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Oil gains, European stocks down on uncertain Mideast peace prospects
Oil prices jumped, European stock markets retreated and the dollar firmed Thursday as hopes of a Middle East peace accord faded on conflicting headlines on the state of talks.
Boulevard
War risks choking Iran's world-beating cinema, warn directors
Independent filmmakers in Iran face a fresh wave of repression and extreme economic hardship because of the war, risking choking off a mainstay of world cinema, industry insiders say.
Sports
Neuer recalled to aid Germany World Cup bid
Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was handed a surprise recall to Germany's 26-man World Cup squad on Thursday, coming out of international retirement to play in the tournament for a fifth time.
Economy
Samsung chip employees to get average $338,000 bonus under strike deal
Samsung Electronics chip employees are expected to receive average bonuses worth 509 million won ($338,000) this year, a company official said Thursday, under a tentative deal between management and labour unions to avert a strike.
Cambodian avatars pray to spirits for rain, peace with Thailand
Wearing leaf skirts and with brightly painted faces depicting mythical spirits, Cambodian revellers danced through village streets on Thursday, praying to an ancient guardian for rain, good fortune and peace with neighbouring Thailand.
Health
Deadly DR Congo Ebola outbreak spreads to M23-held South Kivu
A first Ebola case has been confirmed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province, in an area under the Rwanda-backed M23 militia's control, the armed group's spokesman said Thursday.
Boulevard
Spain to launch biggest forest fire campaign after record losses: PM
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday presented what he called Spain's biggest-ever campaign against forest fires after deadly blazes devoured a record amount of land last year.
Politics
Cuba outraged after US indicts Raul Castro
Cubans expressed their shock and indignation after the United States indicted former president Raul Castro on murder charges, a stunning new step in President Donald Trump's pressure on the communist state.
Politics
Pakistan army chief due in Iran as Trump says talks on 'borderline'
Pakistan's army chief was due in Iran Thursday, Iranian media reported, with Islamabad mediating as the Islamic republic examines a new US proposal to end the Middle East war.
Economy
EasyJet posts deeper first-half loss on Mideast war
British no-frills airline EasyJet said Thursday that its losses deepened in the six months to end-March after the Middle East war sent jet fuel prices soaring.
Sports
In Ankara, Iran World Cup squad players start US visa process
At least four Iranian footballers and one of their entourage went to the US embassy in Ankara Thursday to submit visa applications for the World Cup, an AFP correspondent said.
Politics
Sri Lanka cricket finances 'greater than feared': interim chief
Financial irregularities surrounding Sri Lankan cricket were far worse than feared, government-appointed administrators said Thursday, promising a full accounting and sweeping reforms.
Economy
Ubisoft shares plunge after grim annual results
Shares in Ubisoft plunged more than 15 percent Thursday after the French video games giant reported disappointing annual results and forecast further pain in the coming year.
Things to know
Vets bid to save Kosovo's stray dogs from cull through sterilisation
Panting puppies lie exhausted, wedged between the plastic bags and cartons spilling down a hillside in northern Kosovo, while other dogs snuffle around the dump hunting for edible morsels.
Economy
Mideast war forces EU to slash eurozone 2026 growth forecast
The eurozone economy will expand less than expected this year, the EU said Thursday, as the Middle East war and subsequent energy shock take their toll.
Politics
Gaza flotilla activists await deportation from Israel
Hundreds of activists seized by Israel from a Gaza-bound flotilla were awaiting deportation on Thursday, as global outcry grows over their treatment in custody.
Politics
Rich nations topped $100 bn climate finance goal again in 2023, 2024: OECD
Wealthy countries topped their $100 billion annual climate finance goal for poorer nations for the third straight year in 2024, the OECD said Thursday, but questions are growing over their ability to meet a new larger pledge.
Sports
London next step in all-women Athlos' goal to be 'F1 of track and field'
London is to host a star-studded all-women Athlos track and field meet on September 18 as founder Alexis Ohanian builds towards his dream of "a F1 for track and field".
Asian stocks surge on Iran hopes, Samsung union talks
Shares surged in Seoul, Tokyo and other Asian markets on Thursday, fuelled by hopes of a Middle East peace accord and by negotiations averting a planned strike at Samsung Electronics.
Culture
Winston Churchill's 'playful' paintings go on show in London
As Britain's wartime leader, Winston Churchill was known for his stirring speeches, but a new London exhibition explores another side to his creativity -- as a passionate and prolific artist.
Boulevard
Tourists in Thailand plan for coming cuts to visa-free stays
The backpackers on Khao San Road, a Bangkok thoroughfare famous for its wild nightlife, are waking up this week with an extra headache: the Thai government is set to shorten the length of visa-free stays.
Politics
Australia 'disappointed' by Chinese owner's resistance to forced port sale
Australia's defence minister Richard Marles said Thursday that Canberra was "disappointed" the Chinese leaseholder of the strategic Darwin Port was challenging efforts to return it to local ownership.
Politics
Philippines orders arrest of fugitive senator sought by ICC
The Philippine government on Thursday ordered police to arrest a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court over his role in ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drug crackdown.
Culture
'They're afraid': Nicaraguan writer Gioconda Belli on fighting censorship
Exiled Nicaraguan writer Gioconda Belli said on Wednesday that the government censored the publication of her latest novel in her home country because it is "afraid" to hear the truth.
Technology
Samsung shareholders vow legal action over tentative union deal
A group of Samsung Electronics shareholders on Thursday vowed legal action against a tentative deal between the South Korean chip giant and its largest labour union that averted a major strike.
Politics
'Ready for violence': Serbian hooligans target protesters
When Voja was beaten and dragged from a Belgrade street into a waiting car, the young activist thought he would die.
Politics
Some Ukrainian refugees head home - for dental work
Four years of brutal Russian attacks have forced millions of Ukrainians to seek safety abroad.
Boulevard
Top UN court to rule on right to strike
The top United Nations court will on Thursday issue a ruling on the right to strike that both unions and employers say could have profound implications for global labour relations.
Sports
Bordeaux-Begles' Lucu on verge of Basque 'dream' with Champions Cup final
Scrum-half Maxime Lucu will lead out Bordeaux-Begles in the Champions Cup final against Leinster in Bilbao on Saturday and turn a dream into a reality.
Sports
Juve risk disaster as Serie A's Champions League race goes down to the wire
Juventus' season is at risk of turning into a disaster ahead of Sunday's fraught Turin derby which could end with their absence from next season's Champions League.
Sports
Antonelli seeks to extend sensational start with fourth win
Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli seeks a sensational fourth consecutive victory to boost his F1 drivers' title bid this weekend, but expects a robust response from Mercedes team-mate George Russell at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander stars as Thunder level series with Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulled the Oklahoma City Thunder level with San Antonio on Wednesday, as the defending NBA champions won their second heavyweight Western Conference finals clash 122-113.