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EU announces 120 mn euros in Gaza aid after ceasefire
The EU said Thursday it would deliver 120 million euros ($123 million) in new aid for war-torn Gaza, a day after the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Patients dying in corridors as UK hospital standards 'collapse': report
UK patients are "coming to harm" with hospitals so overwhelmed people are dying in corridors awaiting treatment amid a "collapse in care standards", a report said Thursday.
Sinner roars back in Melbourne as Swiatek sets up Raducanu clash
World number one and defending champion Jannik Sinner roared back to surge into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as Iga Swiatek set up a showdown with Emma Raducanu.
'Nervous' teen star Fonseca out of Australian Open after thriller
Teenage rising star Joao Fonseca said nerves got the better of him after being bundled out of the Australian Open by Italian Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller on Thursday.
Nepal's top court bars infrastructure in protected areas
Nepal's Supreme Court has scrapped controversial laws allowing hydropower and hotel projects in protected nature reserves, a lawyer said Thursday, calling it a win for the Himalayan republic's conservationists.
Stock markets jump as inflation worries ease
Stock markets jumped Thursday after below-forecast US inflation data provided a much-needed shot of relief to investors and revived hopes of further cuts to interest rates.
Sinner drops rare set en route to Australian Open third round
World number one Jannik Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches on Thursday before surging back to keep his Australian Open title defence on track.
China to probe US chips over dumping, subsidies
China said Thursday it would launch a probe into US exports of chips used in everything from cars to home appliances over concerns about alleged dumping and subsidies.
Israel accuses Hamas of backtracking on fragile ceasefire deal
Israel accused Hamas on Thursday of backtracking on parts of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza war, and carried out fresh air strikes ahead of an expected vote by the cabinet.
Chinese apps including TikTok hit by privacy complaints in Europe
Online privacy campaigners said Thursday they had filed complaints in several European countries against six Chinese companies including TikTok, accusing them of "unlawfully" sending Europeans' personal data to China.
Blasts in Kyiv as UK's Starmer visits to ink '100-year' accord
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit to sign a "100-year accord" and shore up support for Ukraine before Donald Trump's return to the White House.
Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai grilled over US, Taiwan ties
Jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai testified on Thursday that he brokered meetings between former Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and American establishment figures, with prosecutors alleging that he colluded with foreign forces.
Pakistan, West Indies seek to improve from Test Championship lows
Pakistan and West Indies vowed a strong finish when they meet in the first Test in Multan on Friday despite dragging up the rear of the World Test Championship.
Trauma and tragedy in the City of Angels: covering the LA fires
Terrified residents caught in blazing neighbourhoods, influencers ignoring the ban on drones and the frightening unpredictability of the wildfires are just some of what journalists covering the fires ravaging Los Angeles for AFP have had to manage.
Spain raises flag at Damascus embassy after 12-year closure
Spain raised its flag at Madrid's Damascus embassy Thursday, in the presence of its top diplomat more than a decade after suspending activity and as Western countries resume ties following Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's ouster.
Swiatek powers into Raducanu clash as Fritz sends Melbourne warning
Iga Swiatek romped into a third-round showdown with Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open on Thursday while Taylor Fritz was just as emphatic in his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title.
Teen star Fonseca out of Australian Open in five-set thriller
Teenage rising star Joao Fonseca was bundled out in the Australian Open second round on Thursday by wily Italian Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller.
Travel agencies say North Korea reopens border city to tourism
Tour operators said Thursday that North Korea had reopened a border city to foreign tourists, five years after Pyongyang sealed its frontiers in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
India's outcast toilet cleaners keeping Hindu festival going
Millions of pilgrims hoping to cleanse their sins by ritual baths at India's Kumbh Mela festival rely on key lavatory workers to clear up behind them -- those born on the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system.
Apple loses top spot in China smartphone sales to local rivals
Apple lost its status as the best selling smartphone brand in the crucial Chinese market last year, new data showed Thursday, with a pair of local rivals surpassing it with surging shipments.
Sri Lanka signs landmark $3.7 bn deal with Chinese state oil giant
Sri Lanka has secured its biggest-ever foreign investment after signing a deal with Chinese state-run oil giant Sinopec, officials said on Thursday.
'I had 10 minutes': Lys makes most of Australian Open second chance
Eva Lys's bags were packed and her flight booked. But now the German is into the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time after making the most of her second chance at the Australian Open.
Spanish FM raises flag at Damascus embassy after 12-year closure
Spain's Foreign Minister raised his country's flag at their Damascus embassy on Thursday more than a decade after Madrid suspended diplomatic activity and as Western countries resume ties following President Bashar al-Assad's ouster.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket blasts into orbit for first time
Blue Origin, the space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its massive New Glenn rocket into orbit for the first time early Thursday, a livestream of the blastoff showed.
UK economy rebounds but headwinds remain for govt
Britain's economic growth rebounded less than expected in November, official data showed Thursday, dealing a fresh blow to a Labour government that is battling headwinds.
Rice fields turned into art in northern Thailand
A two-acre paddy field in northern Thailand has been transformed into an artwork depicting a dragon and a cat, symbols of hope and resilience as the community recovers from floods.
Stocks follow Wall St higher on welcome US inflation data
Markets extended a global rally Thursday after below-forecast US inflation provided a much-needed shot of relief to investors and revived hopes for interest rate cuts this year.
South Korea's president arrest: what happens next?
Impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol made history this week as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested, ending a weeks-long standoff. But analysts say the country's political crisis is far from over.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket blasts off in first launch, reaches orbit
Blue Origin, the space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its massive New Glenn rocket for the first time early Thursday, a livestream of the blastoff showed.
Chinese give guarded welcome to spending subsidies
Beijing is hoping subsidies for rice cookers, microwave ovens and smartphones can boost sluggish spending and help the country weather an economic storm from incoming US president Donald Trump.
World Bank plans $20 bn payout for Pakistan over coming decade
The World Bank plans to loan cash-strapped Pakistan $20 billion over the coming decade to nurture its private sector and bolster resilience to climate change, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.
Indian Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan stabbed in burglary
Indian Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan underwent surgery Thursday after he was repeatedly stabbed in an apparent burglary at his home in Mumbai, his public relations team said.