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New election possible in N.Ireland if stalemate continues: UK
Fresh elections could be held in Northern Ireland if a deadline passes without the resumption of power-sharing government in Belfast, a senior British minister indicated on Thursday.
Feuz safely negotiates training in bid to cement Kitzbuehel status
Olympic champion Beat Feuz safely negotiated the second and final downhill training in Kitzbuehel on Thursday in his bid for a fourth consecutive triumph on the Streif course.
Djokovic barrels into Australian Open third round as seeds fall
Novak Djokovic scrapped his way into the Australian Open third round on Thursday to ramp up his bid for a 22nd Grand Slam crown, but several men's seeds crashed out.
Kyiv ups pressure on West for weapons, Moscow warns 'dangerous'
Ukraine on Thursday intensified pressure on Western allies to provide heavier weapons and Leopard tanks to step up the fight against Russia ahead of a major donor meeting.
Swedish intel agent gets life for spying for Russia
A former Swedish intelligence official was handed a life sentence on Thursday for spying for Russia's military intelligence service between 2011 and 2021, and his brother jailed for 10 years.
Ukrainian deminers learn from decades of Cambodian experience
The baking sun beating down on them, a group of Ukrainian deminers watched intently as their Cambodian trainers swept through a dusty field in eastern Battambang province on Thursday, seeking to learn from decades of bitter experience.
German parliament recognises Yazidi 'genocide' in Iraq
Germany's lower house of parliament recognised on Thursday the 2014 massacre of Yazidis by Islamic State group jihadists in Iraq as a "genocide", and called for measures to assist the besieged minority.
Thunberg says Davos elite 'fuelling destruction of planet'
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg slammed business and political leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, saying it was "absurd" to listen to them while they fuelled "the destruction of the planet".
Stocks slide on returning recession fears
Stock markets mostly slid and other major assets including the dollar and oil weakened Thursday after disappointing US data renewed worries about possible global recession this year.
Fiery Djokovic blasts into Australian Open third round
Novak Djokovic defied rowdy fans and hamstring trouble to haul himself into the Australian Open third round with a drama-filled win over qualifier Enzo Couacaud on Thursday.
Indian tycoon Adani's firm seeks billions from investors
Indian multibillionaire Gautam Adani's flagship conglomerate launched the country's biggest-ever secondary share sale on Thursday, as it seeks to bolster its balance sheet and broaden its shareholder base.
EU parliament chief publishes list of gifts late
The head of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has disclosed the many gifts she has received in the past year, albeit late, as the scandal-hit institution seeks to rebuild credibility.
Wildcard Popyrin emotional after ending Fritz's Grand Slam
An emotional Alexei Popyrin said he always believed he could beat the best after the 113th-ranked local hope stunned eighth seed Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open on Thursday.
France gripped by strikes over Macron's pension reform plan
Strikes crippled much of France's public transport on Thursday as protesters came out in force against a deeply unpopular pensions overhaul, with schools and media also heavily affected.
New leases to significantly expand UK offshore wind power
The UK on Thursday announced leases for six new offshore wind projects which aim to cement the country as one of the world's leading renewable energy generators in the offshore sector.
Erratic Bencic blusters through to third round at Australian Open
In-form Belinda Bencic's bid to become only the second Swiss woman to win the Australian Open stayed on track Thursday, but only after an erratic 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over American Claire Liu in the second round.
One dead, dozens hurt in stampede before Iraq Gulf Cup final
One person was killed and dozens injured Thursday when a stampede broke out outside a football stadium in Iraq hours before the Gulf Cup final, officials said.
Belgian MEP implicated in graft scandal slams accusations
A Belgian member of the European Parliament, targeted by prosecutors in a graft scandal rocking the EU, has insisted on his innocence and denounced accusations by a key suspect, a statement seen by AFP on Thursday said.
UK govt faces questions in Russia meddling probe
The European Court of Human Rights said on Thursday it had asked the UK government to answer questions about alleged Russian interference in elections after a legal challenge.
Macron, Sanchez in Barcelona to cement Franco-Spanish ties
French President Emmanuel Macron was meeting Spain's Pedro Sanchez for a joint summit in Barcelona Thursday, as Paris seeks Spanish support for its uncompromising stance in a brewing trade dispute with Washington.
Farrell omits Carbery from Ireland Six Nations squad
Joey Carbery, widely seen for a long time to be the natural successor to Johnny Sexton as Ireland's fly-half, was not included in the Six Nations squad unveiled by head coach Andy Farrell on Thursday.
Former rugby players send brain injuries claim letter to governing bodies
Dozens of former amateur rugby players have written to a number of the sport's governing bodies, alleging not enough was done to protect them from brain injuries ahead of a potential lawsuit.
Sundance film fest finally returns to mountain
Indie filmmakers and Hollywood stars have packed their snow boots and are heading to the mountains of Utah for the first time in three years, as the in-person Sundance festival returns Thursday.
Ukraine's Zelensky ups pressure for more Western weapons
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday heaped pressure on Western allies to provide Kyiv with more heavy weapons to fight Russia on the eve of a key donor meeting.
'Long way back' for struggling Zverev after Australian Open exit
Struggling former world number two Alexander Zverev admitted Thursday he still had a long road to travel on his injury recovery after being dumped out of the Australian Open in the second round.
Thousands of protesters expected in Peru's capital
Thousands of protesters were expected to descend on Peru's capital Lima on Thursday, defying a state of emergency to express their anger with President Dina Boluarte after weeks of unrest.
Rural China's subsiding Covid wave suggests virus spread before reopening
Covid-19 swept swiftly through southern China's rural mountain villages last month, and the wave appears to have subsided -- supporting expert theories that the country's most recent outbreak preceded the lifting of restrictions.
Struggling Zverev dumped out in Australian Open round two
Struggling former world number two Alexander Zverev was dumped out of the Australian Open on Thursday in another setback on his return from serious injury.
Garcia relieved to battle into Australian Open third round
World number four Caroline Garcia admitted she was relieved to see off tricky left-hander Leylah Fernandez in straight sets Thursday and take her place in the third round of the Australian Open.
Eighth seed Fritz out of Melbourne to tearful wildcard Popyrin
Eighth seed Taylor Fritz became the latest top name to tumble out of the Australian Open on Thursday, ousted in round two by wildcard local hope Alex Popyrin who was in tears at the end.
Markets drift after Wall St tumble as recession fears return
Markets were mixed Thursday while oil prices fell and the dollar weakened after disappointing US data renewed worries about a recession in the world's biggest economy.
Tens of millions head home for China holidays as Xi flags Covid worry
Tens of millions in China headed to their rural hometowns for Lunar New Year celebrations Thursday, though President Xi Jinping said he was "concerned" about the countryside's ability to weather a Covid surge.