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Putin says strikes on Ukraine infrastructure 'inevitable'
President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia's strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure were "inevitable" as the Kremlin rejected US President Joe Biden's terms for talks and warned the assault would continue.
Xi signals China could loosen zero-Covid policy, EU officials say
President Xi Jinping suggested the spread of the less lethal Omicron strain might allow China to loosen its zero-Covid policy, senior EU officials reported Friday, as cities across the country made further moves towards unwinding some restrictions.
Argentina wary of Australia's speed ahead of World Cup clash
Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul said the South American team are wary of Australia's height and speed ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash in Doha on Saturday.
'No surrender': ragtag militia helps hold Ukraine line in Donbas
Underarmed and with limited ammunition, Volodymyr Regesha is adamant his volunteer battalion won't be joining the Ukrainian army even if it means taking their chances on the front.
O'Gara out of England rugby coach running amid Jones review
Ireland rugby great Ronan O'Gara ruled himself out Friday of the running to replace under-pressure England coach Eddie Jones.
UK ex-finance minister joins exodus of Tory MPs
Britain's former finance minister Sajid Javid on Friday said he would not be standing at the next election, as the Conservative party faces a slump in support after 12 years in power.
Van Gaal hits out at Dutch critics before USA World Cup clash
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal hit back on Friday at the "negative" media coverage of his team at the World Cup as they prepare to face the United States in the last 16.
European stocks, oil steady before US jobs data and OPEC
European stock markets and oil prices steadied Friday before key US jobs data and an oil output decision by OPEC and its Russia-led allies.
Shafique and Haq give Pakistan solid start after England's 657
Pakistan's openers got among the runs on a placid pitch Friday as they took the home team to 181 without loss in reply to England's mammoth 657 in the first Test in Rawalpindi.
EU cap on Russian oil price on hold as Poland urges lower price
The West's plan to starve Russia of resources to fight its war in Ukraine by imposing a price cap on its oil exports hit a diplomatic logjam in Brussels on Friday.
Mature tactics help Japan grow up at World Cup
Japan were labelled naive when they exited the World Cup four years ago against Belgium. Now their canny tactics have upset Germany and Spain and taken them to the last 16.
Musk's free speech absolutism 'a fantasy'
The limits of Elon Musk's self-professed "free speech absolutism" were laid bare, critics said, when he banned rapper Kanye West from Twitter over his latest anti-Semitic outburst on Thursday.
US-led forces resume normal patrols in Syria
A US-led coalition fighting jihadists resumed regular patrols in Kurdish-held areas of northeast Syria on Friday after earlier Turkish air strikes, an AFP correspondent and a Kurdish military source said.
Ramaphosa: From Mandela's protégé to scandal-hit leader
Pragmatic, wealthy and ambitious, Cyril Ramaphosa promised "a new dawn" for corruption-ridden South Africa when he became president.
Ghana eye Uruguay revenge, Germany digests shock exit
Ghana bid to avenge an infamous loss by eliminating Uruguay from the World Cup on Friday as shellshocked Germany launched an inquest into the team's stunning early exit.
China Grand Prix cancelled for fourth successive year due to Covid
Formula One chiefs cancelled the China Grand Prix for a fourth straight year on Friday, citing continuing problems related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
NGOs take aim at Indonesia over orangutans, academic freedom
More than a dozen NGOs have issued a letter accusing Indonesia of stymieing scientific research, after Jakarta banned a group of foreign academics who opposed an official claim that orangutan numbers are increasing.
Sun to go down on Elton John's final UK tour at Glastonbury
After Paul McCartney, the Glastonbury music festival on Friday again rolled back the years by announcing Elton John as its headline act next June to close out his final UK tour.
Australia's Cummins bags 200th Test wicket as West Indies crumble
Australia took a grip on the first Test in Perth Friday with Pat Cummins bagging his 200th wicket as they bowled out a resolute West Indies then piled on more runs to stretch their lead to a commanding 344.
Ramaphosa political fate hangs in balance in South Africa
The political future of President Cyril Ramaphosa hung in the balance on Friday, as South Africans wondered whether he would cling to power or resign over accusations that he sought to cover up a burglary at his farm.
Inspirational Adams: USA's leader on & off pitch
Christian Pulisic may have the "Captain America" nickname, but there is no doubt about who is the USA's leader at the World Cup.
Outspoken Van Gaal eyes emotional World Cup run with Netherlands
Louis van Gaal has his sights set on an emotional World Cup run as the outspoken Netherlands coach prepares for Saturday's last 16 clash with the United States.
Moroccans rejoice at reaching World Cup last 16
Ecstatic Moroccans celebrated on Thursday after their team qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
OPEC set to stick or cut more amid plan to cap Russian oil price
Major oil producers are expected to stick to their current output strategy or even slash production further when they meet on Sunday in the face of falling prices, a potential Russian oil price cap and an embargo on Russian crude shipments.
Scott joint leader as Smith dodges cut in Australian Open
Former Masters champion Adam Scott zoomed into a two-way share of the lead in the Australian Open while Cameron Smith narrowly avoided the halfway cut in Melbourne on Friday.
Switzerland fines engineering giant $4.3 mn over S.Africa bribery
Swedish-Swiss engineering giant ABB has been fined four million Swiss francs ($4.3 million) over bribery linked to the construction of a huge power plant in South Africa, Switzerland announced on Friday.
Under-pressure Pakistan 17-0 at lunch after England's mammoth 657
Pakistan safely negotiated the early overs to reach 17 without loss at lunch Friday on the second day of the opening Test against England, after the visitors were all out for a mammoth 657 in Rawalpindi.
Philippines' largest prison holds mass burial for 70 inmates
The bodies of 70 inmates from the Philippines' largest prison were laid to rest Friday in a mass burial, weeks after their decomposing remains were discovered in a Manila funeral home.
Musk kicks Kanye West off Twitter after swastika post
Elon Musk kicked Kanye West off Twitter on Friday "for incitement to violence," after the rapper posted a picture that appeared to show a swastika interlaced with a Star of David.
Argentina back on track in World Cup roller coaster
It has been a roller coaster ride for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar, but after veering off the rails early on, Lionel Messi's team are firmly back on track.
England pile up mammoth 657 against Pakistan in first Test
England piled up a mammoth 657 runs before being all out Friday on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Street life: Manila's homeless find shelter in pushcarts
Like thousands of homeless people in the Philippine capital Manila, Maricel Abawag and her son used to sleep on flattened cardboard boxes laid out on footpaths. Then they got a pushcart.