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Elderly care homes in eye of Hong Kong's deadly Covid storm
Kathleen Wong thought her 89-year-old mother was lucky to get a coveted spot in a government nursing home, but now she watches in horror as a coronavirus wave tears through Hong Kong's elderly population.
At US eateries, love for Ukraine -- and wrath for Russia
Since the Russian invasion began, lines have stretched down the street outside a Ukrainian-owned cafe in a trendy part of Washington. Blocks away, at the city's long-popular Russia House restaurant, five windows have been smashed in and owners are thinking they may not reopen.
In about-face, Guatemala president calls for strict abortion law to be shelved
Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei on Thursday called on Congress to shelve a new law ramping up prison sentences for women who choose to have an abortion, while banning both gay marriage and teaching on sexual diversity.
Nets rout Sixers after huge NBA trade as Harden humbled
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving led the Brooklyn Nets to a blowout 129-100 victory over ex-teammate James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers in an NBA grudge match on Thursday.
Let's talk about sex: Paralympian breaks taboo
Athletes at Beijing's Winter Paralympics are not just breaking down sports barriers on the slopes and ice -- Argentinian skier Enrique Plantey is pushing for a bedroom revolution.
Osaka survives Stephens to launch Indian Wells return
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka wouldn't be blown off course in her return to Indian Wells, outlasting Sloane Stephens 3-6-, 6-1, 6-2 in a blockbuster first-round clash.
Asian markets drop as inflation spike fans rate fears
Asian markets sank Friday as traders resumed their Ukraine-fuelled selling after the previous day's bounce, with data showing US inflation at a 40-year high adding pressure on the Federal Reserve to ramp up interest rates.
Prayers in Japan 11 years after tsunami and nuclear disaster
People in Japan's northeast offered prayers and carried out searches for the missing on Friday, 11 years after an earthquake and tsunami left 18,500 people dead or unaccounted for and triggered a devastating nuclear meltdown in Fukushima.
Facebook allows calls for violence against 'Russian invaders'
Facebook has temporarily eased its policy on violent speech after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, allowing statements like "death to Russian invaders" but not credible threats against civilians, the tech giant said Thursday.
Russia ramps up ties with Sudan as Ukraine war rages
As much of the West seeks to isolate Russia after it invaded Ukraine, experts say Moscow is boosting relations with its longtime African ally Sudan, eyeing its gold wealth and strategic location.
WHO frustration two years on since pandemic declaration
Friday marks two years to the day since the World Health Organization first described Covid-19 as a pandemic, shaking countries into action as the disease ripped around the planet.
'We couldn't leave them': Ukraine refugees flee with pets in tow
Lea and Keks are among the latest refugees arriving in Poland from war-torn Ukraine, both jumping at their master's feet and visibly relieved after crossing the border.
N.Ireland ministers to apologise for institutional abuse
Ministers from Northern Ireland's five main political parties are on Friday to issue a public apology for historical, institutional abuses in children's homes after years of delays.
Radioactive fuel, contaminated water: the Fukushima clean-up
Eleven years after a devastating tsunami hit Japan's northeast, thousands of workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant are involved in the complex and decades-long process of decommissioning the site.
US actor Jussie Smollett jailed for staged attack
US actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced to almost five months in prison Thursday after being found guilty of falsely telling police he was the victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 -- an attack prosecutors said he himself staged.
Four endangered American crocodiles are born in Peru
A Lima zoo announced Thursday the birth in captivity of four American crocodiles, an endangered species, after a successful artificial incubation.
Colombians vote for Congress, short-list presidential contenders
Colombians vote Sunday to draw up a shortlist of presidential candidates for elections in May while also electing the 296 members of its Congress.
NASA opens sample taken from the Moon 50 years on
The Apollo missions to the Moon brought a total of 2,196 rock samples to Earth. But NASA has only just started opening one of the last ones, collected 50 years ago.
Osaka holds off Stephens in Indian Wells first round
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka outlasted Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a tough first-round encounter at the Indian Wells WTA and ATP Masters on Thursday.
Major League Baseball and players reach deal, set up April season start
Major League Baseball and the MLB players union reached agreement on a new five-year labor deal on Thursday, setting the stage for a delayed start to the 2022 season next month.
Russia accused of attacking aid route as Ukraine talks see scant headway
Russia and Ukraine failed to make a breakthrough Thursday in their first top-level talks since Moscow's invasion two weeks ago, as Russian forces advanced on Kyiv and faced new accusations they attacked a humanitarian corridor into Mariupol.
Fleetwood, Hoge lead as weather wreaks havoc at Players
Rain and thunderstorms wreaked havoc at the PGA Tour's Players Championship in Florida on Thursday, with a long delay that kept some players from even teeing off before darkness halted the opening round.
US says North Korea testing new ICBM system
Two recent missile tests conducted by North Korea were of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, the Pentagon said Thursday, marking what one US official called a "serious escalation" that will be punished with fresh sanctions.
Facebook eases rules to allow violent speech against 'Russian invaders'
Facebook said Thursday that due to the invasion of Ukraine it has temporarily eased its rules regarding violent speech to allow statements like "death to Russian invaders," but not credible threats against civilians.
'As long as we have a bus we will be there', says Chelsea's Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has vowed Chelsea will not be destroyed by the sanctions on Blues owner Roman Abramovich that plunged the European champions into turmoil before their 3-1 win at Norwich on Thursday.
Marathon man Bonner gives West Indies edge over weary England
Nkrumah Bonner's considerable reserves of patience and determination paid off with an invaluable second Test century as the West Indies closed the third day of the first Test against England at 373 for nine at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday.
IMF expects to cut global growth forecast due to Ukraine war
The IMF expects to cut its global growth estimate due to the economic damage caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday.
US: Ukraine needs surface-to-air missiles, not fighter jets
The US State Department on Thursday ruled out proposals to send MiG fighter jets to Ukraine via an American base, saying Kyiv's efforts to repel the Russian invasion would be better served by the supply of ground-based weapons.
Barca held by Galatasaray, Rangers thump Red Star Belgrade
Barcelona stumbled to a goalless draw with Galatasaray in their Europa League last-16 first leg at the Camp Nou on Thursday, while Rangers cruised into a 3-0 lead in their tie against Red Star Belgrade.
Dozen Cuban protesters given 5 to 16 year sentences
Twelve Cubans who took part in unprecedented anti-government protests last July were sentenced to between five and 16 years in prison, convicted of sabotage, public disorder and theft, the Supreme Court said on Thursday.
Dozen Cuban protesters given 5 to 12 year sentences
Twelve Cubans who took part in unprecedented anti-government protests last July were sentenced to between five and 16 years in prison, convicted of sabotage, public disorder and theft, the Supreme Court said on Thursday.
Canada dish named for Russia president dropped from menus
A Canadian restaurant chain that specializes in a local delicacy of fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds has dropped from its menu a variety named after Russia's president over the war in Ukraine, it said Thursday.