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Osaka rallies past Bencic to reach Miami Open final
Japan's Naomi Osaka advanced to the WTA Miami Open final by rallying to defeat Olympic champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday.
Russians leave Chernobyl with Ukrainian troops as hostages: Kyiv
Russian troops on Tuesday vacated Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant after weeks of occupation, but took an unspecified number of captive Ukrainian servicemen with them, officials in Kyiv said on Thursday.
UN Security Council votes for new Somalia peacekeeping force
The UN Security Council on Thursday voted unanimously for a new African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, where Al-Shabaab insurgents have been seeking to overthrow the fragile government for more than a decade.
Putin's gas threat as Ukraine, West dismiss de-escalation claim
Russia threatened Thursday to turn off its gas taps to Europe, opening up a new front in its war in Ukraine amid growing scepticism over Moscow's claim it is scaling back its onslaught.
War in Ukraine could 'drag on for awhile' as Russia eyes Donbas: Pentagon
Russia may be repositioning some of its forces around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv to send them to the eastern Donbas region, where Ukrainian forces have been putting up fierce resistance, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Ryanair chief expects 'strong recovery', Covid and Ukraine permitting
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said Thursday he expected a strong rebound in the airline's activity but said the recovery was fragile due to Covid and the geopolitical situation.
Biden says unprecedented use of oil stockpile will ease US fuel costs 'pain'
President Joe Biden announced Thursday a record release from US strategic oil reserves to "ease the pain" of soaring domestic fuel prices, saying the "wartime" measure will defuse Russia's leverage as an energy power.
Bruce Willis's declining health evident for some time: filmmakers
The announcement that Bruce Willis was stepping back from acting because of cognitive difficulties came as no surprise to people who have worked with the action hero, reports said.
Pakistan PM hits out at US as no-confidence debate postponed
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday accused the United States of meddling in Pakistan's politics -- a claim quickly denied by Washington -- as a debate on a no-confidence motion against him in parliament was postponed.
Djokovic stays No.1 as Medvedev falls to Hurkacz at Miami
Daniil Medvedev missed a chance to reclaim the world number one ranking on Friday after falling to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 at the Miami Open.
One wounded as protest at Sri Lanka leader's home turns violent
A protest by hundreds of people trying to storm the home of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa turned violent Thursday, with at least one man critically wounded, as residents slammed the government's handling of the country's crippling economic crisis.
Depardieu denounces Putin's 'crazy excesses' in Ukraine
Veteran actor Gerard Depardieu on Thursday denounced the "crazy, unacceptable excesses" of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.
Ukraine could lose half its harvest due to war: minister
Bombed out wheat fields, farmers gone to the front, supplies chains ruined.
Ton-up Babar and Haq punish Australia in Pakistan's highest ODI chase
Skipper Babar Azam and opener Imam-ul-Haq smashed brilliant centuries to help Pakistan pull off their highest ODI run-chase in a six-wicket triumph over Australia in Lahore on Thursday.
International donors pledge $2.44 bn in aid for Afghanistan
International donors have pledged $2.44 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Thursday, falling short of its target to provide emergency relief.
Ukraine war a factor in Argentina MotoGP delay, says top official
Opening practice for this weekend's Argentina MotoGP has been put back 24 hours to Saturday after flights carrying crucial equipment for the race were delayed with the Russian invasion of Ukraine cited as a major factor.
'Russian soldiers go home!' says defiant Kharkiv commander
"Russian soldiers, go home, while you're still alive!" The commander-in-chief of the 92nd Brigade of the Ukrainian army and defender of Kharkiv is defiant despite five weeks of war.
Taliban hoist giant flag in Afghan capital, eight months after return
The Taliban raised a giant white flag of their movement on a hill overlooking the Afghan capital Thursday in a ceremony held nearly eight months after they returned to power.
Kyrgios fined $35,000 for tirade at umpire in Miami loss
Australian star Nick Kyrgios was fined $35,000 by the ATP on Thursday following his stormy row with umpire Carlos Bernardes in a Tuesday loss at the Miami Open.
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.