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Jasmine Paolini launched her Italian Open title defence on Thursday by battling back from a set down to beat France's Leolia Jeanjean 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.

It has been 24 years since football powerhouse Brazil -- the most successful nation in World Cup history -- lifted the trophy, and forward Luiz Henrique told AFP the team must use that pressure as motivation when the tournament kicks off in June.

Generative artificial intelligence is being used by 17.8 percent of the world's working-age population, but the gap between wealthy and developing nations continues to widen, according to a report published Tuesday by Microsoft.

Michael Carrick said Thursday he is more worried about Manchester United finishing the season in style than his own future at Old Trafford.

The IOC on Thursday lifted its restrictions on Belarusian athletes competing in the Olympics, although restrictions on Russian athletes remain in place.

Jannik Sinner called on Thursday for Grand Slam tournaments to show tennis players respect in a row over prize money, but topped short of calling for a boycott of the sport's major events.

Paris Saint-Germain are on course to fulfil their main objective for the season of retaining the Champions League title, but before turning their attention fully to the final in Budapest they look set to clinch another Ligue 1 crown.

Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said the Blues have the "foundations" for success after Sky pundit Jamie Carragher labelled them a "broken club" following a disastrous Premier League run.

The US State Department underlined its "strong relationship" with the Vatican on Thursday after talks between top diplomat Marco Rubio and Pope Leo, weeks after Donald Trump's astonishing attack on the first US pontiff.

German arms maker Rheinmetall said Thursday it had made an offer for a further shipyard as the influential defence giant deepens its push into naval systems.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has appointed amateur player Claire Dowling as the first woman captain in its 272-year history.

Portugal's last circus elephant, Julie, is to become one of the first residents of a retirement home for the pachyderms that could become a major draw as European nations clampdown on performing animals.

Coach Vincent Kompany said he was "already motivated" for a tilt at next season's Champions League as he digested Bayern Munich's narrow semi-final elimination at the hands of holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Real Madrid meet Clasico rivals Barcelona on Sunday in a state of high tension and disarray, with anything but a victory handing the Catalans the La Liga title.

Former Germany international centre-back Niklas Suele announced on Thursday he will retire at the end of the season aged 30 when his current contract with Borussia Dortmund expires.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has appointed amateur player Claire Dowling as the first woman captain in its 272-year history.

Husky-voiced Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler was "recuperating" Thursday after emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal, a post on her official Instagram page said.

The United States was waiting on Thursday for Iran to respond to its latest proposed deal to end the war in the Middle East and to reopen the key shipping lane out of the Gulf.

No military hardware, internet shutdowns, Ukrainian drone threats and simmering discontent: President Vladimir Putin will host Moscow's Victory Day parade Saturday amid signs some Russians are tiring of more than 50 months of war.

Bangladesh and Pakistan open their two-match Test series in Mirpur on Friday, with the hosts aiming to complete a remarkable double after their historic away whitewash in 2024.

Ben Stokes is expected to bat and bowl for county side Durham as he returns to action for the first time since England's disastrous Ashes campaign.

Russia said Thursday that it was "incomprehensible" its ally Armenia hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a European summit earlier this week, and cautioned the country against deeper European integration.

Counter-terrorism forces arrested two women for slavery on Thursday as they returned to Australia from Syria, where they allegedly committed "crimes against humanity" while supporting Islamic State jihadists.

Oil prices fell and global stock markets traded mixed Thursday awaiting an update on a US plan to end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

France's far-right leaders have met the ambassadors of Germany and Israel in recent months as their party, once deemed antisemitic, seeks to court foreign envoys in the run-up to next year's presidential elections.

Another sick passenger from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship landed in Europe on Thursday, as the vessel headed to a Spanish island and health officials scrambled to map the outbreak of the potentially deadly human-to-human strain.

The top US diplomat, Marco Rubio, went to the Vatican on Thursday for talks with the first US pope, Leo XIV, against the backdrop of sharp tensions between the White House and the Vatican.

A group of women linked to Islamic State jihadists arrived in Australia on Thursday, returning home years after allegedly sneaking into Syria to join the group's self-declared caliphate.

British energy giant Shell announced Thursday rising net profits for the first quarter as the Middle East war sent oil and gas prices soaring in volatile trading.

Oil sank again Thursday and Tokyo's Nikkei index led another strong rally across Asia stocks, fuelled by growing optimism the Iran war is close to ending and the revival of demand for all things AI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India remains "steadfast as ever" in its determination to defeat terrorism and its "enabling ecosystem", marking one year since a deadly clash with arch-enemy Pakistan.

By miming children juggling ammunition found on the ground or driven mad by fear, the four acrobats hope to express what is too painful for words: how their native Burkina Faso's jihadist conflict has ruined countless childhoods.