China’s cartel lifeline
Australia limits migration
Venezuela’s Oil Return
Sweden’s welfare reckoning
North Korea fires ballistic missile: South Korea military
England recall batsman Lawrence for Pakistan series
'Don't have to hide': Thai IDs, legal work give hope to Myanmar refugees
Siemens shares plunge on disappointing guidance raise
Economy
Stocks mixed with tech firms back under pressure
Most Asian markets were mixed Thursday with tech firms back under pressure after a four-day rebound amid lingering AI worries, while oil rose even as Iran said it was finalising a deal with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz.
Sports
New Australia coach Kiss gives Japan starts to Ross, Amatosero
Les Kiss handed lock Miles Amatosero and prop Aidan Ross their first starts for Australia as the new coach named his first team Thursday since taking over from Joe Schmidt.
Last news
Venezuela to debate historic amnesty bill for political prisoners
Venezuela could pass a landmark bill on Thursday granting amnesty to political prisoners, marking an early milestone in the transition from the rule of toppled leader Nicolas Maduro.
Ukraine skeleton racer Heraskevych disqualified from Olympics over memorial helmet
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Thursday after refusing to back down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia.
Markets mostly rise as stong US jobs data ease economy worries
Equities mostly rose on Thursday as investors cheered a bumper US jobs report that eased concerns about the state of the world's top economy, even as they pared back their bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
France jails three in gang rape case after mother saves evidence
A French court has jailed three young men for the gang rape of an 18-year-old in 2020, after the victim's mother kept evidence in a plastic bag for year, until her daughter was ready to file a complaint.
From 'Derry Girls' to 'heaven', Irish writer airs new comedy
Following the global success of "Derry Girls", the uproarious comedy about Northern Irish teenagers navigating life during the Troubles, writer Lisa McGee is back with a new show.
Asia markets mixed as stong US jobs data temper rate expectations
Stocks were mixed on Thursday as investors weighed a bumper US jobs report that eased concerns about the state of the world's top economy but forced them to pare back their bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
Shanaka fireworks as Sri Lanka pile up 225-5 against Oman
Dasun Shanaka blazed the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the hosts piled up 225-5 against Oman in their Group B World Cup clash at Pallekele on Thursday.
Samsung starts mass production of next-gen AI memory chip
Samsung Electronics announced Thursday it had started mass production of next-generation memory chips to power artificial intelligence, touting an "industry-leading" breakthrough.
Benin's lovers less row-mantic as apps replace waterway rendezvous
For decades a narrow waterway in Ganvie, Benin has been a discreet rendezvous point for young couples to meet -- safe under cover of darkness, far away from strict families and prying eyes.
Argentina moves closer to labor reform, despite protests
Argentina pushed closer on Thursday to approving labor reforms that have triggered clashes between workers and police in the streets outside Congress.
Geneva opera house selling off thousands of extravagant costumes
Sandra Delpierre's fingers linger on a long blue and white fur coat and graze a pair of angel wings as she winds past thousands of colourful costumes used in opera performances.
Non-alcoholic wine: a booming business searching for quality
Bertrand Degat, vineyard manager for French zero-alcohol wine producer French Bloom, winces visibly when recalling some of the criticism and snobbery he has encountered from his contemporaries.
Greece's Cycladic islands swept up in concrete fever
On the sloping shoreline of the Greek Aegean island of Milos, a vast construction site has left a gaping wound into the island's trademark volcanic rock.
Grieving Canada town holds vigil for school shooting victims
As the sun set in the grief-stricken Canadian town of Tumbler Ridge on Wednesday, hundreds gathered in a main square, lighting candles for victims of one of the country's worst-ever mass shootings.
Israel president says at end of visit antisemitism in Australia 'frightening'
Antisemitism in Australia is "frightening" but most people want good relations, Israel's President Isaac Herzog said on Thursday as he wrapped up a four-day visit and was met by protests in the city of Melbourne.
Cunningham on target as depleted Pistons down Raptors
Cade Cunningham finished with 28 points as the Detroit Pistons shrugged off the suspensions of Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart to cruise past the Toronto Raptors 113-95 on Wednesday.
Canada probes mass shooter's past interactions with police, health system
Canadian police Wednesday identified the 18-year-old who carried out a mass shooting in a remote mining town, as authorities investigate the suspect's mental health and previous interactions with police and health care providers.
Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam combines Olympic gold and influencer attitude
To say Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam divides opinion is an understatement.
Scotland coach Townsend under pressure as England await
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend heads into Saturday's Six Nations match at home to England knowing even a win is unlikely to quell the debate about his position.
Canadian ice dancers put 'dark times' behind with Olympic medal
Canadian figure skaters Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier put the dark times behind them with ice dancing bronze at the Winter Olympics after it had looked as if their career could be over following her cancer diagnosis.
'Exhausting' off-field issues hang over Wales before France clash
A Wales side low on confidence welcome an in-form France to Cardiff on Sunday in the Six Nations, with rugby in the country rarely having sunk to such troubling depths.
Crusaders target another title as Super Rugby aims to speed up
An All Blacks-heavy Canterbury Crusaders kick off their Super Rugby title defence against the Otago Highlanders on Friday as the southern hemisphere competition trials a raft of rule changes designed to speed up the game.
Chinese Olympic snowboarder avoids serious injury after nasty crash
Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu said from hospital Thursday that she had avoided serious injury following a dramatic fall at the Winter Olympics in Italy and thanked fans for their concern.
China carbon emissions 'flat or falling' in 2025: analysis
China's emissions of planet-warming carbon dioxide were "flat or falling" in 2025, analysis showed Thursday, but progress remains fragile and it is not yet clear that emissions have peaked.
'China shock': Germany struggles as key market turns business rival
China was long a lucrative market for Germany Inc, but the Asian giant's rise in high-tech fields has put the heat on Europe's industrial powerhouse and its companies, big and small.
French ice dancer Cizeron's 'quest for perfection' reaps second Olympic gold
Four years after his Winter Games victory alongside Gabriella Papadakis, French skater Guillaume Cizeron achieved the unprecedented feat of a second Olympic ice dancing gold medal with a new partner on Wednesday.
Most Asia markets rise as traders welcome US jobs
Most equities rose Thursday as investors cheered a bumper US jobs report that eased concerns about the state of the world's top economy, even as they pared back their bets on Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
EU leaders push to rescue European economy challenged by China, US
EU leaders will converge on a Belgian castle on Thursday as the bloc seeks ways to punch its economic weight on the global stage -- faced with threats from China and the United States, and hamstrung by its own divisions.
Plenty of peaks, but skiing yet to take off in Central Asia
Two weeks before setting off for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics to compete as Kyrgyzstan's only alpine skier, Timur Shakirov was weaving down a slalom course in his homeland.
UN aid relief a potential opening for Trump-Kim talks, say analysts
A new push to lift aid sanctions on North Korea could kickstart efforts to lure Kim Jong Un into nuclear negotiations with US President Donald Trump, analysts told AFP.
Berlin Film Festival to open with a rallying cry 'to defend artistic freedom'
The Berlin Film Festival will kick off on Thursday evening with an eclectic selection of films reflecting current upheavals, and with Wim Wenders, one of Germany's most illustrious directors, heading the jury.
Taiwan leader wants greater defence cooperation with Europe: AFP interview
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called for greater defence and AI cooperation between Taiwan and Europe, as the democratic island seeks to bolster its protection against China.