EU leaders have nominated German defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, as the next European Commission president.
The announcement comes three days after difficult negotiations exposed deep division among the 28 heads of state and government.
Von der Leyen, a loyal confidante of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, would be the first female Commission president if confirmed by the European Parliament.
Her nomination needs an absolute majority of the chamber's 751 members to be ratified.
Iran, US escalate in Gulf but release of American signals path to climb down
Iran and the US exchanged intensified fire on Thursday in a week-long escalation that has all but torn up last month's truce, but Iran's release of a US citizen was seen as signalling a path to avert the resumption of all-out war.
Escalating Israeli strikes kill five people in Gaza, medics say
Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Palestinian health officials said, as a US-based research group reported a surge in Israeli attacks to levels not seen since the latest truce took effect in October.
Indian court asks authorities to intervene if fasting activist's condition worsens
An Indian court directed authorities on Thursday to monitor the health of an activist who is on the 19th day of a hunger strike on a stage in central Delhi to demand the education minister quits, and to intervene if his condition deteriorates.
3 police officers killed, 20 injured in twin attacks in Pakistan
Two attacks targeting a security convoy and a police station have left at least three officers dead and 20 injured in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday.
Strong earthquake rattles New Zealand's South Island, tsunami alert lifted
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near the town of Te Anau in New Zealand's South Island, shaking buildings and prompting authorities to briefly issue a tsunami warning.
6:00pm - 7:00pm
An extra hour of the UAE's biggest radio show for your drive home.
She Doesn't Mind
Sean Paul and Pitbull
Rein Me In
Sam Fender & Olivia Dean
The Middle
Zedd & Maren Morris