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US basketball star Griner freed in Russian prisoner swap
Basketball star Brittney Griner is "safe" and headed home to the United States after being freed from a Russian prison ordeal in a swap for the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, the two countries announced on Thursday.
UK turns to army as crippling strikes loom
Britain on Thursday said it was preparing to enlist the army to cover ambulances and border security before a wave of strikes this month as workers demand higher wages.
Ex-Wirecard CEO in the dock over 'unparalleled' fraud
Wirecard's ex-CEO Markus Braun and two former executives went on trial in Munich on Thursday charged with fraud over their involvement in Germany's biggest-ever accounting scandal.
Kirsten leaves Welsh Fire after winless 2022
Gary Kirsten has left his position as coach of the Welsh Fire after two unsuccessful seasons in charge of the Hundred franchise, it was announced Thursday.
Celine Dion cancels shows due to 'rare neurological disorder'
Celine Dion cancelled and postponed a series of European shows on Thursday over problems related to a "very rare neurological disorder" that is affecting her singing.
Tite defends Brazil World Cup goal celebrations
Brazil coach Tite has hit back at criticism of his players' dancing goal celebrations in their World Cup win over South Korea, dismissing suggestions they showed a lack of respect.
Kremlin sees 'risk' of Ukraine attacks on Crimea
The Kremlin said Thursday that the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula was vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks after officials said they had shot down a drone near a key naval base.
Outrage as Iran carries out first hanging over protests
Iran carried out its first known execution Thursday over the protests that have shaken the regime since September, sparking international condemnation and warnings from rights groups that more hangings are imminent.
World Cup braces for quarter-finals as Spain sack coach
Brazil were gearing up for a showdown with Croatia while Argentina prepared to face the Netherlands as anticipation mounted on Thursday on the eve the World Cup quarter-finals.
Outrage as Iran carries out first first hanging over protests
Iran carried out its first known execution Thursday over the protests that have shaken the regime since September, sparking international condemnation and warnings from rights groups that more hangings are imminent.
'Proud' Surinamese back Dutch World Cup stars
From the Netherlands to Suriname, pride is swelling at the number of Dutch players in Friday's World Cup quarter-final who trace their roots to the South American former colony.
King Charles coins enter UK circulation
The first coins bearing the likeness of Britain's King Charles III entered circulation Thursday, The Royal Mint announced.
Markets mostly fall as recession fears dampen China optimism
Hong Kong soared but other stock markets mostly fell Thursday as investors weighed worries about a US recession against China's shift away from strict Covid restrictions.
Ballance leaves Yorkshire amid Rafiq racism row fall-out
Former England batsman Gary Ballance is to leave Yorkshire in search of a "fresh start" following his part in the Azeem Rafiq racism row that sent shock waves through the English game.
Spain sack Luis Enrique after World Cup flop
Spain sacked coach Luis Enrique on Thursday after the 2010 champions were dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco at the last-16 stage earlier this week.
Iran carries out first known hanging over protests
Iran carried out its first known execution Thursday over the protests that have shaken the regime since September, hanging a 23-year-old man after a legal process denounced as a show trial by rights groups.
In Netflix series, Harry slams press, family, over 'feeding frenzy'
Prince Harry slammed the media "feeding frenzy" over his relationship with Meghan in an explosive Netflix docuseries aired Thursday, also criticising his family for failing to protect her and his mother Diana.
China's Xi meets Saudi crown prince on high-stakes visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince on Thursday on an Arab outreach visit that will yield billions of dollars in deals and has earned a rebuke from Washington.
Challenging last mile for China's vaccine push after zero-Covid retreat
China is finally beating a retreat from its strict zero-Covid policy, but low vaccination rates among its elderly have seeded fears that the coronavirus could kill as many as 2.1 million people.
Portugal deny Ronaldo reported World Cup walkout threat
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Thursday denied Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to abandon the World Cup squad after being benched against Switzerland.
England's Sterling to return to Qatar
England forward Raheem Sterling is to return to the World Cup in Qatar on Friday after spending time in England following a robbery at his home, England's Football Association said on Thursday.
Peru gets new president after predecessor's arrest
Peru's new President Dina Boluarte was scrambling to form a government on Thursday, a day after the country was thrown into political chaos by the dramatic arrest of her predecessor following a failed coup.
Iran carries out first known execution over Amini protests
Iran carried out its first known execution Thursday over protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death, hanging a man convicted of blocking a street and wounding a paramilitary member in what human rights activists condemned as "show trials".
Markets mixed as recession fears dampen China optimism
Asian and European markets were mixed Thursday as sentiment was pulled in opposite directions by worries about a US recession and China's shift away from strict Covid restrictions.
Bulgaria, Romania try anew to join passport-free zone
Bulgaria and Romania fear further disappointment when EU ministers meet Thursday to review their elusive decade-plus long bid to join Europe's passport-free Schengen travel region.
'Truth will come out' about Australia's Sandpaper-gate, Warner manager says
"Two executives" laid the foundations for the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal that shook Australian cricket, batsman David Warner's manager claimed Thursday.
'Downton Shabby': US producer quits Hollywood to do up UK family pile
As a child, Hopwood DePree heard stories about the family owning an ancestral country home in England but always thought it was the stuff of legends.
Surveillance, hacking: whistleblower recalls Wirecard nightmare
When short seller Matthew Earl anonymously co-authored a report detailing explosive allegations of wrongdoing at German fintech champion Wirecard, his life was turned upside down.
After 20 years in a cage, freedom for Albania brown bear
After more than two decades in a cage at an Albanian restaurant for diners to look at, brown bear Mark is heading towards a better life in an Austrian sanctuary.
Tributes pour in for whistleblower doctor after China's zero-Covid U-turn
Hundreds of Chinese internet users have paid tribute to "martyr" doctor Li Wenliang, who first blew the whistle on the coronavirus outbreak, in the wake of a dramatic reversal of strict Covid rules by the government.
China's capital adjusts to life with Covid after policy reversal
The Chinese capital showed tentative signs of a return to normal Thursday after a sudden reversal of a hardline pandemic policy that hammered the world's second-biggest economy and ignited rare protests.
Celtics rip Suns in NBA showdown while Morant has triple double
Boston's Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum turned a matchup of NBA conference leaders into a rout on Wednesday while Ja Morant's triple double sparked the Memphis Grizzlies over Oklahoma City.