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Germany's Merz to brave Trump's Oval Office test
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, hoping to avoid one of the US president's infamous ambushes amid discord over Ukraine and tariffs.
Restaurants strike on popular Greek tourist island over beach clampdown
Restaurant owners on the Greek tourist island of Paros staged a 24-hour shutdown Thursday to protest against zoning regulations blocking them from using part of the island harbour's beachfront.
Greenpeace activists charged with theft of Macron waxwork
Two Greenpeace activists who removed French President Emmanuel Macron's waxwork from a Paris museum to stage anti-Russia protests were on Thursday charged with aggravated theft, their lawyer said.
US trade deficit sharply narrows in April as Trump tariffs take hold
The US trade deficit more than halved in April, government data showed Thursday, pulling back from a record as imports on a plunge in imports as President Donald Trump's global tariffs kicked in.
US says NATO close to agreeing to Trump's spending demand
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Thursday that NATO allies were close to agreeing a deal on spending ahead of a summit later this month, in a bid to satisfy US President Donald Trump's demand that it reach five percent of GDP.
ECB cuts rate again facing growth, tariff woes
The European Central Bank's easing cycle reached the one-year mark Thursday when policymakers delivered another interest rate cut as concerns mount about the struggling eurozone economy and global trade tensions.
Ailing Baltic Sea in need of urgent attention
Decades of pollution and climate change have caused fish to disappear from the Baltic Sea at an alarming rate, with the European Union on Thursday vowing to make the sea an "urgent priority".
Erasmus unveils monster Springbok squad for Tests against Baa-Baas, Italy and Georgia
South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus on Thursday named a 54-player squad for the June 28 fixture against the Barbarians, followed by Tests against Italy and Georgia.
Afghan women UN staff forced to work from home after threats
Afghan women working for the United Nations in Kabul have been threatened by unidentified men because of their jobs, the organisation and several women told AFP on Thursday.
Bengaluru offer cash help after deadly India cricket stampede
Royal Challengers Bengaluru said Thursday they stood "united" with fans as the Indian Premier League champions announced financial aid to families of those crushed to death during their title celebrations.
First ever Birkin bag to be auctioned in July
The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby's said Thursday.
New Rangers boss Martin aims to win over fans as he targets Celtic crown
Rangers head coach Russell Martin said Thursday his "whole career has been based on proving people wrong" after he was unveiled as the new man in the Ibrox hot seat.
US says NATO close to agreeing to Trump's defence spending demand
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Thursday NATO allies were close to agreeing a deal on spending ahead of a summit later this month, in a bid to satisfy US President Donald Trump's demand for five percent of GDP.
Brazil's Lula urges Macron to seal Mercosur trade deal
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Thursday to "finalise" an EU trade deal with four South American countries, which Paris has so far rejected.
Japanese startup attempts Moon landing
A Japanese startup will attempt a tricky lunar touchdown on Friday with an unmanned lander named Resilience, two years after its first try which crashed onto the Moon's surface.
Osaka, Pegula pull out of historic women's event at Queen's
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and world number three Jessica Pegula have pulled out of the new women's tournament at Queen's Club.
Muslim pilgrims pray, shirk sun, as hajj reaches peak
Muslim worshippers prayed on Mount Arafat in the high point of the hajj pilgrimage Thursday as authorities urged them to avoid the hottest hours of the day after tragedy struck last year.
Clean energy investment rising despite economic uncertainty: IEA
Investment in clean energy technologies is set to strike a record this year despite global economic uncertainty, double the spending on fossil fuels that will dip for the first time since 2020, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.
Greenpeace slams Coca-Cola for producing billions of plastic bottles
Coca-Cola produces 120 billion throwaway plastic bottles a year, Greenpeace Africa said at a protest in South Africa Thursday, urging the soda maker to use glass and tin packaging to cut back on plastic pollution.
Swiatek faces Sabalenka as Boisson eyes 'dream' French Open final
Iga Swiatek puts her bid for a fourth straight French Open title on the line against world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday, before surprise French hero Lois Boisson aims to continue her fairytale run against Coco Gauff in the second semi-final.
Eurozone stocks climb before ECB rate decision
Eurozone stock markets climbed Thursday as the European Central Bank prepared to announce another cut to interest rates in the face of US tariffs.
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.