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China to 'stick with' zero-Covid strategy, President Xi says
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday the country will "stick with" its zero-Covid strategy, state TV reported, as the world's most populous nation battles its largest outbreak since the early days of the pandemic.
Galthie says France have learned from defeats before Six Nations decider
France coach Fabien Galthie said Thursday his team had learned from its past disappointments as they prepare to face England on Saturday hoping to win their first Six Nations title since 2010.
War in Ukraine wheat belt hits Egyptian pockets
Soaring bread prices sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine have bitten into the purchasing power of consumers in Egypt, a leading importer of wheat from the former Soviet states.
Indonesia begins electric car production with Hyundai plant
South Korea's Hyundai has launched the first electric car assembly plant in Indonesia, as the Southeast Asian archipelago looks to exploit an abundance of resources used in EV production.
BoE agrees third straight rate hike as inflation soars
The Bank of England on Thursday hiked its main interest rate to its pre-pandemic level, the third increase in a row, to combat decades-high inflation.
Moscow stocks crash crushes financial dreams of Russians
The Moscow stock exchange ended 2021 in fine form: a record number of companies were listing their shares, foreign money was flowing in and ordinary Russians were keen on investing.
St Patrick's Day parades return to Ireland after Covid hiatus
Ireland on Thursday heralded the return of St Patrick's Day festivities after a two-year halt due to coronavirus, as hundreds of thousands of Irish and international visitors flocked to the capital Dublin and beyond.
Remarkable Shiffrin wins overall World Cup title
American skier Mikaela Shiffrin won the women's overall World Cup title for the fourth time in her career on Thursday, bouncing back from a disastrous performance at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Federer's Ukrainian conqueror swaps racquet for Kalashnikov
In 2013 he achieved one of the great shocks in tennis history, knocking defending champion Roger Federer out of Wimbledon.
Oil surges on Russia tensions
Oil prices soared Thursday on tensions surrounding key producer Russia, as equities diverged with traders tracking also interest rate decisions and China's pledge to support volatile markets.
'Like Santa arriving' as freed UK-Iranians reunite with families
The families of two British-Iranians who returned to the UK after years imprisoned in Tehran on Thursday spoke of their overwhelming relief and gratitude at finally being reunited.
East Timor heads to the polls amid political deadlock
East Timor will hold presidential polls on Saturday, with the winner facing a Covid and cyclone-battered economy, as well as a protracted political impasse.
Ukraine denounces new 'Wall' in Europe as theatre hit
Ukraine's leader on Thursday said Russia was building a new Cold War wall across Europe "between freedom and bondage", after his government accused invading forces of bombing a theatre sheltering many civilians and marked with the word "children".
Moscow says it made debt interest payment, avoiding default
Russia announced Thursday that it paid interest on foreign debt due this week, avoiding a devastating default for now after it was hit by unprecedented Western sanctions over Ukraine.
Macron to unveil manifesto, shifting from war to re-election bid
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is riding high in the polls, is to reveal his manifesto on Thursday at his first major campaign event for the election next month.
Shiffrin wins overall World Cup alpine ski title
American skier Mikaela Shiffrin won the overall women's World Cup title for the fourth time in her career on Thursday, bouncing back from a disastrous performance at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Covid-hit Vettel replaced by Huelkenberg for Bahrain GP
Four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be replaced by Nico Huelkenberg for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, the Aston Martin team said on Thursday.
China accused of harassing ex-dissident running for US Congress
US prosecutors accused China on Wednesday of spying on pro-democracy activists in the United States and seeking to harass and intimidate a former Tiananmen Square dissident who is running for Congress.
Deliveroo reports rising annual losses as costs jump
International takeaway food app Deliveroo on Thursday announced rising annual losses after costs rose by more than one third, offsetting a surge in home deliveries.
Zelensky urges Germany to tear down new Russian 'Wall' in Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Germany in an emotional video address before parliament Thursday to help destroy a new "Wall" Russia was erecting in Europe.
Malian junta orders French broadcasters RFI, France 24 off air
Mali's ruling junta ordered French broadcasters RFI and France 24 off the air on Wednesday night, complaining they had falsely accused the army of committing abuses.
Residents survey damage after powerful Japan quake
People in northeast Japan were cleaning up and surveying the damage on Thursday after a powerful 7.4-magnitude quake derailed a bullet train, opened cracks in highways and initially cut power to over two million homes.
Cambodia opposition figures hit with jail terms
A Cambodian court handed out jail terms Thursday to 20 opposition figures including exiled leader Sam Rainsy, who condemned the judgment as a fresh bid by strongman ruler Hun Sen to quash dissent.
New Zealand on the ropes as South Africa eye World Cup semis
South Africa notched a two-wicket win over New Zealand on Thursday to virtually guarantee themselves a spot in the Women's Cricket World Cup semi-finals and leave the hosts in danger of elimination.
Markets rally again as Hong Kong extends surge
Asian and European markets rallied further Thursday with another blistering surge in tech firms helping Hong Kong extend its recovery from the recent rout, while traders also cheered soothing comments on the US economy by the Federal Reserve after it lifted interest rates.
Thailand faces early election as coalition cracks widen
Thailand's embattled prime minister will hold talks with party leaders in his ruling coalition Thursday as he seeks to control growing divisions that could lead to early elections later this year.
South Korea reports record Covid cases amid Omicron surge
South Korea reported a record of more than 600,000 coronavirus cases Thursday, with authorities saying the country was near the peak of an Omicron-fuelled infection wave.
Hong Kong's Lam mulls easing Covid rules as public tolerance 'fading'
Hong Kong's leader said Thursday she was mulling easing some of the city's coronavirus restrictions due to waning public tolerance, but could not provide a roadmap out of the current Omicron-fuelled crisis.
French film must be 'more spectacular', says top producer
France's film industry needs to focus on splashier productions to stay ahead in the streaming era and keep its cinemas alive, the head of Paris-based Pathe Films told AFP.
Federer's Ukranian conqueror swaps racquet for Kalashnikov
In 2013 he achieved one of the great shocks in tennis history, knocking defending champion Roger Federer out of Wimbledon.
Record-breaking Babar up there with the best after Pakistan heroics
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has long established his credentials in limited-overs cricket, but his 196 against Australia put him up there with some greats in the long form of the game too.
UN to vote on its scope in Afghanistan, barring a Russia veto
The Security Council votes Thursday on a resolution to secure the United Nations' presence in war-torn Afghanistan into the future -- unless Russia, which has stymied negotiations this week, vetoes the measure.