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World food prices hit record high over Ukraine war: FAO
World food prices hit an all-time high in March as Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent "shocks" through markets for staple grains and vegetable oils, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday.
Putin's five key goals ahead of May 9 WWII parade
A month before a highly symbolic May 9 parade on Red Square that celebrates victory in World War II, Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops face considerable challenges in Ukraine.
Asian markets track Wall St gains, traders wary of hawkish Fed
Asian markets mostly rose Friday after a tough week dominated by the US Federal Reserve's hawkish tone that has set it on an aggressive tightening path, while oil ticked higher after another series of losses.
Ferrero recalls Kinder chocolates in US over Salmonella fears
Italian confectionery giant Ferrero said on Thursday that it had recalled certain varieties of its Kinder chocolates from retailers in the United States over a possible salmonella contamination.
Leclerc outpaces world champion Verstappen to go fastest in Melbourne
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc went quickest in second practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with a struggling Lewis Hamilton only managing 13th.
Xi praises China's virus handling as Shanghai prepares 130,000 Covid beds
China's President Xi Jinping praised the country's "tested" zero-Covid strategy on Friday, even as Shanghai authorities prepared nearly 130,000 beds for Covid-19 patients amid surging cases and mounting public anger.
Shanghai lockdown snarls world's busiest port and China supply chains
Shanghai's grinding coronavirus lockdown is slowly clogging China's supply chains, as delays hit the world's busiest container port where staff are tangled in a morass of Covid controls.
Biden eyes political rebound after historic Supreme Court triumph
The Thursday confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court marks an undeniable success for Joe Biden, with the American president in dire need of fresh political uplift months before midterm elections.
Israeli police say kill gunman who shot dead two in Tel Aviv
Israeli police said Friday they had shot dead a Palestinian gunman who had killed two people and wounded several others in Tel Aviv sparking an overnight manhunt, the latest in a surge of violence.
Drivers fear for F1's heritage despite 'awesome' Vegas race
Drivers enthusiastically welcomed on Friday Las Vegas hosting a night-time Formula 1 grand prix, but voiced concern that traditional races in Europe could pay the price as the sport expands in new directions.
In southern Spain, gay stylists play key role in Holy Week
Working with rich fabrics, fine lace and flowers, gay stylists have long played a key role in dressing the Virgin Mary figures carried through the streets of southern Spain during Holy Week.
Ukrainian scientists feel helpless at Antarctic base as war rages
For a dozen Ukrainian scientists thousands of kilometers from home at the Vernadsky Antarctic base, the biting cold hurts less than the feeling of helplessness over the war in their homeland.
First private mission readies for launch to ISS
The first fully private mission to the International Space Station is set to blast off Friday with a four-member crew from startup company Axiom Space.
Kenyans heal devastated land with the power of mangroves
Along a riverbank scarred by logging, Joseph Mwandenge Mangi points out a solitary mangrove tree, a species once abundant in the forest where the mighty Sabaki River meets the sea.
Colombian flooding kills 12, two missing: authorities
Torrential rains and flooding have killed at least 12 people at a mining camp in mountainous northwest Colombia, with another two reported missing and more damage expected, authorities said Thursday.
Sound of Mughal-era sarangi instrument fading away in Pakistan
In the shadow of Lahore's centuries-old Badshahi Mosque, Zohaib Hassan plucks at the strings of a sarangi, filling the streets with a melodious hum and cry.
Family of French diver missing in Malaysia 'hope for best'
The mother of a French diver missing off the coast of Malaysia said Friday she is "hoping for the best" as the search for the teenager and two other Europeans entered a third day.
Australian flood disinformation sparks threats to pilots
An Australian aviation company says it has received more than 100 threats following an online conspiracy theory that its pilots unleashed a flooding disaster by cloud seeding.
Sainz outguns Ferrari teammate Leclerc in first Melbourne practice
Carlos Sainz ruthlessly outpaced Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and world champion Max Verstappen to clock the fastest time in opening practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday.
St Mark's storied palazzo opens doors to Venetians for first time
For centuries the impressive arcades flanking St Mark's Square in Venice have embodied the watery city's elegance, harmony and architectural significance.
Civilians flee east Ukraine, warnings of 'horrific' abuses
Civilians in eastern Ukraine struggled to evacuate Friday as Russia redirects its firepower, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning of "even more horrific" devastation being uncovered around the capital.
Weary and worried, French voters are in unpredictable mood
Every five years French goose farmer Frederic Coudray-Ozbolt revels in the attention his quiet village receives when journalists come knocking at presidential election time.
Asian markets struggle to track Wall St on hawkish Fed
Asian markets limped into the weekend Friday at the end of a tough week dominated by the Federal Reserve's hawkish tone that has set up an aggressive tightening of monetary policy, while oil drifted after another series of losses.
India's Hindu hardliners jump on Kashmir blockbuster
Indian Hindu hardliners have jumped on an explosive new film endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the mass flight of Hindus from Kashmir 30 years ago to stir up hatred against minority Muslims.
Hamilton on collision course with F1 chiefs over 'bling' ban
Formula One drivers have been reminded that they are not allowed to wear jewellery while racing, prompting Lewis Hamilton to joke Friday he had piercings he can't take out.
Veteran Alonso hungry for two or three more years in F1
Double world champion Fernando Alonso on Friday said he planned to keep racing for at least two or three years more, denying feeling pressure to step aside for a younger driver.
Tesla inaugurates huge Texas plant with 'Cyber Rodeo'
Tesla welcomed throngs of electric car lovers to Texas Thursday for a huge party dubbed a "cyber rodeo" to inaugurate a manufacturing plant the size of 100 soccer fields.
The struggle to save Cuban sugar from bitter end
A whistle reverberates through a sugar factory in central Cuba to signal the resumption of milling at midday after an hours-long halt when the raw cane ran out.
In unusual step, Mexico president asks voters if he should go
Mexico will hold its first presidential recall referendum on Sunday, promoted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on whether he should complete his six-year term -- an exercise that has split public opinion.
Toshiba pauses spin-off plan, weighs going private
Troubled Japanese conglomerate Toshiba has said it is suspending its plan to split into two after last month's shareholder vote against the idea and will now weigh the possibility of going private.
McIlroy six off the pace after opening round at Masters
Rory McIlroy stumbled six strokes adrift in Thursday's opening round of the 86th Masters, his bid to complete a career Grand Slam in trouble after shooting a one-over par 73.
Frustrated Wolff snaps at Masters
Augusta National's reputation for decorum proved no match for Matthew Wolff's Masters frustrations on Thursday.