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

The Japanese government said Thursday it was seeking to strip official recognition from the Unification Church, the influential sect under intense scrutiny since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Israel and Hamas traded more heavy fire Thursday in the Gaza war that has killed thousands as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited to stress strong solidarity but also urge restraint to protect Palestinian civilians.

British no-frills carrier EasyJet on Thursday said it has reached a deal worth close to $20 billion for 157 Airbus planes and alterations to a previous order.

Goldman Sachs has sued Malaysia after the country pushed to redo a settlement over the US investment bank's role in the 1MDB multi-billion dollar scandal, the bank said Thursday.

Talks between Hollywood actors and studios over an ongoing strike were suspended Wednesday, in a blow to hopes for a swift end to a crisis that has crippled the entertainment industry.

The world must move faster on a plastic pollution treaty that is currently not expected to be finalised before the end of next year, Fiji's deputy prime minister told an international summit on Thursday.

Nepal's deadly earthquake eight years ago reduced swathes of centuries-old monuments to rubble, but the vast task of restoration has sparked a revival of once-fading architectural craft skills.

South Korea got its first up-close look at its new pair of baby giant pandas Thursday at a name-revealing ceremony that doubled as an early celebration of the 100 days since their birth.

Defending champions Houston and the Arizona Diamondbacks advanced in the Major League Baseball playoffs on Wednesday while Philadelphia smashed a record-tying six home runs to defeat Atlanta.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell arrived in China on Thursday, looking to manage the bloc's "de-risking" strategy with its largest trading partner while laying the foundations for a planned summit this year.

Benjamin Netanyahu's government had divided Israel with its controversial judicial reforms, but he now presides over a country which is united in its demand for a definitive reprisal against Hamas.

As South Africa weigh up their options before naming their team for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against hosts France, one of the biggest questions being whispered in the galleries is: will they play the 7-1 bench?

Twenty-one Thai nationals have been killed in the conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Thursday, up from the previous toll of 20.

Holed up in a makeshift studio in Sydney's Russian consulate, a pro-Putin activist on the run from Australian police is using the country's upcoming Indigenous rights referendum to push the Kremlin's agenda.

Vladimir Putin arrived in Kyrgyzstan Thursday, visiting abroad for the first time since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March.

Asian stocks extended the week's gains on Thursday, undeterred by forecast-beating US wholesale inflation data as investors grew increasingly hopeful the Federal Reserve would not hike interest rates further.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is due to arrive in China on Thursday, looking to manage the bloc's "de-risking" strategy with its largest trading partner while laying the foundations for a planned summit this year.

Defending champion Houston advanced in the Major League Baseball playoffs by edging Minnesota 3-2 on Wednesday while Philadelphia smashed a record-tying six home runs to defeat Atlanta.

Cricketing powerhouses India and Pakistan renew their rivalry in the most hotly-anticipated match of the World Cup in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

When New Zealand play Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarter finals on Saturday, Dylan Moodaley, a 32-year-old South African from Cape Town will don his favourite All Blacks t-shirt and cheer on for his country's bitter rivals.

To do their work of reporting the news -- a crucial job ahead of Sunday's looming presidential election -- many journalists in Ecuador now don bulletproof vests and helmets.

A brood of chickens cluck in the barn as Rebeca Perez collects eggs to sell in her village in western Guatemala -- an endeavor she hopes will keep her from emigrating to the United States as her brothers did, driven by poverty.

Over the years France have produced a host of battle-hardened props who have been able to put their hand up to be the best in world rugby.

Beauden Barrett seeks revenge against the Irish in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final but the All Blacks star owes a debt of gratitude to Ireland because he learned the basic skills thanks to -- Gaelic football.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan meet in a blockbuster clash at the World Cup on Saturday.

When Fiji take on England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in Marseille on Sunday, host country France will be willing them on to win.

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is listed as questionable for the Super Bowl champions' clash with the Denver Broncos on Thursday.

Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos each smashed two of Philadelphia's record six home runs and the Phillies ripped Atlanta 10-2 on Wednesday in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

Argentina's election campaign was marked by heated exchanges Wednesday as the incumbent president pressed charges against frontrunner candidate Javier Milei for dissing the national currency, which subsequently crashed.

Consumers discard or possess disused electronic goods containing raw materials critical for the green energy transition and worth almost $10 billion every year, the United Nations said on Thursday.

Lionel Messi is doubtful for Argentina's South American World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday despite "looking good" in training, according to coach Lionel Scaloni.

The US Internal Revenue Service is asking that Microsoft pay a whopping $29 billion in unpaid taxes from 2004 to 2013, the company said in an official filing on Wednesday.