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'Paradigm shift': Germany says to meet Trump's NATO spending target
Germany under new Chancellor Friedrich Merz surprised NATO allies on Thursday by signalling plans to massively boost defence spending to five percent of GDP as demanded by US President Donald Trump.
Struggling steel giant Thyssenkrupp's shares slump after profit hit
Thyssenkrupp's shares slumped Thursday after it reported worse-than-expected earnings and its steel business took a fresh hit, in more bad news for the struggling German industrial titan.
French chauffeur to face trial over alleged theft from UK minister
A chauffeur faces trial later this year charged with stealing money and baggage from Britain's top diplomat after driving David Lammy and his wife hundreds of kilometres from Italy to an Alpine ski resort in France, a prosecutor said.
China's Alibaba posts annual revenue increase despite spending slump
Internet giant Alibaba posted on Thursday a six percent increase in annual revenue, the latest positive sign for China's tech sector despite persisting economic uncertainties that include sluggish spending and threatened trade.
Tracking the disinfo on Macron's 'cocaine use' in Ukraine
Unsubstantiated claims of supposed cocaine use by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a train to Ukraine last weekend may have started from a French account.
Germany's Commerzbank staff protest UniCredit takeover threat
Dressed as a Gallic warrior fighting Roman invaders or wearing the yellow of the Commerzbank logo, employees from the German lender protested Thursday against any takeover attempt by Italy's UniCredit.
China warns Panama ports deal firms to 'proceed with caution'
China urged parties involved in Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison's sale of Panama Canal ports to exercise "caution" Thursday, warning of legal consequences should they proceed without clearance from Beijing.
China's Alibaba says annual revenue up six percent year-on-year
Internet giant Alibaba posted on Thursday a six percent increase in annual revenue, the latest positive sign for China's tech sector despite persisting economic uncertainties.
India says Pakistan nuclear arsenal should be under UN surveillance
Pakistan's nuclear arsenal should be under the surveillance of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Thursday, following a four-day conflict between Islamabad and New Delhi last week.
UK economy grows above forecasts, but tariffs threaten progress
Britain's economy grew more than expected in the first quarter, official data showed Thursday, covering the period before business tax hikes and US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz took effect.
Eurovision: the 16 acts in second semifinal
Sixteen countries are competing in the Eurovision Song Contest's second semifinal on Thursday, with viewers deciding which 10 go through to the grand final.
Israel in Eurovision spotlight at second semifinal
Israel's participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest has drawn protests but its competitor Yuval Raphael -- who escaped the Hamas attack on her country -- is hotly tipped to qualify from Thursday's semifinal.
Can cash handouts replace aid? Kenya offers some answers
Three years ago, Thomas Kazungu Karisa was struggling to make ends meet as a petrol station attendant in the Kenyan county of Kilifi, when a sudden cash donation changed his life.
Cuban cigarillo factory overwhelmed by burning demand overseas
Cuba's sole producer of cigarillos cannot keep up with exploding demand abroad for the smaller, cheaper, machine-rolled version of the island nation's much more famous hand-crafted cigars.
Croatian town pays grandparents for childcare
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the dilemma of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it.
Dengue, chikungunya may soon be endemic in Europe: research
The feverish diseases dengue and chikungunya could soon become endemic in Europe as the tiger mosquitoes that transmit these viruses spread farther north due to global warming, according to new research published Thursday.
Reddit founder Ohanian buys stake in Chelsea women's team
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian says that he has bought a stake in serial English women's football champions Chelsea.
'I thought she'd survive': Story of slain Gaza photojournalist touches Cannes
Filmmaker Sepideh Farsi is still in shock after an Israeli air strike killed her documentary's main subject, 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, in Gaza last month.
Stocks drop as fresh trade news awaited, oil down on Iran hopes
Equities stuttered Thursday as investors await fresh developments in trade talks, with US partners looking to reach deals to avoid Donald Trump's tariff blitz, while oil extended losses on hopes for an Iran nuclear deal.
System glitch delays Australian-made rocket launch
An Australian aerospace firm said Thursday it has delayed a historic first attempt to launch a locally developed rocket into orbit, citing a ground system glitch.
Spain probes ticket fees for Bad Bunny concerts
Spain's consumer affairs ministry said Wednesday it has opened a probe into the service fees charged during the sale of tickets for reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny's 2026 concerts in the country.
Trump announces big Boeing order for Qatar Airways
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday Qatar Airways had placed a "record" order for 160 planes from Boeing, as he signed a raft of deals in Doha alongside Qatar's emir.
French PM strikes defiant note on child abuse scandal
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou struck a defiant tone in parliament on Wednesday as he insisted during a tense hearing that he only knew of claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school from media reports.
Sean Combs's ex Cassie alleges pattern of abuse ahead of defense grilling
Sean "Diddy" Combs's former partner Casandra Ventura returned to the stand Wednesday, testifying about a pattern of violence at the music mogul's hands ahead of what is expected to be aggressive cross-examination by his lawyers.
Seeking something new, Airbnb CEO promises 'perfect concierge'
"Novelty is cool. It's exciting. I want to be new (and) fresh," Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told AFP in Los Angeles, where he is presenting a new offering that could bring haircuts and other services into your holiday home.
Turkey eyes legal steps after Kurdish militant group PKK disbands
After the decision by the Kurdish militant group PKK to disband, Turkey was eyeing Wednesday a raft of legal and technical measures to ensure its full implementation and finally end a four-decade insurgency.
Tom Cruise unleashes 'Mission: Impossible' at Cannes
Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" powers into the Cannes film festival for its premiere Wednesday on a steamroller of hype, with fans asking if this will be the final curtain for secret agent Ethan Hunt.
Rare blue diamond fetches $21.5 mn at auction in Geneva
An exceptionally-rare blue diamond went under the hammer in Geneva late Tuesday, selling for $21.5 million, Sotheby's auction house said.
Umbro owner in joint bid for Le Coq Sportif
A consortium that includes the US owner of sportswear brand Umbro and French telecom billionaire Xavier Niel unveiled Wednesday an offer to acquire France's struggling sportswear label Le Coq Sportif for 60 million euros ($68 million).
China's Tencent posts forecast-beating Q1 revenue on gaming growth
Chinese internet giant Tencent on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected increase in first-quarter revenue, propelled by growth in gaming as the firm's strategic drive into artificial intelligence deepens.
French PM to testify on child abuse scandal
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Wednesday faces one of the most delicate moments of his five months in office as he responds to questions from a parliamentary committee investigating claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school.
Baidu plans self-driving taxi tests in Europe this year
Chinese tech giant Baidu plans to start testing self-driving taxis in Europe for the first time by the end of this year, a source with knowledge of the matter confirmed to AFP on Wednesday.