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Culture
Macron squares up to Trump in rebel shades at macho Davos gathering
Top Gun or Terminator? French President Emmanuel Macron's sporting of aviator shades at Davos this week tickled the press and inspired viral memes online, while prompting a surge in visitors to the eyewear brand's website.
Weather
Storms, heavy rain kill 14 across Afghanistan
Severe storms and a rain-triggered landslide have killed at least 14 people across Afghanistan, officials said, with residents facing further risks on Thursday as heavy snow hit the country.
Sports
Injuries force two changes in South Africa T20 World Cup squad
Injuries have forced two changes in South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.
Politics
In Greenland, locals fed up with deals done over their heads
A day after US President Donald Trump and NATO's chief purportedly struck a deal on Greenland, residents expressed anger and frustration that the Danish territory was again being sidelined in talks about its future.
Sports
Ex-marathon record holder Kosgei trades Kenya for Turkey at Olympics
Kenya's ex-marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei told AFP on Thursday that she and four other Kenyans will compete for Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Culture
Ariana snubbed and Chalamet supreme? Five Oscars takeaways
"Sinners" set a new Oscars record with 16 nominations on Thursday, but that was not the only surprise from the Academy's announcement.
Boulevard
Germany summons Russian envoy, expels alleged spy handler
Germany summoned Russia's ambassador Thursday and ordered the expulsion of a Russian diplomat suspected of being the handler of a woman arrested on espionage charges the previous day.
Politics
Iran warns 'finger on trigger' as Trump says it wants talks
The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned Washington that the force had its "finger on the trigger" in the wake of mass protests, as US President Donald Trump said the Islamic republic still appeared interested in talks.
Politics
Wary Europeans huddle after Trump Greenland climbdown
Shellshocked European leaders headed to Brussels summit talks Thursday breathing a collective sigh of relief after President Donald Trump's climbdown over Greenland -- but with few illusions about the perilous state of transatlantic ties.
Boulevard
Real Madrid stadium owners to face trial over concert noise
A neighbourhood association is taking the owners of Real Madrid's football stadium to court over noise pollution from concerts, according to a court document seen by AFP on Thursday.
Things to know
'Sinners' breaks all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations
Vampire period horror film "Sinners" smashed the all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations, the Academy announced Thursday.
Boulevard
South Africa's Kruger park suffers 'devastating' damage from floods
South Africa's iconic Kruger National Park suffered major damage to critical infrastructure in recent flooding, with the cost of repairs estimated to run over 30 million dollars, officials said Thursday.
Sports
Molinari leads Dubai Desert Classic as McIlroy struggles
Francesco Molinari powered into a two-shot lead after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, as four-time champion Rory McIlroy stumbled to an over-par round.
Sports
Ligue 1 leaders Lens still waiting for PSG title charge
Lens coach Pierre Sage says he is waiting for champions Paris Saint-Germain to turn on the after-burners as the surprise Ligue 1 pace-setters bid for a ninth straight league win to maintain their championship lead.
Politics
US touts 'New Gaza' filled with luxury real estate
US officials on Thursday presented their vision for a "New Gaza" that would turn the shattered Palestinian territory into a glitzy resort of skyscrapers by the sea, a project that could start emerging in three years.
Weather
Athens hit with several months of rain in one day: expert
A deadly storm this week dumped nearly six months of rain on the Greek capital Athens in less than a day, one of the country's top weather experts told AFP on Thursday.
Politics
Trump unveils Board of Peace, 'New Gaza' plans at Davos
US President Donald Trump unveiled his new Board of Peace at Davos on Thursday, casting himself again as a global peacemaker despite widespread scepticism over a plan that aims to rewrite the global order.
Boulevard
Ubisoft shares plunge after big-bang restructuring announced
Investors appeared unimpressed Thursday by a drastic restructuring and further cost cuts at French game giant Ubisoft, with shares plunging and employees saying they are uneasy.
Sports
Mendis' unbeaten 93 anchors Sri Lanka to 271-6 against England
Kusal Mendis played the anchor role with a surgeon's touch as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 271 for six after opting to bat first in the opening one-day international against England at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.
Sports
Reeling Napoli face Juve after 'unacceptable' Champions League showing
Napoli are reeling ahead of Sunday's clash with fierce rivals Juventus after more European disappointment left the Serie A title holders on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League.
Boulevard
Actor Liz Hurley in tears as accuses UK tabloid of 'monstrous' conduct
Actor Liz Hurley on Thursday broke down in tears in the witness box of London's High Court as she accused a tabloid publisher of "monstrous" conduct including planting secret microphones on her home windows.
Politics
What we know about Trump's Greenland 'framework' deal
US President Donald Trump has announced a framework for a permanent deal over Greenland, backing off his threat to seize the territory from Denmark -- but offered no details.
Sports
Osaka 'confused' as testy exchange sours Australian Open win
Naomi Osaka was "confused" but apologetic after a testy exchange and icy handshake at the end of her Australian Open third-round win over Sorana Cirstea on Thursday.
Politics
Trump launches 'Board of Peace' at Davos
US President Donald Trump kicked off his new "Board of Peace" at Davos on Thursday, with a signing ceremony for a body with a $1 billion membership fee and a controversial list of invitees.
Politics
Stocks rally as Trump drops Greenland tariff threats
Stocks rallied Thursday after President Donald Trump rowed back on threats to hit key European countries with tariffs over their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.
Sports
Mercedes unveil 2026 F1 car for new 2026 rules
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday that Formula One would undergo "significant change" in 2026 as the team unveiled their new car.
Sports
Djokovic, Sinner plough on in Melbourne, Wawrinka makes history
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner barrelled ominously into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka survived an epic to make Grand Slam history.
Sports
Kitzbuehel's Hahnenkamm, the terrifying Super Bowl of skiing
French racer Ken Caillot became another unwanted footnote in Kitzbuehel history when he crashed in training as skiers pushed themselves and their equipment to the limit just weeks ahead of the Winter Olympics.
Economy
'Oasis of stability': Madrid becomes luxury housing haven
Madrid has emerged as a coveted global luxury housing destination as Latin American and US investors fuel a real estate boom, seduced by competitive prices and high living standards.
Sports
Swiatek says packed tennis season makes it 'impossible' to switch off
Six-time major champion Iga Swiatek stepped up her criticism of the tennis schedule Thursday saying that the season was too long and it was impossible to switch off.
Sports
Sloppy Osaka grinds past 'mad' Cirstea to stay alive at Australian Open
An error-riddled Naomi Osaka left her parasol, hat and veil in storage Thursday before the Japanese superstar ground into the Australian Open third round with a nervy win that ended in acrimony.
Politics
Iran Guards chief says 'finger on trigger', warns US against 'miscalculations'
The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned Israel and the US against "miscalculations" in the wake of mass protests, saying the force had its "finger on the trigger".