French army leaves Senegal ending military presence in west Africa
France on Thursday formally handed back its last two military bases in Senegal, leaving Paris with no permanent camps in either west or central Africa.
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Syria troops quit Druze heartland leaving bodies on streets
Syrian troops pulled out of the Druze heartland province of Sweida Thursday on orders from the Islamist-led government, leaving bodies strewn on the street, AFP journalists reported from the provincial capital.
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South Africa warns global turmoil threaten development goals
G20 chair South Africa warned Thursday that abandoning the rules-based global order and declining cooperation could derail 2030 development goals to end hunger, eradicate extreme poverty and fight climate change.
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Novartis first half net profits up 29 percent
Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis posted Thursday a 29 percent increase in first-half net income, at $7.6 billion -- and unveiled its new chief financial officer.
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Strike on Gaza's only Catholic church injures several people
A strike on Gaza's only Catholic church injured several people on Thursday, the territory's civil defence agency and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said, as Italy's prime minister slammed "unacceptable" Israeli attacks on civilians.
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Iraq shopping mall fire kills more than 60
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, authorities said Thursday, as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives.
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Taipei holds air raid drill to prepare for Chinese attack
Taipei came to a brief standstill on Thursday when air raid sirens forced people off the streets and into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack.
Read moreMigration, defence on agenda for German chancellor's first UK visit
The UK hoped to win a firm commitment on Thursday from Germany to change its law to help smash people smuggling gangs as well as boosting defence ties, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his first official visit to London.
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Swatch profits plunge on weak China sales
Swatch Group said Thursday that weak sales in China wiped out growth elsewhere in the first half of the year for the world's top watch company, leaving it barely profitable.
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Kluivert's Indonesia to face Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifying
Patrick Kuivert's Indonesia were on Thursday handed a tough draw for the final round of Asian qualifying as they try to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.
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