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EU halts counter-tariffs but no pause in US-China trade war
The EU paused plans for retaliatory tariffs on US goods Thursday after President Donald Trump abruptly suspended higher US duties on the bloc and other countries, leaving China in the crosshairs of his trade war.
Australian schoolboy Gout Gout runs sub-10 second 100m --- twice
Australian sprint prodigy Gout Gout dipped under the magic 10-second mark for the 100m twice on Friday to showcase his burgeoning potential, but both times were wind-assisted so did not officially count.
Scarlett Johansson to star at Cannes as festival unveils line-up
Scarlett Johansson is set to star on-screen and behind the camera at this year's Cannes Film Festival, organisers said Thursday as they unveiled the line-up of films that will compete for honours on the French Riviera.
Stock markets soar as Trump delays painful tariffs
Stocks markets rocketed and the dollar fell Thursday after Donald Trump paused steep tariffs on most countries, while investors appeared to brush off the US president's decision to ramp up duties on China.
Trump tariffs weigh on Germany as institutes cut forecasts
Leading economic institutes Thursday slashed their 2025 growth forecast for Germany to near stagnation, warning Europe's struggling top economy will face extra pain from US President Donald Trump's tariff blitz.
US and Russia exchange prisoners
Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners on Thursday, the second such swap since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House as the two superpowers push for closer ties.
Japan top yakuza group promises 'no more trouble'
Japan's largest yakuza organised crime body submitted a written pledge to authorities to end its wars with splinter groups, police told AFP on Thursday.
Champion Martin eyes Qatar return as 'bitter' Marc Marquez seeks redemption
Reigning champion Jorge Martin will make his season debut after an injury setback at the Qatar MotoGP this weekend where Marc Marquez looks to bury the "bitter taste" of his crash last time out in the United States.
The US citizens still held in Russian prisons
US-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina was on a plane back to the United States on Thursday after being released in a prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington, her lawyer and America's top diplomat said.
US-Russian ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina freed by Moscow: Rubio
US-Russian ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina, who had been detained in Russia for 12 years on treason charges, has been released and is flying to the United States, according to the top US diplomat, with her lawyer saying she was part of a prisoner exchange agreed between Moscow and Washington.
Not just penguins on Antarctic islands hit by Trump tariffs
A pair of sub-Antarctic volcanic islands unexpectedly hit by Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs may be the world's most inhospitable spot for international trade.
Canada PM says Trump's pause on tariffs a 'welcome reprieve'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called US President Donald Trump's pause on global tariffs a "welcome reprieve" and said Ottawa will begin negotiations with Washington on a new economic deal after elections.
Witkoff and Araghchi: the men leading US-Iran nuclear talks
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will be in Oman for breakthrough talks on Tehran's nuclear programme this weekend.
Stocks zoom higher as Trump delays painful tariffs
Stocks rocketed Thursday as a relief rally spread through markets after Donald Trump paused crippling tariffs on US partners, with Chinese investors even brushing off his decision to ramp up duties on Beijing to 125 percent.
China urges US to meet 'halfway' as markets rocket on Trump tariff pause
China on Thursday urged the United States to meet it "halfway" as US President Donald Trump imposed more levies on Chinese goods but, in a huge relief to global markets, paused tariffs on other countries.
Vatican releases image of Charles, Camilla meeting pope
The Vatican on Thursday published a photograph of Pope Francis meeting King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla the day before during the British monarch's state visit to Italy.
Waratahs' McKellar rules out becoming next Wallabies coach
NSW Waratahs' Dan McKellar ruled himself out of the running to take over from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, saying on Thursday he was "not in the mix".
Taiwan's TSMC says first quarter revenue up 42 percent
Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC reported Thursday a better-than-expected revenue for the first quarter on strong demand for AI technology, after tariffs slapped onto major economies by US President Donald Trump caused global uncertainty.
Rybakina leads Kazakhstan to BJK Cup victory over Australia
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina put Kazakhstan on course for the Billie Jean King Cup finals Thursday, helping her country take down Australia in a qualifying tie.
Peaty says yes to 2028 Olympics after new swim events added
Adam Peaty announced Wednesday he intends to compete at a fourth Olympics after six new swimming events were added to the 2028 Los Angeles Games in what he called "an amazing decision."
Vietnam says it will start trade talks with United States
Vietnam and the United States agreed to start negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, Hanoi said on Thursday, hours after Washington delayed imposing an enormous tariff on the Southeast Asian manufacturing powerhouse.
Expo 2025 in Japan: five things to know
A multi-eyed mascot, a vast wooden Grand Ring, 160 countries and regions strutting their stuff, and robots and sushi galore: Expo 2025 begins Sunday in Osaka, Japan.
Japan's World Expo touts unity, and algae, in turbulent times
World Expo opens on Sunday with host Japan aiming to bring humanity together, despite global turmoil and tepid public enthusiasm for the six-month event showcasing innovation as well as Hello Kitty in algae form.
Trump's tariff pause gives market relief, but China trade war intensifies
US President Donald Trump abruptly paused tariffs on most countries, sparking euphoria on global markets Thursday, but upped the ante on a brutal trade war with superpower rival China.
Papua New Guinea lifts ban on forest carbon credits
Papua New Guinea will "immediately" lift a ban on forest carbon credit schemes, the Pacific nation's climate minister told AFP on Thursday, opening up its vast wilderness to offset global emissions.
AI surge to double data centre electricity demand by 2030: IEA
Electricity consumption by data centres will more than double by 2030, driven by artificial intelligence applications that will create new challenges for energy security and CO2 emission goals, the IEA said Thursday.
Scheffler, McIlroy seek fast start in hunt for history at Masters
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy are chasing history at the Masters, where a fast start at Augusta National on Thursday has been vital to success in the first major golf championship of the year.
Samsung under pressure as US tariffs rattle South Korean economy
Sipping tea on her break outside a Samsung Electronics factory in northern Vietnam, worker Nguyen Thi Mai said she had heard about US President Donald Trump's tariffs, but hoped it would not affect business.
Munster wary of 'chaotic' Bordeaux-Begles in Champions Cup quarter-final
The latest chapter in Munster's storied relationship with the Champions Cup takes place on Saturday as the two-time champions head to Bordeaux-Begles in the quarter-finals.
Ranieri eyeing Champions League for Roma before derby swansong
Claudio Ranieri faces his final Rome derby on Sunday as he leads Roma on a charge for the Champions League before finally, definitively sailing off into the distance.
Verstappen out to silence McLaren in the battle of Bahrain
McLaren's Lando Norris holds a wafer-thin advantage over four-time world champion Max Verstappen going into this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.
Asian stocks crack higher as Trump delays painful tariffs
Asian stocks rocketed Thursday as investors breathed a huge sigh of relief after Donald Trump announced a pause on crippling tariffs on US partners, with Chinese markets even brushing off his decision to ramp up duties on Beijing to 125 percent.