Ukraine sends ground robots
Lyman's surrender crisis
Pakistan’s Taliban dilemma
Venezuela and the Qatar Fund
US Treasury order targets bank transfers linked to crypto exchange MEXC
Godzilla Minus Zero sets foreign-language box-office opening record
Eagles record six sacks as rushing attack struggles against Giants
Villeneuve teases James Bond casting at Los Angeles museum gala
Economy
Palestinian Women Transform Organic Loofah Farming into Global Export Industry
A collective of Palestinian women in the West Bank village of Jalameh is revitalizing a traditional agricultural practice by producing organic loofahs for global markets. Supported by technical aid and industrial machinery, the Jalameh Women’s Center Association has transformed the craft into a sustainable export industry that reaches customers in Europe and the Gulf.
Economy
Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments
Thames Water has unveiled intends to push back over around £12 billion of its debts due until March 2028 in a move giving the stricken supplier vital breathing space as it looks to secure a rescue deal. The UK’s biggest water group – which is struggling under a debt mountain of over £20 billion – stated the planned deal will extend repayments on debts that were due in March 2027 for another year.
Last news
US says Israel backs latest Gaza truce plan sent to Hamas
The White House said on Thursday that Israel had "signed off on" a new Gaza ceasefire proposal submitted to Hamas, as the Palestinian militants confirmed they were studying the deal.
Trump steps up call for US rate cuts in talks with Fed chief
US President Donald Trump on Thursday stepped up the pressure on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates, in their first sit-down since the Republican returned to the White House in January.
Climate action could save half of world's vanishing glaciers, says study
More than three-quarters of the world's glaciers are set to vanish if climate change continues unchecked, a major new study warned Thursday, fueling sea-level rise and jeopardizing water supplies for billions.
After 2 months, 40 witnesses, Maradona trial scrapped
After weeks of hearings and testimony from over 40 witnesses, an Argentine court on Thursday nullified the trial of late football legend Diego Maradona's medical team due to a scandal over a TV miniseries.
Israel's settlement plan in occupied West Bank draws criticism
Israel announced Thursday the creation of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, drawing sharp condemnation from Britain, Jordan and others already at odds with the country over its Gaza war.
'Perfect end': Sinner brings curtain down on Gasquet at French Open
Frenchman Richard Gasquet called it the "perfect end" to his career as the 38-year-old headed into retirement on Thursday after a straight-sets loss to world number one Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.
After 2 months, 40 witnesses, Maradona trial declared null
An Argentine court on Thursday nullified the trial of late football legend Diego Maradona's medical team after a judge stepped down over her role in an unauthorized documentary about the case.
Hazlewood helps Bengaluru thrash Punjab to reach IPL final
Australia's Josh Hazlewood returned figures of 3-21 to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru storm into the Indian Premier League final with a eight-wicket thrashing of Punjab Kings on Thursday.
Harvard graduation overshadowed by Trump threats
Thousands of Harvard students in crimson-fringed gowns celebrated their graduation Thursday, as a federal judge said she would temporarily block Donald Trump's bid to bar the prestigious university from enrolling international scholars.
Munar slams crowd 'circus' after tough French Open loss
Spain's Jaume Munar criticised the "circus" created by French Open crowds, which he called the most disruptive on the circuit after a gut-wrenching loss to home hope Arthur Fils.
France to ban smoking outdoors in most places: minister
France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be frequented by children, like beaches, parks and bus stops, the health and family minister said in an interview published on Thursday.
White House slams 'blatantly wrong' court decision blocking Trump tariffs
The White House on Thursday blasted a federal court's decision to block many of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, marking a major setback to his trade strategy.
Bethell stars as England make 400-8 against West Indies in 1st ODI
Jacob Bethell struck a blistering 82 as England made an imposing 400-8 against the West Indies in the first one-day international at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Chapo's ex-lawyer among Mexico's 'high-risk' aspiring judges
In a crime-plagued Mexican border city, lawyer Silvia Delgado urges passersby to vote for her as a judge, despite her past work for one of the world's most notorious drug lords.
'Make America Healthy Again' report cites nonexistent studies: authors
At least four of the studies cited in a flagship White House report on children's health do not exist, authors listed in the document told AFP Thursday, casting doubt on the paper outlining Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s agenda.
Stocks shrug off US court's tariff ruling
Global shares gave a muted response Thursday to a US court's decision blocking most of President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs -- with analysts noting the issue was far from being settled.
Snappy Norris denies change to title approach
A snappy Lando Norris on Thursday claimed he has not changed his approach to racing despite receiving much praise for his cool and measured maiden Monaco triumph last Sunday.
Denz breaks away to win for Roglic as Del Toro protects Giro lead
Nico Denz escaped from the remnants of a huge breakaway to win stage 18 of the Giro on Thursday as the surviving overall contenders took it easy ahead of two mountain-top battles.
Sidi Ould Tah: Africa's new 'super banker'
Sidi Ould Tah is the first Mauritanian to become president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and will need all his international experience to tackle the challenges facing the institution.
Bublik plays 'match of his life' to upset De Minaur in Paris
Alexander Bublik hailed one of the best matches of his life as the Kazakh rallied from two sets down to dispatch ninth-seeded Australian Alex de Minaur at the French Open on Thursday.
De Minaur blames 'too much tennis' after French Open letdown
Alex de Minaur took aim at the "never-ending" tennis schedule on Thursday after blowing a two-set lead in his second-round loss to Alexander Bublik at the French Open.
Generative AI's most prominent skeptic doubles down
Two and a half years since ChatGPT rocked the world, scientist and writer Gary Marcus still remains generative artificial intelligence's great skeptic, playing a counter-narrative to Silicon Valley's AI true believers.
Hamas says examining new US deal for Gaza
Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday said it was examining a new deal proposed by a US envoy, as rescuers said at least 44 people were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip.
Albon picks up the tab for Russell's lobster pasta Monaco 'revenge'
Revenge is a dish best served cold but in George Russell's case it came in the form of the most expensive meal on the menu at Alex Albon's expense following the Monaco Grand Prix.
Gauff fights past Valentova to reach French Open third round
Second seed Coco Gauff battled past Czech teenager Tereza Valentova with a straight-sets win in a scrappy French Open second-round encounter on Thursday.
Boeing CEO confident US will clear higher MAX output in 2025
Boeing is eyeing approvals for significantly higher production of the 737 MAX in 2025 after US authorities allowed increased output on the 787 plane, the company's CEO said Thursday.
Harvard holds graduation in shadow of Trump threat
Harvard held its annual graduation ceremony Thursday as a federal judge considers the legality of punitive measures taken against the university by US President Donald Trump.
Sinner thrashes retiring Gasquet at French Open, Zverev, Andreeva through
Jannik Sinner ended the retiring Richard Gasquet's career with a one-sided victory at the French Open on Thursday, while Novak Djokovic looks to sharpen his game in the second round in his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title.
Vondrousova plays through pain to meet Pegula at French Open
Former French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova said Thursday she was relieved to be able to play through the pain as she advanced to the third round at Roland Garros.
Poirot investigation ends in two-week ban for Champions Cup winner
Bordeaux-Begles prop Jefferson Poirot was suspended for a fortnight on Thursday, following his altercation with Northampton no.8 Henry Pollock at the end of last weekend's Champions Cup final.
Sinner beats retiring Gasquet to reach French Open third round
World number one Jannik Sinner eased into the third round at Roland Garros on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 over Richard Gasquet in the final match of the Frenchman's career.
Chinese exporters "on hold" despite US tariff relief
Chinese exporters in one of the world's busiest port cities spoke Thursday of murky horizons as they try to navigate the trade maelstrom unleashed by the ever-changing saga of US tariff policy.