Italy on red alert as heatwave bakes Europe
Italy on Thursday issued a red heatwave alert for the capital Rome, the latest country to take urgent action during a heatwave that has smashed records in Europe.
Education
A fire in a girls' dormitory in Kenya on Thursday killed 16 children and hospitalised 79 in the latest deadly blaze to hit a school in the east African country.
Culture
French AI firm Mistral on Thursday announced partnerships with carmaker BMW and aerospace company Airbus as it aims to boost its growth by fostering links with defence and industry giants.
Politics
The United States and Iran traded strikes on Thursday in their most serious clash since an April ceasefire began, rattling ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the war and open the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Technology
Runaway profits and sky-high valuations for microchip companies have fuelled worker demands over pay packages in South Korea, raising the question: who profits from the artificial intelligence boom?
Economy
Originating as a creepy shared story told online by ordinary internet users, the "Backrooms" universe erupts into American cinemas on Friday with a film directed by star YouTuber Kane Parsons.
Politics
Latvia is to install a new government on Thursday, weeks after the previous coalition collapsed in a row over stray Ukrainian drones.
Economy
Oil prices bounced higher on Thursday while Asian stocks fell, as new US strikes on Iran marked the latest test of a shaky ceasefire in the Middle East war.
Technology
France is Thursday expected to move towards repealing outdated legislation that defines people enslaved in its colonies as "moveable goods", in a symbolic move as the country grapples with its colonial legacy.
Sports
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's latest extraordinary innings was hailed by cricket greats on Thursday, as calls grow for the 15-year-old phenomenon to be propelled straight into the senior India team.
Politics
China's military said on Wednesday it drove away a Dutch navy vessel it accused of "illegally intruding" into the area around the Paracel Islands in the contested South China Sea.
Politics
The Israeli military said on Thursday it had begun new strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre after issuing an evacuation warning to its residents.
Economy
The United States struck southern Iran on Thursday, drawing retaliation from Tehran against a US military base, in the most serious clashes since an April ceasefire began.
Things to know
Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels this year and for the next four years afterwards, the United Nations warned Thursday.
Politics
New Zealand's government will boost defence spending by nine percent, according to its 2026 budget unveiled Thursday, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying the country faced its "most adverse" security environment in eight decades.
Politics
Australian police charged on Thursday a woman linked to the Islamic State group with membership of a terrorist organisation and entering a known conflict zone.
Economy
Oil prices bounced higher on Thursday while Asian stocks mostly fell, as new US strikes on Iran marked the latest test of a shaky ceasefire in the Middle East war.
Sports
Men's world number one Jannik Sinner continues his bid for a first French Open title on Thursday as his women's counterpart Aryna Sabalenka also seeks to move into the last 32 at Roland Garros.
Sports
Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Belgium stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois head into Group G at the 2026 World Cup knowing this summer's tournament will likely be their last chance for glory on football's biggest stage.
Sports
Veteran New Zealand defender Tommy Smith admits there's only one reason he toiled away all last season in an English football backwater -- a ticket to his second World Cup.
Sports
Mohamed Salah has unfinished business in what could be his final World Cup as Egypt's superstar seeks to deliver a first win at the tournament for the Pharaohs.
Nature
Australia's government said Thursday it had launched an AU$2 billion ($1.43 billion) legal action against US consumer goods giant 3M over the contamination of military bases that used firefighting foam containing so-called "forever chemicals".
Weather
On a hot afternoon deep in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, Indigenous chief Megaron soaps himself and enjoys a quick swim in the river, a brief respite from battling threats to his people's lands.
Politics
The United States carried out new strikes on southern Iran on Thursday, after President Donald Trump threatened to "finish the job" if Tehran did not agree to a peace deal.
Politics
Hong Kong resident Lisa Lau put on a costume drama as she settled on the bed that occupies much of her tiny apartment, trying to take her mind off of a looming eviction.
Weather
A trust fund set up to help a South Pacific nation gravely threatened by climate change has invested in coal mining, gas exploration and the world's largest crude oil refinery, an AFP investigation has revealed.
Sports
Marcelo Bielsa is widely revered as a pioneer of coaching but his unconventional methods risk ruining Uruguay's World Cup chances before the tournament has even begun.
Sports
Spain's World Cup preparations have been beset by fitness concerns, including to star winger Lamine Yamal, as Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa faces a challenge to his authority before aiming to shock the European champions in Group H.
Sports
Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure are thriving in England's Championship and Australia coach Tony Popovic is banking on the young attacking duo to fire the Socceroos to a best-ever World Cup.
Politics
Israel said on Wednesday it had killed the new head of Hamas's armed wing in Gaza, Mohammed Odeh, after killing his predecessor earlier this month despite an ongoing ceasefire.
Sports
Outgoing Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner said he had made no plans for his future other than "flying back to London with a hangover" after taking charge of his last match with the club.
Politics
The United States on Wednesday reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the Palestinian territories who has harshly criticized Israel, after an appeals court overruled an earlier order prohibiting the action.
Sports
Departing Crystal Palace manager toasted Wednesday's UEFA Conference League final victory by saying the club were back where they belong after a "year's detour".
Sports
Crystal Palace midfielder Tyrick Mitchell said winning the UEFA Conference League on Wednesday felt like "pure delight" after a decade at the London club.
Economy
Oil prices tumbled Wednesday on hopes of a US-Iran peace deal, even as President Donald Trump warned he may have to "finish the job" and Tehran said its forces were still "lying in wait with full magazines."
Sports
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday to secure the club's first European trophy in their history.
Sports
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday to secure the club's first European trophy in their history.
Economy
Meta on Wednesday launched paid subscription plans for its flagship apps, marking a major push by the tech giant to diversify beyond its longtime reliance on advertising revenue.
Sports
Novak Djokovic continued his latest tilt at a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a four-set victory on Wednesday to reach the third round of the French Open, but suggested matches should be pushed back later in the day to combat the heatwave broiling at Roland Garros.
Sports
Jakub Mensik said it was "insane" to play a marathon match at the French Open in temperatures above 30C on Wednesday, after collapsing with cramp on court immediately after securing victory over Mariano Navone.