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Athens court convicts four over Greece spyware saga
A Greek court convicted four people Thursday over a long-running wiretapping scandal that rocked the government in 2022, prompting resignations and a vote of no confidence in parliament.
Iranian in possible France prisoner swap jailed for a year
A French court on Thursday sentenced Iranian national Mahdieh Esfandiari to one year in prison for justifying terrorism in a case linked to a possible prisoner swap with two French citizens held in Iran.
Politics
US, Ukraine hold talks in Geneva as Russia says 'no deadlines' to end war
US and Ukrainian officials were meeting in Geneva on Thursday to discuss advancing efforts to end Russia's four-year invasion of Ukraine, just as Moscow signalled it was in no hurry to sign a deal.
Sports
English giants dominate line-up for Champions League last-16 draw
The draw for the latter stages of this season's Champions League takes place on Friday with Newcastle United's midweek victory against Qarabag meaning an unprecedented six English sides will feature in the last 16.
Politics
Iran, US hold talks in push to avert war
Iran and the United States held talks in Switzerland on Thursday, in a last-ditch bid to avert war under the shadow of the biggest American military build-up in the Middle East in decades.
Sports
South Africa thrash West Indies in T20 World Cup statement win
South Africa captain Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 82 as South Africa all but secured a T20 World Cup semi-final berth with a brutal nine-wicket thrashing of the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Economy
ECB books third straight annual loss
The European Central Bank said Thursday it booked its third straight loss in 2025 due to the lingering impact of a record run of interest rate hikes.
Sports
Injury forces Marquez to adapt for MotoGP opener
Defending MotoGP champion Marc Marquez said Thursday that a lingering shoulder injury has forced him to change his riding style as he prepares to open the new season in Thailand.
Economy
Booming markets propel Hong Kong exchange's profits to record high
Hong Kong's stock exchange reported record profits for the second consecutive year on Thursday, after the finance hub topped the global rankings for initial public offerings in 2025.
Sports
West Indies recover from 83-7 to post to 176-8 against South Africa
A record eighth-wicket partnership by Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder enabled the West Indies to overcome an early collapse and post 176-8 against South Africa on Thursday in the T20 World Cup Super Eights in Ahmedabad.
Economy
Stocks mostly rise as markets digest Nvidia earnings
Stock markets mostly extended gains on Thursday as investors digested company earnings, including forecast-beating results from chip titan Nvidia.
Politics
Filmmakers defend Berlin festival chief in Gaza row
Actors and filmmakers rushed to defend the head of the Berlin film festival Thursday following a media report that her job was on the line over a director's anti-Israel speech at the event.
Politics
Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai wins appeal in fraud case
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai won an appeal on Thursday over a 2022 fraud conviction, days after a court jailed him on separate national security charges.
Boulevard
Iranian in possible prisoner exchange faces 'terrorism' verdict in France
A French court was to rule Thursday in the trial of an Iranian accused of "promoting and inciting terrorism", a case linked to a possible prisoner swap with two French citizens held in Iran.
Sports
'Street-smart' New Zealand can topple England to make T20 semis: coach
New Zealand's "street-smart" cricketers can find a way to beat England and guarantee their semi-final place at the T20 World Cup, coach Rob Walters said on Thursday.
Politics
Iran-US talks begin in push to avert war
Iran and the United States began indirect talks in Switzerland on Thursday, a last-ditch bid to avert war following the biggest American military build-up in the Middle East in decades.
Merz says Germany, China must overcome trade gaps 'together'
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ended his two-day visit to China on Thursday in the tech hub of Hangzhou, identifying "challenges that we must overcome together" after meeting President Xi Jinping and announcing an Airbus deal.
Nature
Automaker Stellantis posts massive loss, pivots from EV
Troubled automaker Stellantis, behind brands like Jeep and Fiat, announced Thursday a net loss of 22.3 billion euros ($26.3 billion) for last year, blaming a lack of demand for electric vehicles.
Politics
US, Ukraine to meet in Geneva after overnight Russian strikes
US and Ukrainian officials were set to meet in Geneva on Thursday for fresh talks, hours after Russia launched a fresh barrage of missiles and drones at its neighbour overnight.
Economy
Seoul hits fresh record on mixed day for stock markets
Seoul's Kospi index hit another record high Thursday on a mixed day for equities following a strong lead from Wall Street but with traders giving a tepid response to forecast-beating earnings from chip titan Nvidia.
Boulevard
Snake-like robot unveiled for Fukushima debris removal
A 22-metre robot arm will help remove a third sample of radioactive debris from inside Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator said Thursday, as it unveiled the snake-like device.
Boulevard
'Public lynching': Senegal cracks down on LGBTQ+ community
From a rise in arrests to online attacks, Senegal has been under an intensified crackdown on same-sex relations in recent weeks, prompting outcry from human rights groups and driving some in the LGBTQ+ community to consider exile.
Boulevard
Hong Kong sentences father of wanted activist to 8 months in jail
A Hong Kong court sentenced the father of a wanted activist to eight months in prison Thursday under a national security law, after he attempted to terminate his daughter's insurance policy and withdraw funds.
Culture
The woman fighting to reclaim her face from Albania's 'AI minister'
Albanian actor Anila Bisha is renowned for playing complex women on the stage and screen, skills honed over a 30-year career, but now she lives in the shadow of her AI avatar and a performance she never gave.
Boulevard
Bulgaria ski station becomes refuge for digital nomads
Climate change may threaten the value of Bansko's prime ski slopes, but the Bulgarian resort has found an all-seasons solution to boost its economy, drawing in a cosmopolitan community of digital nomads.
Boulevard
Thai runner-up party seeks criminal case against election officials
A Thai political party that came second in this month's vote filed a criminal complaint Thursday against the nation's election commissioners, accusing them of violating election laws, the party's deputy told AFP.
North Korea's Kim shuns South but could 'get along' with US
Kim Jong Un said North Korea could "get along" with Washington if it accepted Pyongyang's nuclear status, state media said Thursday, but has dashed any hopes of mended ties with "deceptive" neighbour Seoul.
Sports
Spurs win 10th straight, Pistons silence Thunder in battle of NBA's best
The San Antonio Spurs edged the Toronto Raptors 110-107 on Wednesday, pushing their NBA winning streak to 10 games and closing in on Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder, who fell to the Detroit Pistons.
Economy
Germany's Merz visits China AI hub hoping for business deals
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accompanied entrepreneurs to the Chinese tech hub of Hangzhou on Thursday, hoping to land new contracts a day after meeting President Xi Jinping and sealing an Airbus deal.
Politics
Post-uprising polls won't shake Nepal's delicate India-China balance
Nepal votes next week for the first time since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, but analysts say any winner will likely maintain the delicate diplomatic balance between its two giant neighbours, India and China.
Things to know
S.Korea's Park Chan-wook to head Cannes festival jury
South Korean director Park Chan‑wook, renowned for his thriller "Oldboy", will preside over the 79th Cannes film festival jury in May, organisers announced Thursday.
Politics
Australian ex-PM says 'more important than ever' to ditch UK monarchy
Australia ditching the British monarchy is "more important than ever" and voters would likely back a head of state elected by its parliament, former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told AFP on Thursday.