North Korea reached their first Women's World Cup since 2011 on Thursday with the Philippines also securing a spot at the global showpiece in Brazil next year.
Michael Carrick has told his Manchester United side to ready themselves for an awkward encounter away to Bournemouth on Friday as they look to maintain their challenge for a Champions League place.
Energy prices soared and stocks sank Thursday as Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, reigniting fears over global supplies and inflation.
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Health
The number of meningitis cases being probed by UK authorities has risen to 27, health officials said Thursday, following an unprecedented deadly outbreak centred on a university.
March 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
- Baby monkey Punch acclimatising, making new friends at Japan zoo
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- Kings of K-pop: What to know about BTS's comeback
Through months of winter protests in support of South Korean democracy, professor Lee Ji-young clutched her K-pop glowstick -- a small but telling sign of her love for K-pop megastars BTS.
March 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Almost all life-saving fire safety measures failed on the day a devastating blaze tore through a Hong Kong housing complex last year, killing 168 people, a public hearing was told on Thursday.
March 19, 2026
US President Donald Trump threatened to "massively blow up" a vast Iranian gas field unless Tehran stops striking Qatari energy facilities, which sustained extensive damage Thursday.
March 19, 2026
Luka Doncic scored 40 points and LeBron James added 30 on Wednesday to spark the Los Angeles Lakers over Houston 124-116, stretching their NBA win streak to seven games.
March 19, 2026
Sports
Inter Milan continue their hunt for the Serie A title on Sunday night when they visit Fiorentina hoping to maintain their hefty league lead before all eyes turn to the national team's bid to reach the World Cup.
March 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
In a supermarket in Bahrain, Mahmoud Ali fills his cart as usual. The shelves remain stocked despite the war in the Middle East, but the blockade of the main shipping routes into the Gulf is now being felt at checkout.
In the Danish city of Kolding, voters are worried about rising prices, the welfare state and immigration ahead of the country's general election, reflecting nationwide concerns reinforced by worries about Greenland and global uncertainty.
A wild possum joined stuffed furry friends in an Australian airport gift shop this week, surprising travellers in an adorable case of hide and squeak.
Iranian missile attacks have killed three Palestinian women in the occupied West Bank and a foreign worker in central Israel, medics said Thursday.
March 19, 2026
Sports
Athletes at the Asian Games in Japan will have "a unique experience" staying on a cruise ship and in wooden containers, an organising official told AFP six months out from the event, but acknowledged there were concerns about the plan.
March 19, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Qatar's main gas facility has suffered extensive damage after several rounds of Iranian strikes, causing new energy supply fears as the Middle East war grinds on.
Leaders of Samoa and Tonga appealed for help this week as the import-reliant Pacific nations raised fears over possible fuel shortages and escalating costs caused by war in the Middle East.
Armand Duplantis and Keely Hodgkinson headline the world indoor athletics championships that kick off in Torun, Poland, on Friday.
Oil surged more than five percent Thursday and stocks sank as Iran carried out a series of attacks on Gulf energy facilities and warned of more following a strike on one of its key gas fields, while warnings of higher US inflation also soured the mood.
March 19, 2026
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- Scotland's Laidlaw extends tenure as Hurricanes coach
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