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Sports
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.
Technology
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.
Economy
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.
Culture
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".
Economy
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.
Sports
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.
Politics
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.
Sports
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.
Politics
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.
Sports
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.
Politics
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.
Boulevard
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.
Economy
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.
Sports
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.
Politics
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.
Sports
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.
Economy
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.
Sports
Crawley, Root guide England recovery after Starc's double strike
Zak Crawley and Joe Root led an England recovery to 98-2 at the first tea break of the day-night second Ashes Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday after Mitchell Starc took two early wickets.
Technology
In Turkey, ancient carved faces shed new light on Neolithic society
On the windswept hills overlooking Turkey's vast southeastern plains, new archaeological discoveries are revealing how life might have looked 11,000 years ago when the world's earliest communities began to emerge.
Politics
Eurovision members debate call to boycott Israel
Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest will be debated at a two-day meeting of member broadcasters in Geneva starting Thursday, following calls to exclude the country over its Gaza war tactics.
Macron calls on China to work for peace, rebalance trade
French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to Xi Jinping to help end the war in Ukraine and tackle trade deficits as the two leaders met in Beijing's Great Hall on Thursday.
Sports
Ravindra, Latham tons put New Zealand in command of West Indies Test
Big centuries by Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra put New Zealand firmly in control of the first Test against the West Indies with a lead of 481 at stumps on day three in Christchurch on Thursday.
Politics
Seoul says six nationals held in North Korea, vows to help them
South Korea's presidential office confirmed Thursday that six of its citizens have been captive in North Korea for years, after President Lee Jae Myung appeared unaware of their plight during a briefing with foreign media.
Health
Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns faces scrutiny in US
Experts appointed by the Trump administration's vaccine-skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr are expected to review newborn hepatitis B vaccines on Thursday, considering whether to delay the shots despite opposition from many doctors.
Politics
Most EU citizens see 'high risk' of war with Russia: poll
A majority of citizens across nine EU countries see a high risk of war breaking out between the bloc's members and Russia, according to a survey by polling group Cluster 17 published Thursday in the French international affairs journal Le Grand Continent.
Sports
Ruthless Murray scores 52 to lead Nuggets, Bucks' Antetokounmpo injured
Jamal Murray poured in 52 points to propel Denver to a 135-120 NBA victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday as the Nuggets continued to thrive on the road.
Politics
Macron tells Xi China, France must overcome 'differences'
French President Emmanuel Macron told Xi Jinping that France and China must overcome their "differences", as the two leaders met in Beijing on Thursday.
Sports
Abu Dhabi showdown - how the F1 title can be won
AFP Sport assesses how the 2025 Formula One drivers' title can be won at the season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend:
Politics
Daraya reborn: the rebels rebuilding Syria's deserted city
Like a ghost in the night, Bilal Shorba, the artist they call the "Syrian Banksy", slipped through the rubble of Daraya to paint his murals, praying that Bashar al-Assad's gunners wouldn't spot him.
Boulevard
Rain forecasts raise fears in flood-hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Forecasts of fresh rain on Thursday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges killed more than 1,500 people in four countries.
Sports
Tsunoda vows to return to F1 grid after 'tough' Red Bull axing
Japan's Yuki Tsunoda said that it was "incredibly tough" to lose his Red Bull seat for next season but has vowed to return to the Formula One grid.
Nature
'No food': Indonesians scrounge for supplies after flood disaster
Under a scorching sun, Nur Apsyah waited in line with hundreds of others, hoping to secure some of the food aid in short supply in Indonesia's flood-hit Sumatra.
Nature
Tree branches to fleece jackets: Chemicals plant in Germany bets on biomass
Staring at a pile of freshly cut beechwood, forestry manager Johannes Brodowski wonders if he is looking at the future of Germany's chemicals industry.
Sports
Latham ton puts New Zealand firmly in charge of West Indies Test
Tom Latham scored his 14th Test century as New Zealand stretched their lead to 297 over the West Indies at tea on day three of the first match in Christchurch on Thursday.
Economy
Asian markets stumble 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.
Sports
'Believe. Belong. Become': Brisbane 2032 Olympics unveils motto
Organisers of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics have unveiled the Games' official motto: "Believe. Belong. Become".
Politics
Florida's Venezuelans divided on US military buildup
As the United States deploys more military forces and carries out airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean, Venezuelans in South Florida are divided over what President Donald Trump's next moves should be.
Sports
Norris faces nerve-shredding three-way scrap to claim maiden title
Lando Norris will battle his own nerves as much as his rivals' speed as he bids to end Max Verstappen's four-year reign as F1 world champion in Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.