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Politics
Seoul says six nationals held in North Korea, vows to help them
South Korea's presidential office confirmed Thursday that six of its citizens have been captive in North Korea for years, after President Lee Jae Myung appeared unaware of their plight during a briefing with foreign media.
Health
Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns faces scrutiny in US
Experts appointed by the Trump administration's vaccine-skeptic Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr are expected to review newborn hepatitis B vaccines on Thursday, considering whether to delay the shots despite opposition from many doctors.
Politics
Most EU citizens see 'high risk' of war with Russia: poll
A majority of citizens across nine EU countries see a high risk of war breaking out between the bloc's members and Russia, according to a survey by polling group Cluster 17 published Thursday in the French international affairs journal Le Grand Continent.
Sports
Ruthless Murray scores 52 to lead Nuggets, Bucks' Antetokounmpo injured
Jamal Murray poured in 52 points to propel Denver to a 135-120 NBA victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday as the Nuggets continued to thrive on the road.
Politics
Macron tells Xi China, France must overcome 'differences'
French President Emmanuel Macron told Xi Jinping that France and China must overcome their "differences", as the two leaders met in Beijing on Thursday.
Sports
Abu Dhabi showdown - how the F1 title can be won
AFP Sport assesses how the 2025 Formula One drivers' title can be won at the season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend:
Politics
Daraya reborn: the rebels rebuilding Syria's deserted city
Like a ghost in the night, Bilal Shorba, the artist they call the "Syrian Banksy", slipped through the rubble of Daraya to paint his murals, praying that Bashar al-Assad's gunners wouldn't spot him.
Boulevard
Rain forecasts raise fears in flood-hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Forecasts of fresh rain on Thursday raised fears of more damage in flood-hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka, after earlier deluges killed more than 1,500 people in four countries.
Sports
Tsunoda vows to return to F1 grid after 'tough' Red Bull axing
Japan's Yuki Tsunoda said that it was "incredibly tough" to lose his Red Bull seat for next season but has vowed to return to the Formula One grid.
Nature
'No food': Indonesians scrounge for supplies after flood disaster
Under a scorching sun, Nur Apsyah waited in line with hundreds of others, hoping to secure some of the food aid in short supply in Indonesia's flood-hit Sumatra.
Nature
Tree branches to fleece jackets: Chemicals plant in Germany bets on biomass
Staring at a pile of freshly cut beechwood, forestry manager Johannes Brodowski wonders if he is looking at the future of Germany's chemicals industry.
Sports
Latham ton puts New Zealand firmly in charge of West Indies Test
Tom Latham scored his 14th Test century as New Zealand stretched their lead to 297 over the West Indies at tea on day three of the first match in Christchurch on Thursday.
Economy
Asian markets stumble as traders struggle to hold Fed cut rally
Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.
Sports
'Believe. Belong. Become': Brisbane 2032 Olympics unveils motto
Organisers of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics have unveiled the Games' official motto: "Believe. Belong. Become".
Politics
Florida's Venezuelans divided on US military buildup
As the United States deploys more military forces and carries out airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean, Venezuelans in South Florida are divided over what President Donald Trump's next moves should be.
Sports
Norris faces nerve-shredding three-way scrap to claim maiden title
Lando Norris will battle his own nerves as much as his rivals' speed as he bids to end Max Verstappen's four-year reign as F1 world champion in Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sports
Five of the best F1 last race title fights
The Formula One season comes to a gripping climax on Sunday with a three-way title fight in Abu Dhabi.
Sports
Visa chaos and host city threats: how Trump disrupted World Cup plans
Organizing a World Cup is never simple. But when the host is Donald Trump, it's even more complicated.
Politics
France's Macron meets Xi for Ukraine, trade talks
French President Emmanuel Macron met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, where he is expected to push the Chinese leader to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, and discuss trade relations.
Politics
Putin visits India for defence, trade talks
President Vladimir Putin is set to begin a two-day visit to India on Thursday, seeking to deepen defence ties even as New Delhi faces growing US pressure to stop buying Russian oil.
Politics
Trump to sign Rwanda, DR Congo accord even as violence rages
US President Donald Trump on Thursday brings together the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for what he will hail as his latest peace triumph despite ongoing violence on the ground.
Culture
Egypt's Sinai mountain megaproject threatens the people of St Catherine
Atop one of Egypt's Sinai mountains, near where the three Abrahamic faiths say God spoke with Moses, another unmistakable sound rings out: the incessant drilling of construction work.
Economy
Nintendo launches long-awaited 'Metroid Prime 4' sci-fi blaster
Fans of Nintendo's "Metroid" science-fiction saga have reason to celebrate Thursday as the latest instalment in the series is released after an eight-year wait and a bumpy road through development.
Sports
World Cup draw starts countdown to 2026 finals with Trump presiding
The countdown to the first 48-team World Cup begins in earnest on Friday as the draw for the 2026 finals takes place in Washington, with Donald Trump set to dominate much of the attention.
Sports
All Blacks relishing prospect of South Africa clash at World Cup
Skipper Scott Barrett on Thursday said the All Blacks had no fear of potentially meeting South Africa in the 2027 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals but admitted they must peak at the right time.
Politics
France's Macron to meet Xi for Ukraine, trade talks
French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, when he is expected to put pressure on the Chinese leader to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, as well as discuss trade relations.
Boulevard
Democrats release photos of Epstein's notorious private island
Democrats in the US Congress released photos and videos Wednesday showing the luxury island home where convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein allegedly forced underage girls into sex with powerful men.
Culture
Meta starts removing under-16s from social media in Australia
Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead of the country's world-first youth social media ban.
Sports
New Zealand build 164-run lead but Windies claim Williamson
New Zealand built a healthy 164-run lead over the West Indies, but lost the key wicket of Kane Williamson as they went to lunch at 100-2 on day three of the first Test in Christchurch on Thursday.
Boulevard
Conor McGregor sexual assault lawsuit dropped
A US woman who accused Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her at an NBA basketball game has dropped her lawsuit against the Irish mixed martial arts fighter.
Culture
Meta says starting to remove under-16s from social media in Australia
Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead of the country's world-first social media ban.
Trump says Putin wants to end war, US to hold new talks with Ukraine
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he believes Russia's Vladimir Putin wants to end the Ukraine war despite inconclusive talks in Moscow, as US officials prepared for a follow-up meeting with Kyiv's top negotiator.