Monaco Journal - News from Monaco, Monte-Carlo and the world

Francesco Molinari powered into a two-shot lead after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, as four-time champion Rory McIlroy stumbled to an over-par round.

Lens coach Pierre Sage says he is waiting for champions Paris Saint-Germain to turn on the after-burners as the surprise Ligue 1 pace-setters bid for a ninth straight league win to maintain their championship lead.

US officials on Thursday presented their vision for a "New Gaza" that would turn the shattered Palestinian territory into a glitzy resort of skyscrapers by the sea, a project that could start emerging in three years.

A deadly storm this week dumped nearly six months of rain on the Greek capital Athens in less than a day, one of the country's top weather experts told AFP on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump unveiled his new Board of Peace at Davos on Thursday, casting himself again as a global peacemaker despite widespread scepticism over a plan that aims to rewrite the global order.

Investors appeared unimpressed Thursday by a drastic restructuring and further cost cuts at French game giant Ubisoft, with shares plunging and employees saying they are uneasy.

Kusal Mendis played the anchor role with a surgeon's touch as Sri Lanka posted a competitive 271 for six after opting to bat first in the opening one-day international against England at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Napoli are reeling ahead of Sunday's clash with fierce rivals Juventus after more European disappointment left the Serie A title holders on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League.

Actor Liz Hurley on Thursday broke down in tears in the witness box of London's High Court as she accused a tabloid publisher of "monstrous" conduct including planting secret microphones on her home windows.

US President Donald Trump has announced a framework for a permanent deal over Greenland, backing off his threat to seize the territory from Denmark -- but offered no details.

Naomi Osaka was "confused" but apologetic after a testy exchange and icy handshake at the end of her Australian Open third-round win over Sorana Cirstea on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump kicked off his new "Board of Peace" at Davos on Thursday, with a signing ceremony for a body with a $1 billion membership fee and a controversial list of invitees.

Stocks rallied Thursday after President Donald Trump rowed back on threats to hit key European countries with tariffs over their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said on Thursday that Formula One would undergo "significant change" in 2026 as the team unveiled their new car.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner barrelled ominously into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka survived an epic to make Grand Slam history.

French racer Ken Caillot became another unwanted footnote in Kitzbuehel history when he crashed in training as skiers pushed themselves and their equipment to the limit just weeks ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Madrid has emerged as a coveted global luxury housing destination as Latin American and US investors fuel a real estate boom, seduced by competitive prices and high living standards.

Six-time major champion Iga Swiatek stepped up her criticism of the tennis schedule Thursday saying that the season was too long and it was impossible to switch off.

An error-riddled Naomi Osaka left her parasol, hat and veil in storage Thursday before the Japanese superstar ground into the Australian Open third round with a nervy win that ended in acrimony.

The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday warned Israel and the US against "miscalculations" in the wake of mass protests, saying the force had its "finger on the trigger".

Two-time reigning champion Jannik Sinner wasted no time in barrelling into the Australian Open third round with a demolition of home player James Duckworth on Thursday.

Severe storms and a rain-triggered landslide have killed at least nine children across southern and eastern Afghanistan, officials said, with residents facing further risks on Thursday as heavy snow hit the country.

Trading in French video game giant Ubisoft was briefly suspended Thursday following a dramatic fall in its share price, a day after the firm announced it expected to make huge losses this year.

Exhausted 40-year-old Swiss warhorse Stan Wawrinka battled to an epic five-set win to scrape into the third round on Thursday in his Australian Open farewell.

Young protesters shot in the back, shotgun pellets fired in a doctor's face, wounded people afraid to go to hospital: "Every family has been affected" by the deadly crackdown on Iran's recent wave of demonstrations, said one protester.

NATO chief Mark Rutte appeared to have pulled off a diplomatic coup by talking US President Donald Trump down from his Greenland demands -- but swirling questions over a purported deal left European allies wary Thursday.

Australians fell silent and lit candles on a national day of mourning on Thursday for the 15 people killed by gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.

A former Austrian intelligence official went on trial in a Vienna court on Thursday charged with handing over sensitive devices and selling secret information to Russia.

The restart of the world's largest nuclear power plant was suspended in Japan Thursday just hours after the process began, its operator said, but the reactor remains "stable".

Nature-lover Novak Djokovic strolled into the Australian Open third round on Thursday as an erratic Madison Keys did enough to keep her title defence on track and Iga Swiatek also triumphed.

Landslides ploughed into a home and a campsite in rain-swept northern New Zealand on Thursday, killing at least two people and leaving others missing under tonnes of mud.

US President Donald Trump will show off his new "Board of Peace" at Davos on Thursday -- burnishing his claim to be a peacemaker a day after backing off his own threats against Greenland.

Australian Open king Novak Djokovic said Thursday that record-breaking crowds were "a very good problem" despite complaints from some spectators about overcrowding and long queues.

Six-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek turned on the style to motor past Marie Bouzkova and into the Australian Open third round Thursday as she limbers up for a crack at a first Melbourne title.

A former Austrian intelligence official is due to go on trial Thursday, charged with allegedly handing over sensitive devices and selling secret information to Russia for years.

Novak Djokovic sent 141st-ranked qualifier Francesco Maestrelli packing in straight sets to ease into the Australian Open third round on Thursday -- with a little help from his favourite tree.

Bangladesh began official campaigning on Thursday for hugely anticipated general elections next month, the first since the 2024 uprising ended the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.

An Afghan who fought against Soviet forces still visits a museum celebrating the resistance, but, in keeping with rules by the Taliban authorities, the displays have undergone notable changes recently.

A landslide smashed into a campsite in rain-swept northern New Zealand on Thursday, leaving multiple people missing under tonnes of mud.