India's island choke point
China’s lithography leap
China’s cartel lifeline
Australia limits migration
Hyundai reaches tentative deal with workers after strike
STARTRADER Adds 30 U.S. Stock and ETF CFDs as 2026 Product Expansion Accelerates
Trees 'giving up': climate change hammers historic English gardens
Trees 'giving up': climnate change hammers historic English gardens
Economy
Malian songbird keeps age-old sounds alive at 88
At the age of 88, barefoot and cinched into a belt of cowrie shells, renowned singer Mariam Bagayoko still sweeps across the stage with infectious energy, dazzling wide-eyed fans with the rhythms of a bygone Mali.
Economy
Namibia paves way for phosphate mining in the Atlantic Ocean
Namibia has granted environmental clearance for an offshore phosphate mining project that paves the way for the world's first commercial seabed-dredging operation for the mineral, despite opposition from green groups and the fishing industry.
Last news
South Africa prepared to 'take a break' from G20 after US ban
South Africa said Thursday it was prepared to wait out next year's G20 after being barred by the United States and did not expect other countries to lobby for its inclusion.
Milan-Cortina organisers rush to ready venues as Olympic flame arrives in Italy
The Olympic flame arrives in Rome on Thursday as the Milan-Cortina Winter Games home into view, but organisers are rushing to make sure everything is ready for a sprawling sports showcase spread across a vast area of northern Italy.
1,327 days: Families pine for OSCE employees detained in Russia
They have been accused of crimes including treason and espionage, some deported to Siberian penal colonies, their health deteriorating, their families counting the days in anguish.
'Chuffed for him': Crawley, Starc pay tribute to 'flawless' Root
England opener Zak Crawley praised a "flawless" Joe Root after the 34-year-old broke his Australia century drought on the first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday.
Truth commission urges Finland to rectify Sami injustices
A Finnish truth and reconciliation commission on Thursday urged Finland to rectify historic injustices committed against the indigenous Sami people, as it finalised a report after four years' work.
Root's superb first ton in Australia guides England to 325-9
Joe Root finally scored his maiden Test century in Australia on his fourth Ashes tour to guide England from a precarious 5-2 to 325-9 at stumps after a pulsating first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Thursday.
French rugby great Blanco eyes bid for Biarritz mayorship
French rugby great Serge Blanco announced on Thursday he would stand for mayor in the southwestern city of Biarritz, where he played his entire career and was also twice club president.
S.Africa must tackle 'xenophobic' health clinic protests, court says
South African authorities must do more to tackle a spate of "xenophobic" protests aimed at blocking access to clinics and hospitals to undocumented foreigners, a court ruled on Thursday.
Stocks rise eyeing series of US rate cuts
European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut US interest rates next week and into 2026.
Italy sweatshop probe snares more luxury brands
Italian prosecutors on Thursday named Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent as among 13 luxury brands suspected of using subcontractors who exploited migrant workers in Italy, as part of a growing investigation into sweatshop conditions.
Senegal baskets are hot, but women weavers ask where's the money?
Under the shade of a large mango tree in her sandy courtyard in a village in northwest Senegal, Khady Sene rhythmically threads together reeds, the beginning of a new basket.
2026 Winter Olympics flame handed to Milan-Cortina organisers
The flame for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics was handed to the host city organisers on Thursday in an Athens ceremony for a two-month torch relay in Italy before the Games open on February 6.
Joe Root: England great conquers final frontier with Ashes ton
Joe Root's century in Brisbane on Thursday -- the first of his prolific career in Australia -- ends any lingering debate over his status as a giant of the sport.
Kolisi backs Erasmus rotation policy with third straight World Cup title in mind
South Africa's two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi said on Thursday that coach Rassie Erasmus's rotation policy had increased his chances of trying for a record third successive crown.
Joe Root scores his first Ashes century in Australia
Joe Root scored his first Test century on Australian soil in the second Test in Brisbane on Thursday to cement his position as a modern-day great.
EU hits Meta with antitrust probe over WhatsApp AI features
The EU said Thursday it has opened an antitrust probe to determine if the way Meta is rolling out AI features in WhatsApp breaches the bloc's competition rules.
Russia's Putin heads to India for defence, trade talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin was due in India on Thursday for a two-day visit aimed at deepening defence ties, as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow.
Kate Winslet 'so proud' as directorial debut premieres
Oscar-winning British actress Kate Winslet said she was "so proud" of herself for directing her first film "Goodbye June" and would "love to do more".
South Africa telecoms giant Vodacom to take control of Kenya's Safaricom
South Africa's biggest mobile operator Vodacom said Thursday it had agreed to take control of East Africa's largest telecoms firm, Safaricom, in a deal worth $2.1 billion.
Flamengo add Brazilian title four days after Copa Libertadores win
Four days after beating Palmeiras to win their fourth Copa Libertadores, Flamengo secured the Brazilian title with a 1-0 success against Ceara at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium on Wednesday.
Oil refinery shutdown could cost Serbia for years, experts warn
The fallout from the shutdown of Serbia's only oil refinery could last years, experts told AFP, putting thousands of jobs and the state's budget at risk -- as well as exposing the country to further sanctions.
Root edges closer to elusive ton as England reach 196-4
Joe Root edged closer to his maiden Test century in Australia as England reached 196-4 at dinner on the first day of the day-night second Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.
South Africa will 'take a break' from G20 after US ban
South Africa said Thursday it was prepared to wait out next year's G20 after being barred by the United States and did not expect other countries to lobby for its inclusion.
Struggling McIlroy pulls in crowds as three share Australian Open lead
PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox, Australian Elvis Smylie and LIV golfer Carlos Ortiz upstaged Rory McIlroy to share the lead at the Australian Open Thursday as the Masters champion struggled with his putter on Royal Melbourne's tricky greens.
Israel awaits return of last hostage remains from Gaza
Israel awaited the return of the last hostage remains held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, as the military said on Thursday that those of a Thai national had been identified after they were handed over.
Slew of top brands suspected in Italy sweatshop probe
Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent are among 13 luxury brands suspected of using subcontractors who exploited Chinese workers in Italy, according to documents issued Thursday by a Milan prosecutor.
Markets mixed as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally
Asian and European markets were mixed Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.
Starc becomes most prolific left-arm quick in Test history
Australian veteran Mitchell Starc became the most prolific left-arm paceman in Test history on Thursday, surpassing Pakistan great Wasim Akram.
Macron urges China to push for peace, rebalance trade
French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine and to tackle trade deficits as the two leaders met in Beijing on Thursday.
Keep energy infrastructure out of war, Turkey warns Moscow, Kyiv
Turkey warned Russia and Ukraine against targeting energy infrastructure following several Black Sea drone attacks claimed by Kyiv on Russia-linked tankers, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.
Coin toss curse puts India in a million-to-one heads or tailspin
India are all in a spin after losing a scarcely believable 20 coin tosses in a row in one-day internationals -- at odds of more than a million-to-one.
Asian markets mixed as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally
Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.