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Sports
UEFA position on Russia ban 'has not changed', says Ceferin
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on Thursday said European football's governing body was not currently contemplating bringing Russia back into the international fold, after FIFA chief Gianni Infantino recently indicated he backed easing a ban on the country.
Sports
Cooper wins Olympic freestyle moguls gold after dramatic tie-break
Australian freestyle skier Cooper Woods won Olympic men's moguls gold in dramatic fashion on Thursday, with a tiebreak needed to separate him from Canadian great Mikael Kingsbury.
Politics
Italy's 'naval blockade' to stem migration too vague, critics say
A new Italian bill allowing for a "naval blockade" to temporarily ban the arrival of migrants by sea violates international law and will lead to more deaths, rescue groups warned Thursday.
Economy
Turkey's central bank lifts 2026 inflation forecasts
Turkey's central bank on Thursday increased its estimates for inflation as officials try to rein in soaring price increases that have weighed on the economy for years.
Sports
Tottenham 'not a big club' says Postecoglou after Frank sacking
Ange Postecoglou insisted Tottenham Hotspur were "not a big club" following the sacking of head coach Thomas Frank on Wednesday.
Boulevard
Belgian police raid EU commission in real estate probe
Police raided the premises of the European Commission in Brussels Thursday in a probe into a 2024 real estate deal done with the Belgian state, a source close to the investigation told AFP.
Sports
Zelensky blasts Olympics ban for Ukrainian athlete over memorial helmet
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that the decision to ban skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Winter Olympics for refusing to ditch a helmet depicting victims of the war with Russia plays "into the hands of aggressors".
Culture
Pro-Kremlin accounts using Epstein files to push conspiracy: research
Pro-Kremlin social media accounts are using the latest Jeffrey Epstein files to bolster efforts to spread baseless claims that Russia has saved Ukrainian children from sex trafficking, research by AFP and a London-based think-tank showed Thursday.
Sports
Odermatt sets sights on Olympic giant slalom -- and gold
Marco Odermatt is the self-proclaimed leader of the Swiss men's team, but Olympic gold in Bormio has so far eluded the all-rounder, who has set his sights on rectifying that in Saturday's giant slalom.
Politics
Cinema's power to 'change the world' in focus at Berlin Film Fest
Berlin Film Festival jury president Wim Wenders on Thursday hailed the power of cinema to "change the world" as the event's 76th edition kicked off, promising an eclectic selection of films reflecting current upheavals.
Sports
France pick uncapped Brau-Boirie in new centre pairing for Wales
Centre Fabien Brau-Boirie will make his Test debut for France against Wales in the Six Nations this weekend after head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday named a new centre pairing as the only two changes to his starting line-up.
Politics
Man Utd's Ratcliffe's apologises for 'language' on immigration
Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologised Thursday for his "choice of language" after saying the "UK has been colonised by immigrants".
Economy
UK economy struggles for growth in fresh blow to government
Britain's economy grew less than expected in the final quarter of 2025, according to official data Thursday, dealing a fresh blow to embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government.
Politics
EU vows swift reforms to confront challenge from China, US
EU leaders Thursday vowed to act boldly to bolster Europe's economy faced with twin threats from China and the United States, as they huddled in a Belgian castle to bridge differences on the path ahead.
Economy
UK nursery worker faces jail for serial child sex abuse
A UK childcare worker appeared in court Thursday to be sentenced for years of child sexual abuse, as the government considers making CCTV mandatory in nurseries after a string of similar cases.
Economy
Anti-racism body slams Man Utd co-owner for 'disgraceful' immigration comments
A leading British football anti-discrimination body on Thursday slammed as "disgraceful" comments by Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe claiming the "UK has been colonised by immigrants".
Economy
Mercedes-Benz net profit nearly halves amid China, US woes
German carmaker Mercedes-Benz reported Thursday its lowest annual profit since the Covid pandemic, as it counted the cost of US tariffs and cutthroat competition in China.
Sports
Comeback queen Brignone wins super-G at Winter Olympics
Federica Brignone crowned a sensational comeback from injury to win the women's super-G at the Winter Olympics on Thursday and bring gold medal joy to the host nation.
European stocks rise tracking earnings, US jobs
European stock markets rose Thursday as traders digested a string of company earnings and a stronger-than-expected US jobs report, which boosted optimism about the health of the world's largest economy.
Economy
Hermes sales rise despite US tariffs, currency headwinds
French luxury house Hermes reported Thursday an increase in 2025 sales even though it faced steep US tariffs and a weak dollar, which made its leather handbags and other goods more pricey for customers worldwide.
Politics
Russia confirms ban on WhatsApp, says it failed to abide by law
Russia has blocked the popular messaging service WhatsApp over its failure to comply with local legislation, the Kremlin said Thursday, urging its 100 million Russian users to switch to a domestic alternative.
Sports
Ukraine skeleton racer Heraskevych banned from Olympics over memorial helmet
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Olympics on Thursday after refusing to back down over his banned helmet, which depicts victims of his country's war with Russia.
Counting begins in landmark Bangladesh polls after deadly uprising
Counting began on Thursday in Bangladesh's first election since a deadly 2024 uprising, with powerful political heir Tarique Rahman bullish about defeating an Islamist-led coalition.
England coach Tuchel extends contract through to Euro 2028
Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.
Economy
Pro-Kremlin accounts using Epstein files to push conspiracy: AFP research
Pro-Kremlin social media accounts are using the latest Jeffrey Epstein document release to bolster their efforts to spread baseless claims that Russia has saved Ukrainian children from sex trafficking, AFP research showed Thursday.
Sports
France picked uncapped Brau-Boirie at centre to face Wales
Centre Fabien Brau-Boirie will make his Test debut for France against Wales in the Six Nations this weekend after head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday named him as one of two changes to his starting line-up.
Sports
Thomas Tuchel extends contract as England coach until Euro 2028
Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the UK and Ireland, the Football Association announced on Thursday.
Sports
England coach Tuchel set to sign new deal until 2028 - report
England football coach Thomas Tuchel is set to sign a new contract that will see the German remain in charge of the national side until 2028, according to a report in The Times.
Boulevard
Death toll in Madagascar cyclone rises to 35
A cyclone packing violent winds has killed at least 35 people and caused devastation in Madagascar's second-largest city, the Indian Ocean island's disaster authority said Thursday, releasing an updated toll.
Sports
Shanaka fireworks as Sri Lanka thrash Oman at T20 World Cup
Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the co-hosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the T20 World Cup on Thursday in Pallekele for their second win in Group B.
Economy
Sanofi says board has removed CEO Paul Hudson
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi has removed Paul Hudson as chief executive, thanking him Thursday for "valuable contributions" but without giving any reason for his surprise exit.
Economy
Struggling Nissan forecasts $4.2 bn full-year net loss
Japanese automaker Nissan said on Thursday it expected to suffer a net loss of 650 billion yen ($4.2 billion) in its fiscal year that ends in March, as it struggles with sluggish sales.