Last news
Politics
Syria troops quit Druze heartland leaving bodies on streets
Syrian troops pulled out of the Druze heartland province of Sweida Thursday on orders from the Islamist-led government, leaving bodies strewn on the street, AFP journalists reported from the provincial capital.
Economy
South Africa warns global turmoil threaten development goals
G20 chair South Africa warned Thursday that abandoning the rules-based global order and declining cooperation could derail 2030 development goals to end hunger, eradicate extreme poverty and fight climate change.
Economy
Novartis first half net profits up 29 percent
Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis posted Thursday a 29 percent increase in first-half net income, at $7.6 billion -- and unveiled its new chief financial officer.
Boulevard
Strike on Gaza's only Catholic church injures several people
A strike on Gaza's only Catholic church injured several people on Thursday, the territory's civil defence agency and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said, as Italy's prime minister slammed "unacceptable" Israeli attacks on civilians.
Boulevard
Iraq shopping mall fire kills more than 60
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, authorities said Thursday, as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives.
Politics
Taipei holds air raid drill to prepare for Chinese attack
Taipei came to a brief standstill on Thursday when air raid sirens forced people off the streets and into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack.
Migration, defence on agenda for German chancellor's first UK visit
The UK hoped to win a firm commitment on Thursday from Germany to change its law to help smash people smuggling gangs as well as boosting defence ties, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his first official visit to London.
Economy
Swatch profits plunge on weak China sales
Swatch Group said Thursday that weak sales in China wiped out growth elsewhere in the first half of the year for the world's top watch company, leaving it barely profitable.
Sports
Kluivert's Indonesia to face Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifying
Patrick Kuivert's Indonesia were on Thursday handed a tough draw for the final round of Asian qualifying as they try to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.
Economy
EasyJet boss hits out over French air traffic walkouts
The boss of British no-frills airline EasyJet on Thursday bemoaned "unacceptable challenges" for staff and passengers resulting from strike action by air traffic controllers in France earlier this month.
Politics
Stocks extend Wall St gains, 7-Eleven owner plunges
Most markets rose Thursday, tracking a record day on Wall Street where traders endured a rollercoaster fuelled by fears Donald Trump was considering sacking the head of the US Federal Reserve.
Sports
Wallabies Tupou, Daugunu added to Pasifika squad for Lions clash
Hulking prop Taniela Tupou and winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad Thursday to bolster a First Nations and Pasifika side to face the British and Irish Lions next week.
Sports
New Zealand, France make mass changes to sides for third Test
New Zealand and France overhauled their teams Thursday ahead of a third and final Test which both sides are viewing as a chance to build for the future.
Nature
54 people killed in 24-hours of heavy monsoon rain in Pakistan
Heavy rains have been linked to 54 deaths in the last 24 hours in Pakistan, taking the toll to about 180 since the arrival of the monsoon in late June, the government's disaster agency said on Thursday.
Economy
'I thought I was going to die': sailor recounts Huthi attack in Red Sea
Filipino seafarer Cocoy was off-duty and resting in his cabin when the captain's voice boomed over the intercom of the cargo ship: "We are under attack".
Weather
Three dead as South Korean region hit by most rain in 120 years
At least three people were killed and more than 1,000 evacuated Thursday after South Korea was hit by torrential rains, officials said, with one region pummelled by the most rainfall per hour since full records began.
Sports
Lions leave out Farrell, Pollock for first Australia Test
England flanker Tom Curry and Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu won the race Thursday to start for the British and Irish Lions against Australia, but veteran Owen Farrell and emerging star Henry Pollock missed out.
Politics
Asian stocks extend Wall St gains, 7-Eleven owner plunges
Asian markets rose Thursday, tracking a record day on Wall Street where traders endured a rollercoaster fuelled by fears Donald Trump was considering sacking the head of the US Federal Reserve.
Economy
Volvo Cars swings into loss on electric vehicles, tariffs
Volvo Cars announced on Thursday it had swung into loss in the second quarter, after it took an impairment charge for its electric cars, booked restructuring charges and dealt with a slower, tariff-troubled market.
Politics
US senators approve $9 billion of Elon Musk's federal cuts
The US Senate approved early Thursday a package of spending cuts proposed by President Donald Trump that would cancel more than $9 billion in funding for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting.
Sports
'Proud' Litton lauds Bangladesh's T20 triumph in Sri Lanka
Bangladesh skipper Litton Das says his team's first ever T20 series win in Sri Lanka has been "huge" for his leadership and made the cricket-crazy fans back home happy.
Politics
French army to leave Senegal amid Africa downsizing
France will on Thursday formally hand back its last military bases in Senegal, leaving the French army with no permanent camps in west and central Africa.
Sports
Farrell, Pollock miss out from Lions team named to face Australia
England flanker Tom Curry and Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu won the race Thursday to start for the British and Irish Lions against Australia, but veteran Owen Farrell and emerging star Henry Pollock missed out.
Things to know
Chinese farmer makes splash with homemade submarine
A 60-year-old farmer in China has built his own "Big Black Fish" -- a homemade submarine that can accommodate two people, dive eight metres and stay underwater for 30 minutes at a time.
Economy
Dairy giant New Zealand endures butter price shock
Butter prices have soared in dairy export giant New Zealand, latest figures showed Thursday, with local supplies cut short as the industry chases fatter profits overseas.
Economy
Taiwan's TSMC says second quarter profit up 60%
Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC reported Thursday a forecast-beating 60 percent rise in net profit for the second quarter on sustained demand for artificial intelligence technology.
Sports
Schmidt backs 'scavenger' Champion De Crespigny against Lions
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt backed Nick Champion de Crespigny to be the team's "roving scavenger" Thursday after handing him a shock debut in the opening British and Irish Lions Test at Brisbane.
Economy
Leaking pipes as climate warms: Bulgaria faces water crisis
Bulgarian villager Rumyana Tsoneva keeps opening the tap in her yard in Gorna Studena near the Danube -- and keeps finding it dry.
Politics
Syria says local factions to secure violence-hit Sweida
The Syrian government announced Thursday that local leaders would assume control over security in the city of Sweida in an attempt to end violence that has claimed hundreds of lives and prompted Israel's military intervention in support of the Druze minority.
Boulevard
Air India probe of Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues
Air India's inspection of the locking feature on the fuel control switches of its existing Boeing 787 aircraft found no issues, an internal communication circulated within the airline said.
Boulevard
Lead actors announced for 'Legend of Zelda' movie
Two British actors will play the lead roles in the hotly anticipated live-action film adaptation of the "Legend of Zelda" video game franchise, Japan's Nintendo announced.
Economy
China moves to tame 'irrational competition' as EV price war persists
Chinese officials are seeking to tame the country's swelling electric vehicle industry with policies to prevent "irrational competition", state media said, as a brutal price war ensnares top automakers.