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Sports
Millwall eye 'fairytale' in Championship play-offs
Millwall head into the English Championship play-offs with their sights set on a "fairytale" return to the top-flight after 36 years, while Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull hope to end much shorter exiles from the Premier League.
Things to know
Hantavirus not like Covid: doctor treating patient in Netherlands
The hantavirus that has broken out on the cruise ship MV Hondius is much less transmissible than Covid, the head of the Dutch unit treating one of the patients told AFP Thursday.
New Israel-Lebanon talks planned as US awaits Iran response to peace deal
Israeli and Lebanese envoys will sit down for a fresh round of peace talks in Washington next week, even as Israel presses its campaign against the militant group Hezbollah in spite of a ceasefire.
Economy
Covid flashbacks haunt Canary Islands as hantavirus ship nears
Six years after registering Spain's first Covid case, the Canary Islands are awaiting the arrival of a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak that is reviving painful memories.
Politics
IOC lifts Olympic ban on Belarus but Russia 'still suspended'
The IOC on Thursday lifted its ban on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place.
Economy
IMF warns of 'inevitable' AI-powered threats to global financial system
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Thursday of the risks to global financial stability posed by cyberattacks powered by advanced artificial intelligence tools, calling for greater international cooperation on the issue.
Sports
Brighton boss Hurzeler agrees new three-year deal
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has agreed a new three-year contract extension which will keep him with the Seagulls until at least 2029, the Premier League club announced Thursday.
Health
WHO says now five confirmed cruise ship hantavirus cases
The World Health Organization said Thursday there were now five confirmed hantavirus cases from the Atlantic cruise ship outbreak, with three more suspected -- and warned further cases were possible.
Sports
Spurs boss De Zerbi shrugs off criticism of win over weakened Villa
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said he had no qualms about profiting from Aston Villa's weakened team after criticism of a vital win in his club's fight to avoid relegation.
Sinner demands 'respect' from Grand Slams, Djokovic lends support in prize money row
Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in a row over prize money, as Novak Djokovic pledged his support to the players in their battle with the sport's major events.
Economy
Germany warns tax revenues to be hit by Iran war
Germany will generate less tax revenue in the coming years, in large part due to the "irresponsible" Middle East war launched by US President Donald Trump, the finance minister warned Thursday.
Sports
Italy's tennis chief wants to break Grand Slam 'monopoly' with new major
Angelo Binaghi has dragged Italian tennis from the doldrums to a golden age since taking charge of the country's federation (FITP) a quarter of a century ago, with Jannik Sinner just the very best of some of the world's top players.
Sports
IOC rules out 'crossover' sports at 2030 Winter Olympics
The IOC on Thursday ruled out adding year-round sports without snow or ice to the 2030 Winter Olympics but did not exclude the possibility at a later date.
Health
WHO warns of more hantavirus cases in 'limited' outbreak
The World Health Organization said Thursday that more cases of the hantavirus could emerge but expected the outbreak to be "limited" if precautions are taken, after the disease killed three passengers from a cruise ship.
Sports
Real Madrid's Valverde treated in hospital after Tchouameni clash: reports
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde was treated in hospital after a clash with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni following a training session on Thursday, several Spanish media outlets reported.
Technology
Past hantavirus outbreak shows how Andes virus spreads
An elderly man had just started running a fever when he walked into a birthday party in the small village of Epuyen in southwest Argentina in 2018.
Politics
EU prosecutors probe alleged misuse of funds linked to France's Bardella
European Union prosecutors have launched a probe into a possible misappropriation of EU funds, after a complaint alleged France's far-right National Rally had used European grants to benefit its leader Jordan Bardella, a source close to the case told AFP Thursday.
Economy
UK police officers probed over handling of Al-Fayed complaints
A serving officer with London's Metropolitan Police and four ex-officers are being investigated for their handling of sexual abuse allegations against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, a watchdog said Thursday.
Sports
Paolini begins Italian Open title defence by battling past Jeanjean
Jasmine Paolini launched her Italian Open title defence on Thursday by battling back from a set down to beat France's Leolia Jeanjean 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.
Sports
Brazil must channel World Cup pressure into motivation: Luiz Henrique
It has been 24 years since football powerhouse Brazil -- the most successful nation in World Cup history -- lifted the trophy, and forward Luiz Henrique told AFP the team must use that pressure as motivation when the tournament kicks off in June.
Culture
AI use surges globally but rich-poor divide widens, Microsoft says
Generative artificial intelligence is being used by 17.8 percent of the world's working-age population, but the gap between wealthy and developing nations continues to widen, according to a report published Tuesday by Microsoft.
Sports
Carrick says strong finish matters more than his Man Utd future
Michael Carrick said Thursday he is more worried about Manchester United finishing the season in style than his own future at Old Trafford.
Sports
IOC lifts Olympic ban on Belarus but Russia still barred
The IOC on Thursday lifted its restrictions on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place.
Sports
Sinner demands 'respect' from Grand Slams in prize money row
Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in a row over prize money, but topped short of calling for a boycott of the sport's major events.
Sports
PSG set to wrap up Ligue 1 crown after reaching Champions League final
Paris Saint-Germain are on course to fulfil their main objective for the season of retaining the Champions League title, but before turning their attention fully to the final in Budapest they look set to clinch another Ligue 1 crown.
Sports
Struggling Chelsea have 'foundations for success': interim boss McFarlane
Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said the Blues have the "foundations" for success after Sky pundit Jamie Carragher labelled them a "broken club" following a disastrous Premier League run.
Boulevard
US underlines 'strong' Vatican ties after Rubio meets pope
The US State Department underlined its "strong relationship" with the Vatican on Thursday after talks between top diplomat Marco Rubio and Pope Leo, weeks after Donald Trump's astonishing attack on the first US pontiff.
Economy
Defence giant Rheinmetall makes offer for further shipyard
German arms maker Rheinmetall said Thursday it had made an offer for a further shipyard as the influential defence giant deepens its push into naval systems.
Economy
Royal and Ancient Golf Club names Claire Dowling as first woman captain in 272 years
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has appointed amateur player Claire Dowling as the first woman captain in its 272-year history.
Nature
Portugal's last circus elephant becomes pioneer for European exiles
Portugal's last circus elephant, Julie, is to become one of the first residents of a retirement home for the pachyderms that could become a major draw as European nations clampdown on performing animals.
Sports
Bruised Bayern 'already motivated' for next Champions League tilt
Coach Vincent Kompany said he was "already motivated" for a tilt at next season's Champions League as he digested Bayern Munich's narrow semi-final elimination at the hands of holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Sports
Mbappe, Mourinho, meltdown: Real Madrid face Clasico amid chaos
Real Madrid meet Clasico rivals Barcelona on Sunday in a state of high tension and disarray, with anything but a victory handing the Catalans the La Liga title.