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World champions South Africa will face their greatest rivals New Zealand in the United States for the first time when they lock horns in Baltimore in August, SA Rugby announced on Thursday.

Men's fashion is embracing embroidery and handcrafted textiles that were once viewed as old-fashioned or feminine, with a clutch of modern Indian brands poised to benefit from the catwalk and celeb-driven trend.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday blasted the EU's lack of "political will" in countering Russian leader Vladimir Putin, during a fiery address criticising some of Kyiv's top allies at the World Economic Forum.

Top Gun or Terminator? French President Emmanuel Macron's sporting of aviator shades at Davos this week tickled the press and inspired viral memes online, while prompting a surge in visitors to the eyewear brand's website.

Severe storms and a rain-triggered landslide have killed at least 14 people across Afghanistan, officials said, with residents facing further risks on Thursday as heavy snow hit the country.

Injuries have forced two changes in South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.

A day after US President Donald Trump and NATO's chief purportedly struck a deal on Greenland, residents expressed anger and frustration that the Danish territory was again being sidelined in talks about its future.

Kenya's ex-marathon record holder Brigid Kosgei told AFP on Thursday that she and four other Kenyans will compete for Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"Sinners" set a new Oscars record with 16 nominations on Thursday, but that was not the only surprise from the Academy's announcement.

Germany summoned Russia's ambassador Thursday and ordered the expulsion of a Russian diplomat suspected of being the handler of a woman arrested on espionage charges the previous day.

The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned Washington that the force had its "finger on the trigger" in the wake of mass protests, as US President Donald Trump said the Islamic republic still appeared interested in talks.

Shellshocked European leaders headed to Brussels summit talks Thursday breathing a collective sigh of relief after President Donald Trump's climbdown over Greenland -- but with few illusions about the perilous state of transatlantic ties.

A neighbourhood association is taking the owners of Real Madrid's football stadium to court over noise pollution from concerts, according to a court document seen by AFP on Thursday.

Vampire period horror film "Sinners" smashed the all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations, the Academy announced Thursday.

South Africa's iconic Kruger National Park suffered major damage to critical infrastructure in recent flooding, with the cost of repairs estimated to run over 30 million dollars, officials said Thursday.

Francesco Molinari powered into a two-shot lead after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, as four-time champion Rory McIlroy stumbled to an over-par round.

Lens coach Pierre Sage says he is waiting for champions Paris Saint-Germain to turn on the after-burners as the surprise Ligue 1 pace-setters bid for a ninth straight league win to maintain their championship lead.

US officials on Thursday presented their vision for a "New Gaza" that would turn the shattered Palestinian territory into a glitzy resort of skyscrapers by the sea, a project that could start emerging in three years.

A deadly storm this week dumped nearly six months of rain on the Greek capital Athens in less than a day, one of the country's top weather experts told AFP on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump unveiled his new Board of Peace at Davos on Thursday, casting himself again as a global peacemaker despite widespread scepticism over a plan that aims to rewrite the global order.

Investors appeared unimpressed Thursday by a drastic restructuring and further cost cuts at French game giant Ubisoft, with shares plunging and employees saying they are uneasy.

Kusal Mendis played the anchor role with a surgeon's touch as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 271 for six after opting to bat first in the opening one-day international against England at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Napoli are reeling ahead of Sunday's clash with fierce rivals Juventus after more European disappointment left the Serie A title holders on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League.

Actor Liz Hurley on Thursday broke down in tears in the witness box of London's High Court as she accused a tabloid publisher of "monstrous" conduct including planting secret microphones on her home windows.

US President Donald Trump has announced a framework for a permanent deal over Greenland, backing off his threat to seize the territory from Denmark -- but offered no details.

Naomi Osaka was "confused" but apologetic after a testy exchange and icy handshake at the end of her Australian Open third-round win over Sorana Cirstea on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump kicked off his new "Board of Peace" at Davos on Thursday, with a signing ceremony for a body with a $1 billion membership fee and a controversial list of invitees.

Stocks rallied Thursday after President Donald Trump rowed back on threats to hit key European countries with tariffs over their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday that Formula One would undergo "significant change" in 2026 as the team unveiled their new car.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner barrelled ominously into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka survived an epic to make Grand Slam history.

French racer Ken Caillot became another unwanted footnote in Kitzbuehel history when he crashed in training as skiers pushed themselves and their equipment to the limit just weeks ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Madrid has emerged as a coveted global luxury housing destination as Latin American and US investors fuel a real estate boom, seduced by competitive prices and high living standards.

Six-time major champion Iga Swiatek stepped up her criticism of the tennis schedule Thursday saying that the season was too long and it was impossible to switch off.

An error-riddled Naomi Osaka left her parasol, hat and veil in storage Thursday before the Japanese superstar ground into the Australian Open third round with a nervy win that ended in acrimony.

The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned Israel and the US against "miscalculations" in the wake of mass protests, saying the force had its "finger on the trigger".

Two-time reigning champion Jannik Sinner wasted no time in barrelling into the Australian Open third round with a demolition of home player James Duckworth on Thursday.

Severe storms and a rain-triggered landslide have killed at least nine children across southern and eastern Afghanistan, officials said, with residents facing further risks on Thursday as heavy snow hit the country.

Trading in French video game giant Ubisoft was briefly suspended Thursday following a dramatic fall in its share price, a day after the firm announced it expected to make huge losses this year.

Exhausted 40-year-old Swiss warhorse Stan Wawrinka battled to an epic five-set win to scrape into the third round on Thursday in his Australian Open farewell.