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In UK ports, outrage at sacked P&O Ferries workers
Claire Cooper stood with about 30 others at Liverpool docks, braving an icy wind to protest about P&O Ferries sudden sacking of a quarter of its workforce.
Longer conflict could be in store as Russia eyes Donbas: US official
Russia's refocusing of its military efforts on the Donbas could herald a "longer, more prolonged conflict" as Ukrainian forces put up fierce resistance in the eastern region, a senior US defense official said Thursday.
Hundreds storm Sri Lanka president's home as crisis deepens
Police fired tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of protesters trying to storm the home of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the capital Thursday, demanding his resignation as the South Asian nation's economic crisis worsened.
US not looking for new deal in China negotiations: trade chief
The United States is not looking for a new deal in its negotiations with China over trading practices but rather to address practices by Beijing that it finds objectionable, Washington's trade chief said Thursday.
UN starts task force for company climate targets
The United Nations launched a task force Thursday to pressure businesses to keep their emissions-cutting promises instead of masking progress with feel-good "greenwashing".
Evans says Marchant deserves England run after Six Nations stint
Joe Marchant's form in the Six Nations should be rewarded with an extended run in the England side, according to Harlequins' attack coach Nick Evans.
Bangladesh coach admits 'uncertainty' prompted bowling first in Test
Head coach Russell Domingo admitted on Thursday that Bangladesh's decision to bowl in the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead was prompted by uncertainty about batting first in potentially difficult conditions.
Oil prices sink as US taps reserves; equities fall
Oil prices tumbled on Thursday as the US announced it would release a record amount of oil from its stockpiles to fight soaring prices over supply fears sparked by the Ukraine war.
Macron attacks Le Pen as lead slips in French polls
President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday launched a bitter attack against far-right leader Marine Le Pen after warning supporters to take nothing for granted in an increasingly tight French election.
Moscow gas threat as NATO warns Russians 'regrouping' in Ukraine
Russia threatened Thursday to turn off its gas taps to Europe if the continent fails to pay in rubles, opening up a new front amid its war in Ukraine, where NATO and Kyiv warned that Russian troops were regrouping for new attacks.
Exit Expo: Dubai world fair closes in blaze of fireworks
Dubai shuttered Expo 2020 with a colourful closing ceremony punctuated by fireworks on Thursday, leaving a multi-billion dollar mini-city in the desert and heightened expectations for future hosts.
Greenpeace blocks Russian oil delivery off Denmark
A dozen Greenpeace activists in kayaks and swimming in the water blocked the transfer of Russian oil between two tankers off Denmark's coast on Thursday, the environmental organisation said.
Elgar, Bavuma give South Africa early Test edge over Bangladesh
Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma hit half-centuries to give South Africa a slight edge on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead on Thursday.
Putin warns EU nations need ruble accounts to get gas
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned "unfriendly" countries, including all EU members, that they would be cut off from Russian gas unless they opened an account in rubles to pay for deliveries.
Medicine shortages and Russian army searches: life in occupied Kherson
Tanks in the streets, a severe medicine shortage and Russian soldiers searching homes -- residents in Ukraine's southern city of Kherson told AFP about life under Russian occupation.
Biden orders unprecedented use of oil stockpile to combat US fuel prices
President Joe Biden will announce Thursday a record release from US strategic oil reserves in an attempt to curb a politically damaging surge in domestic fuel prices following Russia's attack on Ukraine, the White House said.
Ramadan prayers return to Istanbul's Hagia Sophia mosque after 88 years
"Tarawih" prayers which Muslims perform every night during the holy month of Ramadan, are returning to Istanbul's Hagia Sophia mosque for the first time in 88 years, the country's top religious body announced on Thursday.
Blue Origin launches its fourth crew to final frontier
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin successfully carried out its fourth crewed spaceflight Thursday, a ten-minute joyride beyond the planet's atmosphere and back again.
Far-right Le Pen closes in on French presidential favourite Macron
Steering clear of scandals and of debates about Ukraine, France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen is gaining ground ahead of a presidential election and increasingly confident she has a fighting chance of defeating incumbent Emmanuel Macron.
UN urges donors to avert 'death spiral' for Afghans
Afghanistan's economy risks falling into a "death spiral" without urgent aid, with some Afghans already forced to sell their children and body parts to survive, UN chief Antonio Guterres said Thursday.
Biden orders unprecedented use of US oil stockpiles to combat fuel prices
President Joe Biden will announce Thursday the release of a record million barrels of oil a day, for about 180 days, from US strategic stockpiles in an attempt to dampen soaring fuel prices in the wake of Russia's attack on Ukraine, the White House said.
Oil prices sink as US mulls tapping reserves; equities fall
Oil prices tumbled on Thursday on reports that the United States is considering tapping reserves to combat a supply crisis sparked by the Ukraine war.
Biden set to order record release of US oil reserves: reports
President Joe Biden was expected Thursday to announce the release of a record million barrels of oil a day from US strategic stockpiles in a dramatic attempt to cushion the political fallout from soaring crude prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ton-up McDermott propels Australia to 348-8 in second ODI
Ben McDermott smashed a maiden century Tuesday to guide Australia to a massive 348-8 in the second day-night international against Pakistan in Lahore.
Premier League to introduce five subs from next season
Premier League clubs will be able to make five substitutions from the 2022/23 season after they belatedly agreed to the rule change on Thursday.
Nine foreign judges to stay on Hong Kong's top court
Nine foreign judges from Britain, Australia and Canada confirmed Thursday they will stay on Hong Kong's top court after two senior British justices resigned to avoid endorsing China's crackdown on political freedoms in the financial hub.
FIFA faces new attack over rights in World Cup host Qatar
Lingering divisions over FIFA's decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar overshadowed the annual congress of football's world governing body on Thursday, forcing its president Gianni Infantino to insist that the event had already brought change to the Arab state.
Biden weighs record release of US oil reserves: reports
President Joe Biden plans to announce a potentially record release of oil from US strategic stockpiles to counter elevated gasoline prices in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US media reported Thursday.
Vettel cleared to race in Australian GP after Covid absence
Sebastian Vettel has been declared fit to take part in next week's Australian Grand Prix after he missed the opening two races of the season following a bout of coronavirus.
Hamilton 'struggling mentally' after tough start to F1 season
Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is "struggling mentally and emotionally" after a tough start to the Formula One season.
Bangladesh hit back after South Africa start well
Bangladesh hit back with three wickets during the first afternoon of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Thursday.
Americans pulled back on spending in February as inflation bit
US consumers spent less and saved more in February amid rising prices for a range of goods, even as their incomes continued to increase, government data showed Thursday.