EU lawmakers on Thursday backed kickstarting negotiations on creating a digital version of the euro, as the European Union races to introduce the currency.
French skipper Alexia Barrier is set to make history when she competes in the transatlantic single-handed Route du Rhum yacht race in November.
Two thirds of the European Union's population may have been exposed to harmful levels of ozone pollution during last month's record-breaking heatwave, a report exclusively shared with AFP warned Thursday.
Politics
Italy on Thursday ordered the expulsion of two Russian military attaches accused of spying, with its foreign minister condemning "serious and unacceptable acts of interference" by Moscow.
July 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt admitted he was "apprehensive" Thursday after naming rookie Declan Meredith as his starting fly-half against France with Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson both ruled out with injuries.
July 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
France coach Fabien Galthie made seven changes to his starting side Thursday for their Nations Championship clash with Australia and a key positional switch with star playmaker Matthieu Jalibert moved to fullback.
July 09, 2026
Taiwan's weather forecaster warned on Thursday of "destructive" winds as the biggest typhoon in years swept towards the island after pounding US Pacific territories.
July 09, 2026
Teenage Australian sprint star Gout Gout on Thursday pulled out of next month's under-20 world championships after suffering a serious hamstring injury in training.
July 09, 2026
Sports
Ireland coach Andy Farrell made nine changes Thursday to his starting side to face Japan in the Nations Championship this weekend, with Tadhg Beirne named to lead them out as captain for the first time.
July 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
German auto giant Volkswagen's management meet Thursday to thrash out plans for what could be the biggest ever restructuring in the global auto industry, with unions set to protest any mass job cuts.
Hungary's lawmakers face a busy summer as Prime Minister Peter Magyar rushes to dismantle the political system built to cement Viktor Orban's hardline 16-year rule.
Living in a mountain village in northern Greece, retired furrier Dimitris Despas is no stranger to brown bear encounters -- the latest one in his garden just weeks ago.
Veteran politician Andy Burnham will take another step towards becoming the UK's next prime minister when nominations to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader formally open on Thursday.
July 09, 2026
Boulevard
At least 100 animals, including alpacas, miniature pigs and zebras, escaped a zoo in southern China's Guangxi region after floods damaged their enclosures.
July 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
New Zealand is considering joining a defence alliance signed by Australia and Fiji, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Thursday.
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie on Thursday made five changes to his starting team for the Nations Championship Test against Italy, while shaking up his replacements bench.
Rookie Declan Meredith was named as the Australia starting fly-half Thursday to face France in Brisbane after Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson were both ruled out with injuries.
Western Europe this year experienced its hottest June on record as a searing heatwave swept across a continent facing increasingly frequent and intense heat extremes, the EU's climate monitor said Thursday.
July 09, 2026
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