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Kremlin insists Putin has 'astounding' support after mutiny
The Kremlin said Thursday that footage, which could not be verified, apparently showing President Vladimir Putin greeting adoring supporters proved that he has "astounding" support after quelling an armed insurrection.
Bilbao buzzing as Tour de France gets ready to roll
Cycling's Tour de France, with its vast caravan of teams, media, publicity and security, was visible everywhere around the Spanish city of Bilbao Thursday, with riders poised to embark on the epic 21-day race to Paris.
Smith gets his century but England fight back in second Test
Steve Smith returned to form with a century for Australia, but England hit back to dismiss the tourists for 416 in the second Test at Lord's on Thursday.
Better supervision needed after bank failures: US Fed chair
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that stronger regulation and greater agility was required in supervising the banking sector following a string of high-profile failures earlier this year.
Stock markets diverge as dealers refocus on rates outlook
Equity markets were mixed Thursday as central bank warnings that interest rates would rise further to counter inflation offset hopes the US economy could avoid a recession.
France urges calm as dozens arrested after police shooting
President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged calm after 150 people were arrested and public buildings attacked in protests over the police killing of a teenager that has incensed France.
Muslim nations denounce Koran burning in Sweden
Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations on Thursday condemned the burning of the Koran by an Iraqi living in Sweden, warning such acts "inflame" the feelings of Muslims around the world.
Afghan Taliban authorities condemn Sweden Koran burning
Afghanistan's Taliban government reacted angrily Thursday to Swedish authorities allowing a man to burn a copy of the Koran outside a mosque in Stockholm, calling it "utter contempt towards this noble religion".
Turkmenistan unveils $5 bn city in honour of national leader
Turkmenistan on Thursday inaugurated Arkadag, a $ 5-billion "smart" city built in honour of former strongman leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, cementing one of the most extraordinary personality cults in the world.
Three French airports paralysed as air controllers strike
France's civil air authority said Thursday it had ordered airlines to cancel flights to and from three airports because of a strike by air traffic controllers.
Hurt felines: Japanese app aims to detect cat pain
Cats are considered lucky in Japan, and owners of the popular pets spend big on their care. But how do you know when they're feline down?
Environmentalists sue Norway over new oil projects
Two environmental groups said Thursday they were suing the Norwegian state for violating the country's human rights commitments and constitution by planning new oil and gas projects worth nearly $19 billion.
Europe's space telescope to target universe's dark mysteries
Europe's Euclid space telescope is scheduled to blast off Saturday on the first-ever mission aiming to shed light on two of the universe's greatest mysteries: dark energy and dark matter.
Inside the Rafa Nadal Academy, a tennis talent hotbed
The soft thud of bouncing balls and coaches' orders echo over the courts at the Rafa Nadal Academy, the tennis "factory" the Spanish superstar dreamed into reality, his great legacy to the sport and to his island, Mallorca.
Sri Lanka unveils debt restructure to tackle economic crisis
Sri Lanka's central bank unveiled a far-reaching debt restructuring plan on Thursday aimed at restoring stability after an unprecedented economic crisis last year that led to the toppling of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
France arrests dozens in unrest after police shooting
President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged calm after 150 people were arrested and public buildings were attacked in angry protests over the police killing of a teenager that has incensed France.
Markets mixed as traders weigh rate plans, yen softens
Equity markets were mixed Thursday as central bank warnings that interest rates would rise further to counter inflation played up against hopes the US economy could avoid a recession.
Guard, gunman dead in shooting at US consulate in Saudi
Saudi authorities were investigating Thursday after an assailant and a security guard were killed in an exchange of gunfire outside the US consulate in Jeddah, the gateway city for the massive hajj pilgrimage taking place in Mecca.
Crippled exports slow Vietnam's growth
Vietnam's economic growth slowed in the first half of the year as a slump in demand hit exports, authorities said Thursday.
Yellen hopes to visit China to 'reestablish contact' with leaders
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in an interview that aired Wednesday she hopes to travel to China to "reestablish contact" with Beijing despite differences between the two countries.
Russian missile strike on restaurant kills 12 in Ukraine
The toll from a Russian missile strike on a restaurant in eastern Ukraine rose to 12 dead and at least 60 wounded on Thursday morning, including children, as the Kremlin insisted Russian forces only hit military-linked targets.
Fresh unrest erupts as France rages over police shooting
Violent protests broke out in France in the early hours of Thursday as anger grows over the police killing of a teenager, with security forces arresting 150 people in the chaos that saw balaclava-clad protesters burning cars and setting off fireworks.
Eurozone rescue fund proves headache for Italy PM
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has softened her once strident anti-EU views but the ratification of a reform to the eurozone's bailout fund has left her in a quandary.
Iraq's prized modern art plagued by forgery, trafficking
Many masterpieces of Iraqi painting were looted or destroyed during the years of war, but now the country's artistic heritage faces another threat: rampant counterfeiting and illicit trafficking.
'Hostage situation': Egypt's decade-long rights crackdown
Ten years ago, Egypt's then-defence minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rallied citizens by promising to move the country out of the "terrorist" shadow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
EU presses Tunisia in bid to stem Med migrant flow
EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday are to look at ways to press aid on Tunisia in a bid to stem migrant boat departures for Europe.
Sri Lanka unveils debt restructure plan to tackle economic crisis
Sri Lanka's central bank on Thursday unveiled a far-reaching domestic debt restructuring plan aimed at restoring stability after an economic and political crisis last year that led to the toppling of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Ferreira hat-trick as USA hit six, Jamaica crush Trinidad
Jesus Ferreira struck a hat trick as the United States crushed St. Kitts and Nevis 6-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Wednesday while Group A rivals Jamaica beat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 with Demarai Gray scoring twice.
French luxury brand tycoon Bernard Arnault in China
French billionaire and luxury brand magnate Bernard Arnault is in China this week, social media posts showed, the latest visit by a foreign executive keen to reconnect to the world's second-largest economy.
Sri Lanka offers 30% haircut to bond holders: central bank
Sri Lanka's central bank on Thursday unveiled its domestic debt restructuring plan, envisaging a 30 percent haircut on dollar-denominated bonds, including international sovereign bonds.
Young Thai chefs shake up Bangkok's food scene
Thitid Tassanakajohn has a degree in economics from Thailand's top university, but turned his back on a stable career in finance to launch a high-end restaurant in Bangkok -- a city famed for its street food.
Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive
Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China's Belt and Road playbook.