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Economy
Behind the BTS comeback, the dark side of K-pop
K-pop oozes with talent, flair and hard work, but the spectacularly successful South Korean music industry also has a dark side -- sometimes with tragic results.
Economy
Crude sinks after Netanyahu tries to reassure on Iran war
Crude prices fell more than two percent Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated" and that the war would end earlier than many feared.
Boulevard
Three charged with sneaking Nvidia AI chips from US into China
Employees of a US computer company raked in billions of dollars diverting Nvidia artificial intelligence chips to China in violation of export controls, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
Sports
Swiatek stunned at Miami Open by 50th-ranked Linette
Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Miami Open second round Thursday as 50th-ranked fellow Pole Magda Linette fought back for a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over the six-time Grand Slam champion.
Economy
Italy, Germany and France offer help with Hormuz only after ceasefire
Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that any initiative would take place post-ceasefire.
Politics
US-backed airstrikes leave Ecuador border communities in fear
A US-backed crackdown on drug cartels along the Ecuador-Colombia border has sparked accusations that security forces bombed farms, burned homes and detained and abused villagers.
Politics
'Blackmail': EU leaders round on Orban for stalling Ukraine loan
Outraged EU leaders rounded on Viktor Orban after the Hungarian nationalist refused to lift his veto on funds for Ukraine's war effort at a Thursday summit, accusing him of a "gross act of disloyalty" tantamount to "blackmail."
Politics
Displacement, bombs and air raid sirens weigh on Mideast Eid celebrations
Aziza Ahmad hasn't planned anything -- no family meal, no gifts for the children. In Lebanon, between the war and soaring prices, she said "there's nothing to celebrate" this Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan.
Sports
James ties NBA record for most regular-season games played
Basketball superstar LeBron James tied the NBA record for most regular-season games played as his Los Angeles Lakers took on the Miami Heat on Thursday.
Culture
BTS to drop new album ahead of comeback mega-gig
K-pop megastars BTS release a new album Friday a day ahead of a huge comeback concert in Seoul, a record billed as reflecting the maturing boy band's "beginnings and identity".
Politics
Netanyahu says Iran 'decimated,' Tehran targets Gulf petro-facilities
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Iran is being "decimated" and it is unclear who is in charge, even as the Islamic Republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets.
Sports
Carrick uncertain if Man Utd defender De Ligt will return this season
Michael Carrick admits he doesn't know if Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt will play again this season as he struggles with a "difficult" back injury.
Sports
Forest survive shoot-out to reach Europa League quarters, Villa advance
Nottingham Forest reached the Europa League quarter-finals after Midtjylland missed all three of their penalties in the last-16 second-leg shoot-out, while John McGinn inspired Aston Villa's 2-0 win against Lille on Thursday.
Politics
US, Israel tactics diverge on Iran as Trump's goals still 'fuzzy'
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both praise their relationship as excellent, but after three weeks of attacking Iran, their tactics are increasingly diverging -- the result, some experts say, of Trump's ill-defined goals.
Politics
Japan PM placates Trump on Iran, but faces Pearl Harbor surprise
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sailed smoothly past a potential clash with Donald Trump over Iran on Thursday, though the US president whipped up a bit of a storm about Pearl Harbor.
Politics
Brazil presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro praises Bukele
Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro, who plans to run for president in October elections, on Thursday called for "many, many prisons" in a speech praising the controversial security policies of El Salvador's Nayib Bukele.
Politics
The Iran war and the cost of killing 'bad guys'
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that it "takes money to kill bad guys" when asked if the Pentagon had requested $200 billion in funding for the Iran war.
Economy
US stocks cut losses on Netanyahu war comments as energy prices soar again
Energy prices soared during a volatile session Thursday, while Wall Street stocks trimmed losses after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war with Iran could finish sooner than expected.
Sports
Forest beat Midtjylland on penalties to reach Europa League quarters
Nottingham Forest reached the Europa League quarter-finals after Midtjylland missed all three of their penalties in the last-16 second-leg shoot-out on Thursday.
Economy
Netanyahu says Iran decimated as Tehran warns of 'zero restraint' in energy attacks
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel's military attacks had "decimated" Iran and that the Middle East war could finish sooner than expected, even as the Islamic republic kept up attacks on Gulf oil and gas targets that have jolted global markets.
Politics
Salvadoran anti-corruption lawyer jailed to 'silence her', husband says
Jailed Salvadoran lawyer Ruth Lopez symbolizes the "decency" and "credible voice" that President Nayib Bukele's government only managed to silence with imprisonment, her husband Louis Benavides told AFP in an interview.
Boulevard
California to rename Cesar Chavez Day after sex abuse claims
Lawmakers in California said Thursday they will rename the Cesar Chavez Day state holiday in the wake of disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by the late labor rights icon.
Boulevard
Yazidi woman tells French court of rape, slavery and escape from IS
A Yazidi woman who was held as a sex slave by the Islamic State group testified Thursday before a French court, describing in stark detail the horrors she endured under jihadist captivity.
Sports
New FIFA ruling boosts prospects for women coaches
All teams participating in a women's tournament organised by FIFA will be required to have a female head coach or assistant after football's governing body passed ground-breaking regulations at its council meeting on Thursday.
Sports
Megan Jones to captain England in Women's Six Nations
Megan Jones will captain all-conquering world champions England in the upcoming Women's Six Nations, the Rugby Football Union announced Thursday.
Politics
Trump says told Netanyahu not to attack Iran gas fields
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike any more Iranian gas fields, seeking to distance himself from an attack by a key ally that has shaken world energy markets.
Sports
MLS reveals shortened 2027 campaign details
Major League Soccer will play a February-to-May campaign in 2027 to transition into a season schedule that aligns with most football leagues worldwide, organisers announced on Thursday.
Sports
FIFA planning for World Cup to 'go ahead as scheduled' amid Iran uncertainty
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday underlined the body's commitment to making sure the World Cup goes ahead "as scheduled" with "all teams" taking part amid doubts about Iran's presence at the tournament.
Sports
Braves outfielder Profar's full MLB season ban upheld: report
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will miss the entire 2026 Major League Baseball season after his appeal of the 162-game doping ban failed, ESPN reported on Thursday.
Politics
Mideast war exposing Europe's reliance on Gulf flights, airlines warn
The war in the Middle East has exposed Europe's reliance on Gulf companies for flights to Asia, Europe's airlines said on Thursday.
Politics
Ghalibaf: Iran's new strongman running war effort
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's parliament speaker and a veteran of the Revolutionary Guards, has emerged as the highest-profile political figure in the Islamic republic after the killing of its leaders.
Politics
UN shipping body urges 'safe maritime corridor' in Gulf
The UN's maritime body called Thursday for the creation of a safe shipping "corridor" in the Gulf to evacuate stranded vessels and seafarers, after an emergency meeting that also condemned Iran.