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'Everyone is worried': Belarusians hope for peace between neighbours
In the quiet Belarusian town of Zaslavl, families carefully tread an icy path under the winter sun to an Orthodox church.
US releases pilot's high-altitude selfie with Chinese balloon
The US defense department has released a high-altitude cockpit selfie of a U-2 spy plane pilot soaring over an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon the day before it was shot down.
Yellen says Russia hurting as G7 discuss more sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday that sanctions were hurting Russia badly, as she and other G7 finance chiefs gathered to discuss further measures on the eve of the first anniversary of the Ukraine invasion.
Ukrainian troops seek solace in faith and prayer
God moves in mysterious ways, the Bible says. In eastern Ukraine, one of His representatives drives a Lada 1600, powered by petrol and prayer.
Death toll from China mine collapse rises to five, dozens still missing
The death toll from a collapse at a coal mine in northern China rose to five on Thursday, state media reported, as rescuers searched for dozens still missing after a massive landslide hindered recovery efforts overnight.
Violence around Gaza after deadly Israeli raid in West Bank
The Israeli army and Palestinian militants traded air strikes and rocket fire in and around Gaza Thursday, a day after the deadliest Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank in nearly 20 years.
Hong Kong exchange reports IPO drought in 2022 as profits slide
Hong Kong's stock exchange last year saw the fewest new listings in more than a decade, it said Thursday as the city struggles to emerge from pandemic isolation and kickstart an economic recovery.
G7 finance ministers to discuss more Russia sanctions
Group of Seven finance ministers were due to discuss on Thursday possible fresh sanctions against Moscow and more support for Ukraine, a day ahead of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
India's troubled Adani invests in bankrupt Sri Lanka
Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on Thursday announced its first major foreign investment since it declared bankruptcy, approving a $442 million wind power project by India's scandal-hit Adani group.
Chinese livestreamers flock outdoors for late-night tips
In the dead of night on a bridge in southern China, around two dozen livestreamers sat crooning and chatting into microphones, their identical ring lights spaced a few metres apart in glowing rows.
Death toll from China mine collapse rises to four, dozens still missing
The death toll from a collapse at a coal mine in northern China rose to four on Thursday, state media reported, as the search for dozens still missing resumed after a massive landslide hindered progress overnight.
When men won't 'get dirty', Nicaraguan women dig for cockles
From a young age, Elena Martinez and other female residents of Aserradores, a small fishing community in eastern Nicaragua, learn to navigate the dense mangrove forest to extract a black mollusc from deep under the mud.
Weinstein to be sentenced in LA rape case
Disgraced movie industry tycoon Harvey Weinstein is due to be sentenced Thursday over the rape of a woman in a Beverly Hills hotel room a decade ago.
Ukraine allies vow to strengthen defenses as UN prepares for peace vote
US President Joe Biden and European leaders in Warsaw vowed to strengthen defences "from the Baltic to the Black Sea", as the UN General Assembly prepared to vote Thursday for "lasting" peace on the eve of the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Mexico lawmakers pass president's contentious electoral reform
Mexican lawmakers on Wednesday passed a controversial electoral reform championed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador that critics see as an attack on democracy ahead of key elections next year.
New Zealand's Tickner eager to beat England to cheer cyclone victims
New Zealand fast bowler Blair Tickner wants to bring some cheer to the victims of Cyclone Gabrielle by helping the Black Caps win the second Test against England, starting Friday.
US seeks custody of Peru ex-president Toledo for extradition
US attorneys asked a California judge on Wednesday to revoke the bail of former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo and prepare for his extradition to Peru, where he is wanted on corruption charges.
England unchanged for second N.Zealand Test after 'perfect game'
England have named an unchanged team for the second and final Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday, after captain Ben Stokes they had played "the perfect game" to go 1-0 up in the series.
Swanson scores again as US beat Brazil to clinch SheBelieves Cup
In-form Mallory Swanson scored again as the United States beat Brazil 2-1 to clinch a fourth straight SheBelieves Cup crown Wednesday.
Smith, Johnson top stars as expanded LIV Golf season opens
Reigning British Open champion Cameron Smith and two-time major winner Dustin Johnson are among the big names as the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf League opens its 2023 campaign on Friday.
Asian markets mixed but little joy as traders eye more Fed hikes
Markets were mixed Thursday, with little buying enthusiasm after minutes from a Federal Reserve policy meeting indicated interest rates will likely keep rising longer than previously feared.
Dubai housing boom buoys buyers, burdens tenants
With rents soaring and properties selling fast, the expatriate hub of Dubai is in the throes of a housing boom bolstered by rich emigres that has buoyed investors and burdened tenants.
Search for China mine collapse survivors on hold after landslide
Search and rescue efforts at a coal mine in northern China's Inner Mongolia region have been put on hold after a massive landslide, state media reported Thursday, following a collapse that killed at least two people and trapped dozens.
Bosnian furniture sector spurs economic growth
The screech of chainsaws echoes through a Bosnian forest edged by snowy peaks, where lumber is to be crafted into high-end furniture to adorn European or South Korean homes.
Lake Garda tourists flock to island reconnected by drought
On foot or by bike, visitors stream across the narrow path connecting the small island to the edge of Lake Garda, a symbol of the winter drought hitting northern Italy.
World Bank hopes to select new chief by May
The World Bank said Wednesday it hopes to find a successor by early May to chief David Malpass, who has announced he will step down nearly a year early.
Six Nations sigh of relief as Wales-England to go ahead
Wales playing England at home is one of the stand-out fixtures of the Six Nations, a fierce rivalry between neighbours that sees thousands fill Cardiff for a day of rugby, beer and cheer.
Australia's Maxwell, Marsh back from injury for India ODIs
Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh will make their international returns from lengthy injury layoffs after being named Thursday in Australia's one-day squad for the series in India.
'Level-headed' Crowley reason for Italy's change in fortunes: McKinley
Italy are at last finding their feet in Test rugby thanks to a mix of talented young players and the "level-headed" approach of coach Kieran Crowley, former fly-half Ian McKinley told AFP.
Coffee harvest plunges amid Central American exodus
Nestled in the mountains of central Honduras, the "El Encanto" coffee farm is tackling this year's harvest with half the pickers it needs.
Japan's rare intimacy coordinators in demand after abuse scandals
On a set outside Tokyo, Momoko Nishiyama sits with the drama's director and watches as a man undresses a woman, guiding the love scene as one of just two "intimacy coordinators" in Japan.
France's loose play 'dangerous' for Scotland great Laidlaw
Ex-Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw said his former side must be wary of France's ability in broken play during Sunday's Six Nations meeting in Paris.