Paris Soir - News from Paris, France, Europe and the world – 24/7

Ukraine has rushed soldiers to the embattled eastern town of Avdiivka, surrounded on three sides by Russian forces, where the military said the situation was "extremely critical".

Greece's parliament was set to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption on Thursday, a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government over the opposition of the country's powerful Orthodox Church.

Retail sales in the United States fell more than analysts anticipated last month, bogged down by weak auto sales and lower gas prices, government data showed Thursday.

Israel sent troops into a hospital in war-torn Gaza on Thursday where it said hostages may have been held, as medics warned the key medical facility was operating in "near impossible" conditions.

Crystal Palace cancelled a press conference on Thursday after under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson was taken ill during training earlier in the day.

Spanish farmers kept up their protests over the sector's troubles on Thursday, with tractors parked outside of the agriculture ministry in central Madrid before a meeting with Agriculture Minister Luis Planas.

A Ukrainian rocket attack on the Russian city of Belgorod killed at least six people and wounded over a dozen others on Thursday, officials said.

The European Commission on Thursday cut both its growth and inflation forecasts for the eurozone in 2024, as it warned geopolitical tensions spelled rising uncertainty for the single-currency area's economy.

The African Union's annual summit will open on Saturday against the backdrop of coups in Gabon and Niger and a political crisis in Senegal, posing challenges for the bloc as it seeks to amplify its international presence.

A French yachtswoman has denied accusations of cheating in the last Vendee Globe solo non-stop round the world sailing race.

The International Energy Agency warned Thursday of plummeting oil stocks even as global growth in demand loses momentum.

While the frontline on land has remained largely static, Ukraine has destroyed a number of Russian warships in the Black Sea, crucial victories at a moment when Western support for Kyiv's fight against the invasion is wavering.

Israel's army alleged on Thursday that bodies of hostages could be held at a hospital in southern Gaza, after troops entered the facility which medics say has been "besieged" for a month.

Former Giro and Vuelta winner Nairo Quintana has been ruled out of next week's Gran Camino race after contracting a bout of Covid, the Colombian announced on Thursday.

Eurozone stocks chased Asia and New York higher Thursday as investors cheered bright earnings and mulled the outlook for US interest rate cuts, but London flatlined after it emerged that Britain has fallen into recession, dealers said.

Azerbaijan is planning a "full-scale war" against Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Thursday, two days after a skirmish on their border left four Armenian troops dead.

An air attack on the Russian city of Belgorod killed at least five people and wounded 18 others on Thursday, the region's governor said.

European aviation giant Airbus on Thursday posted an 11 percent drop in net profit to 3.8 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in 2023, with past charges for its space business cutting into earnings.

Britain is in recession, official data showed Thursday, dealing another blow to embattled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose Conservative party is forecast to lose a general election expected this year.

The European Commission on Thursday cut both its growth and inflation forecasts for the eurozone in 2024, as it warned geopolitical tensions spelled rising uncertainty for the single-currency area's economy.

Israel launched a new wave of deadly strikes on southern Gaza Thursday after vowing to push ahead with a "powerful" operation in the overcrowded city of Rafah despite growing international condemnation.

Residents from a Brazilian city devastated by earthquakes caused by salt mining went to a Dutch court on Wednesday, seeking justice and compensation they say is impossible in Brazil.

Bayern Munich on Thursday announced the signing of Lena Oberdorf from rivals Wolfsburg for a reported transfer fee of up to 450,000 euros ($486,000).

Once a feared general under late dictator Suharto, Indonesia's likely new president Prabowo Subianto now faces the challenge of honouring his campaign pledges to maintain the country's economic growth.

Ukraine has rushed soldiers to the embattled eastern town of Avdiivka, surrounded on three sides by Russian forces, where the military said the situation was "extremely critical".

Skipper Rohit Sharma hit a gritty unbeaten century as India eyed a big total in the third Test against England on Thursday after a top-order stutter.

Skipper Rohit Sharma stood unbeaten on 97 to help steer India to 185-3 at tea alongside Ravindra Jadeja after a top-order stutter against England in the third Test on Thursday.

Two South African soldiers have been killed in a mortar strike in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the army said Thursday, their force's first casualties since it deployed to help quell an insurgency.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday a delay in passing new US aid for Ukraine was already hurting Kyiv's forces on the battlefield against Russia.

Jurgen Klinsmann looks set to be fired as coach after top South Korean football officials said Thursday that "a change of leadership is necessary" following their Asian Cup exit and in-fighting among star players.

South Africa's David Bedingham scored a maiden century on Thursday and then said he was "very confident" they could dismiss New Zealand short of the 267 needed to win the second and final Test in Hamilton.

Israel's vow to push ahead with a "powerful" operation in Gaza's Rafah was met with a growing chorus of international condemnation Thursday, with leaders warning against catastrophic consequences for the 1.5 million Palestinians trapped there.