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Oil prices soared Thursday, briefly trading above $100, and stock markets extended losses as fresh attacks against Gulf energy targets offset the release of crude reserves by major economies.

The escalating Middle East war has raised concerns over the safety of masterpieces on loan from France to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, sparking questions about the security of the famed museum's only foreign branch.

The US military is currently "not ready" to escort tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz because all its assets are focused on striking Iran, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday.

When an air strike hit their Beirut neighbourhood, people were angry with Israel, but they reserved their deepest rage for Hezbollah, for dragging Lebanon into the Middle East war.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his starting side for a potentially title-deciding Six Nations clash in Ireland on Saturday.

A Russian court on Thursday handed life sentences to four gunmen from Tajikistan, and 11 others it said were their accomplices, for the 2024 Crocus concert hall attack that left 150 people dead.

World War II leader Winston Churchill is to be dropped from the UK £5 banknote in favour of a nature scene, sparking outrage from some lawmakers who said he should not be replaced by an otter or badger.

The EU executive on Thursday vowed to "respond firmly" to any violation of a key tariff deal by the United States after President Donald Trump's administration announced new trade probes.

Spain endured its wettest January and February in almost half a century, with a string of deadly storms lashing the country, national weather agency AEMET said Thursday.

Graduate Gina Tindale, 22, left university £90,000 ($120,000) in the red, a common experience across the UK where young people saddled with huge debts are calling for a reform of the student loan system.

An Israeli strike on central Beirut's seafront killed eight people on Thursday, Lebanon's health ministry said, as Israel threatened to expand operations and seize territory if Hezbollah does not stop its attacks.

Oil prices soared Thursday, briefly trading above $100, and stock markets extended losses as Iran's attempts to hit supplies in the Middle East offset the release of crude reserves by major economies.

The surge in energy prices triggered by the Middle East war will slow the struggling German economy's recovery, an economic institute warned Thursday.

German carmaker BMW said Thursday it expected tariff wars to ease in 2026 saw a tentative turnaround in China after posting results dampened by both trade tensions and competition from Chinese rivals.

Federico Valverde's sensational hat-trick against Manchester City helped Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, but his words after the game may prove more crucial still.

The Middle East war is creating the biggest oil supply shock in history, the International Energy Agency warned Thursday, as Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets that sent prices spiking above $100 a barrel.

Wales coach Steve Tandy urged his players to "go up another level" after naming an unchanged team for their Six Nations finale against Italy as they seek to end a painful losing streak.

The Middle East war has caused the biggest oil supply shock in history, the International Energy Agency warned Thursday, as Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets that sent prices spiking above $100 a barrel.

France coach Fabien Galthie has opted for a sturdier second row against England in their final Six Nations match on Saturday, bringing in Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament.

A passenger train from China arrived in the North Korean capital on Thursday, state media said, after a six-year hiatus since the service was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Danish chef Rene Redzepi, co-founder of the world renowned Noma restaurant, said on Thursday he was quitting following allegations of abuse of staff.

China's leaders wrapped up nine days of annual legislative meetings in Beijing on Thursday, projecting an image of domestic stability seemingly unaffected by the war in key trading partner Iran.

An Israeli strike on central Beirut's seafront killed eight people early on Thursday, Lebanon's health ministry said, another attack in the heart of the capital, as Iran-backed Hezbollah launched more missiles at Israel.

Wales coach Steve Tandy has urged his players to "go up another level" after naming an unchanged starting side for their Six Nations finale against Italy as they seek to end a painful losing streak.

Tens of thousands have fled the Gulf to escape the Middle East war, but Bangladeshi migrant workers say they have little choice but to return to earn a living.

Russia on Thursday sentenced 15 men -- including four gunmen -- to life in prison over the Crocus concert hall attack which left 150 people dead, the deadliest onslaught in Russia in more than two decades.

Reeling from their six-goal mauling at the hands of Champions League heavyweights Bayern Munich, Atalanta take the short trip to Serie A leaders Inter Milan on Saturday trying to boost their waning top-four hopes.

Since entering politics in 2011, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has been grappling with a conflict of interest as a billionaire businessman and politician, and his latest stint in power is no exception.

Indian restaurant MadCo took the tough call this week to remove some menu favourites, including bone marrow -- a beef bone cut in half and slowly roasted, in an attempt to save cooking gas as the Iran war disrupts supply chains.

It all started off as a joke, a French researcher told AFP.

World champion Lando Norris said Thursday that McLaren have made some progress since a disappointing opening to the season in Australia but warned they still need to "improve in all areas".

George Russell said Thursday the "championship means nothing at this point" as the Mercedes ace enters the second weekend of the Formula One season top of the pile following victory in Melbourne.

Charles Leclerc said Thursday he hoped the Chinese year of the horse would bring Ferrari luck in Shanghai after a torrid race there 12 months ago.

Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific announced new fuel surcharges for most routes Thursday that are roughly double the existing ones.

China approved what it called an "ethnic unity" law on Thursday, which rights advocates warn could further marginalise minority groups such as the Uyghurs.

German carmaker BMW reported a three percent fall in annual profit on Thursday, despite US tariffs and cutthroat competition in China, far smaller than the double-digit plunges seen at rivals.

Japan's Honda said Thursday it expected to book nearly $16 billion in expenses and losses related to a major reorientation of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, blaming US policy changes and tariffs.

Bangladesh's parliament convened Thursday for the first time since a deadly 2024 uprising plunged the country into political turmoil and following elections last month.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said Thursday he was not having much fun driving the new era of Formula One cars, joking he was "practising with Mario Kart" because it was more realistic than his simulator.