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Olympics in India a 'dream' facing many hurdles

India says it wants the 2036 Olympics in what is seen as an attempt by Narendra Modi to cement his legacy but the country faces numerous challenges to host the biggest show on earth.

Israel retreat helps rescuers heal from October 7 attack

From a distance, it seemed like a relaxing get-together among friends. A group of men sitting around a crackling bonfire in the Jerusalem Hills, one strumming a guitar while others sang along. Between each song, they laughed and joked.

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NATO warns of N. Korea threat in pitch to Trump on Ukraine

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Thursday that North Korea's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine posed a direct threat to the United States, in a first effort to convince Donald Trump to keep backing Kyiv.

After Trump win, Orban basks in hosting European leaders

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, fresh from celebrating Donald Trump's presidential win, savoured his moment in the spotlight Thursday as he welcomed more than 40 European leaders to Budapest for a summit.

Zelensky says 'unacceptable' to offer Putin concessions on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said it would be "unacceptable" for Europe to offer the Kremlin concessions to halt its invasion of Ukraine, after Moscow demanded the West enter direct talks on ending the war.

Mexico president says had 'very cordial' call with Trump

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had a "very cordial" phone call Thursday with US election winner Donald Trump, who has threatened to slap steep tariffs on the neighboring country.

Biden urges Americans to 'bring down temperature' after Trump win

President Joe Biden urged Americans Thursday to lower the political temperature after Donald Trump's crushing election win over Kamala Harris, saying in a conciliatory address to the nation that he would ensure a peaceful transition of power.

End in sight for 40-year renovation of giant Brussels courthouse

The monumental Palace of Justice, a Brussels landmark covered in scaffolding for 40 years, has become more of a symbol of Belgian maladministration than the rule of law.

Ex-banker and Scholz ally: Germany's new finance minister

Joerg Kukies, Germany's new finance minister, is a former investment banker who has long been one of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's closest advisers, most recently as a state secretary.

Germany's Scholz pressed to call vote after coalition collapse

Germany's embattled Olaf Scholz faced heavy pressure Thursday to quickly call elections after his unruly coalition collapsed just as Donald Trump celebrated his return to the White House.

Iran downplays Trump victory but wary of US policy change

After Donald Trump's re-election, Iran has projected indifference, officially stating it expects no fundamental shift in US policy, especially on sanctions or the Middle East's wars.

German big business calls for early vote, economic vision

German big business groups demanded almost in unison Thursday that embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz call elections soon to restore political stability in Europe's stuttering top economy.

Europe urged to 'write own history' as Trump storms back

European leaders gathered in Budapest Thursday in search of a joint response to the threats of a new Donald Trump presidency -- though the seat of powerhouse Germany was left empty by a deepening political crisis.

Biden in Ukraine sprint as Trump victory throws US support in question

Donald Trump's election victory spells immediate doubt for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, with President Joe Biden's administration expected to sprint in its final days to ensure -- insofar as possible -- long-term US support.

Lebanon says 3 killed, UN peacekeepers wounded in Israel strikes

The Lebanese army said an Israeli strike on a vehicle near a checkpoint in the southern city of Sidon on Thursday killed three people and wounded troops and UN peacekeepers.

Zelensky says 'suicidal' to offer Putin concessions on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said it would be "suicidal" for Europe to offer the Kremlin concessions to halt its invasion of Ukraine, after Moscow demanded the West enter direct talks on ending the war.

Clashes in Mozambique after opposition leader calls for protest

Police in Mozambique fired tear gas and deployed dogs to disperse protesters in the capital Maputo Thursday, after the opposition called a demonstration against the contested election results.

UN peacekeepers wounded in Israeli strike in Lebanon: army

Four UN peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon on Thursday that also killed three civilians, the Lebanese army said.

Rare broad support in France for law to halt 'narco-state'

Unusual cross-party support is swelling in France behind a draft law meant to halt a looming "mexicanisation" of the country by a burgeoning drug trade, defying an otherwise riven political landscape.

India's Hindus bathe in holy river defiled by pollution

Sweeping aside thick toxic scum, thousands of Hindu devotees ignored court warnings Thursday against bathing in the sacred but sewage-filled Yamuna river, a grim display of environmental degradation in India's capital.

UK sanctions Russia-backed Wagner group successor Africa Corps

The UK government announced sanctions on Thursday against three private mercenary groups operating in Africa with links to the Kremlin, including Wagner group successor Africa Corps.

Germany's Scholz under pressure to call early vote after coalition collapses

Germany's conservative opposition heaped pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's crisis-hit government Thursday to allow for speedy elections by calling a confidence vote next week rather than next year.

PSG 'Free Palestine' banner has no place in football: French minister

A gigantic banner proclaiming "Free Palestine" unfurled by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters at a Champions League match has no place in a football stadium, France's interior minister said on Thursday.

Israel strikes Hezbollah's main bastion in Lebanon

Israel conducted air strikes on Hezbollah's main bastion in south Beirut on Thursday, with one raid hitting an area near Lebanon's only international airport.

Banks, beaches and boom times: four facts about Mauritius

Mauritius, one of Africa's richest countries and a stable democracy in a sometimes volatile neighbourhood, is holding a legislative election on Sunday.

Mozambique deploys soldiers ahead of planned protests

Soldiers and police were patrolling Mozambique's capital Maputo early Thursday ahead of a planned protest against election results seen by the opposition as fraudulent, AFP reporters said.

Biden to address Americans after Trump storms back

US President Joe Biden will make a painful address to the nation Thursday, vowing a peaceful transfer of power to Donald Trump after his political nemesis scored a crushing election win over Kamala Harris.

Japan PM to boost defence alliance with 'very friendly' Trump

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Thursday he had agreed with US president-elect Donald Trump in a phone call to strengthen the nations' alliance, after the tycoon's victory sent defence-related shares surging.

South Korea president says 'not ruling out' direct weapons to Ukraine

Major arms exporter South Korea is not ruling out providing weapons directly to Ukraine, President Yoon Suk Yeol said Thursday, signalling a possible shift in Seoul's stance on the issue.

US and China must 'get along', Xi tells Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday Beijing and Washington must find a way to "get along" in a message to US president-elect Donald Trump, state media reported.

Uncertainty looms for Germany after Scholz coalition collapses

Germany enters a period of political uncertainty Thursday after its fragile three-party ruling coalition collapsed on the same day Donald Trump won the US election.

Israel strikes Lebanon after discussing 'Iranian threat' with Trump

Israel launched fresh strikes on south Beirut early Thursday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president-elect Donald Trump spoke about the "Iranian threat".

Europe seeks footing as Trump storms back to power

European leaders converge on Budapest Thursday for two days of high-level talks that will seek to rise to the challenges posed by Donald Trump's return to the White House -- but also risk exposing the continent's fault lines.

Trump has vowed sweeping tariffs: What comes next?

US president-elect Donald Trump says "tariff" is the most beautiful word in the dictionary -- and the Republican's second term promises sweeping measures on all $3 trillion worth of US imported goods.

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