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The UK on Thursday announced leases for six new offshore wind projects which aim to cement the country as one of the world's leading renewable energy generators in the offshore sector.

In-form Belinda Bencic's bid to become only the second Swiss woman to win the Australian Open stayed on track Thursday, but only after an erratic 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over American Claire Liu in the second round.

One person was killed and dozens injured Thursday when a stampede broke out outside a football stadium in Iraq hours before the Gulf Cup final, officials said.

A Belgian member of the European Parliament, targeted by prosecutors in a graft scandal rocking the EU, has insisted on his innocence and denounced accusations by a key suspect, a statement seen by AFP on Thursday said.

The European Court of Human Rights said on Thursday it had asked the UK government to answer questions about alleged Russian interference in elections after a legal challenge.

French President Emmanuel Macron was meeting Spain's Pedro Sanchez for a joint summit in Barcelona Thursday, as Paris seeks Spanish support for its uncompromising stance in a brewing trade dispute with Washington.

Joey Carbery, widely seen for a long time to be the natural successor to Johnny Sexton as Ireland's fly-half, was not included in the Six Nations squad unveiled by head coach Andy Farrell on Thursday.

Dozens of former amateur rugby players have written to a number of the sport's governing bodies, alleging not enough was done to protect them from brain injuries ahead of a potential lawsuit.

Indie filmmakers and Hollywood stars have packed their snow boots and are heading to the mountains of Utah for the first time in three years, as the in-person Sundance festival returns Thursday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday heaped pressure on Western allies to provide Kyiv with more heavy weapons to fight Russia on the eve of a key donor meeting.

Struggling former world number two Alexander Zverev admitted Thursday he still had a long road to travel on his injury recovery after being dumped out of the Australian Open in the second round.

Thousands of protesters were expected to descend on Peru's capital Lima on Thursday, defying a state of emergency to express their anger with President Dina Boluarte after weeks of unrest.

Covid-19 swept swiftly through southern China's rural mountain villages last month, and the wave appears to have subsided -- supporting expert theories that the country's most recent outbreak preceded the lifting of restrictions.

Struggling former world number two Alexander Zverev was dumped out of the Australian Open on Thursday in another setback on his return from serious injury.

World number four Caroline Garcia admitted she was relieved to see off tricky left-hander Leylah Fernandez in straight sets Thursday and take her place in the third round of the Australian Open.

Eighth seed Taylor Fritz became the latest top name to tumble out of the Australian Open on Thursday, ousted in round two by wildcard local hope Alex Popyrin who was in tears at the end.

Markets were mixed Thursday while oil prices fell and the dollar weakened after disappointing US data renewed worries about a recession in the world's biggest economy.

Tens of millions in China headed to their rural hometowns for Lunar New Year celebrations Thursday, though President Xi Jinping said he was "concerned" about the countryside's ability to weather a Covid surge.

Second seed Casper Ruud refused to blame an abdominal injury on Thursday after being sent packing from the Australian Open by American Jenson Brooksby, a day after Rafael Nadal also went out.

Casper Ruud on Thursday joined Rafael Nadal in making a stunning second-round exit from the Australian Open, in another boost to Novak Djokovic's bid for a 22nd Grand Slam title.

Spanish world number two Rafael Nadal said Thursday he will be sidelined for up to eight weeks after suffering a left hip flexor injury during his shock exit from the Australian Open.

Markets were mixed Thursday while oil prices fell and the dollar weakened after disappointing US data renewed worries about a recession in the world's biggest economy.

Muddy holes dot the ground in a Dutch village where a map allegedly showing the location of Nazi loot buried in World War II has triggered an invasion of treasure hunters.

Indian media is awash with articles on how Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam was allegedly "sexting" another player's girlfriend. The problem: it's false news that originated in a "joke" tweet from a parody account.

Dehydrated and whipped by scorching winds as their crowded truck snaked through the dunes, some drank urine to survive, while those who died were tossed into the Chadian desert.

The people of Zharrez in central Albania live amid a stinking apocalyptic landscape of leaking oil wells and rusting storage tanks, the soil blackened from spills of crude that seep into their water.

A central London district famous for its nightlife, but also home to thousands of residents, is trying out a novel way to tackle the persistent problem of public urination: so-called anti-pee paint.

Plunging wholesale gas prices have sparked speculation of an end to Europe's energy crisis -- but consumers' electricity and gas bills remain sky high, fuelling runaway inflation.

Second seed Casper Ruud was sent packing in the Australian Open second round Thursday with defeat to hard-hitting American Jenson Brooksby, a day after Rafael Nadal also went out.

American qualifier Katie Volynets paid heartfelt tribute to her extended family in Ukraine after sending Russian world number nine Veronika Kudermetova spinning out of the Australian Open on Thursday.

Armed with selfie sticks and freshly recovered from Covid, Chinese tourists ambled through bar streets in the country's backpacker haven of Dali, partying the stress of the past three years into oblivion.

A rare and agonising affliction dubbed "Christmas Eye", caused by the toxic secretions of a tiny native beetle, has re-emerged to torment residents in a remote part of southeastern Australia.