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Thousands of Iranians rallied Thursday in a tribute to former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, killed on the first day of the war with the United States and Israel, expressing criticism of talks expected in Pakistan this week.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his ministers on Thursday to seek direct talks with Lebanon, pushing for Hezbollah's disarmament amid mounting concern that its ongoing strikes could cause the fragile US-Iran truce to unravel and plunge the region back into all-out war.

Russian law enforcement agents on Thursday raided the offices of the Novaya Gazeta independent media outlet, the paper said, adding that a reporter was being questioned by the police.

Henry Crow and Barton Snow made light of the Grand National fences to cruise to victory in the amateur riders' Foxhunters Chase and complete the Cheltenham Festival/Aintree double on Thursday.

The International Monetary Fund will lower global growth forecasts due to the Middle East war, its chief said Thursday, warning of the conflict's "scarring effects" despite a fragile ceasefire.

Jihadists in northeast Nigeria killed several troops including a brigadier general in an assault on a military base, local government and intelligence sources told AFP on Thursday, the second killing of a high-ranking officer in five months.

Local boy Alex Aranburu sprinted to victory in the fourth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Thursday as French youngster Paul Seixas stretched his overall lead.

Russia's Supreme Court labelled the Nobel Prize-winning human rights group Memorial "extremist" on Thursday, making it easier for authorities to prosecute its supporters and those who work with it.

England's final two World Cup warm-up friendlies will likely take place in sweltering Florida heat after the Three Lions' schedule was finalised on Thursday.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday pulled out of next week's Stuttgart Open citing an injury sustained at the Miami Open in March.

Tens of thousands of fans filled a rainswept stadium in South Korea on Thursday to watch BTS kick off their world tour, as the K-pop megastars ride the momentum of a chart-topping comeback album and a landmark performance in the heart of Seoul.

An animal welfare charity has revealed it rescued more than 250 dogs from one UK home, with a photo of the scene prompting "disbelief" and false claims that the image was generated by artificial intelligence.

Henry Crow and Barton Snow made light of the Grand National fences to cruise to victory in the amateur riders 'National' The Foxhunters Chase and complete the Cheltenham Festival/Aintree double on Thursday.

Reigning champion Nick Rockett is out of Saturday's Grand National horse race in Liverpool after being declared a non-runner on Thursday.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy saved par on the first hole to begin his opening round Thursday at the 90th Masters while rivals made hot starts at a firm and fast Augusta National.

The European Union will not be able to compete in the global artificial intelligence race by hurting companies in other countries, US envoy to the EU Andrew Puzder told AFP on Thursday.

Donald Trump's ambassador to the EU denied in an AFP interview Thursday that the US leader or his vice president were "meddling" in Hungary's election by endorsing nationalist incumbent Viktor Orban.

Jihadists in northeast Nigeria killed 18 troops including a brigadier general in an assault on a military base, local government and intelligence sources told AFP on Thursday, the second killing of a high-ranking officer in five months.

The Middle East conflict is exacerbating tensions over the humanitarian supply of medicines in Africa, a sector already severely impacted by funding cuts, with nonprofits warning of emptying shelves.

England's starting lineup will feature only seven Women's Rugby World Cup winners when they begin their Six Nations title defence against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

China's top diplomat told his North Korean counterpart on Thursday that Beijing was willing to step up exchanges and cooperation, Chinese state media reported, following their meeting in Pyongyang.

Jannik Sinner overcame evident discomfort to advance to the last eight of the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday, beating the wildly erratic Tomas Machac, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-3.

The International Monetary Fund expects to have to provide up to $50 billion in immediate financial assistance to countries affected by the Middle East war, its managing director said on Thursday, with the crisis likely to have lasting economic effects.

Oil prices jumped and most stock markets fell Thursday as investors weighed the prospects of a shaky Middle East ceasefire and a re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial to restoring oil and gas shipments.

Israel vowed to continue its campaign against Hezbollah on Thursday, dismissing mounting international concern that its strikes on Lebanon threaten a fragile US-Iran truce that could lead to peace negotiations.

Golf legend Gary Player, speaking at the Masters on Thursday, called on Tiger Woods to "get a chauffeur" after his DUI arrest last month.

Just before 5 am at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a Muslim worshipper prayed in tears. A few hours later, similar emotion overcame Christians and Jews as the city's holy sites reopened following the truce with Iran.

EU lawmakers on Thursday demanded a European Union-wide tax on the world's biggest tech companies and online gambling sites to help fund the 27-country bloc's next seven-year budget.

The long-awaited 'Battle of Britain' between former world heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could take place outside the country at Dublin's Croke Park, according to the stadium's chief executive.

The Cannes Film Festival unveiled its roster of films for this year's edition on Thursday packed with historical dramas, "gentleness" and even football, with the absence of major Hollywood studios set to dial down the American razzle-dazzle of previous editions.

Alana Anisio Rosa, 20, politely turned down the man from her gym who kept sending her flowers and chocolates. A month later, he burst into her home and stabbed her around 50 times with a pocket knife.

Israel vowed more strikes against Hezbollah on Thursday, dismissing mounting international demands that the fragile truce between the United States and Iran in the Gulf be expanded to cover the war in Lebanon.