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

The 87th Masters got under way on Thursday with the world's top golfers, from both sides of the sport's PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide, set to do battle at Augusta National.

Debutant Lorcan Tucker became only the second Irishman to hit a Test century, ably assisted by Andy McBrine's unbeaten 71, to lead a tenacious fightback against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday.

French demonstrators took to the streets Thursday for another day of protests and strikes to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, after the latest talks between the government and unions ended in deadlock.

Italian former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, dubbed "the immortal" for his longevity in politics, was "stable" Thursday after a night in intensive care but has reportedly been diagnosed with leukaemia.

The Dutch government pledged a top-level investigation on Thursday after Ajax's Dutch Cup semi-final at Feyenoord was halted when a player was injured by an object thrown from the stands.

The Europe-based DP World Tour has won its legal battle against a group of rebel golfers who committed "serious breaches" of its code of behaviour by playing in LIV Golf events without permission.

Europe's main stock markets rose Thursday before a long Easter holiday weekend and after a hesitant Asian session, as traders eyed US recession fears on the eve of key jobs data, dealers said.

Top diplomats from Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on Thursday, resuming diplomatic relations and pledging to work together to bring "security and stability" to their turbulent region.

Like past Olympic host nations France plans to deploy soldiers for securing the 2024 summer games in Paris, but army and government sources have told AFP that they fear the forces being overloaded.

"I never thought it would be as big as this," says Stacey Hedges of her booming French-style cheese business, as another lorryload leaves the green Hampshire countryside for some of Britain's finest restaurants.

Debutant Lorcan Tucker on Thursday became only the second Irishman to hit a Test century, leading a tenacious fightback against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

The DP World Tour has won its legal battle against 12 players who committed "serious breaches" of its code of behaviour by playing in LIV Golf events without permission.

A mega exhibition honouring the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II opens this week in Paris, with his sarcophagus making a rare voyage abroad for the occasion.

A drug dealer pleaded guilty to selling fentanyl-laced heroin to "The Wire" actor Michael K. Williams, leading to his death, a US district attorney said on Wednesday.

Forget the Hollywood thriller "Snakes on a Plane", an Australian man is in trouble for taking a platypus on a train.

French demonstrators on Thursday kicked off another day of protests and strikes to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, after the latest talks between the government and unions ended in deadlock.

The sarcophagus of ancient Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II was unveiled to reporters in Paris on Thursday following its rare journey outside of Egypt.

Retired construction worker Ali Cimen looked at the pile of rubble raising dust over his former neighbourhood and scoffed at the idea that Turkey's earthquake disaster zone could be rebuilt in a year.

Women's world number one Iga Swiatek says tennis authorities missed an opportunity to ban Russian and Belarusian players outright after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, but the moment has passed to do so now, she told the BBC.

French President Emmanuel Macron told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday that he was counting on him to "bring Russia to its senses" over its war in Ukraine.

Growing fears of a US recession weighed on Asian markets Thursday as traders geared up for the release of key jobs data that could determine the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision.

Six of Qatar's eight World Cup stadiums will be used for the Asian Cup to be staged in the Gulf state next January, the AFC has announced.

Tourist groups visiting Pingtan Island -- one of the closest points in southeastern China to Taiwan -- braved blustery seaside weather on Thursday and shrugged off the boosted maritime patrols in the flashpoint waters beyond them.

President Emmanuel Macron met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, as the French leader seeks to dissuade China from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Italian former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, dubbed "the immortal" for his longevity in politics, was "stable" Thursday after a night in intensive care, according to a minister from his party.

Top diplomats from Middle East rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing on Thursday, pledging to work together to bring "security and stability" to their turbulent region following a surprise China-brokered deal.

French demonstrators kicked off Thursday another day of protests and strikes to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform, after the latest talks between the government and unions ended in deadlock.

A long line of people appears in silhouette, walking along the flat desert in northern Niger.

A thick layer of dust from the construction of a huge airport in Vietnam has been blanketing nearby neighbourhoods for months, staining everything from trees to homes to schoolchildren's uniforms a sickly shade of red.

Indonesian animal experts were preparing Thursday to conduct an autopsy on an 18-metre (59-foot) whale that died after washing up on a beach in Bali, conservation officials said.

Top UN officials warned Wednesday that a Taliban government ban on Afghan women working for its mission in the country would violate the world body's charter, and demanded it be revoked.

The resilience of Russia's economy has over the past year surprised many observers as Moscow adjusts to unprecedented Western sanctions over its assault on Ukraine.