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Politics
Macron says Trump marriage jibe does not 'merit response'
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday Donald Trump's mocking comments about his marriage did not merit a response, calling them "neither elegant nor up to standard".
Economy
Russia will send second ship with oil to Cuba: minister
Russia will send a second ship carrying oil to Cuba as the island grapples with a US fuel blockade, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev said Thursday.
Economy
Belgian bishop takes on Vatican with push to ordain married men
A Belgian bishop is taking on the Vatican with a push to ordain married men as priests -- telling AFP the reform is key to stemming a plunge in vocations across many traditionally Catholic nations.
Oil rallies, stocks drop as Trump dampens Mideast hopes
Oil surged and stocks fell on Thursday after Donald Trump threatened further heavy strikes on Iran, and offered no solution to reopening the key Strait of Hormuz.
Economy
Nexperia's China unit nears fully local production of chips: company sources
The domestic unit of the Chinese-owned, Dutch-headquartered chipmaker Nexperia will soon be able to produce semiconductors locally within China, according to two company sources.
Boulevard
Indonesia issues fresh summons for Google, Meta over teen social media ban
Indonesia issued a second round of summons letters on Thursday to Google and Meta for allegedly flouting a days-old ban on social media access for under-16s.
Japan axe coach Nielsen 12 days after winning Women's Asian Cup
Japan abruptly axed Nils Nielsen as coach on Thursday just 12 days after taking them to Women's Asian Cup glory, with football chiefs accusing him of being "lax" and "lacking passion".
French President Macron lands in South Korea after Japan visit
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday after visiting fellow US ally Japan, where he praised Europe's "predictability" in an apparent swipe at Donald Trump over the Iran war.
Economy
India's says defence exports hit 'all-time high' of $4 bn
India's defence exports "skyrocketed" to an all-time high of more than $4 billion in the last fiscal year, as it looks to boost its arms manufacturing sector, the government said Thursday.
Sports
Nielsen leaves as Japan coach weeks after winning Women's Asian Cup
Nils Nielsen is leaving as Japan coach less than two weeks after taking them to Women's Asian Cup glory, the football association said Thursday.
Economy
Too bright: Seoul to dim digital billboards after complaints
Hopes of making downtown Seoul dazzle more than Times Square have hit a setback with new guidelines to dim the digital billboards that light up the South Korean capital after a barrage of complaints.
Politics
Iran vows 'crushing' attacks on US after Trump threats
Iran on Thursday threatened "crushing" attacks on the US and Israel, firing missiles at Tel Aviv after US President Donald Trump vowed to bomb the Islamic republic "back to the Stone Ages".
Sports
Women's Asian Cup finalists accuse governing body over equal money
Women's Asian Cup finalists Japan and Australia renewed calls Thursday for equal prize money with the men's tournament in a direct challenge to the Asian Football Confederation and accused the governing body of "ignoring" previous requests.
Politics
French president Macron heads to South Korea after Japan visit
French President Emmanuel Macron left Japan on Thursday bound for fellow US ally South Korea, a day after praising Europe's "predictability" in an apparent swipe at Donald Trump over the Iran war.
Health
Armenia's underground salt clinic at centre of alternative medicine debate
A mining cage drops deep beneath the Armenian capital, carrying asthma patients in helmets down into a salt cave clinic -- an alternative treatment centre whose future is now at risk.
Economy
'Muted' international response as Senegal enacts same-sex relations law
While recent restrictions by a number of African nations on LGBTQ rights have elicited fierce criticism, international reaction has been more tepid as Senegal doubled its penalty for same-sex relations this week.
Weather
Slow boat to Ilulissat: long nights on Greenland's last ferry
It's Friday night and the port in Nuuk is a hive of activity. Passengers loaded down with heavy bags hurry aboard a rusty red and white ship -- Greenland's last ferry.
Sports
Wemby rampant again as Spurs rack up 10th straight win
Victor Wembanyama powered the relentless San Antonio Spurs to a 10th straight win Wednesday with his second consecutive 41-point game, brushing aside the Golden State Warriors 127-113.
Politics
Ukrainian death metal band growls against Russia's war
A singer emerges from the grave, his beard covered in mud, head bowed and fist raised as he extends a Ukrainian flag towards the audience: this is his entrance onstage.
Iran fires missiles at Israel after Trump threatens weeks of strikes
Israel said it came under Iranian missile fire on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb the Islamic republic into the "Stone Ages" with heavy strikes in the next two to three weeks.
Politics
Surging 'Jewish terrorism' in West Bank condemned but unpunished
Violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has reached unprecedented levels since the start of the war with Iran, with NGOs and opposition figures denouncing an environment of impunity.
Sports
England's Brook, Bethell warned after New Zealand nightclub incident
England white-ball captain Harry Brook and team-mate Jacob Bethell have been warned about their future conduct after a nightclub incident on the pre-Ashes tour of New Zealand last year.
Boulevard
Major earthquake in Indonesia kills one, sparks panic
A major 7.4-magnitude quake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia on Thursday, killing one person, damaging buildings and sending people running into the streets in panic.
Politics
What's real anymore? AI warps truth of Middle East war
"Is Netanyahu real or AI?" an internet headline blared, pointing to a video that supposedly showed the Israeli prime minister with six fingers.
Politics
Europe to negotiate with NASA on lunar missions: ESA
The European Space Agency will negotiate future participation in NASA missions after the US space agency revamped its lunar program, the ESA head told AFP Wednesday.
Trump tells US that Iran war victory near, but vows big strikes
President Donald Trump insisted Wednesday that the United States was nearing victory in Iran as he laid out his case more than a month into a war that has sent his approval rating tumbling.
Things to know
Poppies offer hope in fire-scarred Los Angeles
When wildfires raged around Los Angeles last year, Rene Amy’s home was razed to a pile of toxic ash.
Economy
Trump says Iran war almost over, warns of weeks more heavy strikes
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday the US-Israeli war campaign against Iran was almost complete but that the country would be hit hard over the next two to three weeks as Washington pressed toward its military objectives.
Economy
Oil rallies, stocks tumble as Trump says US to hammer Iran further
Oil prices spiked and stocks sank on Thursday after Donald Trump reiterated that US forces would hammer Iran for another two to three weeks but offered no solution to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz that has crippled global markets.
Politics
US Republicans announce deal to end partial government shutdown
Republican leaders in the US Congress said Wednesday they had reached a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security and end a weeks-long partial government shutdown that has brought chaos to airports.
Politics
Trump tells Americans that Iran war ending as popularity dips
President Donald Trump on Wednesday made his case for attacking Iran in his first nationwide address more than a month into the war, insisting the United States was close to victory as his approval rating sinks.
Boulevard
7.4-magnitude quake off Indonesia kills one, tsunami warning lifted
A major 7.4-magnitude quake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia on Thursday, killing at least one person, causing waves of up to 75 centimetres (2.5 feet) and triggering a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted.