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Economy
ECB holds rates but debate swirls over future
The European Central Bank held interest rates steady Thursday for its fourth meeting in a row and raised growth forecasts for this year and next.
Boulevard
Pope replaces New York's Cardinal Timothy Dolan with little-known bishop
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of influential New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, a leading figure of the US church's conservative wing, the Vatican said Thursday.
Economy
Bank of England cuts interest rate after UK inflation slides
The Bank of England cut its key interest rate to 3.75 percent on Thursday after UK inflation eased faster than expected and as the economy weakens.
Economy
Have Iran's authorities given up on the mandatory hijab?
Women swaying to dance music at a DJ set, strolling without headscarves through cutting-edge art exhibitions and in coffee shops showing off trendy styles that could have come from the streets of Europe.
Politics
Spain to buy 100 military helicopters from Airbus
Spain's defence ministry has ordered 100 helicopters from Airbus destined for deployment in various parts of its armed forces, the European aeronautics company said Thursday.
Politics
US strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills four
The US military said Wednesday it had killed four suspected drug traffickers in a new strike in the Pacific Ocean, as part of a controversial campaign that has left close to 100 dead since September.
Politics
Thailand strikes building in Cambodia's border casino hub
Thailand on Thursday bombed a building in a Cambodian casino town and major crossing between the two nations, as foreign powers pressured them to halt reignited border clashes.
Politics
Protests in Bangladesh as India cites security concerns
Bangladesh police on Thursday stopped protesters from marching towards an Indian diplomatic mission, a day after India's foreign ministry conveyed its concerns over the "deteriorating" security environment in the country.
Politics
European stocks rise before central bank decisions on rates
Europe's main stock markets rose Thursday ahead of interest-rate decisions from the Bank of England and European Central Bank.
Politics
Tractors clog Brussels in anger at EU-Mercosur trade deal
Hundreds of tractors converged on Brussels on Thursday in a show of farmers' anger at the EU's planned trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur -- whose fate hung in the balance as summit talks opened in the Belgian capital.
Politics
Not enough evidence against Swedish PM murder suspect: prosecutor
Sweden's top prosecutor on Thursday said there was not enough evidence against a man the authorites had named as the chief suspect in the 1986 killing of prime minister Olof Palme.
Politics
Nepal's ousted PM Oli re-elected as party leader
Members of ousted Nepali prime minister KP Sharma Oli's political party voted for him to retain leadership of the organisation on Thursday, meaning he will oversee its preparations for national elections next year.
Australia PM vows to stamp out hatred as nation mourns youngest Bondi victim
Australia's prime minister vowed Thursday to stamp out extremism as the nation mourned the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting, a 10-year-old girl remembered as "our little ray of sunshine".
Economy
British energy giant BP extends shakeup with new CEO pick
British energy giant BP, which this year shelved targets on reducing carbon emissions, has appointed industry veteran Meg O'Neill to be chief executive from April, replacing Murray Auchincloss who stepped down Thursday.
Culture
Pulitzer-winning combat reporter Peter Arnett dies at 91
Peter Arnett, the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who became one of the world's foremost combat correspondents, died Wednesday at 91, according to US media reports.
Economy
EU kicks off crunch summit on Russian asset plan for Ukraine
EU leaders kicked off a make-or-break summit Thursday on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, with key player Belgium under pressure to drop its opposition.
Sports
Lyon humbled to surpass childhood hero McGrath's wicket tally
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon said he was humbled Thursday after claiming his 564th wicket to move clear of fellow Australian great Glenn McGrath and into sixth on the all-time Test bowling list.
Economy
Sri Lanka plans $1.6 bn in cyclone recovery spending in 2026
Sri Lanka's government announced plans on Thursday for $1.6 billion in extra spending in 2026 to fund the country's recovery from Cyclone Ditwah, which killed more than 640 people.
Sports
England vow to keep 'fighting and scrapping' as Ashes slip away
Bowling coach Marcus Trescothick said England would keep "fighting and scrapping" as the Ashes slipped from their grip Thursday, while paying tribute to a dehydrated Ben Stokes.
Sports
'Never enough': Conway leans on McKenzie wisdom in epic 300 stand
As Devon Conway walked onto Bay Oval Thursday to face the West Indies in his 32nd Test, a reminder of his long and varied career was plastered on his back.
Economy
Most Asian markets track Wall St lower as AI fears mount
Most Asian markets sank Thursday after another sell-off on Wall Street as worries over the tech sector's colossal spending on artificial intelligence continued to dog investor sentiment.
Politics
Cambodia says Thailand bombs casino hub on border
Cambodia said Thailand's military on Thursday bombed the casino town of Poipet, a major crossing between the two nations, as foreign powers pressured them to halt reignited border clashes.
Sports
Thai queen wins SEA Games gold in sailing
The queen of Thailand on Thursday won a gold medal in sailing at the Southeast Asian Games, a regional competition being held in her country this month.
Sports
England Ashes dreams on life-support as Australia rip through batting
A pumped-up Australia ripped through England's fragile batting Thursday to leave the tourists staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat with their Ashes campaign on the brink, barring a miracle.
Sports
Masterful Conway, Latham in 323 opening stand as West Indies wilt
Devon Conway and Tom Latham plundered a poor West Indies attack Thursday for a mammoth opening partnership on day one of the third Test in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand piled up 334-1.
Economy
Danish 'ghetto' tenants hope for EU discrimination win
The European Court of Justice is to rule Thursday whether a Danish law requiring authorities to redevelop poor urban "ghettos" with high concentrations of "non-Western immigrants and their descendants" is discriminatory.
Sports
Cricket Australia boss slams technology as Snicko confusion continues
Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg called an error in the Snicko technology being used during the Ashes series "not good enough" and said he was seeking answers as the issue flared again on Thursday.
Sports
Conway and Latham's 323-run opening stand batters hapless West Indies
Devon Conway and Tom Latham plundered a poor West Indies attack Thursday for a mammoth opening partnership on day one of the third Test in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand piled up 334-1.
Politics
Alleged Bondi shooters holed up in hotel for most of Philippines visit
The father-and-son duo alleged to have gunned down 15 people on Australia's Bondi Beach holed themselves up in a Philippines hotel for weeks and left a tip on their way out, staff told AFP Thursday.
Boulevard
Japan govt sued over 'unconstitutional' climate inaction
Hundreds of people across Japan sued the central government Thursday seeking damages for "unconstitutional" inaction on climate change, the country's first such litigation.
Politics
US approves $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan: Taipei
Washington has approved $11 billion-worth of arms to Taiwan, Taipei said Thursday, announcing one of the largest weapons packages for the island as it seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion.
Sports
England battle to save Ashes as Australia rip through top-order
England were struggling to stay in the crunch third Test and the Ashes Thursday after Australia ripped through their fragile batting to leave them in big trouble at Adelaide Oval.