The Polish Bishop's Conference on Thursday announced plans to establish an "independent" commission to investigate child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Top economic officials from the United States and China are set to convene in Paris, the Treasury Department said Thursday, ahead of President Donald Trump's planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April.
Danish superchef Rene Redzepi -- whose Noma restaurant was long regarded as the world's best -- said he was stepping down Thursday after allegations that he abused and bullied staff for years.
- Oil tops $100 as Iran vows to keep Hormuz closed
- Israel strikes Beirut after threatening to expand Lebanon operations
Culture
Indie rock star Morrissey cancelled a concert in Spain's Valencia on Thursday because the din from the city's traditional pyrotechnics festival left him "catatonic" with sleep deprivation.
March 12, 2026
RECENT NEWS
- Mauritanian anti-slavery stalwart Boubacar Ould Messaoud dead
- Behind Cambodian border casino, Thai military shows off a scam hub
- Chile's Smiljan Radic Clarke wins Pritzker architecture prize
- Scotland boss Townsend says Six Nations title 'out of our hands'
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds -- a Hundred franchise with links to the Indian Premier League -- on Thursday despite fears Pakistani players would be frozen out due to political tensions.
March 12, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Iran's new supreme leader ordered the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane to remain closed on Thursday, while US President Donald Trump said stopping the Islamic republic's "evil empire" was more important than crude prices.
March 12, 2026
Lufthansa said about half its flights were cancelled Thursday as pilots from the German airline kicked off a two-day strike over pensions.
March 12, 2026
Turkey is talking to both Washington and Tehran in a bid to end the Middle East war, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday as the conflict raged for a 13th day.
March 12, 2026
Economy
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.
March 12, 2026
RECENT NEWS
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.
March 12, 2026
Politics
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.
March 12, 2026
RECENT NEWS
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.
March 12, 2026
- Strike on Beirut seafront kills 8 as Israel threatens to 'take territory'
- Oil tops $100 as Iran attacks offset stockpiles release
- Mideast war to brake German recovery: institute
- BMW sees tariffs easing and China stabilising in 2026
- More than goals: Valverde draws Real Madrid map to glory
- War creating 'largest' oil shock in history as Iran hits new Gulf targets
- Tandy urges Wales to raise level in Six Nations clash against Italy
- Mideast oil shock 'largest' in history as Iran hits new Gulf targets