WTO chief slams rise of trade protectionism
World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala slammed the global rise of protectionism on Thursday in Davos, while stressing that most international trade continues according to WTO rules.
Politics
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
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
"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 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
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
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
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
Vampire period horror film "Sinners" smashed the all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations, the Academy announced Thursday.
Boulevard
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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 boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday that Formula One would undergo "significant change" in 2026 as the team unveiled their new car.
Sports
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
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
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
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
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
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".
Sports
Two-time reigning champion Jannik Sinner wasted no time in barrelling into the Australian Open third round with a demolition of home player James Duckworth on Thursday.
Nature
Severe storms and a rain-triggered landslide have killed at least nine children across southern and eastern Afghanistan, officials said, with residents facing further risks on Thursday as heavy snow hit the country.
Economy
Trading in French video game giant Ubisoft was briefly suspended Thursday following a dramatic fall in its share price, a day after the firm announced it expected to make huge losses this year.
Sports
Exhausted 40-year-old Swiss warhorse Stan Wawrinka battled to an epic five-set win to scrape into the third round on Thursday in his Australian Open farewell.
Politics
Young protesters shot in the back, shotgun pellets fired in a doctor's face, wounded people afraid to go to hospital: "Every family has been affected" by the deadly crackdown on Iran's recent wave of demonstrations, said one protester.
Politics
NATO chief Mark Rutte appeared to have pulled off a diplomatic coup by talking US President Donald Trump down from his Greenland demands -- but swirling questions over a purported deal left European allies wary Thursday.
Things to know
Australians fell silent and lit candles on a national day of mourning on Thursday for the 15 people killed by gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.
Politics
A former Austrian intelligence official went on trial in a Vienna court on Thursday charged with handing over sensitive devices and selling secret information to Russia.
Economy
The restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant was suspended in Japan Thursday just hours after the process began, its operator said, but the reactor remains "stable".
Sports
Nature-lover Novak Djokovic strolled into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as an erratic Madison Keys did enough to keep her title defence on track and Iga Swiatek also triumphed.