*) US jury finds three white men guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery

A US jury has found all three white men charged in the death of black man, Ahmaud Arbery, guilty of murder.

Travis McMichael, who shot Ahmaud Arbery, his father Gregory, and their neighbour William "Roddie" Bryan now face minimum sentences of life in prison.

The convicts had chased Arbery in their pickup trucks and shot him dead in the southern US state of Georgia in February last year.

*) Dozens of migrants and refugees loose their lives in English Channel boat disaster

British and French officials have traded blame after 27 migrants and refugees died when their dinghy deflated as they made a perilous crossing of the English Channel.

Wednesday's accident was the worst disaster on record involving migrants and refugees in the narrow seaway separating the two countries.

Human traffickers typically overload the dinghies, leaving them barely afloat and at the mercy of waves as they try to reach British shores.

*) UN seeks truce as Ethiopia's Abiy reaches frontline to fight Tigray rebels

The United Nations chief has called for an "unconditional and immediate" ceasefire in Ethiopia, where government forces are battling rebels from the northern Tigray region.

Antonio Guterres’ appeal came after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived at the frontline where government soldiers are fighting rebels.

International alarm has mounted over the escalating year-long conflict in Ethiopia, where Tigrayan rebels are feared to march on the capital Addis Ababa.

*) Germany’s centre-left-led alliance reach deal on new government

A centre-left-led alliance of parties has announced a deal to form Germany's new government.

The coalition will replace Angela Merkel's cabinet and put the Social Democrats (SPD) in charge for the first time in 16 years.

The alliance concluded a roadmap on Wednesday on plans for Germany's next four years that will install Finance Minister Olaf Scholz as chancellor.

And finally…

*) World honours Maradona on first death anniversary of 'Golden Kid'

The world marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Diego Maradona, regarded by some as the best player of all time.

Argentine club matches will mark a minute of silence and players will arrange themselves in a "10" formation on the pitch to honour Maradona's famous jersey number.

Two statues are set to be unveiled for the striker in the Italian city of Naples, where he spent part of his career.