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

South Africa were on the wrong end of a "hammering" against rampant top-ranked Australia on Thursday, losing the second Test by 182 runs and with it the series.

Taiwanese tech giant TSMC said Thursday it has started mass production of its 3-nanometre chips, among the most advanced to come to market.

Twitter users around the world reported errors accessing it for several hours, web monitors said Wednesday, in one of the biggest outages since Elon Musk bought the platform.

The Brooklyn Nets pushed their NBA winning streak to 10 games in dramatic style on Wednesday, rallying in the second half then hanging on to edge the Hawks 108-107 in Atlanta.

South Africa capitulated Thursday against rampant top-ranked Australia to lose the second Test in Melbourne by an innings and 182 runs On Thursday and with it the series.

As many as 10 people have died in a fire at a Cambodian hotel-casino on the border of Thailand, with photos showing groups desperately huddled on ledges as fierce flames surround them.

Asia-Pacific stocks fell in early trade on Thursday as the Covid surge in China cast a shadow over markets across the region.

The United States is the latest in a growing number of countries to impose restrictions on visitors from China after Beijing abruptly removed a major impediment to overseas travel despite surging Covid cases at home.

An explosion of Covid-19 cases in China as the country lifts its zero-Covid measures could create a "potential breeding ground" for new variants to emerge, health experts warn.

It was a rescue worthy of Batman.

After a stint in opposition, Benjamin Netanyahu will return to power in Israel on Thursday, leading what analysts describe as the most right-wing government in the country's history.

Australia's Steve Smith took his 150th Test catch Thursday as South Africa lost three wickets in a forlorn battle to prevent a heavy defeat in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Bolivian police on Wednesday arrested Luis Fernando Camacho, governor of the economic powerhouse Santa Cruz region, on "terrorism" charges, setting off street clashes between his supporters and security forces.

In the driver's seat of a two-carriage train, Katsunori Takemoto puts on his white gloves and checks the antiquated gauges before setting out alongside cabbage fields in Japan's rural Chiba.

Kylian Mbappe scored an injury-time penalty to seal a 2-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Wednesday before admitting he will never get over France's World Cup final defeat to Argentina.

Kylian Mbappe said he will never get over the disappointment of losing the World Cup final after the France star scored the winner on his return to action for Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been ruled out for at least four weeks with a groin strain, the NBA team said on Thursday.

Erling Haaland lamented not scoring five times in the city of his birth as the Norwegian struck twice in Manchester City's 3-1 win at Leeds to lift them back up to second in the Premier League.

An injury-time penalty from Kylian Mbappe sealed a last-gasp 2-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain over modest Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Wednesday after Neymar had been sent off.

The United States and Italy announced mandatory Covid-19 testing for travellers from China as Beijing's sudden abandonment of tough measures to contain the coronavirus -- and surge in virus cases -- caused jitters around the world.

Liverpool confirmed the signing of Cody Gakpo, subject to a work permit, on Wednesday with the Dutch international forward joining from PSV Eindhoven.

Bolivian police on Wednesday arrested Luis Fernando Camacho, a key opposition figure and governor of the economic powerhouse Santa Cruz region, the government announced, without specifying the charges.

Tens of thousands of residents in Jackson, the capital of the southern US state of Mississippi, were stuck without running water Wednesday, after frozen pipes burst following a monster winter storm that hit most of the country over the holidays.

Peru's ousted president Pedro Castillo, jailed while awaiting trial on charges of "rebellion" and conspiracy, asked a court Wednesday to free him.

Thousands more flights were canceled across the United States on Wednesday, with no end in sight to days of travel misery as the country digs out from a deadly superstorm.

A group of countries led by Canada on Wednesday called for an arbitrator to settle claims against Iran over its shooting down of a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020.

On Christmas Day, the Dallas Mavericks unveiled a statue to their former great Dirk Nowitzki but after Luka Doncic's historical triple double on Tuesday they might need to commission another monument.

New gated perimeter fencing could be erected at Wembley as part of the Football Association's response to the chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final.

Exeter supremo Rob Baxter has forecast there will be further surprise results in English rugby union's Premiership while relegation no longer remains an option.

On a visit to the Pele Museum in Brazil's seaside city of Santos, Sergio Murillo Junior says he's sad to see the football legend's health deteriorate, but adds "I am proud of the legacy he left us."

Stock markets mostly fell on Wednesday as investors struggled to find a traditional "Santa Claus rally" in the final days of the year.

Ukrainian soldiers quickly check the coordinates of their target, then load a Caesar howitzer.