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NATO appears headed for a compromise deal at a summit next month to satisfy US President Donald Trump's demand to spend five percent of GDP on defence, as heavyweights Germany and France got on board Thursday.

The first Melania Trump statue in her native Slovenia was destroyed by fire and now its bronze replacement has gone missing, prompting a police investigation.

Ruben Amorim believes the best preparation for Manchester United ahead of the Europa League final would be to shock Chelsea in Friday's Premier League clash rather than resting his key players.

Palestinian rescuers reported more than 100 people killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on blockaded Gaza, where a US-backed organisation said it intends to begin distributing aid by the end of the month.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday warned of the possibility of "more persistent" supply shocks, as US central bankers met for talks against a backdrop of uncertainty kicked up by Donald Trump's tariff rollout.

Walmart on Thursday reported another solid quarter behind sales gains in the United States, but warned of higher prices and continued uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Tommy Paul set up a potential Italian Open semi-final with Jannik Sinner after beating Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 on Thursday to move into the last four in Rome.

The Cannes film festival barred an actor in a prominent French film from the red carpet on Thursday because of sexual assault allegations, unveiling a new policy under pressure from lawmakers and activists.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou confirmed on Thursday that Dejan Kulusevski will miss next week's Europa League final and cast doubt over his chances of being fit for the start of next season.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc withdrew from his media duties ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Thursday due to illness.

The election of the first US pope is a godsend to businesses in Rome, as big-spending pilgrims flocking to the Vatican are also expected to spend in the Eternal City.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Xander Schauffele -- the world's highest-ranked golfers -- teed off together Thursday morning in the showcase group of the first round at the 107th PGA Championship.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said he welcomes the pressure of potentially having to win their final two Premier League games to secure a place in next season's Champions League.

Shruti Sharma tearfully hugged her family goodbye and fled her home near the contested border in Kashmir with her three children on the first night of India and Pakistan's worst conflict in decades.

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.

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 politicians were divided on Thursday over the marathon hearing of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who was grilled by lawmakers about claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school.

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.

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.

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.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the most decorated woman sprinter in history, admitted on Thursday she finds it increasingly challenging to balance family life with her career on the track.

Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday announced an extension to coach Dino Toppmoeller's contract by two years until 2028, days out from a season-defining match at Freiburg.

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.

Lasting peace in Syria depends on the country building a strong judicial system giving justice to the victims of all crimes committed during the Assad era, a prominent Syrian human rights lawyer told AFP.

Palestinian rescuers reported 94 people killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on blockaded Gaza, where a US-backed organisation said it intends to begin distributing aid by the end of the month.

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.

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.

Russia and Ukraine traded insults on Thursday as negotiators were due to meet in Turkey for the first direct peace talks in more than three years.

India and Pakistan accused each other Thursday of failing to control their nuclear weapons, calling on the world to monitor their neighbour's arsenal just days after their most serious military confrontation in two decades.

The EU accused TikTok on Thursday of breaking digital rules after concluding that the Chinese-owned social media platform is not transparent enough about advertisements.

Lewis Ferguson put his injury nightmare behind him on Wednesday when he won the Italian Cup with Bologna, ending the storied Serie A club's 51-year wait for a major honour with a 1-0 win over AC Milan.

The next edition of sailing's America's Cup will be held in Naples, Italy, in 2027, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Thursday.

England's Test captain Ben Stokes believes he is in his best ever physical condition and can dominate with bat and ball on his latest comeback from injury.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday a deal was close on Iran's nuclear programme that would avoid military action, sending oil prices tumbling as he boasted of raising "trillions of dollars" on a Gulf tour.

Russia's former culture minister and Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky took part in failed talks with Ukraine at the start of Moscow's invasion in 2022 and has built a career promoting an ultra-patriotic version of Russian history.

Erling Haaland said Manchester City must deliver in the FA Cup final on Saturday to salvage something from a "horrific" season that saw them deposed as English champions for the first time in five years.

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.

Thai police have arrested a man suspected of smuggling two baby orangutans into the kingdom, they said Thursday, in a case linked to an international wildlife trafficking network.

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.