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France captain Kylian Mbappe said Thursday he was feeling relaxed with his life in Madrid and was in good shape as his nation seeks to move to the brink of World Cup qualification as they face Azerbaijan in Paris.

The Nobel Prize in Literature was on Thursday awarded to Laszlo Krasznahorkai, considered by many as Hungary's most important living author, whose works explore themes of postmodern dystopia and melancholy.

Danish offshore wind energy giant Orsted announced Thursday plans to cut 2,000 jobs, or a quarter of its workforce, by 2027 as its business struggles in the United States.

Pope Leo XIV Thursday hailed the work of news agencies as a bulwark in an increasingly "post-truth" world, and warned of the dangers of relying on artificial intelligence for information.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen survived two confidence votes Thursday in the European Parliament -- touting "strong support" from the assembly despite the tensions laid bare by the challenge.

France's famed Michelin Guide, a reference for fine dining for more than a century, is expanding into hotel and wine recommendations as it aims to become a global lifestyle brand.

The Nobel Prize in Literature was on Thursday awarded to Laszlo Krasznahorkai, considered by many as Hungary's most important living author whose works explore themes of postmodern dystopia and melancholy.

Asian e-commerce giant Shein's decision to set up shop in a historic Parisian department store has ruffled feathers in the fashion capital.

European and Asian stock markets traded mixed Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the US government shutdown.

Pope Leo XIV called Thursday for the poor and marginalised, including migrants, to be at the centre of the Catholic Church's mission, in the first major publication of his papacy.

French sprinter Arnaud Demare announced on Thursday that he would retire from professional cycling after Sunday's Paris-Tours one-day classic.

Thousands of jubilant Israelis gathered in a Tel Aviv square Thursday, hopeful for the return of hostages held in Gaza, after two years of fear and worry.

Qualifier Valentin Vacherot battled back to stun world number 11 Holger Rune and reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Thursday, winning 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

Shubman Gill said Thursday that his biggest opponent could be "mental fatigue" after the India Test captain recently took over charge of the 50-over side.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver told AFP on Thursday that there was "tremendous interest" as the league returns to China six years after being frozen out of the country.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen pitched the bloc as a dependable partner in a transactional world Thursday as she hosted about a dozen Global South leaders at an investment conference in Brussels.

Two-time title-holder Kalle Rovanpera announced his retirement from the world rally championship on Thursday aged just 25 "to pursue my next dreams".

Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed a Gaza ceasefire deal to free the remaining living hostages, in a major step towards ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe.

DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi made a personal appeal to Rwanda's Paul Kagame to stop supporting insurgents in DRC and work together for "peace", at a Brussels event attended by both leaders Thursday.

Ferrari's first electric sports car, to be released next year, will be a four-seat coupe with over 1,000 horsepower and a range of 530 kilometres (329 miles), the company announced Thursday.

France coach Didier Deschamps admitted to AFP in an interview that he has had to learn to adapt to the younger generation of players rather than impose his ideas on them, to avoid becoming an "old fool".

Seated in the White House State Dining Room, US President Donald Trump called on far-right content creators to name and shame backers of Antifa, leading a roundtable discussion that quickly devolved into media bashing.

Atxu Marima survived the flu that killed his family after a jaguar attack drove them from their Indigenous group in the Amazon -- but he cannot return for fear of endangering his people.

France on Thursday hosts foreign ministers from Arab and European countries for talks on helping the Palestinians once the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas ends, a meeting that comes hours after the two sides agreed a ceasefire deal.

French prosecutors on Thursday sought a 12-year jail term for the only man among 50 who claims he is innocent after being convicted of sexually abusing Gisele Pelicot.

US sanctions on Serbia's majority-Russian-owned NIS oil company, which operates the country's sole refinery, took effect on Thursday after months of delay.

Ryder Cup teammates Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa were both four shots off the lead after Thursday's opening round of the US PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic, as they struggled to cope with windy conditions in Japan.

The Nobel literature prize could go to a Western author this Thursday, experts predict, though bookies have several authors from Asia as top picks even after South Korea's Han Kang last year became the first Asian woman to win.

Markets were mixed on Thursday as investors tried to assess the outlook for the global AI-fuelled rally, Federal Reserve interest rates and the US government shutdown.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka raced into a fourth consecutive Wuhan Open quarter-final Thursday, having revealed she spent time on holiday last month practising with Novak Djokovic.

Palestinians in southern Gaza clapped, cheered and danced in the pre-dawn darkness on Thursday, after Israel and Hamas agreed a ceasefire deal to end the devastating two-year war in the territory.

Danilo Yavhushyshyn fled the war in his native Ukraine to follow his dream of becoming a professional sumo wrestler in Japan and has taken the ancient sport by storm.

On a cold autumn evening in Moscow, Alexandra was headed to a cinema, hoping to escape reality for a few hours by taking in a new French comedy.

The Nobel literature prize to be announced on Thursday is likely to go to a Western male author this year, experts predict after South Korea's Han Kang last year became the first Asian woman to win.

They could soon be unboxing fines rather than freebies -- Germany's online influencers are facing a tax evasion crackdown that has left them screaming OMG!

Chancellor Friedrich Merz will Thursday host crisis talks with German auto industry leaders in a bid to navigate myriad challenges, from a looming EU combustion-engine ban to growing Chinese competition.

Afghanistan's UN-sanctioned foreign minister arrived in India on Thursday, the first visit by a top Taliban leader since they returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces.

A French appeal court is to rule on Thursday in the case of the only man among 50 who claims he is innocent after being convicted of sexually abusing Gisele Pelicot.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday said he hopes the outrage over his late-night show's suspension following pressure from the Trump administration had drawn a "bold red line" for free speech.