in the current financial year but warned US tariffs could hit its bottom line.
Australian Greens chief loses his own seat
Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt conceded the loss of his own parliamentary seat Thursday, blaming a flood of votes that swept to the triumphant Labor Party.
Toyota cites tariffs as it forecasts 35% net profit drop
Japanese auto giant Toyota forecast on Thursday a 35 percent year-on-year drop in net profit for the current financial year, citing Donald Trump's vehicle tariffs among other factors.
Wolf protection downgrade set for green light in EU
EU lawmakers are set on Thursday to give the green light to downgrading wolf protections in the bloc, in line with a landmark change to conservation rules late last year.
Global cult following keeps Le Creuset simmering
They feature in the Duchess of Sussex's "With Love, Meghan" Netflix cooking show. They've been spotted in rapper Snoop Dogg's kitchen. Top chefs can't live without them, and TikTok posts draw millions.
Austria's JJ makes operatic pop soar at Eurovision
Falsetto voice and angelic smile: Johannes Pietsch, alias JJ, has emerged as Austria's best chance of winning this year's Eurovision song contest since the triumph of bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst 11 years ago.
Toyota cites tariffs as it forecasts 35% drop in 2025-26 net profit
Japanese auto giant Toyota on Thursday forecast a 35 percent year-on-year drop in net profit for 2025-26 citing Donald Trump's vehicle tariffs among other factors.
Depoliticising Eurovision 'impossible', experts say
The Eurovision Song Contest is meant to be about celebrating music and cultural diversity, but politics inevitably seeps in, challenging the competition's long-standing claim to neutrality.
Trump official to unveil ambitious US air traffic control upgrade
Faced with fresh flight safety problems at a major US airport, the Trump administration is set Thursday to unveil a modernized air traffic control system.
India and Pakistan trade fire after deadly escalation
Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged gunfire overnight in Kashmir, New Delhi said Thursday, a day after the worst violence between the nuclear-armed rivals in two decades.
Knicks rally again to take 2-0 lead over Celtics, Thunder roar back
The New York Knicks rallied again from 20 points down to snatch a 91-90 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back in historic style in the NBA playoffs.
What the shell: scientists marvel as NZ snail lays egg from neck
A rare New Zealand snail has been filmed for the first time squeezing an egg from its neck, delighting scientists trying to save the critically endangered meat-eating mollusc.
Eurovision week's opening parade set to start the party
The Eurovision Song Contest comes shimmering into Basel on Sunday with a glitzy parade kicking off a week of high-octane revelry building up to the May 17 grand final.
Trump to announce trade deal with UK on Thursday: US media
Donald Trump will announce a trade deal with the United Kingdom on Thursday, US media reported, after the president touted a "major" upcoming agreement on social media.
Dhoni says 'nothing to decide now' over retirement plans
India great Mahendra Singh Dhoni will not rush into a decision about retirement when the Indian Premier League ends this month, saying he will listen to his body as his 44th birthday approaches.
A bitter return for Iraqis kicked out of Europe
Iraqi Mohammed Jalal lost 10 years of his life seeking asylum in Germany, without success. Instead of being granted refuge, he was sent back to the land he had fled.
Stocks rise further on growing trade deal hopes
Asian stocks extended their rally Thursday on hopes for an easing of trade war tensions as China and the United States prepare for weekend talks and after Donald Trump flagged a "major trade deal" later in the day.
Filipino pope could revive priestly vocations in Catholic bastion
As cardinals gather in the Vatican to elect a new pope -- with a Filipino among the favourites -- the church in Asia's most Catholic country is grappling with a decline in those with a vocation for the priesthood.
NZ Rugby posts $11.6 mn loss, admits financial model 'not sustainable'
New Zealand Rugby recorded sizeable losses in yearly accounts released Thursday, with chief executive Mark Robinson saying its commercial model was "not sustainable" despite a contentious private equity cash injection.
NZ Rugby posts $19.7mn loss, admits financial model 'not sustainable' financial model
New Zealand Rugby recorded sizeable losses in yearly accounts released Thursday, with chief executive Mark Robinson saying its commercial model was "not sustainable" despite a contentious private equity cash injection.
All eyes on Sistine Chapel chimney as conclave enters day two
Anticipation gripped the Catholic world Thursday as the cardinals tasked with choosing a new pope prepared to retreat behind the heavy doors of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel for their second day of voting.
Digital voting breeds distrust among overseas Filipino workers
A new online voting system aimed at boosting turnout among the Philippines' millions of overseas workers ahead of Monday's mid-term elections has been marked by confusion and fears of disenfranchisement.
Bank of England set to cut rate amid Trump's tariffs
The Bank of England is widely expected to cut its key interest rate by a quarter point Thursday as US President Donald Trump's planned tariffs threaten to weaken economic growth.